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There are a growing number of guidebooks and web sites for
travelers to find weather, cultural, geopolitical information and general
travel tips to make your journeys easier, more efficient and more enjoyable. Here is a list of 50 travel tips that many
photographers who live on the road regard as useful common knowledge. There are many more practical tips, specific
to photographers, that you can find by
clicking on the archived articles noted in the bibliography below. Although many of these tips seem like
no-brainers, it is often amazing how many people forget alarm clocks and
other personal items, or fail to read details about climate in determining
their clothing and equipment needs on the road. Many seasoned travelers will quote you the number one travel tip
found in most guidebooks and travel web sites — Pack Light — and heeding that
tip has lots of merit. However, my Number One Travel Tip to you is: No
one in their right mind tries to accomplish all of these tips or pack all of
this stuff in preparation for their photo travels! Pick and choose the strategies that are
important to where and when you are traveling, as well as your personal style
on the road. Remember, travel is never
any fun if you have to agonize over all the details.
Tips for Personal Gear and Packing It
- A good quality GoreTex jacket doubles as both raingear and a warm lightweight jacket. The best place to pack it is on top of all your other clothing to be able to access it quickly when you arrive at a cool or stormy destination.
- Pack your shampoo, conditioner, hair spray or other liquids that could leak in your luggage in doubled Ziploc bags to contain any possible leakage.
- Keep your medications, prescriptions, extra eyeglasses or contact lenses and any important documents in your carry-on bag. Never place them in your checked luggage, which could be delayed.
- Place an empty duffel bag within your checked baggage to be able to carry souvenirs you purchase on your trip and to check them as luggage on your homeward flight.
- When heading out from home on the first leg of an international trip, pack one set of underwear and socks in your camera pack, or place it in a coat pocket in case your luggage does not arrive when you get there. This allows a partial fresh change of clothes after a long flight and the ability to wash one set while the other is being worn.
- Place a photocopy of the front pages of your passport, as well as your address and telephone number, in each of your checked bags and your photo backpack in case of loss. The passport photocopy could come in very handy if your passport is lost and must be replaced during your travels.
- In addition to photocopying your passport details and placing copies in each piece of luggage, scan all your important documents (including credit card numbers, drivers license, passport front pages, medical insurance card and credit card cancellation phone numbers) with a flat bed scanner and e-mail the scans to your e-mail account as attachments. Use a free e-mail account such as hotmail.com to access your documents from anywhere in the world. If your wallet or passport is lost or stolen, you will know exactly which cards and documents you have lost and you will have all the telephone numbers to call to cancel credit cards and records to obtain a new passport.
- Carry three identical passport size photos in your luggage to use for obtaining a new passport if yours should become lost or stolen or use them if your travel plans change and you decide to visit an additional country that requires visa photos.
- Add your e-mail address to your baggage tag. If your bag is delayed in transit, e-mail may be the quickest way to communicate with your airline. As mobile phones continue to proliferate and their calling range increases, place your mobile phone number on the luggage tag if you are carrying the phone with you.
- New stainless steel wire net luggage security systems are available and will add additional security for your camera pack. They are manufactured by Pacsafe (www.pac-safe.com) and can be purchased from REI and other outdoor stores for about $55.
- Travel alarm clocks and wristwatches with multiple time zone capabilities allow you to see what time it is back home so you can call at a reasonable hour.
- When traveling abroad by plane always take a ballpoint pen with you. During the flight you will need to fill in customs forms before landing. Its amazing how many people seem not to have a pen when they need one!
- A small penlight flashlight (torch) is useful for so many things from seeing camera controls when shooting at the first and last light of day to maneuvering around your hotel room during a power failure or when the generator has been switched off at a remote jungle camp.
- If you are an avid reader take a 100-watt light bulb with you to increase the light levels of the reading lamp in your hotel room. Often bulbs supplied in the room are inadequate as reading lights.
- Take older clothes that can be discarded towards the end of your trip. In many Third World countries the local people are pleased to receive these donations. In remote areas, laundering on the rocks of a river or strong lye soaps and bleach can easily ruin good clothing. Eliminating old clothes from your luggage allows much more room for bringing souvenirs home.
- Lock your luggage to avoid accidental openings due to rough handling or cabin pressure changes and carry the keys on your person. Place a suitcase strap around your luggage for added protection. Keep your suitcase locked when you leave the hotel room.
