There is no such thing as a perfect trip; there are some mistakes which you will make and then there are some things which can’t be avoided. There are some things one cannot plan for, however there are many things which we can plan for. Here we list the most common mistakes which travelers make so you can be sure to avoid them. Avoiding them will save you a lot of headache.
Passport Renewal
Passports have an expiration date, so keep an eye on that. Some destinations require that your passport be at least 6 months from expiration if you plan to apply for a visa. A good practice is to renew it immediately once it enters the year it’s supposed to expire.
Do Your Homework
Book hotels in advance and spend some time online reading reviews about places. Do not book a hotel without first reading reviews. Sites like Tripadvisor are a haven for reviews and related stuff. Check them.
Your Carry On
Put essential stuff in your carry on as well as a change of clothes. Airlines lose luggage on a regular basis so it’s better to be prepared. Stuff like your prescribed medicines must be put in your hand carry as opposed to your checked baggage, as do your expensive electronics like iPads and tablets.
Packing Wisely
The foremost of tips among travel packing tips is not to over pack. People grossly overestimate the amount of luggage they need and end up over-packing by a fair margin. Trust us when we say you do not need 3 pairs of shoes and 4 pants for a 4 day trip. PackPoint is an application which can help with your packing.
Buying Souvenirs
If you like a souvenir, buy it there and then instead of thinking that you’ll buy it later. Sometimes you cannot find something exactly like it and rue the missed chance to have it.
Don’t always go for a Bargain
Everyone loves a good bargain including us, however sometimes the cheapest hotels just aren’t worth it. So if you are stuck on a choice between a slightly expensive hotel and a cheaper one. Go for the expensive one especially if it has better reviews. On a related note do not try too hard on find ‘the best money exchanger’, do you really want to spend a lot of time because they offer a deal $.10 better than the rest?
Taxi Negotiation
Some countries have taxis which do not possess a meter, so the price is negotiable. Always, always try to haggle with the driver. In some countries, the taxi drivers especially try to rip off tourists and charge them outlandish amounts.
Credit Lock
If you do not alert your bank and then try to use your credit card abroad for a transaction, chances are that it’ll be blocked. So alert your bank of your travel plans before going, all it takes is a five minute phone call or visiting there website.