When you don’t travel often, or are making your first major trip to a new place, there are some common pitfalls that you should avoid. Booking the wrong flight, packing the wrong gear, and not knowing how to protect your belongings is just the tip of the iceberg! Come with us for a quick look at how to avoid the biggest mistakes you shouldn’t make as a tourist.
Not Reading the Fine Print
The first mistake that many travelers make happens before they even leave home! Not reading the fine print when booking flights, hotels, and travel packages can leave you in a real mess. Cheap rates are usually cheap for a reason. Make sure you are aware of all the details (like the number of carry-on bags on a flight, amenities at a hotel, or admission to specific attractions in a travel package). Add-ons may make a cheap rate cost more than a different package that seems more expensive at first glance.
Over or Under Packing
One way to make any trip far more difficult than it has to be is by packing (or not packing) the wrong thing. Being unprepared will leave you spending more to replace items you should have with you already. Overpacking is going to mean you spend a lot of time carting around stuff you don’t need. In addition, you’re likely to have to pay more for transporting your extra luggage. Carefully consider what you are taking and don’t go too heavy on clothes you can only wear once on your trip.
Not Switching Phone Services
For most people, a phone is an absolute necessity- and when you’re traveling that becomes doubly true. If you don’t check into how your phone operates overseas before your trip the result will either be a phone that now only functions as a notepad and camera or roaming charges that can bust your budget. Avoid both problems by contacting your service provider before you go to make sure you are subscribed to the appropriate service for where you are visiting.
Forgetting to Notify Credit Card Companies
One of the great things about modern credit cards is the number of features they have to prevent fraudulent use. However, you may not know that charges far from your normal location can be flagged as suspicious and could render your account frozen and useless. To avoid this issue, call your credit card company and make them aware of your travel plans before you go.
Booking Flights Too Close Together
No one wants to be sitting around all day waiting on their next flight. Long layovers are the bane of the traveler’s existence. One thing to keep in mind is that booking flights (or other modes of transportation) too close together could result in the even bigger problem of missed departure times on connecting flights. It’s okay to try to avoid long layovers, but don’t cut the times too close or you could find yourself stranded waiting on the next flight, whenever that happens to be.
Ignoring Local Schedules & Holidays
Did you know that most Parisians take vacation in August leaving many shops closed for a couple of weeks? When visiting communities and countries new to you, there may be holidays and customs you need to be aware of. Not to mention, occasional construction and renovations can close down destinations and exhibits. Ensure your itinerary matches the operating days and hours of any attraction you hope to see when you travel.
Inconsiderate or Ill-Advised Photography
Be aware of where you may and may not take photos. Not observing such restrictions can get you removed from an attraction or even a tour if you are caught. It’s also important to be considerate and have some common sense, too. You shouldn’t be taking happy, giggly selfies in inappropriate places, holding up lines just to get a better shot, or taking pictures of others unaware or without permission.
Paying at the Gate
Before you visit anywhere, you should do your research. Make sure to always purchase tickets in advance when possible. This usually comes with a nice discount and often helps you avoid long lines. In worst-case scenarios, not buying your tickets in advance could mean being turned away at the last minute, making an unnecessary trip, and missing out on the experience altogether.
Doing Too Much
Don’t make the mistake of trying to fit too much into a single day or even a single trip. Opt for quality over quantity. You can’t see all 50 United States in a single vacation. There is no point cramming in all of Disney or six different wine tastings into a single day just to say you did it. If you try doing too much all at once you risk not taking the time to enjoy any of it.
Not Knowing Cultural Norms
Did you know that the cylindrical containers outside shops in Japan are for umbrellas, not trash? It’s best to be as educated as possible about your travel destination to avoid such surprises. You can also look to your guides and locals when in doubt about what to do in certain scenarios. Most importantly, be aware, and if you make a mistake be genuinely apologetic.
Advertising to Pickpockets
A trip away from home may not be the best time to carry the most expensive phone on the market. Consider a non-branded travel bag or purse and even ponder leaving your jewelry at home or opting for cute costume jewelry instead. This all works in your favor to make you less of a target for pickpockets in busy tourist destinations.
Expecting a Hotel to Protect Your Belongings
While in general, you may be able to expect a hotel or inn to be a safe place to leave your belongings, it isn’t advisable to leave high-dollar or sentimental items unprotected or out in the open. Many hotels have small safes in the guest rooms, but many inns, hostels, and bed and breakfasts do not. Either provide your own small safe, take your items with you, or the safest option is to leave valuables at home if at all possible.
Carrying Too Much Cash
Carrying too much cash can always be risky. Having all of your cash in one place means that if it gets lost or stolen you are left empty-handed, so, separate where you keep your money if you can. Additionally, using credit cards while traveling can be a good option because they can be canceled and reissued if lost (but don’t forget to check with your credit card company for what the transaction fee for foreign purchases is).
Drinking Too Much
There’s nothing wrong with having a social cocktail or trying the local specialty, but drinking too much while away from home presents many problems. Most importantly, becoming too intoxicated can leave you vulnerable to crime. Even if your safety doesn’t come into play, being too drunk to remember your experiences or being hungover is no way to enjoy a trip.
Asking for Directions
There is nothing inherently wrong with asking a local for directions. The problem here arises when the local doesn’t take into account that as a visitor, you may not know the nearby streets and landmarks. You will also need to remember these directions as you follow them. In most cases a GPS and/or map will be more effective in an area that you don’t know well.
Ignoring Local Advice
While getting directions from a local may not be the best option, taking their advice on other things is a great option. Locals know where all the good stuff is—from food to entertainment—they know the ins and outs. If you want to know where to go for dinner, a show, or to see great sights, definitely ask a local.
Expecting Perfection
In order to have a great experience, you will probably put hours into research and planning, but be careful not to get too stuck on your plans going perfectly. Nothing is ever perfect and a new place may not be exactly what you expect. Remember that you are traveling for the experience. Chalk up any bad moments to living and learning and go on and enjoy the rest of your trip.
Getting Political in a Foreign Country
One way to ruin a vacation quickly while in a foreign country is to get involved in the country’s politics. While you may have strong opinions and it might be tempting to voice them: Don’t. Keep in mind that it isn’t your home country and your opinions won’t matter to any of the country’s political outcomes. It’s also good to remember that not all countries are the same and getting too political in some places can land you in hot water with authorities.
Staying On the Beaten Path
It’s easy to just go to all of the tourist hot spots that you have heard of, but you are taking a chance on missing out on a lot of local culture. Sometimes tourist destinations become too commercial and sanitized. You are better off doing a mix of the popular attractions along with some lesser-known spots. This will give you a much more true and diverse experience.
Passing On Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is an extra expense, and everyone wants to do as much with as little money as possible. Saving on travel insurance might sound like a good idea until you need it. Travel insurance can cover things like canceled or delayed trips, medical emergencies, lost luggage, and more. When buying travel insurance, think of the old adage, “Better safe than sorry.”
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