Things to Avoid Before a Big Trip: 13 Easy Mistakes That Could Cost You
There is no better feeling than knowing you’ve got a big trip coming up, free from the worries of work and other stressful responsibilities that are plaguing your mind right now.
While big trips are something wonderful to look forward to and provide a great sense of satisfaction and even excitement, they often require a decent amount of planning to make sure all goes well. The last thing you want is for something to go wrong on your trip that could cost you an arm and a leg or completely disrupt your travel itinerary, so the planning part is essential.
As a seasoned traveler and remote worker, I have been to several destinations — particularly in Europe and Asia — that could have gone more smoothly had I known these common travel blunders.
Here are some of the mistakes that you could easily make, too, if you’re not careful, and how you can overcome any potential issues that your big trip might bring.
Overpacking
I know you have a ton of cute outfits that will look good for your holiday snaps, but you might regret filling your suitcase to maximum capacity.
Overpacking can result in excess airport fees if your luggage exceeds the limit to and from your destination. You need to check all airline policies, both to and from, as you might be able to pack 25 kg on the way but only 20 kg going back home, for instance.
Another issue with overpacking is that you may not be able to buy any souvenirs or go clothes shopping when you get there. Be sure to leave a bit of space for gifts or other items you might like to buy on your vacation.
Carrying Valuables
Carrying valuables often adds unnecessary stress to your big trip. When you are in major tourist hotspots like the Arc de Triomphe in Paris or the pedestrian streets of Barcelona, you are putting yourself at great risk of being pickpocketed.
“It is essential always to remain vigilant, leave valuables, like expensive jewelry, in a safe in the hotel, and always travel with a secure cross-body bag with zips to secure phones and wallets or even a money belt,” Greg Wilson, Founder and CEO of Quotezone tells Euronews.
Underestimating the Time It Takes To Go Through the Airport
I’ve gone through some airports that were a total breeze, where I’ve left my luggage off at the conveyor belt and whizzed through security in a matter of 30 minutes. Some airports take longer to get through than others.
You can check the airport website to understand the typical waiting times. Most advise that you arrive at least two hours before your flight.
Not Taking Public Holidays or Other Events Into Consideration
When you go to another country, an expected public holiday or event could totally disrupt your plans. For example, arriving on Sundays when all the shops are closed or trying to book accommodation during a busy festival period. In some countries, shops are closed for weeks due to the holiday period!
It’s wise to look up the news ahead of time so you can prepare for the unexpected.
Cramming Too Much Into the Itinerary
Planning the itinerary for any holiday can be pretty difficult and time-consuming. But too much movement here, there, and everywhere can leave you feeling drained and unable to enjoy the trip as much as you’d like.
Give yourself a generous amount of time between activities and have a half day every now and again to relax.
Not Planning What You Want To Do or See
The opposite problem to this is not planning your itinerary, which can lead to pretty devastating consequences when you notice all the tours you want to go on are booked up.
Some of the best attractions are booked weeks or even months ahead of time, so be sure to prepare your itinerary well in advance to make the most of your adventure.
Not Accounting for Timezone Differences
When booking your big trip, make sure that you understand the timezone differences, especially when you have layovers in different countries. This may mean setting your watch or updating times and dates on your devices, such as your laptop, which don’t always update automatically.
My mother recently went to Poland from Ireland and showed up an hour late for her first tour, all because she didn’t account for the time difference!
Taking the Early Flight
While this is not necessarily a “mistake” per se, it can be a less desirable choice for some people.
For me, I know that if I want to get an early flight, I have to travel two hours in the early morning and then wait two more hours at the airport before departure. This means that I am exhausted well before the flight has even departed!
By the time you get there, you might just want to sleep and essentially miss out on the first day of your trip.
Not Understanding the Local Culture
It’s sort of inevitable that you will experience culture shock if you go to a country that is totally different from yours. It’s best to approach other ways of living with an open mind.
If you are not a seasoned traveler, though, the culture shocks can hit harder. Research the local culture before you go so you can adjust your expectations for when you arrive.
Coming During the “Wrong Season”
Some countries go through seasons of high heat, torrential rain, wildfires, water scarcity, and much more, which might put a stop to your travel plans.
Find out the season (preferably before you book your tickets!) and decide if you are willing to take the risk.
Also, depending on the part of the country you are in, there could be big differences in weather conditions, so make sure to pack accordingly.
Going to the Wrong Airport or Terminal
Some cities have more than one airport! Just make sure before getting a taxi that they are taking you to the right airport, as a mistake like this before a flight can cost you the entire journey.
Also, if there are many terminals, find out which one you need to go to ahead of time.
Not Checking the Cellphone Plan
Some cellphone plans cover you when traveling, while others don’t offer benefits of any kind!
Before you go to a new destination, check what options you have available with your carrier. You may want to get a digital SIM card well in advance or wait until you reach the airport to get a travel deal.
Public WiFi can often be unreliable, especially if you need access to maps, digital boarding passes, and so forth.
Not Informing Your Bank
Banks can be a nightmare, especially when you are traveling.
I once had to pay for accommodation, which was well over the price the mobile app would allow, so I logged onto my account on my laptop in a foreign country. Because I don’t normally pay this way and I was in a foreign location, they temporarily suspended my account! I ran up a fairly expensive phone bill, as this type of problem couldn’t be sorted by email or online support.
Your card might also get rejected at the till if it suspects unauthorized or irregular activity, so be sure to let the bank know of your vacation plans before you hit the road!
