Simple Mistakes Everyone Makes While Travelling

It is common for even the most seasoned travellers to make a few mistakes. Sometimes these mistakes can be rectified, other times you can end up losing a lot of money. It is important to go through that learning curve, understand what works for you and create a fool proof system. There is no way you can predict what happens while you travel but with a little research you will know just how you can prepare yourself.

Often, people learn from their own mistakes, but you can also learn from mistakes others make. Here are some common mistakes travellers make and ways you can avoid them.

Wastefully spending in a tourist area

Tourists areas are generally very expensive. This goes for restaurants, accommodation and shopping. These high prices are especially created to cater to tourists who are unwittingly forced to spend more. However, the quality of product or service in this area may not match the price you pay. This is because tourists aren’t sticking around to give them a bad review.

The best way to really experience the culture and the local food is to collect recommendations from people living in the area. In the age of travel bloggers and influencers, we forget that the locals themselves are experts in the city they live in. The best way to get in touch with locals is to reach out to them on various community platforms on social media. As important as it is to experience the main attractions save your money for local experiences away from the high-priced tourist areas.

Losing out on quality sleep

Be it red-eye flights or squeaky beds, travelling can leave you puffy-eyed and irritable. It can lead you to experience fatigue, irritability and drowsiness which are the conditions you want to avoid while travelling. One common mistake many travellers tend to make is to consume alcohol to sleep better. Alcohol will only lead to more disruptive sleep and leave you worn out in the morning. The drinks guide to better sleep is a handy information tool that will help you recognize the beverages that can help you relax.

For those travelling on red-eye flights or experiencing jet-lag, an easy way to get the body back to regular sleep cycle is to take power naps. It is a commonly observed phenomenon that the first night in a new sleep setting can cause lack of sleep. You can find a lot of information on how to take power naps at night. It is important to sleep well every night to gain ample energy to explore the place you are visiting.

Fitting in way too many things on your checklist

Every place you visit has its own attractions that you must see. However, if you have way too many places and things to do in your itinerary, you are not only going to rush your visit to each place but also end up getting burnt out. While it is certainly ambitious to want to cover as much as possible in a limited number of days, your experience can be more fruitful to take as much time as you want to enjoy what the place has to offer.

While creating an itinerary, it is important to estimate travel time, an interval to rest and the time taken to enjoy the place. You can also factor in additional transportation delays or food breaks that you might want to take. Say you see beautiful area rugs, you might want to stop a while and look at your options. With limited time, you will have to pass out on opportunities you might not get again.

Avoiding Hostels

Hostels are often the economical alternative to a hotel. They are affordable, safe and a community that you are instantly a part of. It might require you to share a room with a stranger but there also private room options for people who want to avoid that. Due to the economical living situation, hostels are able to provide many amenities like a game room, a pool, free Wi-Fi and a lot more than hotels generally offer.

The community in the hostels allows you to forge friendships with like-minded travellers from all around the world. It enhances your travel experiences and opens doors for new opportunities. With a handy pillow that helps you prevent snoring, you can ensure you are a good roommate to your new buddies. If you are travelling solo, with a partner or with a group of friends, hostels are a great place to build enriching experiences.

Running out of money

All good travellers spend time budgeting their trip to ensure they have sufficient money for the entire duration. However, it is very common to spend all your money having a good time. It can happen while partying too hard or shopping too much. However, a situation like this is far too common among travellers. Many travellers have had to resort to working in the hostels they are staying at to fund the rest of their trip.

Travel cards are a great tool to monitor your expenses. By getting alerts each time you spend your money, you will know how much of your budget is left over and gives you the information needed to adhere to your budget. If you do run out of money completely, reach out to your friends or family for financial help. If you choose otherwise, you can always find petty jobs that will help you sustain yourself for the remaining duration.

Being too anxious

Travelling is meant to be a relaxing experience. It is a time to explore new places and create new memories. However, sometimes it is all drowned out by the stress and anxieties resulting from a few mistakes or bad experiences. You can never know what to expect and sometimes you might find yourself in a messy situation.

No matter what happens, it is best to wake up each day with a positive mind-set. You can also listen to a few songs to relax. If you allow one bad experience to ruin your whole trip, you are the one who ends up missing out on amazing experiences. There are no set methods to help you relax unless you consciously take the initiative to do so.

Apart from these common mistakes, ensure that your important documents are safe at all times. Beware of scams in the area by researching what you can encounter. It is better to mentally prepared for unfortunate swindling that is common in tourist areas. Be cautious of overly friendly locals by not divulging information about where you stay and so on. You should also be mindful of the water you drink and the food you eat. Health risks are one of the most common problems arising out of travel. Therefore, it is imperative that you maintain distance from people appearing to be sick.