Scotland

Here are 10 tips for the seasoned road warrior, to make travelleling a more pleasurable experience.

1. Choose your Travel Modality Wisely

What mode of transport you decide on can vary depending on the type and length of journey. Long trips are obviously taken by plane, but shorter one might be easier by train, or maybe automobile. When trying to work out which to choose, you should consider factoring the time it takes to get to the airport, as well as time spent in the checkin line or passport control. The weather is also a deciding factor. It wouldn’t be the first time that poor weather delayed a flight.

2. It may be easier to fly from an alternative airport. The same can be said for you destination airport. It’s not unusual for smaller airports within the same city or area to be less congested and have less delays.

3. Source all your Maps Before you Leave

Research your destination before you leave by getting maps. There are a number of websites online to do this, like City Search (http://citysearch.com/) or even googlemaps. You can print them of and then I recommend keeping them in a plastic sleave to protect them from the element, in case you have to check it on a rainy street corner.

4. You Don’t Need to Carry Hard Copy

Rather than carrying large piles of brochures or sales letters, take electronic documents on diskettes and have them printed at a local printing service. Similarly, if you are working a booth in a trade show, it’s a good idea to carry electronic documents in case you run out of the stack you shipped from the office.

5. Inform you Cellular Company that You are Travelling

Mobile phone companies regularly offer new rates. Check with your company to be sure you’re getting the best deal — some now include long distance charges in the monthly fee. If your business travel will take you to small, out-of-the way towns, your digital phone might not work. You will need an analogue or dual digital/analogue phone for such trips.

6. Pick a Hotel that Caters for the Business Traveller

Hotels that cater to business travellers will have Internet capabilities and offer access to business machines such as faxes and photocopiers.

7. Remember Adaptors and Converters.

Don’t leave home without you electrical adaptors, especially when travelling abroad. This includes you phone adaptors too. If you are unsure as to what you need you can visit a good travel store for assistance.

8. Use Phone Cards

Phone bills can get quite expensive, especially if calling friend and family from a far off place. A much cheaper option is the prepaid calling card.

9. Get an Interantional Driving Licence

If you are travelling overseas, it is a good idea to get aan international drivers licence as it may be accepted in far more countries that you own own one. This shouldn’t be hard to obtain and just require you to shpw your current licence. Your locall AA should be able to supply more information for you.

10. Protect Yourself Against Theft

One very important thing to do when you travel is to make copies of all your travel document e.g. passport and travel insurance, card cards etc… These copies should be left with a friend or family member at home. Pack your electrical equipment properly in way that doesn’t advertise them to suspecting thieves. You can buy laptop cases that hide waht they are used for. Also never put important document in hip bags or back pockets.