- A couple of plastic coat hangers come in handy for drying clothing when there is no convenient shower curtain rod or not enough hangers in the hotel closet.
- If you care that your clothes get a bit wrinkled from being packed in a duffel bag, here is an easy way to put them back in shape: Place your clothes on a hanger. Travel with a small spray bottle, fill it with water, lightly spray the clothing, and let hang dry for a while. This usually eliminates most of the wrinkles.
- Lightweight slacks dry much faster than blue jeans or dungarees. They are extremely useful in camps and lodges that do laundry by hand and dry it in the sun, especially if you need your laundry returned in a short period of time.
- A couple of fabric softener dryer sheets placed between your packed clothing keeps the clean clothes in the suitcase or duffel bag smelling fresh even if you are transporting dirty laundry or odorous shoes during your trip.
- It's helpful to pack and repack your suitcase and camera bag in the same order or place and return each object to the same location each time you use them. During short stays, you'll then be able to reach into your bags and find what you want without unpacking completely. Putting things back in the same place makes it easier to find them and avoids a number of frantic searches during your trip. This is especially true for your keys, cash and passport.
- If you are traveling with a spouse or significant other, pack half of your clothes in his/her bag, and carry half of his/her clothing in your luggage. If one bag gets lost in transit, you each have at least half your things.
Tips on Miscellaneous Camera Gear, Film and Equipment
- When traveling within North America, Fed Ex any large quantity of film to your destination. Call ahead to alert your hotel that the package will be arriving. Shipping film overseas can be risky due to theft, or complications with customs regulations that may proclaim the film professional or for resale and create extreme problems in attempting to claim it.
- After filling your camera pack, carry it around a block or two and see how it feels. You may want to reevaluate the amount of gear you're taking with you.
- Alcohol wipes, normally used to sterilize skin before administering injections, can be obtained from any pharmacy and make outstanding camera cleaning swabs. (Not for cleaning lens glass.) They are also useful for cleansing cuts and minor abrasions.
- Save the free shower caps from hotel rooms to use as camera covers during light rain or drizzle. The shower caps can also be placed over dirty shoes packed in your suitcase to keep the rest of your clothing clean as you travel from place to place.
- A small Polaroid camera can enhance your photo trip by allowing you to be able to give instant photos to the local people you may be photographing. Too many photographers, despite their good intentions, often fail to follow through with promised photographs once they get home. Here is the practical answer.
- For international travel, to use American-style battery chargers for your camera nicads, Quantum batteries and camcorder batteries, buy a power converter that plugs into the wall to convert 110 AC to 12 volts DC current. But beware!!!The standard voltage converters you find at travel stores are rated at 50-1600 watts. DON'T USE ONE OF THESE. Make sure the converter is rated with a lower wattage rating, 0-1600 watts. If an outlet is labeled "for shavers only," it can handle appliances operating at only 15 to 20 watts but is still not acceptable to use as a receptacle for Quantum or other low wattage chargers.
- Place your tripod and other heavy objects at the bottom of the suitcase where the hinges are. There they will stay in place and not shift and damage clothing or other packed items due to their weight.
Health and Safety Tips
- When traveling it is a good idea to carry a hand sanitizer (cleans and disinfects without water). Purell Instant Hand Sanitizer is a good brand and available throughout North America. Find it on the web at www.purell.com.
- When leaving the hotel, always take a hotel business card, matchbook or stationery with the hotel name and address on it. Just show one to your cab driver and there won't be any mistake as to where you are staying, especially in foreign lands where your language skills may be limited.
- When traveling to areas with the potential of a lot of biting insects or to malaria endemic areas, bug netting on your bed can be essential for a sound nights sleep. The best weve found is available from:
Long Road Travel Supplies,111
Avenida Dr.Berkeley, CA
94708,USA
They can be found on the web at www.longroad.com. When ordering, weve found that the nets with sewn-in floors are better at keeping out insects. Avoid the option to purchase no-see-um grade mesh tents; they can be very hot — as little air can flow through. Most indoor locations do not present no-see-um problems.
- Know your blood type and include it within your passport, wallet and other travel documents.
