"Check-in chicken" is the latest viral travel hack
If you're going abroad and aim to use your credit card while traveling, it's important to let your credit card company know. There's nothing worse than being stranded in a foreign country with a frozen account!
An hour may sound like plenty of time, but not if you have luggage to pick up and check-in again for your next flight, or have a flight to catch in a different terminal. Be realistic about how much time it will take you to go your next flight, and take in count who and how many people you are traveling with.
Data roaming charges can vary between countries and can drive your phone bill crazy. Before you travel, find out what your tariff charges are for using data abroad, or buy a local sim card with data once you arrive to your new destination.
To have travel insurance is not only practical and smart in case something were to happen, but it also gives the traveler a peace of mind. Also, many travel insurances don't have cancellation fees so if you're unable to make the trip for whatever reason there may be a way to cancel it for free.
Most would agree that overpacking is one of the most common mistake travelers make. With a little bit of planning, taking a number of outfits or garments that work well with each other will not only save you space, but will also show off how versatile your wardrobe can be.
It may sound like an obvious one to some travelers, but it can be a detail that people miss! Visa requirements vary depending on your passport, on the country you're intending to visit, and can be very time-consuming to do. Plan ahead and find out everything before you go, it will save you time filling out paperwork at the airport.
Before relying on the first map, guidebook, or apps, make sure the information is not outdated or mistaken! It will save you from getting lost in your new destination, as well help you plan and enjoy your holiday better.
This may sound like an obvious one to many, but can also be easily done. Having all your travel details, reservations, and bookings in one place, whether it be physical or electronic, can help your trip run smoother.
It's smart to keep on top of your budget and save on certain expenses when traveling. That said, time is just as valuable. For example, waiting in a long queue to get into a museum for free versus paying a small fee to go right in are choices that involve both money and time. Make sure you are spending both your time and money on the things you want to do!
We know you have a bucket list that you're excited to tick off, but be realistic. Instead of driving yourself crazy from place to place, figure out which landmarks, museums, or other sightseeing spots you prioritize and plan for those. You are on holiday to enjoy and explore, not to stress!
When traveling to a new country or destination, take in mind that there may be different things to look out for. Better safe than sorry!
Mistakes are bound to happen, so instead of dwelling on how you forgot to book the tickets for the show you really wanted to see, or failed to complete the reservation for that popular restaurant, give yourself a break and accept that not everything can always go to plan. Perhaps you will enjoy and see different things to what you thought, and leave with even better memories than you imagined.
Whether it's approaching locals, taking public transport, or eating new foods, trying something new and out of your comfort zone can have great impact on your trip. You never know, great things can happen when you try something new!
Going with the tourist crowds may help you discover the sights of the city or place, but can also narrow you into expensive shops, restaurants, and crowded areas. Go out of your comfort zone, out of the tourist crowds, and explore the city like a local!
There is nothing worse than queuing in line for hours and then only having a short amount of time to explore the sight before it closes or runs into your other plans. Nowadays many attractions have online ticket sales that you can purchase before hand and skip waiting in line.
It could be that your misread the time on your flight or booking without taking in count that there is a difference in time zone. It always helps to double-check!
Whether you forgot to back up your camera, lost your SD card, or had your camera stolen, losing pictures and footage of your trip can be a great loss for some. To avoid losing your photographs, backing them up onto a cloud is a great way to have them accessible from wherever you are.
When you're exploring new places and foods, especially when you're in a country that uses currency different to your home country's, it can be hard to keep track of what you are spending. Sticking to your budget and planning out your spendings are important when traveling, specially if you have places to see and things to do that you don't want to miss out on.
Your flight may have been delayed, or you could have misread when it was and missed your flight, which could affect your connecting flight. It could be that the hotel over-booked and you no longer have a place to stay for the night. These are all factors that can be avoided with a simple double-checking of all your travel reservations. It also saves, time, money, and stress!
If a local says don't do this, or do that, and you don't follow and end up falling for the scam or getting lost, that's on you!
As Globotreks explains, "guidebooks are made to inform your travels, not to define them." Instead of having your nose buried in the guidebook, why not interact with locals and other travelers and experience your new destination with people?
Imagine you get mugged and your wallet is gone, along with all your money, cards, ID, you name it. If you have multiple debit or credit cards, an idea would be to place them in a different pocket or keep them stashed, together with some cash, in the security box in your hotel room.
It may sound silly but it happens! Especially in big cities where there are more than one airport, it's a good idea to check which specific airport you are going to!
It could be that you didn't know you were being offensive to someone, or their culture as a whole, but that doesn't make it any more okay. Before embarking on your trip into a destination with a different culture to your own, have an open mind and find out what could be seen as culturally offensive to locals.
