We all make all kinds of mistakes when traveling no matter how frequently we tend to fly. Of course, mistakes turn into valuable learning experiences, but you would certainly rather not be lost in an unfamiliar place without money or Internet connection.
Actually, every traveler can agree that they always learn something new with every new adventure regardless of the number of trips they’ve taken.
But if you want to save yourself a potential terrible headache on your next journey, make sure to avoid these 9 mistakes while traveling abroad.
Forgetting to Check the Airline Luggage Guidelines
You might find a cheap flight to your favorite destination, which actually feels like hitting the jackpot, well, at least until you arrive at the airport to discover that your carry-on suitcase was way bigger than the size required by the airline.
Those nice budget-friendly airlines are actually very unforgiving when it comes to ancillary fees. This means you’ll end up paying so much more than what your budget can handle. Therefore, make sure to double check the luggage guidelines in advance.
Assuming the Advertised Wi-Fi is Reliable
You may assume that you’re going to get all your tasks done on time since your hotel has Wi-Fi, but, in fact, Wi-Fi problems are more common than what you may think. Just as any seasoned traveler!
For instance, you may check in on a Friday night only to find out that the internet is down and won’t be fixed until Monday, or maybe there actually is Wi-Fi but it’s satellite-based and you can’t even send one email.
So what can you do? Always be ready for a poor Internet connection!
Placing Your Money in Easy-to-Pick Spots
This is the type of mistakes that are likely to be deeply regretted, especially if the loss is huge. Let me tell you a little story about what happened to my sister in Prague last summer.
Her husband took out some cash to pay for train tickets and then returned the envelope to his backpack. A pickpocket witnessed the enveloped money and managed to smoothly swipe 400 Euro without either of them paying attention to anything.
This is why you need to always hide your money in a smart, secure place, or you may consider buying smart travel accessories which will make it easier for you to keep your money safe.
Overpacking
Well, you really do not need several different pairs of shoes or multiple shirts, dresses, accessories, products, etc. When you overpack, chances are you’ll return home from your vacation only to realize you actually did absolutely not need 50% of the things you packed.
So, just do yourself a favor and try to pack as light as you can.
Not Bringing Enough Money
You might have already expected local markets and restaurants not accepting credit cards while financially planning your trip, but you need to keep in mind that even hotels won’t accept credit cards in certain countries.
So if you want to prevent bad surprises and avoid getting stuck with a heavy hotel bill at an isolated resort without any ATMs around (trust me, it really happened more than once!), be prepared for how much local currency you may need.
Waiting too Long to Buy Attraction Tickets or Book Tours
You need to keep in mind that great tours sell out quickly and tickets to the most popular attractions may have wait lists, even if you’re traveling during an off-peak time of the year.
The best thing you can do is to start researching the attractions or tours you’re most interested in and book your tickets more than a month in advance.
Doing Everything
Of course, you’re visiting a whole new beautiful place and everything is triggering your inner explorer to go out there and maybe even give a few hours of sleep you see, experience, and take photos of everything.
However, you need to be extra careful not to wear yourself out. Dedicate some days of your trip to do nothing but chill and enjoy the peaceful moments, also, make sure to prioritize the important activities.
Not Printing Out All Your Reservations
Although technology is a wonderfully helpful thing that makes our lives easier, you just cannot rely on it 100%, simply because emails get lost, connections get down, and smartphones die.
In such cases, your best bet is using the good paper copies of all your itineraries and reservations. Make sure to print them as a backup plan, also, keep them on you if possible.
Not Checking Your Phone Plan
You certainly don’t want to find out that your service provider actually offers a complimentary international plan after you’ve already left the country, and all you had to do is activate it.
By checking what type of international plan your carrier offers, you’ll avoid the irritating struggle to connect to a Wi-Fi source so you can navigate or text your loved ones.
The international plan might come with a little fee or be completely free, you just need to make sure you won’t come back home to a 4-digit phone bill.