When it comes to searching the internet for tips and advice on literally ANY topic, we really are spoilt for choice.
And one of those topics is definitely the one of Travel!
Best Travel Tips
Over the past decade or so, thousands of travel bloggers have popped up on the web. They all document their travels in their own unique way, and a few of them have become proper superstars in the blogging world.
I follow a few travel blogs which I really enjoy, and these bloggers all give really good insight, advice and tips on so many different areas in the world of travel and adventure.
From what to pack, what type of mindset to have and whether or not to travel alone, these guys know what’s what!
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If you, like so many others, are thinking about going on a special trip somewhere soon and are looking for some advice or tips on what to do and what not to do, then this post is for you!
Below are my favourite 20 tips taken from a few of the world’s biggest travel bloggers.
TIP #1 TRAVEL INSURANCE IS EVERYTHING
Taken from Never Ending Footsteps
The total cost of insuring yourself for however long your trip is will definitely be cheaper than having to spend a few days in hospital in some foreign country and pay for it yourself. Trust me!
Accidents do happen, and it can easily happen to you.
You want to make sure you are covered in case anything goes wrong. I have seen people end up with bills in the thousands of Dollars, and they had to pay it themselves.
For me the most important travel insurance is the medical side of it. If you feel you need to, then get covered for loss of luggage and valuables.
TIP #2 DON’T BE AFRAID TO GET LOST PURPOSEFULLY
Taken from Nomadic Matt
Getting lost doesn’t always need to be a bad thing. Far from it, in fact!
So why get lost on purpose?
It sometimes allows you to explore a bit more than you would have liked to had you stuck to your plan. You may even find something or somewhere awesome off the beaten track.
Try it a few times. Leave your maps at home, go for a walk and see where you end up!
TIP #3 LAUGH AT YOURSELF
Taken from Expert Vagabond
Don’t worry too much about how you may stick out like a sore thumb with all your travel items on a train in some far away land, with everyone just staring at you until you feel a bit uncomfortable.
I remember many times hopping onto a metro train in Paris or Bucharest with my backpacks etc, and having all the local commuters just stare endlessly in my direction.
Just laugh at yourself, and don’t take any of it too seriously!
TIP #4 KEEP EVERYTHING IMPORTANT IN YOUR DAYPACK
Taken from Never Ending Footsteps
Ohh the dreaded situation where you are waiting ever so patiently at the luggage carrousel after a flight, and your luggage just doesn’t seem to be arriving!
This happens, unfortunately, and it really helps to have all your important things in your daypack.
Money, bank cards, passports and a spare change of clothes is always a good idea to keep in there!
TIP #5 MAKE COPIES OF IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS
Taken from Ordinary Traveler
Have certified copies of documents such as your passports and ID cards.
In the event where you might just lose your passport, then having a certified copy could save you a lot of hassle.
Make more than one copy, and keep them separately in your hand luggage and in your checked luggage.
TIP #6 SPEND MORE TIME IN FEWER PLACES
Taken from Y Travel
Many people are often obsessed with ticking off places from their list of places to visit.
I don’t really see the point of visiting Germany for a weekend, and then saying “I have been to Germany. Next country please!”
Spending more time in one place at a time has so many benefits. Below are just a few:
- You get to know the place better – where to eat, where to go, what to see.
- You might just make a few local friends who introduce you to a whole different side to the area you are in.
- As there’s no need to rush to see and do everything you want to before leaving, you can be more relaxed and take your time with whatever it is you want to do.
I personally would rather spend two weeks in one place and get to actually know the area than speeding through countries and cities a few days at a time.
TIP #7 ACCEPT THE FACT THAT SOMETHING IS GOING TO GO WRONG
Taken from Earth Trekkers
Stuff will go wrong when you are on the road long enough. This is just one of the facts you should know before travelling.
Things such as losing a debit or credit card, misplacing your passport, having issues with your bank back home etc.
Know this and accept it beforehand. It’s all part of the adventure!
TIP #8 HAVE MORE THAN ONE DEBIT OR CREDIT CARD
Taken from Never Ending Footsteps
As I said before, things can go wrong. And one of those things is losing or misplacing a debit or credit card.
Having a second one stored in a different place can be a life saver!
Particularly as you always have to wait a week or so to get a replacement card.
TIP #9 HAVE AN OPEN MIND
Taken from The PlanetD
It’s a good idea not to have too much of an expectation of a place before visiting it.
