While some things remain constant, including the search for cheap airplane tickets, discount hotel rooms and cheap vacation packages, new inventions have made traveling that much more enjoyable.
The following are the best travel inventions of all time according to SmarterTravel:
Magnet hotel key cards have made hotel stays safer and more convenient. Replacement keys can be easily made, lost cards can be erased remotely, and such cards easily fit into wallets.
Smartphones offer unlimited apps that can provide audio tours, hotel reviews, allow users to build itineraries and take panoramic photos. Apple has a pending patent on an app that will allow air travelers to store valid IDs and boarding passes on iPhones. In the future, smartphones may make paper identification, such as drivers licenses and passports, obsolete.
Credit cards allow holders to purchase products without cash and to earn miles/points, receive more favorable exchange rates, and keep track of spending, while having built in safeguards against theft.
Universal travel adaptors and converters allow devices to plug into 12 major different electric plug types around the world.
Digital cameras let users to record endless amounts of travel images and easily share them. These cameras have become tinier, sharper, and considerably more affordable over time.
Travel insurance has saved travelers from the possible disastrous effects of defaulting airlines, hurricanes, illnesses, lost bags, and civil unrest. Currently about 30 percent of travelers insure their trips.
Online travel reservation companies offer customers the ability to quickly and easily research flight times and prices, purchase tickets, check out hotel availability and more, transforming the way trips are planned and booked.
Global positional System (GPS) navigation empowers travelers to know where they are as well as direct them to where they want to go.
Wheeled luggage has made the transportation of passengers luggage dramatically easier.
Jet engines have made it possible for people to cross oceans in a matter of hours. Jet engines have made commercial flight more affordable and greatly reduced travel times. www.cheapfares.com