- Toilet tissue can be at a premium in some primitive areas. Before leaving home, save the remaining half of three rolls from your bathroom. To pack them efficiently, remove the center cardboard tube and press them flat.
- Foam rubber ear plugs work great for flying in small and noisy commuter planes, help you cope with a snoring roommate and aid in sleeping on a long distance flight. Opaque eyeshades are also useful for sleeping on these flights.
- In many countries, feminine hygiene products are difficult to obtain or are very different from those used in North America and Europe. They are often difficult or potentially embarrassing to attempt to describe by sign language in foreign lands. Women should make sure to have an ample supply of these products before leaving home.
- Have a dental checkup before you travel to lessen the potential need for emergency treatment while overseas.
- Take a minute to study the fire instructions posted in your hotel room. Keep your room key, wallet and a flashlight on a bedside table so you can find them in the dark. In case of fire, take them with you when you leave. If smoke is coming into the room, touch the door, frame and knob. If they are cool, slowly open the door. Take a wet towel to cover your face. If your door is hot, do not open it, but remain in the room. Run water in the tub, soak towels, and use them to block the crack under the door. Do not use elevators in case of fire.
- One of a traveler's worst enemies can be a new pair of shoes or hiking boots. Break in any new footwear well in advance of your trip to avoid blisters and other foot ailments.
Tips For Dealing With Airlines Delays
- If you are meeting a tour or cruise ship, consider flying to your departure point a day early. Adding an extra day can alleviate some of the anxiety of flight delays and allow time for missing baggage to catch up with you before you head out on your scheduled trip. This procedure also allows rest time to lessen jet lag and allocates a bit of private time before meeting your group.
- Flight delays occur because of bad weather, "bunched" flights, union work stopping actions, limited airport capacities, an inadequate number of air-traffic controllers and mechanical failure. Airlines are under no obligation to get ticketed passengers to their destinations at any scheduled time. Neither are they obligated to compensate you for missed cruises, tours and connections. If your flight is cancelled or seriously delayed and you have an emergency such as a family illness, tour or cruise ship departure, tell the airline's counter representative. Often they will attempt to prioritize and expedite your new schedule if they are aware of the situation.
- When a flight is cancelled or going to be delayed for several hours, ask the airline to place you on the next available flight. They may put you on a competitor's flight if they have nothing scheduled in a reasonable time period. Ask the airline to check other airlines schedules and endorse your ticket to the new carrier. There are numerous reasons to avoid E-tickets at present. The best reason to avoid them is that E-tickets are currently not easily endorsable between airlines and will cause delays if you are late and in a hurry. This is also true of some cheap tickets purchased from discounters on-line. When delayed, stay calm — getting upset never helps the situation.
- When you travel, stick with one airline as much as possible. Travelers in an airlines upper echelons of frequent flyer programs often get priority rescheduling when there are flight delays. They also receive special toll free customer service numbers to call that alleviate standing in long counter lines when delays occur.
- Check with airline staff to find out what services they can provide if youre delayed. Ask about meals and phone calls. Request a meal voucher if a delay extends through a mealtime. Often they can provide you with a phone card as well. If the delay extends past 1 AM, request a hotel voucher. Airlines will not provide meal or hotel vouchers at a flights point of origin.
- Avoid flying on airlines at peak traffic times. When possible choose flight dates between noon Monday to noon Thursday, and noon Saturday to noon Sunday.
- Do you know the difference between non-stop and direct flights? Non-stops fly directly to the destination. Direct flights may stop several times but the passengers do not have to change planes. Knowing the difference between these and other connecting flights can save time and reduce the chance of lost luggage during transfers to other aircraft en route to your destination.
Customs Regulations
- Check the expiration date of your passport well in advance of your trip. Make sure your passport is current. Many countries will not permit you to enter or will decline to give you a visa if your passport's remaining validity is less than 6 months.
- A wealth of travel information from the United States State Department can be found on the web at http://travel.state.gov. There are links for numerous sites within the government regarding travel warnings, customs regulations, services and information for travelers abroad and a variety of other topics.
- For entry at customs, Canada requires proof of US citizenship and vice versa. This necessitates the use of a passport or a birth certificate. A drivers license, or voter registration card, is not a valid proof of citizenship for entry into either country.
For further reading on travel and tips, check out these archived articles in PhotoSafaris.com — and
happy travels!
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