When contacting your credit card company or bank about your upcoming travels, it's also a good idea to ask about their charges. This will help you avoid coming back from your trip to find yourself with a long and unwanted bill.
If you do not like to have your passport or other important documents on you at all times, it's handy to print them or have scanned copies with you wherever you go. This way, if you were unexpectedly asked to show ID or give your passport details you could do.
There is nothing wrong with having fun! That said, if you unwillingly spend most of your budget on booze, it could ruin the rest of your trip, not to forget the nasty hangover. Being drunk also makes travelers easier targets for thieves and more susceptible to getting hurt.
It could be that the attraction you waited in line for was not what you expected, or that you were not treated how you would wished you were. Whatever it is that has made you unhappy during your trip, try to not let it affect you and learn from the mishap. There's no fun in being angry during your holiday!
On the other hand, it could be that a local misguided you or unintentionally directed you down the wrong street. Either way, do not focus too much on what went wrong or how you got lost but the experiences you have throughout. Also, usually its best to follow your gut or go with the general consensus.
There is nothing wrong with being spontaneous and going with the flow when you arrive in your new destination. However, if you find out there were things that you would have enjoyed but missed out on, you may regret not have planned or researched before hand.
If you rely on medicine or other essentials, it's smart to pack them in your carry-on bag and not in the checked baggage. However, first make sure that the substances you would like to take are allowed to be in carry-on baggage (different airlines have different rules).
Imagine you accidentally pour coffee all over your shirt and trousers and you are only in the beginning of your long day of travel. Having a spare set of clothes with you in your carry-on is handy for when mistakes happen.
Although pictures are a great way to reminisce your trip later, taking pictures can take away from enjoying your trip whilst you're on it. Sometimes it's not important to share you're whereabouts with the world, but to enjoy the moment you're in it.
That moment when you go back to buy the souvenir or gift you saw but they no longer have it or the store is closed. If you see something you think you might want to buy, the best option is to buy it there and then and not regret it later!
Unless you have been told that it is completely safe to drink tap water, don't do it! Make sure to buy water bottles that you can confirm have never been opened and save yourself (and your stomach) from nasty and foreign viruses.
If you're in a new city or country, it is smart to negotiate your fare before jumping into the taxi and avoid surprising and expensive charges.
Everyone hates planning a relaxing vacation but ending up spending most of the time traveling from one place to the next.If there is the possibility, try and book for early morning or late evening journeys to avoid wasting your day time in transit. Overnight buses and trains are also a good way to save money on accommodation.
If you're packing liquids into your carry-on bag, make sure you are not carrying more than you can. Often the amount of liquids should not surpass the size of the small plastic bag that airports give. Be selective and carry only essentials with you.
Shuttle rides are often cheaper than taxis, but can take much longer to get to your final destination. What you might save in money, you end up wasting in time you could be enjoying your vacation.
Imagine your phone runs out of battery and it has your boarding pass on it, along with every other important document, and you can't board the flight. It is both handy and smart to have copies of all your documents printed and physically with you because mistakes and mishaps do happen!
When you're booking a room and the descriptions says "near city center" it's best to always check the exact location of the place. More often than not, they are usually far from the city center!
Finding out that your toiletries in your suitcase or carry-on have leaked on everything else you have in the bag can be a travel bummer. Double-checking all lids and packing the bottles in layers of plastic bags are good ways to prevent the mess.
Most of us were taught to never talk to strangers when we were young, so why would we leave our valuables with a stranger? Some people do, and even though most the time strangers are lovely people, you can't trust them all!
Finding out your passport has expired just as you're about to embark on a trip is a traveler's nightmare.
When you're planning and booking your trip, check your passport's expiration date and give yourself enough time to get a temporary passport or get it renewed.
Whether you missed your connecting flight, forgot to confirm your hotel booking, or ran out of money half-way through your trip, we've all had mishaps and made mistakes when traveling.
That said, here are some of the most common errors travelers and tourists make. Flick through to find out how to avoid making them!
Car rental insurance can add a large sum to your booking fee. Credit card companies and travel insurance often include or cover car insurance, so make sure to read the fine print and save yourself some money.
If you're going to a warm destination, the odds are you'll be living in your flip flops. That said, they are not the best shoes for your feet so if you're going to purchase them make sure they are durable. There is nothing worse than being stranded with broken flip flops and have no other shoes with you!
Travel mistakes you’re probably making (and how to avoid them)
Roaming charges are the worst!
TRAVEL Mistakes
Whether you missed your connecting flight, forgot to confirm your hotel booking, or ran out of money half-way through your trip, we've all had mishaps and made mistakes when traveling.
That said, here are some of the most common errors travelers and tourists make. Flick through to find out how to avoid making them!