10 Worst Mistakes to Do before Traveling Abroad

Whether you are a seasoned traveler or if you’re doing this for the first time, we all make travel mistakes that can cause stress or even ruin our holiday. Many travelers commit the same mistake
over and over again. However, with mindful planning, these mistakes can be easily avoided.

Here are 10 common travel mistakes and how you can avoid them:

1. Planning too many activities.

If you have too many activities crammed into such a short amount of time, you might not be able to truly appreciate or enjoy a place. It is understandable that you want to make the most out of the place and that you want to follow all the activities that are suggested in the guide book. However, you might find yourself too busy to soak in the beauty of your surroundings. Give yourself time to relax and appreciate the sights at a slower pace.

2. Traveling during peak season.

When you travel during peak season, all the best destinations are usually overcrowded with tourists. Flights, tours, and hotel accommodations also have higher prices.

Photo by Masha Danilova on Unsplash

3. Not purchasing travel insurance.

Buying cheap travel insurance is easy enough. Many reputable insurance companies offer travel insurance as part of a comprehensive package, covering unexpected cancellations, emergency medical expenses, and loss of luggage. You even purchase travel insurance online, so there is no excuse. It is also possible to get travel insurance while you’re already traveling.

4. Not checking visa requirements.

It is a huge hassle if you’re turned away at a foreign checkpoint. It can be expensive and time-consuming. You need to find out visa requirements way ahead of time.

5. Overpacking.

Everyone can relate to this common travel mistake. Most airlines have expensive charges if your luggage goes over the weight limit. It is also easier to carry light luggage especially if you’re shuttling from one place to another. Remember that you can always do some laundry on the road.

6. Not bringing electrical adapters.

Another common travel mistake is not bringing the proper type of electrical outlet that’s used in a certain country. The best thing to do is to bring different kinds of adapters just to be sure.

7. Not having local currency.

This is a common mistake that travelers make. Remember that you always need local currency to take transportation and to purchase items from local stores that don’t accept credit cards.

8. Not booking enough time in-between flights.

We are all aware that flight conditions can be unpredictable. It is best to book flights with sufficient time buffer in-between so that you’re not rushed and stressed out.

9. Not planning your telecom and internet connectivity

Everyone knows that you can’t just turn on your phone abroad and use it without racking up a very expensive phone bill. You need to make sure that your mobile carrier has a roaming plan that you can purchase before traveling. You can consider buying an international plan or getting a local SIM card once you arrive. It will be useful to know ahead of time if the place you’ll be traveling has a good internet signal in case you need to check emails from time to time.

10. Using credit or debit cards without informing your bank.

All credit card companies keep track of foreign transactions, which is a way of protecting their clients from fraud. Inform your bank before traveling abroad to ensure that you won’t be locked out of your account, especially when you need cash. You also need to find out if your bank charges a foreign transaction fee so that you won’t be surprised when the bill comes.

Learn not to make these 10 travel mistakes. Doing so will make your trip more enjoyable.

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