Although traveling nationally or internationally gives you the opportunity to see the world and interact with people of all backgrounds, it can also be a hassle, an expense or even a danger. However, there are ways to make your trip less stressful and more enjoyable, whether it’s for business or pleasure. All you need to do is follow these simple tips.

Maintain a happy attitude while traveling. Things can get rather tense at airports. Tempers run high. The people who work there often have a hard time of things. Keeping a positive demeanor about you, at least outwardly, will likely improve your experience. A negative attitude will seldom get you anywhere.

Be flexible when making your travel plans. Unless there is some reason that you must travel on a specific day, flexibility will save you money. Allowing a booking website to search for flights near your desired travel dates could save you as much as a hundred dollars per flight, especially if it shifts you off of a weekend flight.

Check out alternative places to stay. You don’t always have to stay in a hotel to feel great on vacation. There are many “house-swapping” sites available, which allow you to stay in someones vacant home. Try looking for cabins or bed and breakfasts. Alternate lodging can be some of the most interesting and fun parts of vacationing, so be sure to check it out!

If you are concerned about the safety of your wallet on your next travel adventure, consider using an alternate form of storage for your vital belongings such as your cash and personal identity cards. Many different types of wallet storage are available that stay conveniently hidden beneath your clothing, from a belted waste pouch to a zippered wristband.

If you are going on a long plane ride and the person in the seat next to you has a lot to say, and you really don’t want to hear it, just pretend to nod off. When they see that you are sleeping, I would hope that they would get the idea and be quiet.

To prevent yourself from becoming sick after a long flight, you may want to consider using a saline spray in your nose. This is proven to help fight any bacteria that may be dormant in the air. It’s a great way to get one up on the passengers beside you if they are sick.

If you are packing for a cruise, don’t buy anything new for the trip. This is because most cruises today will allow you to remain in casual clothes even for dinner, and almost never require that you dress in black-tie formalwear. Whatever you currently own is most likely acceptable for the trip.

As you can see, there are a number of ways to make traveling more pleasurable, as well as safer and less costly. Many of these tips come from seasoned travelers who have learned through experience. Use their knowledge to your advantage the next time you have to plan a trip, whether it’s in a neighboring city or another country.