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Know before you go

Get travel tips on: Flying, luggage, traveling with kids and more.

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Q&A: Packing for your summer trip

What you need to know about Amtrak trains

10 tips for car trips

Public transit tips

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Get information on local airports and bus lines, see the Seven Wonders of Maryland, explore historic sites and more.

February 24, 2008

What should I do first -- book my airfare or my hotel? Don't book either until you check out both or have a travel agent check them for you. If you're planning to attend a major event, such as the Kentucky Derby in Louisville or Mardi Gras in New Orleans, finding a suitable hotel room at a price you can afford is usually the more difficult task. Even if your journey isn't connected to a celebration or popular season, do some homework before you buy. You never can tell when a giant convention might suck up all the hotel rooms in town.

February 24, 2008

Health questions

What health-related steps should I take before I go? About two months before your trip, schedule an appointment with your doctor or a travel-medicine specialist. You may need to update your vaccines or get a vaccination you've not had before.

February 24, 2008

Flying tips

What can't I take on a plane? Beside the obvious (explosives and weapons), the government forbids dozens of items. Different rules apply to checked and carryon bags. For a full list, go to the Transportation Security Administration's Web site (tsa.gov) and click on "SimpliFLY." Do not wrap gifts because TSA inspectors may need to unwrap them.

February 24, 2008

Luggage tips

How likely is it that my luggage will get lost? It's hard to believe, but the odds are slim that you will not get your luggage. In October 2007,U.S. carriers combined had an average of 5.3 reports of lost, mishandled or damaged luggage per 1,000 passengers.

February 24, 2008

Cruising tips

Can you cruise if you're pregnant? Many cruise lines don't want you on board if you are or will be as little as 24 weeks into your pregnancy during the cruise. They're concerned about pre-term labor. Although ships are equipped to deal with medical emergencies, an early delivery requires specialized care that most ships simply aren't prepared to provide.

February 24, 2008

Safety tips

How can I avoid identity theft while traveling?

Money tips

What's the catch to using debit and credit cards in foreign countries? Credit cards usually return several percentage points better than exchanging cash or travelers' checks. But keep in mind that when you use your card abroad -- either credit or debit -- you might get stuck with a 3 percent currency- conversion or "foreign-transaction fee" on your statement. And when you withdraw from an ATM, you probably will face a fee of as much as $5, or 1 percent to 3 percent of the withdrawal or both. The devil is in the details, which vary by bank.

February 24, 2008