Disclosure: This is a guest post.
The benefits attached to vacationing are phenomenal. Planning for a trip to a new tourist destination is exhilarating. The excitement, the fear is an inclusive package. A person is always excited to learn what’s new on the other end but also wonders what to expect.
Are you planning your first-time vacation to a new location? It’s easy to make a few mistakes that can cost you your entire trip. Hold up! How about you prevent those mistakes before they occur? Here are rookie mistakes that each first-time traveler must avoid at all costs.
1. Failing to check passport requirements
Having a valid passport isn’t enough while traveling abroad. There are countries with exceptions, such as Russia and China, among others. These countries have a rule that requires a person to have a passport that’s valid at least six months after the return flight date.
You ought to check your passport to ensure you meet such requirements. Failure to do so might result in having unnecessarily complicated trip than you could imagine.
2. Trying to book everything
Being a 1st-time traveler, the excitement of booking everything always comes into play. You may find yourself wanting to book each section of your trip. From hostels, meals, to transfers, among other items.
In as much as it sounds as good practice, you ought to leave room for flexibility.
You ought to book major items and have more room to be flexible within your trip. It’s because the vacation can turn out to be unpredictable; thus, you ought to have enough buffer time.
3. Connecting flights schedule mistake
Here’s a real nuisance that you ought to avoid. There are times where you may be searching for a direct flight but can find any. You might get forced to choose a connecting flight.
You ought to be careful to ensure there’s enough buffer time in between the two. If not, the chance is you might miss the flight. If you have to connect aviation, make sure you have proper insurance, which will assist you when things turn south.
4. Cheaper airport mistake
Once you are in a given country, you will realize those big cities have many airports. There’s one airport that serves as the main one and charges higher fees as compared to other airlines.
You ought to find an airport that’s well connected throughout a given country to make your trip worthwhile. When you are seeking to explore the high country of china, you can visit here https://www.cathaypacific.com/destinations/en_HK/flights-from-hong-kong-to-shanghai to get the best possible deal.
You mustn’t depend on flight fair only while booking a ticket. You must check on transportation options.
5. Exchanging money at the airport
Most 1st tie travelers would want to transfer large cash amounts at the airports. It’s a terrible idea as the money exchange is quite expensive at the airports.
If one doesn’t have cash, it will help if they tried to exchange small amounts that would cover the transport cost to the hotel. From there, you can get to transfer the money to a local bank so that you don’t feel ripped off.
6. Purchasing too many souvenirs
A first-time visit to your dream country is always unexplainable. It’s easy to get tempted to buy each token that you can across.
However, you ought to know that it will increase your luggage weight on the way home, thus reduce mobility.
Cramming too many items within your luggage might end up being a nuisance. Online purchase a few souvenirs, and you can plan a second trip to get other memories.
7. Overeating food that you are used to at home
Most 1st time travelers are always afraid of getting food poisoning. Thus, they end up eating what they are used to back home. However, you are missing out on a chance to enjoy exotic cuisines that’s part of the locals’ culture. A visit to a new location is a chance to enjoy what they have to offer from fresh organic produce.
As a 1st time traveler, you ought to avoid mistakes stated above to have a memorable stay.
Always check your flight schedules ahead of time. You can click here cathaypacific.com/destinations/en_HK/flights-from-hong-kong-to-shanghai to check out holiday deals that you can try for the first time.
I will keep these in mind. I am not a first time traveler, but I can forget stuff. I’m going to London and France in March 2021 so I don’t want any mistakes.
I bet that will be an amazing trip!
oh my gosh could not agree more with this- when i first traveled i forgot so many things ha and def the key is passport and connecting mistakes. i try and book direct if i can to help with that ;0
First time traveling can be hard at first for sure.
All of those are great tips. Another tip is always check to see if you have all of your chargers before you leave home. I forgot my computer cord on a trip recently and had to purchase one so I could work.
That is a good one too. I’d hate to have forgotten that at home.
We were just out with some people last night and they are always going on great vacations. We do not travel too much but these ideas can be so helpful.
I’d love to be able to travel a lot more myself.
These are good tips. The one on connecting flights is so important. I one almost missed a flight because of this
Right! There is always something to learn.
It is the souvenirs and tokens that I should stay away from. I have made that mistake before and I did have to suffer the consequence of paying a penalty for excess baggage weight. I will keep these tips in mind for the next time we get the chance to travel.
Souvenirs sure can be a tricky one.
We’re planning a trip soon and these tips are so helpful. Thanks so much!
You’re welcome. Glad they could help.
I definitely like to have my hotel booked when I travel, but I leave some flexibility regarding restaurants and tours. I agree that you shouldn’t always book your flight at the cheapest airport!
I always do my research as well. We always want to make sure to have a hotel booked right away too.
I can probably say I have done these all and hands up I still buy too much. One day I’ll get that one under control.
I try to be careful myself. I usually do souvenirs for my family and maybe one for myself.
This is a great list for sure! I have made some of these same mistakes over the years but you usually only make them once.
I’m sure many of us have too.
These are very great tips even though I don’t travel far. Some day I will and will remember these.
I don’t do a whole lot of traveling myself either.
Making sure I pack otcs for the unexpected stomach upsets is super crucial. New water and food really tends to make my stomach upset.
Sorry to hear that. Glad that something helps with that for you though.
I completely agree with these! What a great list for a first time traveler!
Right!
These are common mistakes of first time travelers and I admit I have done some of them. Well, it was a lesson learned so all my succeeding trips were better planned. Thanks for writing this article. It is a big help for your readers.
Right! I know we can all learn from them.
I’m not a first time traveler but even I need to be reminded of these things. Especially the tip about souvenirs.
The souvenirs one can be tricky for sure.
It is good to be prepared when you travel for the first time. Layovers can definitely be tricky, especially for international flights. These are all great things to keep in mind.
I completely agree. Being prepared is a must.
Planning a vacation can be stressful because there are so many working details especially if your going overseas. It’s been so long since I have flown anywhere. I’d love to go overseas one of these days and I think I’ll get the help of a travel agency so that I do make a rookie mistake.
I’ve never traveled overseas myself. That’s something I’d love to do too.
These travel mistakes to avoid will help everyone have a better time traveling. I’m glad you shared these tips. I don’t travel often, but it’s nice to know what to avoid when I do!
Same here. I don’t do a lot of traveling, but these sure are helpful.
These are very excellent points. Nothing is worse than being abroad and you slip on on something like this.
Right!
These are definitely true for the first time travelers! I might have done one of these things before. Thanks for sharing.
You’re welcome.
These are really awesome tips! Saving this and sharing with friends.
Glad they can be of help.
Money exchange is really expensive at the airports. We learned that after our trip to my home country a couple of years ago. Great tips!
Agreed. It sure is important.
The buffer between flights is so important. You would think some would not be aloud as they are to close. None the less, one time be4ing stupid, I will not be tht dummie again!
Right!
This is really a great list of rookie mistakes. It will be very helpful for our first time travelers. Thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome.
I agree! I love that we have the internet now so we can prepare early for the trip. I make sure to research as much about where to eat and where to go weeks before the trip and have them all written down as well.
Me too. I always do a ton of research first.
I wish I had seen this list before my last trip. It definitely would have saved me a headache
So many things to remember for sure.