Hot Travel How-Tos « Travel

How To: Calculate the Cost of Driving

With gas prices soaring in the US and around the globe, the cost to drive to a vacation destination is becoming a much larger expense item in the overall travel budget. Although it's easy to see that gas prices have risen dramatically in the past several months, it's not nearly as easy to figured out how it will impact that upcoming car trip, so here are the items you need to take into consideration to calculate how much it will cost to drive to a destination.

How To: Travel light to avoid baggage fees

It seems like there's never any breaks in air travel when it comes to money. The airfares just keep rising, and now most major airlines charge for all checked baggage, so carry-ons are the way to go. But you need to know how to take it easy with your packing list. Pack light and travel without the burden of that extra $15 or more per bag.

How To: Keep your backpack safe while traveling by train

In this video, we learn how to keep your backpack safe while riding on trains in Europe with Scott Dean. When you're on a long train ride, there are high chances your bag could get stolen while on a train. If you have to leave your bag in the back, make sure you use a bag lock on it. If you are able to keep it next to you, lock your bag onto a nearby rack or the shelf. You can find a number of bag locks at www.pac-safe.com, they make a ton of different locks and travel gear that's beneficial ...

How To: Avoid Insane Airline Baggage Fees by Packing Your Luggage Like a Pro Traveler

The airline is not your friend. It will do anything it can to gouge your dignity, time, and most of all, money. One of the biggest scams to get a few extra bucks out of you are those dreaded baggage fees. If the lines, security, "random" screenings, and unwanted fondling aren't bad enough, you have to pay them to check your bags (which, most of the time, is done poorly). Flying truly is the most inconvenient way to travel.

How To: Pack a suitcase like a professional concierge

In this video, we learn how to pack a suitcase like a professional concierge. First, you want to tuck in the edge of the case and pack the shoes at the very bottom. After this, tuck shoes or underwear into boots and shoes to help save room. Next, lie the jeans over the luggage and then fold shirts up to where you are rolling them from the bottom up and place them on the pants. Add in any more shirts, then place the waist band and bottom of the pants over the shirts. Use tissue paper on the to...

How To: Cook food on a hotel iron & survive in a bad hotel

In this video, get real travel tips from a professional flight attendant. If you travel as much as a flight attendant does, you are bound to wind up in some horrible motels along the way. In this video, learn fleabag motel survival skills from a pro.

How To: Live in your car

Whether you have to move into your car or you want to, there are some bases you need to cover. This Howcast guide demonstrates how to live out of your car. This is also helpful for cross country trips.

How To: Make the most out of any hotel stay

Hotels are anonymous and while this is a great thing, you should also be careful about the nameless folks who've used your room before you. Follow this tutorial to make the most of your hotel and ensure a great vacation experience.

How To: Sleep on Long Flights Like a Pro with These 13 Must-Know Tips

There's absolutely nothing comfortable about flying, unless you happen to be tiny enough to fit into the limited space offered on airplanes, or wealthy enough to afford a first-class ticket. And if you're about to embark on a long flight, catching a few Zs can feel like an impossible task. But it's definitely not impossible to get some quality sleep for a few hours, you just need to know how to use that limited space to your advantage.

How To: Make a car hammock

Sleeping the car can be a pain, but sometimes it's necessary. Take a look at this instructional video and learn how to make your own car hammock with a king sized sheet and some rope.

How To: Apply for a NEXUS card to use in Canada and the United

Nexus is a pre-approved trusted traveler program that allows approved people expedited travel between Canada and the US. The card is available to US and Canadian citizens or permanent residents who travel by air or land between the two countries. Anyone traveling between the two countries must have their own Nexus card including babies. The Nexus card is considered a privilege by both the US and Canadian governments. You must have a clean record with both the Canadian Border Services and The ...

How To: Find cheap (or free) places to crash on vacation

Why waste your vacation dollars on pricey hotel rooms when there are cheaper – and sometimes free – alternatives? Watch this video to learn how to find cheap (or free) places to crash on vacation.

How To: Book the best hotel room for your money

Watch this video tutorial to learn how to book the best hotel room for your money. You've spent all year saving up for your dream vacation. The last thing you want is to end up in a hotel room that ruins the whole trip.

How To: Protect Your Luggage from Careless Baggage Handlers

Reddit user craigyboy2601 knows a thing or two about airline baggage handlers. After all, he is one. So, when he offers some tips on how to protect your luggage from loss or damage, you should probably pay attention! Here are the highlights from his post.

How To: Affix a photo to a passport application

Summer is almost here and you’re looking forward to that exotic vacation but you are going to need a passport and photos to go in it. There are a few simple ways to get a photo for your application. Find the method that is best for you and get traveling.

How To: Protect Your Luggage by Flying with a Gun (Legally)

Did you know you can help protect yourself when traveling with a gun? No, not like that; and not in any way that's going to land you in prison. Simply by packing a gun, you can ensure that not only will your luggage be safer, but that the airline will make certain that it reaches its destination. Photo by Alamy

How To: Decorate your hotel room for the holidays

Traveling for Christmas? You don't have to forego holiday decorations just because you're celebrating from a hotel room! This tutorial shows you a few tips, like window decals and tabletop Christmas trees, that you can use to maintain the festive spirit while traveling.

How To: Stay safe in a big city

Before you get started exploring a big new city or even just getting reacquainted with the one you live in now, make sure you aren’t putting yourself in any unnecessary danger. Memorize good traveler habits that will keep thieves and scam artist off your back.

How To: Say "NO" to TSA full body scanners at airports for National Opt-Out Day

Today is the day before Thanksgiving. It's also the BIGGEST travel day in North America. Everyone is taking flights home to their family and friends for a nice Thanksgiving dinner. But this holiday will be one to remember thanks to the TSA.

