Whether you’re a seasoned globetrotter or a first-time adventurer you need to know how to avoid travel mistakes and how to stay safe. If you’re an international traveler, here are 10 Travel Mistakes To Avoid in 2023.
10 travel mistakes that Will Ruin Your Trip
Planning a trip can be stressful, but there are common travel mistakes that you can easily avoid. For example, you want to enjoy your vacation and not stress out about making sure you have everything you need for your trip. The point of traveling is for enjoyment, so it’s important to remember that planning ahead will help ensure a much smoother trip. Here 10 travel mistakes to avoid in 2023:
1. Packing too much stuff
Select everything you think you’ll need, and then try removing half of the items. This exercise helps you to narrow down your selections to the bare necessities. Keep your travel wardrobe neutral so you can mix and match every item. Also, try to choose clothing that can be used for multiple activities, so you can pack fewer items. It’s tempting to think that a week in Europe requires at least two suitcases and five pairs of shoes, but in reality, you really don’t need any more than a carry-on bag per person. Packing light means paying attention to what you actually use day-to-day, and letting go of everything else.
2. Forgeting to take pic of your luagge before flying
Avoiding the mistake of forgetting to take a picture of your luggage before flying is indeed important. Here’s why and how to avoid this oversight:
Why it’s important:
- Identification: In case your luggage gets lost or misplaced during the journey, having a picture can help airline staff identify and locate it more easily.
- Documentation: Some airlines may require a visual reference of your luggage to file a proper claim or initiate the search process. A picture can serve as proof of your bag’s appearance and contents.
How to avoid this mistake:
- Pre-trip preparation: Before your travel day, make a checklist of essential tasks, including photographing your luggage. This will help ensure you don’t forget this important step.
- Choose a clear background: Place your luggage against a plain background, such as a solid-colored wall or floor, to make it easier to identify the bag’s features.
- Capture all sides: Take multiple photos of your luggage from various angles, including the front, back, and sides. Ensure that the pictures show any unique features or distinguishing marks.
- Zoom in on tags: If your luggage has a tag or identification label, take a close-up picture of it. This will help you remember important details like your name, address, and contact information.
- Store the photos securely: Save the pictures on your phone or another device, and consider backing them up on a cloud storage platform or emailing them to yourself. This way, you’ll have easy access to them whenever needed.
3. Trusting blindly local people
A smile or a help doesn’t mean that the person have good intention towards you. When you get lost ask more than one person for directions. If not trust your intuitions. Make sure to remember this from the 10 travel mistakes to avoid in 2023.
4. Worrying about the little things
Travel mishaps are inevitable and, when they do happen, it’s natural to let them stress you out. No one wants an unpleasant experience while they’re away from home. However, there are plenty of ways you can avoid travel mistakes if you start thinking ahead and preparing. The more you worry about little things, the more likely those worries will be realized. By planning ahead and prioritizing your needs, however, you can take most of these fears off your list; and have a much better vacation because of it.
5. Not making copies of important documents
Make sure to always have a hard copy of your important documents; (passport, travel insurance, IDs, credit cards etc… ) with you and make sure your passport is updated. Also have a digital copy safe.
6. Forgetting the budget and running out of money
Making a realistic budget will help you follow your travel itinerary planned. A room for extra and unexpected expense will give you the benefit of feeling more secure in case something happens.
7. Last minute vaccination
When it comes to travel, last-minute plans can sometimes lead to rushed decisions, including the crucial aspect of vaccinations. For exemple if you are planing to travel to Kenya and you didn’t get vaccinated against the yellow fever you won’t be accepted to enter the kenyan territory.
9. Ignoring travel insurance
Travel insurance is essential to protect yourself against unexpected events such as trip cancellations, medical emergencies, or lost luggage. Don’t overlook the importance of comprehensive travel insurance and choose a policy that suits your needs.
10. Overplanning and not allowing flexibility
While it’s essential to have a general itinerary and make necessary reservations, don’t overplan every minute of your trip. Leave room for spontaneous discoveries and unforeseen opportunities. Embrace flexibility and be open to adjusting your plans, as some of the most memorable travel experiences often happen spontaneously.
If you happened to make one of these mistakes, don’t be hard on yourself. We learn from our mistakes and being out of your comfort zone will always help you grow. Keep travelling keep wandering !
