Travelling is one of life’s most rewarding experiences, allowing you to experience culture and see sites that you never thought could even exist. However, planning and getting there can be quite the opposite. From booking flights to day-long boat trips, travelling to your location can be stressful, making the first part of your holiday anything but relaxing. So, whether you’re planning a packed 2-day city break or a 3-month holiday hopping around islands in East Asia, these 4 essential tips will help any and all travellers to prepare well for their trip to avoid those stomach-dripping ‘where is my passport’ moments.
1. Plan Ahead, But Stay Flexible
It’s well known that planning is the foundation of a successful holiday, yet many still neglect this essential step. Begin by researching your destination thoroughly, learning about local customs, transportation, weather at your time of visit and major attractions that you can visit nearby. Once you have decided on a destination, it’s essential to then book flights and accommodation in advance to ensure there’s availability and also to save money, as the closer it gets to the holiday, the higher prices will rise.
Although it’s important to adhere to set times and dates, it’s equally important to stay flexible. Flight schedules change and get delayed, and weather can take a turn for the worst but sometimes the best experiences come from unexpected opportunities. When creating an itinerary, it’s best to allow breathing room for anything unexpected and to ensure that you’re not rushing to fit activities in.
- Research destinations thoroughly
- Prebook details such as lights and accommodation
- Leave room for flexibility
- Have backup plans ready
2. Pack Smart and Light
Overpacking is one of the most common travel mistakes, as it is not only expensive when it comes to paying for luggage at the airport, but it’s also inconvenient, as it leaves you with a heavy case that’s so stuffed it’s impossible to find anything that you’ve packed. Instead of stuffing your suitcase with ‘just in case’ items, focus on taking versatile clothing that can be worn on all different occasions. Footwear is also an essential part of any holiday, with walking being a large part of most trips, meaning that you should pack comfortable footwear and one other pair of shoes in accordance with your trip’s activities.
A great tip when packing is to invest in packing cubes to section off your luggage into types of clothing or days. This ake unpacking and getting ready each day quicker and smoother, as you know where every item you packed is stored. It helps if you roll clothing, also if you are struggling for space, to reduce packing bulk and to reduce wrinkles.
- Choose versatile clothing
- Use space-saving packing methods
- Invest in packing cubes
- Check airline baggage rules
3. Manage Your Money Wisely
Planning financially is crucial for any trip, no matter the length. Depending on the location, it’s best to research what the primary currency of the country is and whether they use cards or cash in the area you are visiting. Some big city locations, such as Paris or Barcelona, may mostly take cards; however, smaller villages and remote regions may only take cash. It’s also important to understand the exchange rate to work out the value of anything you are buying, so you can avoid overpaying for products or services and avoid getting scammed.
When on longer trips, setting a daily budget for meals, transportation, and activities ensures that you don’t overspend and have funds to last you until the end of your trip. You can do this by splitting up cash into daily limits or setting a limit on your bank account every day.
- Understand exchange rates
- Setting daily budgets
- Know the local currency and preferred method
4. Respect the local culture
Part of being a responsible traveller is ensuring that your visit has a positive impact. Learning basic phrases in the local language before you visit shows the local people respect and often leads to friendlier interaction and a better overall experience. Alongside this, understanding and respecting dress codes, especially in places of worship, tipping where appropriate and following social etiquette, such as avoiding eating in public in places like Japan, helps avoid misunderstandings with locals.
In addition to this, you should practice sustainable travel, including reducing plastic use, respecting local wildlife and especially protected animals in the area, and supporting local businesses rather than big chains such as McDonald’s when and wherever you can.
- Learn basic local phrases
- Follow cultural norms
- Support local businesses
Final Thoughts
Travel doesn’t have to be complicated when you plan ahead, pack wisely, spend money practically and respect local cultures and traditions. These 4 travel tips aren’t just about avoiding problems; they are about maximising enjoyment. So trade in your British citizenship for a day or a few weeks and start travelling!
