Travelling is great until it isn’t! It’s important to recognise that travelling, like any other aspect of life, will have its fair share of setbacks and challenges. Anything can happen from missed flights and lost passports to forgetting essential items and language barriers.
Nonetheless, anyone can make the most out of any trip when they know the do’s and don’ts of travelling. Travel mistakes are common but it’s also important to avoid “common” mistakes that can ruin your experience.
In this blog post, we’ll be sharing some travel tips to help you brush up on your travelling skills. Without further ado, here are 10 travel mistakes you should avoid while travelling.
1. Not Planning Ahead
A trip won’t come to fruition unless you plan ahead and that includes planning your flight tickets, hotel bookings and travel itinerary. When you don’t plan ahead, you’ll miss out on opportunities such as good hotel deals and better ticket rates.
Moreover, it can also lead to a lack of provision when you reach your destination as you won’t have a fixed itinerary to follow.
Come up with a travel checklist and always plan ahead as you’ll have a clear road map of your trip, helping you maximise your time and make the most of your experience.
2. Not Knowing Your Destination
Choosing a destination on random may lead to exciting experiences or vice versa. However, it’s better to be safe than sorry so always take the time to educate yourself about the destination you’re heading to.
That includes choosing the right destination in accordance to your budget and personal preferences. Travelling to a destination with no prior knowledge may jeopardise your budget or even worse, your own safety!
Knowing about your destination also includes learning about the local custom and culture which takes us to the next point.
3. Not Learning About the Culture
Culture shock is real and some cultures can be so foreign that you may find yourself feeling uncomfortable or unsure about being in a new place. That’s why it’s important to take time and learn about the culture of the place before you travel.
Learn about their heritage and customs to avoid disrespecting any local traditions. You should also take it a step further and learn about some basic phrases to enhance your travelling experience.
The locals will take it as a sign of respect and it may help you make a friend or two!
4. Not Reading Reviews
Whether it’s for a product, movie or book, reading reviews such as Google review is a common practice in this day and age. It gives us an idea of what to expect and the same goes to travelling.
Reviews can be found in almost every aspect of travel such as tour companies, airlines, transportation services and hotel reviews.
By not reading reviews, you’ll be missing out on valuable information that can save you the disappointment of staying in a poorly maintained hotel or travelling by a bad airline. Always read the reviews so you avoid being the traveller who gives a bad one!
5. Not Getting Travel Insurance
Travel insurance can provide essential coverage and a peace of mind while travelling. As mentioned, anything can happen while you’re travelling and having insurance will help compensate for any unforeseen losses.
Nonetheless, travel insurance can be overlooked at times and it’s a mistake to underestimate its importance. At the end of the day, insurance is a wise investment which will pay off in light of something bad.
6. Not Leveraging the Exchange Rate
Depending on where you go, the exchange rate can make a huge difference in the overall cost of your travelling experience. The exchange rate refers to the value of one currency to another and failing to take advantage of it can result in unnecessary expenses.
By understanding the exchange rate, you can leverage your chances of making the most out of it so always do your research. You should also avoid exchanging money at the airport as rates and fees are generally higher there.
7. Overpacking
You don’t want to be the person who’s lugging around a huge suitcase filled with unnecessary items. Overpacking can dampen your holiday experience and drag you down both figuratively and literally.
Overpacking is one of the most common mistakes people make when travelling so always be mindful of what you need and what you don’t. Stick to your essentials and bring versatile clothing that can mix and match.
You’ll also save much more on baggage allowance.
8. Overbooking Activities
Having an itinerary is a great way to plan your trip so you can maximise your time and make the most of your trip. However, overbooking will leave you feeling rushed and exhausted, diminishing the enjoyment of your trip.
It’s best to leave room for some flexibility where you can take time and tour the city without a fixed schedule. Spontaneous adventures can sometimes lead to unexpected outcomes, making them the most memorable!
9. Consider the Change in Time Zone
One aspect that’s often overlooked is the change in time zone. When your flights are booked, your departure and arrival times will be based on the timezone of the respective airports.
There have been many cases where travellers miss their flights because of this and you don’t want to be one of them! Always consider and prepare for the change in time zone to ensure a smooth transition during your travels.
10. Failing to Inform Your Bank
Banks have security measures when it comes to international transactions. For example, making an overseas transaction with your visa may trigger the bank’s automated protection system, resulting in your account being frozen.
This can be a real hassle especially on your trip so it’s best to always notify your bank about your travel plans. Most banks nowadays also allow overseas activation through online portals, making it more convenient for the would-be traveller.
Conclusion
Travelling is a wonderful experience but it’s important to be mindful of the potential travel mistakes that can turn your trip into a nightmare. At the end of the day, it comes down to knowing the do’s and don’ts of travelling and you can start by avoiding these 10 mistakes.
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