Top Travel Mistakes: Things to Avoid on Your Next Trip

The art of traveling requires practice and experience to avoid travel mistakes. Even the most well-planned itinerary can go wrong due to unavoidable reasons. The first time you ride an airplane, join a cruise, go on a road trip, or go backpacking with your friends can be memorable and educational. These first-time experiences will likely provide you with essential lessons on what to do or what not to do the next time you decide to do something similar.

For instance, you may need to learn the hard way that three sets of clothes are not enough for a three-day vacation on the beach. A misplaced assumption that the hotel you chose accepts credit cards can also ruin your vacation. Experience will teach you to avoid these unfortunate situations. Other mistakes, however, are prevalent that it would be easy to avoid making them in the first place. Here are some of the most common errors travelers make, and tips on how to avoid them:

Missed Flights

While it may sound unlikely, even the most seasoned travelers end up missing their flights due to unforeseen circumstances. Unusual traffic activity or a last minute change in plans could lead to delays in travel time. Inclimate weather condition could double the time it takes to travel to the airport. Carelessness may cause someone to forget their flight schedule or to think that their flight is for another day.

Preparation is needed to ensure arrival at the airport before the check-in counter closes. First, you need to double-check your flight schedule ahead of time. You can also call the airline before just to verify that there are no changes to your travel schedule. It is also advisable for you to check for unusual traffic activity or weather situations that could cause delays. Plan your route to the airport and take other roads as needed. You can also use your phone’s GPS applications to check for real-time traffic conditions.

It is also advisable to leave enough time between connecting flights. Plan for a reasonable buffer in anticipation of possible delays in your first trip. You should also consider the distance between your arrival gate and the departure gate for the next flight.  It is best to allow approximately two to three hours between flights to avoid being panic-stricken.

Expensive Phone Bills

If you are traveling to an international destination, you need to check your mobile phone roaming plan a few days before you depart the country. International roaming rates can be unreasonably expensive, and it is best to avoid ending up with a massive phone bill on top of your vacation expenses. It is also advisable to check your phone settings and turn off your cellular data connection. A cheaper alternative would be to find a hotel or restaurant with Wi-Fi service. You can also opt to purchase a prepaid or “pay-as-you-go” plan upon arrival at your travel destination.

Enjoy the Trip

It is common for travelers to cram too many activities into each day when they plan their itinerary. To maximize the trip, they squeeze in an unreasonable number of attractions and events hoping to experience everything the destination has to offer. Unfortunately, a few days is usually not enough to fully experience a country’s culture and attractions. Forcing too many activities will leave you exhausted and disappointed. Instead, you should start by making a list of the activities that you would like to prioritize. Schedule these tours and take time to enjoy them. You should relax and savor your vacation.  You can visit the other attractions if you end up with extra time on your hands.

Talk to the Locals

Even the most well-planned itineraries can use a little improvement. The locals are the experts, and they can provide you with relevant information. Before your trip, give the hotel a call and ask for details and specifics. You should ask how far the hotel is from the restaurants and attractions. It is important that you learn how to go around the area and what mode of transportation to use. You need to check if the locals can speak your language or if you need to bring a translator.

Upon arrival, make it a point to talk to locals that are not associated with the hotel. Ask them about the best restaurants and the best beaches in the area. Seek directions to historical sites and monuments. Find out if they can point you to a tour provider that offers cheaper rates. Ask about their culture and immerse yourself in their activities. Travel should be about knowing people and not simply seeing attractions.

A good vacation usually energizes a person who is stressed from work or school. It is a much-needed reprieve from the daily routines and busy lifestyles. It should be enlightening, entertaining, and relaxing. Avoid the most common travel mistakes by being prepared, informed, and proactive.