How To: Protect yourself from bed bugs in a hotel room

This "Good Morning America" insightful video reveals the truth of hotels room, and what you can do to protect yourself. You'll meet those silent vampire'esque creatures known as bed bugs, you'll even see urine stains on the wall. But, of course you want to be able to travel and see the world without the fear of encountering any of these pesky things. So, you'll learn some helpful tools to help prevent or kill these little bugs for an enjoyable stress free trip and stay.

How To: Find the Cheapest Last-Minute Flights Home for the Holidays

The holidays are quickly approaching, which means everyone will be scrambling over the next couple of weeks to find the cheapest options for flights to wherever home is. There are so many sites to buy them from that it can be hard to know where to start, so we've compiled some tips and tricks for making the process as painless as possible, whether you're flying home for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or whenever.

How To: Know when to use a voltage adapter in the Philippines

Bud Brown explains how to know when to use a voltage adapter in the Philippines. The United States and the Philippines have different voltage systems. In the United States 110 volts are used, and in the Philippines 220 volts are used. If you plug something from one system into the other system, it will not work correctly and may ruin your equipment. Consider that computers and phone chargers are equipped to handle both systems. Check the labels on your electrical equipment to determine if it ...

How To: Plan for international travel

Betsy Sell and Tom Wilt of AAA Travel Services present this video to teach you how to plan for international travel. They teach you how to prepare the right documents, explain how to get a passport, and discuss travel insurance. They also discuss how to plan for emergencies and how to deal with different kinds of money such as travelers' checks. They also discuss how to pack, what to do when documents are lost, and safety tips. This video is the introduction in a series with this information ...

How To: Get a commercial driver FAST card for US & Canada

FAST is an expedited travel program for commercial truck drivers that travel between the US and Canada. FAST cards are available to citizens or permanent residents of Canada or the US. The FAST program is viewed as a privilege by both Canada and the US. You can be denied for the FAST program if you do not have a clean driving record and a clean record with the Canadian Border Services and The US Customs and Border Protection. Things such as being caught with undeclared items and having a crim...

HowTo: Pack Everything You Own Into One Backpack

Okay, so this is possibly an ad for REI. Regardless, there's something to learn here! This well traveled dude uses the "clown car" style of packing to cram tons of clothing into a regular sized day pack. Tons of clothing.

How To: Take a Car Trip with Children

Planning the Trip Get lots of brochures

How To: Bypass airport security easily with your gadgets

In this how-to video you'll learn all the tricks and tips to getting yourself through airport security quickly and easily, even if you have electronic gadgets. Some companies produce travel gear that the TSA will let pass through without having to remove your laptop or electronics. Timesaver! Watch this video and you'll soon be cruising through the "Expert Traveller" line.

How To: Pack properly for a river rafting trip

River rafting is a fun, exciting trip. In this tutorial, from the professionals at OARS, you will learn how to make a checklist for your trip and how to pack them. You will need to make sure you are packing light, taking the right items for safety and keeping everything dry.

How To: Pack a men's suit

This how to video shows you how to pack a suit. First, start off with the jacket. Fold one half inside out. Take the other half and tuck the sleee into the other. The shoulders should be lined up and straight. Pop up the collar and then stuff the shoulders with your socks. Pack the area below it with underwear. Fold the sleeve over and then roll it down tightly. Now you will not have creases on your jacket. For the pants, fold it in half and make it as dense as possible. You should be able to...

How To: Pack a backpack for Europe as a male traveler

Backpacking through Europe is a great way to see a new country. This video tutorial shows male travelers what to include in a travel backpack and offers insightful tips on enjoying a trip through Europe. As a general rule, you'll want to reach a balance between light packing and thorough preparedness. Create a packing system based on item demand, dividing items into the bottom, middle, and top sections of your bag. Finally, bring a journal to record important information and for writing down ...

How To: Pack your wallet for an itnernational trip

With all the documents ready, we need to fill our wallet with money for the travel. This video discusses various ways of filling the pocket. That is how to prepare the money for international travel. Over the years credit cards have been widely used by many travelers, which is safer than carrying cash. In this case we need to contact the credit card provider well in advance and notify them about the travel. Also we need to learn about the various fees applicable to international purchases. Th...

How To: Board a Southwest airplane

This video slideshow from Southwest airlines, demonstrates the current procedure for boarding a flight. Follow along with the tips so your trip goes as smoothly as possible. Southwest airlines now allows passengers to check in at home or at any computer up to a day before the flight, to decrease stress and rush at the airport. Watch this video travel tutorial and learn how to board a Southwest airlines flight. Board a Southwest airplane.

How To: Board an Orange County Transit Authority (OCTA) bus in a wheelchair

If you're bound to a wheelchair and living in Orange County, California, then this video is a must-see if you use public transportation. It will show you the steps to boarding an Orange County Transit Authority (OCTA) bus the right way, when in your wheelchair.

How To: Pack for Vacation - Tips & Tricks for Packing a Suitcase

This video is all about how to pack for vacation with in a small suitcase. This video helps to pack more things in less space.

How To: Enjoy Barcelona with Parents (& Soccer Fans)

This video is about Barcelona and gives you tips on where to bring your parents on a trip to Barcelona. It gives an overview to Camp Nou if you are a soccer/football fan.

How To: Enjoy Turkey's World Heritage (& How to Bargain for Goods)

This video is about Turkey and gives you tips on how to bargain Pamukkale / Hierapolis is considered one of the oldest thermal cities in the world. The thermal waters of this UNESCO World Heritage site have been enhancing the health and beauty of its visitors for centuries.