Even experienced travelers always have something to learn to avoid mistakes that can ruin a trip –We’ve put together 11 valuable tips that can help you when planning your trip. These are things you should never ignore, otherwise you’ll end up having a frustrating vacation or even more headaches!
1. Traveling without travel insurance
What could be worse than ruining your trip? Try traveling abroad without travel insurance and risk finding out! Imagine having an accident and needing to be hospitalized in another country. And finding yourself with a hospital bill that runs into the thousands of dollars or euros? Or even worse: not being able to pay and being left without care for yourself or someone in your family!
2. Paying more for the same service
Plane tickets do not have a fixed price like bus tickets. On the same flight, it is possible for some passengers to pay R$100, others to pay R$300 and still others to pay R$1,000.
They will all receive the same service and that is how it works all over the world. What happens is that the airline divides the flight into sets of seats and the tickets for each group will have different prices.
3. Not researching travel package options
Travel packages have been tied to a rigid tour model for a long time, but that has changed. That’s why you should consider them before deciding on your trip, as they are currently a smart way to travel more cheaply!
A travel package is basically a way to buy airline tickets with the hotel , resort or inn and guarantee a good discount.
4. Booking the wrong hotel
Your accommodation can be decisive in improving your experience at the destination you are visiting, so this is a very important point during your planning.
You can find the best hotels and guesthouses in the city with prices on several specialized websites, When searching, never forget to read the reviews of previous guests! You can avoid a big headache by simply reading how the hotel has already been rated and what previous guests disliked.
Take advantage of the tools on these platforms and don’t choose the wrong hotel. Check the rating and only book if you are sure that the issues presented will not be a problem during your stay.
Also, always consider the location of the hotel, its access to public transportation, and its proximity to cafes, restaurants, pharmacies, and anything else that is important to you. Do you want to stay in a better and cheaper hotel, but far from the city center? Then rent a car and enjoy these amenities without having to worry!
5. Falling into tourist traps
Never travel without researching at least the basics about your destination! I’m not talking about creating rigid itineraries, but about gathering important information about the city you’re going to visit.
Taking the wrong transportation, falling for scams, staying in a bad or dangerous neighborhood, and even traveling at the worst time of year can ruin your plans! But as you can see, we always have a solution!
6. Carry only cash
Years ago, it was quite common to carry cash on every international trip. However, little by little, this habit began to be replaced by the use of international digital accounts.
Leaving country with a wad of dollar and euro bills is a bad idea! First of all, because of the risk of being robbed or robbed and having your entire trip compromised!
But there is another problem with using cash: it is more expensive! Digital accounts offer cheaper rates, with the commercial exchange rate (not the tourist rate) and are more practical, allowing you to pay for everything with a debit card or make withdrawals free of charge from authorized networks. It is worth noting that in some places in Europe, cash is not accepted, only cards!
7. Renting a car without a discount or insurance
If you’re the type of person who likes to plan itineraries to drive for several days or always rent a car for more comfort, you can’t miss out on the discounts for this service!
8. Arriving at an international destination without internet
Being without internet while abroad can cause several problems. Among them, you won’t be able to call a transport app, you won’t be able to check the map to find your way around, you won’t be able to check prices for attractions or even keep in touch with friends and family.
Additionally, those who work remotely will not be able to use their cellular data to work without relying on free Wi-Fi (which could expose your personal information)!
Therefore, you need to prepare yourself to arrive at your destination connected. There is no shortage of options and each traveler has their own way of using their cell phone on an international trip. Your carrier’s plan may already include data usage in other countries, you may prefer to buy a prepaid SIM card at your destination, or you may find it easier to keep an international SIM card.
09. Buying tickets and tours from unreliable agencies
One way to avoid major scams on your trip is to buy your tours and tickets directly from the attraction’s official website or from reliable websites! Many people don’t pay attention to this point, but the truth is that this company will often be responsible for your transportation and safety during the trip! Or you can book all the tours and transfers and then find out that you were the victim of a scam!
10. Not taking care of where and what you eat or drink while traveling
It’s a fact that nowadays you can easily tell whether a restaurant is good or not before you even leave your house. Just take a look at the online reviews from customers on Google Maps or specialized websites. So the first tip is to always check the reviews.
11. Not knowing which items are prohibited from being carried in your luggage
Although they may seem harmless, some items are prohibited from being carried in your luggage – and not everyone knows this! We’ve already shown you which items you should never carry in your suitcase . But it’s worth remembering the main ones, right?
You cannot carry in your hand luggage: firearms of all types (including replicas and toy guns), pepper spray, work tools, lighters, flammable liquids, bleach, explosives, poisons, acids, as well as sharp objects such as knives, scissors, pocket knives, among others. If you have any specific questions, contact the airline. There are also restrictions on liquids on international flights.
In addition to losing your belongings, depending on the case, it can also cause problems. Some types of food and plants are also not allowed to be transported to another city or country. Therefore, be fully informed before taking any product that you are unsure whether is allowed or not!