20 Mistakes You Shouldn’t Make As a Tourist

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.