Traveling to a different place may seem like a breeze, but it takes careful preparation and common sense to plan a perfect getaway. Browsing the internet and making phone calls to travel agencies to get the best deal out there is only the beginning. What about hotel reservations and rental cars? Gas prices and pit stops? Here are some tips to keep in mind when traveling:

It is sometimes cheaper to buy airline tickets online. When you have decided where to go for your trip, browse through websites such as StudentUniverse.com, Orbitz.com, Travelzoo.com, Expedia.com, BookingBuddy.com, Hotwire.com, and OneTravel.com. Most of these websites also have packages for airfare, hotel, and car rentals that will save you money. Alex Chan, a City College of San Francisco student who travels to New York City twice a year, says people can negotiate ticket prices on Priceline.com. "But the catch is," he says, "they can't choose the times or the carrier."

When traveling around Europe, Juanita Chisler, a San Francisco State University alumni who is currently in South Korea, advises to check out RyanAir.com. "I got a flight from Barcelona to Pisa for less than $40. You get what you pay for though," she says. "The airports they fly out of are small and out of the way, so you need to figure out how much it would cost to take the bus from the airport to the city center and vice versa."

If traveling locally, the airline will serve you a very light meal,-- sometimes, only nuts and a juice box. If you want something heavier, you will have to buy it either at the airport or plane. It is not illegal to bring food in your carry-on, as long as there are no liquids present. Bringing a sandwich from home will save you money, considering that the food on the airport and plane is not exactly cheap.

Airports vary from location to location. To find out more about certain airports, visit WorldAirportGuides.com.

If you are traveling locally and staying for only a few days, try to pack everything into your carry-on backpack or duffel bag that can fit into the overhead compartment or under your seat. This will save you both time and money.

Pack right and pack light. Instead of packing your sneakers, wear them during the flight and stuff your flip-flops and sandals in your bag. Also consider bringing slacks, skirts, and T-shirts as opposed to jeans and other heavy items that can add weight to your bag.

Bring toiletries in small bottles and travel-size containers. Many drugstores and superstores sell toothpaste, deodorants, shampoos, and soaps for under $2. If traveling by plane, be sure to pack liquids with the checked-in bags because they will be thrown out by TSA if found in your carry-ons.

If traveling with a group, assign people to bring certain items so that everyone can save space in their bags. For example, one person can bring one tube of toothpaste to share with everyone instead of having six different people bring six tubes of toothpaste.

Whether traveling by plane or car, the recommended type of bag is one that has wheels on it. Transporting baggage on wheels is almost effortless and its compact design makes it easy to fit in the overhead compartment or the trunk of your car. Compare this with lugging a twenty-pound backpack that will strain your upper body with its weight.

Cell phones come in handy to stay in touch with friends and family overseas as well as your travel companions. "If you're staying in a certain place more than a couple days, rent a cell phone," Chisler says. "In Europe, if you already have a phone that takes a sim card, all you have to do is buy a sim card and put it in your phone. You can also use your calling cards on the cell phone and call home. In Korea, you can rent them at the airport for about $2 a day."

If you are running low on gas and you have access to the internet, log on to GasBuddy.com, GasPrices.Mapquest.com, or GasPriceWatch.com to find out where you can buy the cheapest gas around your area.

To those who experience motion, air, and car sickness, here are some things you can do to prevent it: avoid excessive intake of food, liquids, and alcohol; if traveling by plane, choose to sit in the middle of the aircraft, preferably over the wing; if traveling by car, call shotgun, roll down your window to have a breath of fresh air, and finally, try to keep your eyes fixed on one spot because it prevents you from getting dizzy.

Avoid asking questions from idle bystanders, especially if no one else is around. When running out of options, stop by a gas station or grocery store and ask help from the people who work there.

Hostels, motels, and inns often offer very low daily rates. When running low on budget, you can always try your luck at CouchSurfing.com to find a place to stay for the night. "It's free to sleep and you can meet great people," says Chisler. "I met a guy who traveled through Japan for two months on $200 by Couchsurfing and working on organic farms."

If you want to hitch a ride or carpool to a certain place, browse through Craigslist.com's rideshare section. A lot of drivers would love to split the cost of gas and get in the carpool lane. [X]