Are you planning a trip abroad in the next few months? If so, you might already have an inkling of how truly complex the planning process for overseas travel can be. It’s all too easy to let something slip through the cracks, whether it’s documents for passing through customs, packing all the essentials, forgetting to purchase travel insurance, and everything in between. Even the most seasoned of travelers can forget to research their destination or over-pack their luggage properly!
If you’re looking to travel in the near future, whether in your own country or across the world, you need to be 100% certain you have made no mistakes in your planning and, even more importantly, when you arrive. In this guide, we will walk you through the ten most common travel mistakes and how to avoid them.
Ready to get started? Then let’s go!
Exchanging Currency At The Airport
Airports always offer the worst exchange rates for exchanging cash; you’d make a better deal throwing your bills directly on a fire! Instead, look to use your credit card and ATMs at your destination, which offer exchange rates closer to the typical interbank rates. As a bonus, you’ll rest easy knowing you’re not getting ripped off and spending more money on your trip than you initially planned. Another reason not to exchange your money at the airport is the risk of holding all your cash on your person. It’s never a good idea to have large sums of money on you; every country, no matter how high its safety rating, has its own problems with pickpockets. Don’t tempt them; only exchange what you need for the foreseeable future.
Over-Thinking And Over-Packing
It’s pretty easy to convince ourselves “better safe than sorry” and pack our entire house in three suitcases whenever we leave home. It’s even worse when we know we will be farther away for longer periods. Some travelers like to bring outfits to compensate for any kind of weather they may encounter, but in reality, how likely are you to need a snowsuit in Bora Bora? You can actually relax more than you think when it comes to packing, saving you time, mental energy, and physical energy when you’re not lugging fifty-pound suitcases around the airport!
One crucial element to keep in mind while you’re packing for your trip is that the more you pack, the more you have to pay. Airlines are strict on their weight limits for carry-ons and checked baggage, and for good reason: to ensure the plane can take off and land safely. But if you max out that weight on the way to your destination, there’s no room to bring back a souvenir. Think about if it makes sense to bring your heavy sweater with you on the plane or if this could be a good opportunity to purchase one while you’re traveling instead as a souvenir!
Taxis vs. Public Transportation
Taxis can be one of the biggest budget-busters on any trip; the costs can be astronomical. To save your wallet (and your sanity), it’s a better idea to skip them unless you’re splitting the fare with a group. Sometimes taxis can be helpful for late- night travel, but if public transportation is available, that will be your more cost- efficient solution. Traveling like a local is the best way to immerse yourself in the culture, and opens up opportunities to make friends and connections that can’t be found in the back of a taxi. Before heading out, decide whether to take a train or a bus. Do you simply pay the driver for the fare, or do you need to purchase tickets ahead of time? Will you be there long enough to justify a multi-ride pass? All of these questions can be answered by asking your travel advisor or by asking your local guide or the concierge at your hotel.
Forgetting Your Travel Insurance
Things can happen, no matter where your destination might be. Medical issues can crop up, emergencies cause delays in travel, or luggage and papers can be lost or stolen. It certainly pays to be optimistic, but as they say, “Hope for the best, plan for the worst.” Travel insurance will add that extra layer of protection, so if anything goes wrong, the impact on you and your trip will be minimal at best. Some travelers feel that their existing insurance policies are adequate to cover them while they’re abroad. However, you need to check and make sure that they have sufficient coverage
Ignoring Your Security
Even in countries boasting low crime rates, pickpockets and thieves will still find a way to prey on an unsuspecting traveler. Slinging your purse over your shoulder or a bulging wallet in your back pocket creates tempting targets. Having your possessions in the open makes it vulnerable to being taken and difficult to protect. Your purse and wallet aren’t the only things that can be victims of snatching. Anything that can be easily grabbed before you have time to react requires extra vigilance and planning before you leave your hotel room. An easy solution could be pants with a button on the pocket that secures your wallet or a purse worn across the body, making it significantly harder for someone to take your possessions without your knowledge. The more difficult you make it for thieves, the less tempting your money and valuables become to them.
Using Public Wi-Fi When Online Banking
No matter where you are, keeping your passwords and security measures private should be at the top of your priority list. But what if you have no choice but to use that public Wi-Fi network that could leave you vulnerable to hackers? It’s not always feasible or cost-effective to find private networks to log in to when you’re abroad, and while not as common as pickpockets, it can still pose a risk on your trip. Hacking isn’t always an inside job; it could be another hotel guest using that same free, minimally-secured hotel Wi-Fi. For hackers, grabbing your credit card or banking data can be simple over public Wi-Fi. Cybercriminals today utilize a “Man in the Middle” attack: they divert the data you transmit from your phone or laptop before it ever arrives at the bank’s online platform.
The best option is to create your own private and secure network. You can purchase a VPN (Virtual Private Network) program. This will protect all your electronics that access the web by acting as if the information was being sent in a private network, even when using public Wi-Fi. Corporations use this technology to secure their sensitive data, and it is available to the public.
Booking Using Cash
Tour operator or airline bankruptcies can happen. If you pay in cash, you are very much at risk in such an event. By paying with a credit card, you are typically protected if your supplier does not furnish you with the travel you paid. Travel insurance will sometimes protect against supplier bankruptcy, but check the policy. Often, especially if the policy is provided by the supplier, bankruptcy is not a covered event. Credit card charges for services not actually provided can be contested and are usually considered the strongest protection against supplier insolvency.
If you avoid these common travel mistakes, you’ll save time, money, and yourself from any major inconvenience. You’ll get off on the right foot, and in the process, mold yourself into a better traveler. By taking your time to work around these issues, you’ll be more confident in going off the beaten trail. As a bonus, the more you save from following these tips, the more opportunities you’ll have to keep traveling!
Being proactive is the best tool you’ll have in your travel arsenal, along with being flexible. No one can ever know what their trip has in store for them, but careful preparation can turn a disaster into the highlight of the journey and making it unforgettable!
Remember to be savvy and wise about your trip, but don’t forget why you’re going, and enjoy every moment. These tips will make all the difference on your next tour. Have a fantastic time and safe travels!