15 Tourist Mistakes to Leave Behind

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Do you know how your simple slip-ups are making you sabotage your travel adventures? According to the U.S. Travel Association, roughly half of Americans plan to take one or more leisure trips annually. Few realize how often avoidable mistakes spoil their holidays.

Knowledge of these common errors makes your travels safer, smoother, and more enjoyable. So, here are 15 travel mistakes you don’t want to make.

Overpacking Your Suitcase

Tourist Mistakes to Leave Behind — Image Credit: Vlada Karpovich via Pexels

It’s tempting to bring your entire wardrobe “just in case,” but carrying too much luggage can result in hefty airline fees and strain your travel experience. Wrap super versatile mix-and-match outfits, and use the handy packing cubes to organize.

Some People do not Correctly Check the Visa Requirement

Researching visa requirements well in advance is essential, as missing one can ruin your plans. A tool from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) helps you check the visa specifications of every country.

Ignoring Travel Insurance

Sneaky Travel Issues for Retirees — Image Credit: Jernej Furman/Wikimedia Commons

Travel insurance is often skipped in the name of savings, but a few bucks in savings can quickly become expensive if you have trip cancellations, lost luggage, or medical emergencies.

According to research by Allianz Global Assistance, 31 percent of travelers suffered travel disruptions that insurance would have remedied.

Skipping Local Currency Exchange

Credit cards are accepted everywhere, but if you count on only them, you can find yourself in the lurch, needing change for that required entrance fee. A reasonable amount of local currency should be exchanged before a trip to avoid outrageous airport exchange rates later.

Falling for Tourist Traps

A high price comes at the cost of popularity, which brings inflated prices and incredibly overwhelming crowds. Rather than confining your trip to buzzed-about sites, learn about the area you’re visiting and find the real, local experiences—maybe having dinner at a place locals eat or wandering through less-traveled neighborhoods.

Underestimating Jet Lag

If you travel to different time zones, you’ll probably experience jet lag. Studies show that fully recovering can take at least one day per time zone.

Adjust your schedule a few days before you fly, or plan low-key activity for that first day before you reach your destination.

Forgetting to Back up Travel Documents

Losing your passport, ID, or travel itinerary is enough to quickly wreck a dream vacation. While keeping all these on your cloud storage or digital phone may be easier, they should also be kept in separate bags with hard copies for emergencies.

Relying Solely on Rideshare Apps

Yes, they provide convenience, but that doesn’t make them reliable, especially abroad. Research local public transport options, rent bikes, or even walk, and you will save money and time.

Researching Local Laws and Etiquette

Apologies for … Not knowing the local culture can accidentally offend people or, worse, get you in hot water legally.

For example, in Singapore, you can’t chew gum in public, and in Japan, it’s polite to take your shoes off when you enter someone’s home. Before you go, find out about the customs and norms in the area you’re visiting.

Mismanaging Your Budget

Winding up spending all your money in the middle of a trip will end your vacation sooner than planned. Before your trip, create a budget that will give you an idea of how much you need each day to spend on food, accommodation, transportation, and entertainment. Mint and Trail Wallet are apps that track your travel expenses.

Visiting too Many Destinations

Often, we visit too many destinations at once, which can collide with our itinerary and fuel misery. While packing multiple destinations may seem productive for a short trip, it can become burnout. Work towards making more profound memories at a few locations and intensify by immersing yourself in their culture.

Ignoring Weather Conditions

Failing to check a destination’s weather forecast leaves it to chance, and you’ll never be prepared for sudden downpours, scorching temperatures, or snowstorms.

This also means packing appropriately for the climate and the season and bringing a lightweight raincoat or umbrella, no matter what.

Using Unsecured Public Wi-Fi

Using emails and paying with your personal information over open Wi-Fi can also expose you to data breaches.

When traveling, cybersecurity firm McAfee suggests using a VPN for a more secure form of browsing, which will help protect your personal information.

Overbooking Your Schedule

Fulfilling your itinerary with activities may leave little room for spontaneity or relaxation. Every day, allow a bit of downtime to meander wherever you are or soak up the atmosphere of your destination.