Tips for Travelers

General Travel Tips

Get a VoIP phone or use a cell phone as your "home" phone

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephones use the Internet to make high-quality phone calls at little or no expense. Some providers offer phones that plug into any computer with a USB port. This equipment allows your home phone number to follow you wherever you are. If you are not concerned with using up a lot of minutes, then a cell phone can also serve as your "home" phone, wherever you might be.

Get a high-quality laptop

A multimedia laptop can help with email, Web surfing, music, telephone and video calls. It can even serve as a television set and movie player. However, a laptop is not an inexpensive investment. Be sure to purchase a system that is designed for travel and abuse. Then secure that system. Firewall, antivirus and antispyware are a must. Get a good security cable, so that the laptop can be locked to a fixed surface. Then use it.

You may also want to consider a data card, such as those provided by Verizon, Sprint or AT&T, so that you have Internet service, even if your residence does not provide a broadband connection. Keep in mind that cell-based broadband service is not available in all areas. Some vendors have broader coverage areas than others. And it is not inexpensive. Do your research before committing to a long-term contract.

Travel light

Security at airports continues to be a hassle. For that reason, it is always good to follow airline guidelines strictly, and to remember that the less you carry, the less reason airport security has to give you a hard time. In truth, a smart traveler can live for a long time with what fits into a single, rolling suitcase, a garment bag and a briefcase with laptop. If you must move lots of stuff back and forth, consider shipping a package to yourself via UPS or FedEx Ground, and time the package to arrive shortly after your arrival.

Be secure

Traveling light also helps secure your stuff. This last point is important. Many suite hotels or short-term apartments are targets for burglary, since it is known that the residents are temporary, and likely to keep their valuables close at hand. Many experienced travelers use lightweight metal mesh enclosures, available at outdoors retailers such as REI, to guard an entire suitcase or bag with a highly effective deterrent for theft and vandalism. It's an excellent way to secure and project valuable items, such as electronics, computers and jewelry, wherever you happen to be.

Consider a travel-friendly GPS

If you don't know your way around a new city, travel-friendly GPS units from Garmin, TomTom, Magellan and many other manufacturers do much more than provide driving directions. They also have optional travel packs that cover local attractions (food, shopping, entertainment, and more) - even MP3 players and picture viewers.

Be connected

It's amazing how easy it is to know someone, wherever you may go. New coworkers, old classmates, family, even affiliated religious institutions - they all provide a place to get that emotional connection so your temporary home so that it doesn't feel so, well, temporary. Go ahead and reach out - it'll make the rest of the stay that much more enjoyable.