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Smart Travel Tips

Vacation Planning Checklist

Thinking about getting out of town? These steps―and sites―will help you plan your trip.

Transportation

  • Book a flight, if necessary. Find the best deals by checking out sites such as airfarewatchdog.com.
  • Plot your route, if driving. Visit sites like mapquest.com, randmcnally.com, and aaa.com for directions from Point A to Point B.
  • Get your car serviced, if driving. Fill up the tank, inflate your tires, and check the oil.
  • Check your flight status. Before you leave for the airport, go to flightstats.com for up-to-date arrival and departure information at most major airports (along with estimated wait times for security lines).

Accommodations

  • Reserve a hotel room. Such sites as orbitz.com and hotels.com have many options, but some chains (Hyatt and Starwood, among them) offer the lowest fares by booking through their websites.
  • Or book a B&B or inn. Check bedandbreakfast.com or iloveinns.com for information on rooms and rates.
  • Or find a house rental. Research international and domestic rental properties on rentalo.com and vrbo.com.
  • Or locate a home exchange. Choose a destination, then swap your abode with like-minded folks you’ll find listed on homeexchange.com or intervacusa.com.

Activities

  • Search recommendations of restaurants and services. Locals write about major cities on yelp.com and gridskipper.com.

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Did we forget anything on this checklist? What would you add?

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