BudgetTravel

HOW MUCH TO PLAN IN ADVANCE

I pretty much book everything in advance so that I can enjoy my trip without the added task of making other arrangements. Especially in Europe, where comfortable accommodations need to be booked well in advance. One exception might be train tickets. I find it is very easy to arrive at a train station, purchase my ticket at the desk, and go, without any hassles. —Anne Wood

I generally have an agenda of things I need to accomplish, but I've learned that too much planning isn't that useful. Being flexible is absolutely critical—I can be a lot more efficient if I let the schedule form around the realities on the ground, rather than try to force reality into a schedule. —Geoff Watts

I always book hotels for business travel, though you can catch me arriving sans reservation on vacations. —Mo Frechette

I am a planner. I book my air and hotels in advance. I take planning to the extreme, sometimes booking lunch and dinner reservations in advance. This is particularly true when I am traveling for pleasure and want to make sure that we are able to dine in special places (for example, Michelin-starred restaurants) or restaurants that we know and love from prior trips. —Walter Lowry

PACKING TIPS

Underpack. If the angler has too many lures, he spends more time fishing in the tackle box than in the water. As a rule don't bring a 100 percent solution for something with a 10 percent likelihood. I use mesh or nylon stuff sacks to organize socks, shirts, slacks, etc. It prevents contents from shifting and getting even more wrinkled, plus you can use the stuff sacks as bolsters on an inadequate sleep surface. —Pancho Doll

Absolutely underpack. Nothing is worse than being burdened with a heavy bag and having to rely on somebody else to help you out all of the time. I only bring what I can wear on my back and carry in one hand. Besides, if you don't have that perfect pair of shoes, it's an excellent excuse to buy some new ones! —Anne Wood

Underpack: You can always hand wash items like socks and underwear and, if necessary, send other items, such as shirts, out to be laundered. —Walter Lowry

I have a simple MS Word list of things to pack and to think about before leaving. People laugh at it, but it saves me lots of stress. I'd rather clutter paper instead of my head with everything I need to remember. I print it when I pack and scratch off things when they're stowed, and then, if I'm feeling extra productive, I'll carry it with me on the trip and add notes. If I didn't use something or needed something extra, I take a note. I'll modify the file at home and then print it again the next time I travel. —Mo Frechette

WHAT TO WEAR ON THE PLANE

I wear wrinkle-resistant clothing, which is comfortable to wear for hours (black yoga pants are great—never jeans!), and a sweater I can slip on easily when the temperature cools off. I usually wear flip-flops, because they are easy to get through the airport checkpoints, but I always bring warm, comfortable socks to slip on while on the plane. Sometimes I will bring my down jacket, which keeps me warm and doubles as a big fluffy pillow. I also always make sure I have a pen (it's annoying when you don't have a pen when the flight attendants hand the customs documents out), a good book, a comb and hair clip, lip balm, a toothbrush, and skin astringent to freshen up with just before landing. —Anne Wood