Be it your first trip to an international destination or travel to different destinations multiple times in a year, you may make some mistakes. At times, these mistakes can cost you a lot of money, while other times, they may completely ruin your trip.
However, we have good news for you.
With small planning and a few changes here and there, you can avoid some travel mistakes.
What is the most common travel mistakes that you make and should avoid?
Let us get started and address them one by one.
Having an inflexible or an over-ambitious itinerary
Some people want to cover a lot of destinations in a short time. Consequently, they are quite inflexible with their time and hardly get any time to relax on vacation.
It is okay if there are changes in your planned itinerary because of poor weather or a monetary crunch. Further, it would help if you always considered the time that it takes for you to travel from point A to B. According to the travel method, this should not be calculated based on the distance, say train, bus, car, etc. Always factor in extra time for the jams and the rest time.
‘One of the reasons I make the most of my travel vacations is that I never intend to see the whole country in the few days that I have. My intent is always to see the most I can, but I am still very flexible in my planning,’
Overpacking
It may be tempting for you to carry along an array of outfits, regardless of how big or small the trip is. However, hauling the luggage around may not be the easiest thing to do. More so, if you carry excess baggage on a flight, you may have to bear an extra luggage fee.
So, make sure you carry the things you can accommodate in the stipulated weight limit. One outfit per day is more than enough. If you are taking denim, you can just include different top wear for different days, and that should do the trick for you.
Try to create different looks in limited baggage. You may or may not have the time to wear all your clothes. However, it is also not fair to sacrifice style to fit in the baggage recommendations. So, make sure you make arrangements for washing the laundry while on the road.
‘I always believe in mixing and matching my styles. I do this even while on vacation. So, I carry versatile pieces in jewelry, earing, denim, and footwear. This makes it easy for me to create more looks out of limited pieces,’
Dining around key tourist spots
It goes without saying that the restaurants and cafes located closer to the tourist attractions will be costlier than those located far off. But, in all honesty, you can conveniently find a better-quality and affordable food stall if you head to the areas where locals eat.
One of the best tricks for this is doing some holiday research in advance. You can use platforms such as TripAdvisor for researching on the same. Alternatively, you can even request your hotel manager for some affordable eateries with great food in the vicinity.
‘I booked my stay via Airbnb. One of the best things about Airbnb is that they also include a list of to-do things, places to eat, and attractions to visit. You will find this local insight quite helpful, and it can even save you a lot of money while giving you a gist of the local culture while experiencing some enriching things instead of merely following the well-trodden path of the tourists’
Outdated identification and passports
Another common mistake that people make when making travel plans is failing to check the dates on the passport.
At times, the dates on the passport may have expired, and if the dates are no longer valid, you may be unable to get out of the airport. Honestly, no one would want that to happen in a foreign country. So, always check the validity of the dates on your passport several months in advance before making travel plans.
If they have expired or are close to expiry, you can get your renewals processed as and how you need them. Also, please bear in mind that your passport should be valid until the date of your re-entry into the country (+ minimum 3 months), not merely until you leave your home country. Of course, this may be obvious information, but at times, even the obvious may slip up in the excitement of long-overdue travel.
Ignoring the local laws
Whenever you travel to a foreign country, you must research the local laws applicable.
Ignoring the local laws or overriding the local laws might land you in jail. For instance, certain nasal sprays are not legal in Japan. In Portugal, peeing in the sea is not permitted. And in Tobago and Trinidad, you are not allowed to wear camouflage.
Thus, it is vital to be aware of the local laws before heading to a tourist destination.
Source: www.traveldudes.com
Also Read : Here are our best Travel Tips for Beginners
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