There’s nothing like travelling to make you feel alive. Whether you’re backpacking across Europe, road tripping through American states, or climbing every mountain in New Zealand; travel is an experience that will stay with you forever and leave an indelible mark on your life. Travel opens our eyes to new and exciting opportunities, introduces us to new cultures and people, and gives us access to experiences we may never have had otherwise.
However, even the most organised and prepared traveller can have their trip plans thrown into disarray by small mishaps or pre-trip planning mistakes. Whether it’s forgetting your passport or packing inappropriate clothing – if you are planning on travelling soon, it’s important to avoid making any of these common travel slip-ups. Read on for our top 10 travel mistakes that you should avoid…
Make sure your Passport is Up to Date
A valid passport is your key to travelling the world. If you don’t have one, then you won’t be allowed to board any international flights. Make sure you have at least 6 months left on your passport before you book any trips. It’s also recommended that you have at least 2 pages in your passport – particularly if you’re planning on visiting South America where you’ll need to have a Brazilian Visa.
Don’t forget to enter all trips you plan on taking in the future when applying for your passport. You don’t want to get to the airport and be turned away because you don’t have a valid passport. If you are ever in doubt about your passport, you can also check its status online.
Assuming you’ll have Wi-fi
Nothing can be more frustrating than being in a new city with no internet connection. Whether you need to look for directions to your hotel or want to research a few local attractions; having access to the internet is a must on many travel itineraries. Unfortunately, not all locations – particularly in developing countries – have the same level of Wi-fi connectivity as home.
If you don’t have a data plan with your cellular provider or roaming enabled on your Wi-fi network, you could be in for a painful surprise at the end of the month. If you need to stay connected while travelling, then it’s best to request help from your cellular service provider. They can either give you a data add-on or help you find a way to use your Wi-fi connection abroad. Alternatively, you can use a cloud-based service like Google Drive or Dropbox to store your documents and photos.
Packing too much stuff
If there’s one thing almost every traveller can relate to, it’s the urge to pack too much stuff. Whether it’s souvenirs from your travels or simply clothes that you think you might wear – it’s important to remember when packing for a trip that you don’t want to lug around a ton of luggage. Most travel websites will recommend you pack light when travelling; particularly if you’re backpacking across Europe.
Simply because it’s tricky to keep your bag within airline weight limits and you don’t want to be carrying a heavy rucksack around all day. If you’re staying in hostels, having a smaller bag can also make it easier to find friends. Simply leave your bag on your bed and let others know you’re open to meet new people.
Travelling with just hand luggage only
When you’re travelling, it can be tempting to pack almost everything you own in your hand luggage. However, it’s important to remember that certain airports have strict rules surrounding the size and weight of your handbag. If you’re travelling by plane, you should also remember that security will almost certainly ask you to check in your cabin bag – particularly if it’s a large backpack or stuffed full of souvenirs.
At the same time, you don’t want to travel with just a small handbag either. If you’re visiting a developing country, you’ll need to have some cash on you at all times. You also need to be prepared for a long immigration queue at the airport and remember to pack your ID and travel documents. Avoid any unnecessary headaches by keeping your essentials in a carry-on travel bag.
Forgetting to exchange currency before travelling
As an English-speaking traveller, you may forget that not all countries will accept your home currency. In fact, only around 30% of the world uses the American Dollar. If you plan on backpacking through Europe or Asia, then it’s important to exchange some of your money. At the same time, you don’t want to exchange too much at once – as there’s a chance the value of your currency will drop.
At the very least, you should exchange enough to cover airport taxes and service charges. You may also want to exchange money before you land in a new country – particularly if you arrive at a busier airport. You should also keep in mind that not all currency exchanges are created equal. Some providers offer better rates than others; so make sure you do a little research before you head to the airport.
Double check your flight times
Have you ever pulled up the airport departure board and noticed your flight is listed as departing at 7:19am? Or maybe you’ve been scrolling through your phone trying to find the confirmation email with your flight details. You’re probably not thinking about the fact that you might actually have to get to the airport by 5:19am – and with traffic and other travel complications, it might be easier said than done. If you are flying internationally, remember to account for any potential travel delays and check-in times.
This will ensure that you make it through immigration in time and don’t miss your flight. While you should definitely check-in online if you can, do also keep in mind that the automatic check-in times are always slightly shorter than you actually need to get to the gate.
Forgetting your travel insurance info
It’s important to remember to bring all your travel insurance details with you when you travel. Whether you received your travel insurance from your cellular provider or purchased an annual travel insurance policy before your trip; you need to make sure you have the necessary documents on you at all times.
For example, if you’re travelling to a developing country and you forget your insurance policy, then you may not be able to access medical treatment. This could be extremely dangerous and even life-threatening in some situations. If you’re bringing a backpack on your trip, make sure it’s safe and secure.
A backpack with a zipper that’s broken or not shut properly is an easy target for thieves. Make sure you have your travel insurance policy and other important documents in a safe and secure place.
Not researching activities and attractions before you go
If you’re travelling with friends or family, it can be tempting to just wing it when it comes to activities and attractions. However, it’s important to remember that not everyone is as familiar with the local culture as you are. You don’t want to be visiting a religious site or taking in a local festival and have someone in your party feel excluded or left out.
If you’re visiting a new country, it’s also important to remember that different cultures have different laws. For example, in Thailand, it is illegal to touch a Buddha statue. If you’re visiting a famous landmark or attraction, it’s also a good idea to check when the best time to visit is. This will help you avoid the crowds and get the most out of your trip.
Travelling without a map or guidebook
Many travellers enjoy the freedom of not being tied to a printed guidebook. However, a lot of times, digital maps and travel apps can be misleading. You might miss out on important attractions or overlook scenic routes; particularly if you’re not familiar with the language.
At the very least, you should print out an itinerary of where you are going and where you have been. This will help you stay on track and keep up with where you have been and where you still have to go.