Often websites such as Trip Advisor (I don’t like them!) will have tons of reviews about a good or bad experience in a certain country, city or restaurant. More often than not these comments are negative, and may ut you off.
Sometimes before arriving somewhere you already have so many good and bad expectations!
Going into any trip with a complete open mind is the best piece of advice. Just arrive, and don’t worry too much about what you have heard.
TIP #10 PLAN AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE
Taken from Never Ending Footsteps
A strict travel plan may hinder your adventures just a little.
Often your plans will totally change.
You will arrive in a place, hate it and leave after a few days.
On the flip side, you may arrive at a place, fall in love with it, its culture and the people, and end up staying for weeks more!
Having a rough plan is good, of course, but don’t plan exact dates etc.
TIP #11 YOU DON’T NEED A MONEY BELT!
Taken from Never Ending Footsteps
I really can’t stand these things!
I still remember travelling as a younger child and my dad ALWAYS had one under his shirt. I just had to look away out of pure embarrassment.
Money belts really don’t serve the purpose everyone thinks they do. They look stupid, make it hard to access your money and passports, and make it so obvious as to where your valuables are stored.
A normal wallet is just fine.
It’s more safe to fit in than to stand out when it comes to where you store your money and passports.
TIP #12 PACK LIGHT
Taken from Nomadic Matt
I always find that, as much as I try to pack the bare minimum, I end up regretting packing a few items.
If you know you don’t absolutely need an item, then leave it behind!
Remember, your luggage becomes a part of you.
Everywhere you go, it goes as well.
So pack light, as this will make your life a lot easier!
TIP #13 TRAVEL BY YOURSELF AT LEAST ONCE
Taken from Nomadic Matt
Everyone should travel alone at some point.
You learn so much from it, and it really builds you up as a person.
From gaining self confidence, to learning to be alone with your thoughts, you come out the other end as a different person.
See this article I wrote about travelling solo!
TIP #14 EAT STREET FOOD
Taken from Nomadic Matt
Street food is usually tastier and cheaper than restaurant food.
There are a lot of myths surrounding street foods.
Things like it’s unhealthy and you will get sick, or the food is sometimes not exactly what’s being sold etc.
However, if you find street stalls where there are constantly customers, then you can’t go wrong!
In my past experience, I have gotten more sick from eating at fancy restaurants in places like South East Asia than from eating at street markets.
TIP #15 PATIENCE IS IMPORTANT
Taken from Expert Vagabond
Whether it’s a plane delay, a train delay, a bus delay or just something which is taking much longer than you expected, you need to try your best to stay patient!
Most of these things are totally out of our control. We just need to accept this and try stay calm.
TIP #16 MEET LOCAL PEOPLE
Taken from Expert Vagabond
It’s not always an easy thing to do, but if you spend a bit of time in one place then you will be sure to meet a few locals.
There are quite a few benefits that come with meeting and hanging around locals, such as:
- You get to see the local people’s point of view of the place you are visiting.
- Tips & advice on where to eat, what to visit and what to avoid.
- It’s a good change from always hanging around other fellow travellers.
TIP #17 LEARN THE BASICS OF A LOCAL LANGUAGE
Taken from Y Travel
This can help, especially in countries where English is not commonly spoken.
Basics, such as ordering a drink, saying hi and bye or asking for directions, can make your life a lot easier.
TIP #18 VOLUNTEER OCCASIONALLY
Taken from Expert Vagabond
There are plenty of jobs and volunteering you can do on your travels.
I have done this A LOT!
It helps you with your budget, and saves you a ton of money.
You get to experience one place for a bit of a longer period.
And you get to live and feel like a local for a certain period of time.
The list of volunteer-type jobs available is pretty long.
With the most popular volunteer jobs being working at hostels, helping on farms, working at yoga or health schools etc.
TIP #19 WAKE UP EARLY
Taken from Y Travel
I love being up before the sun. It makes me feel like I am all alone and have an entire place to myself while the rest of the world sleeps.
Make an effort to get up early and go explore. The crowds won’t be there, and you will have awesome opportunities to see and capture places.
TIP #20 BE FLEXIBLE
Taken from The PlanetD
It’s super helpful to be able to extend or reduce your visiting periods at a moment’s notice.
Being able to arrive at a place, fall in love with it and decide to extend your stay for a week or two is a real bi-product of being a flexible traveller.
Be flexible. Stay flexible!
If you getting ready for your next trip, then make sure to put a few of these tips to good use.
Cheers,
Richard-T
P.S.
Do you have any more travel tips to add to this list? Let us all know!
