The Top 20 Travel Tips Every Traveller Should Know

29 Apr 2022

Traveling can be an incredibly rewarding experience, but it can also be quite stressful. There are so many things to think about when planning a trip, and it’s often hard to know where to start. To help make your next trip a little less daunting, we’ve put together a list of our top travel tips.

Whether you’re a first-time traveller or an experienced globetrotter, these tips will help you make the most of your journey.

So, without further ado, here are our top 20 travel tips every traveller should know:

1. Do your research

Before you book your tickets or pack your bags, make sure you do your research. That means reading up on the destination, researching the best places to stay and visit, and familiarizing yourself with the local customs and culture. The more you know before you go, the smoother your trip will be.

2. Create a packing list

This will help you stay organized and avoid packing items you don’t need. Make sure you have all the necessary documents (like visas and passports). Here is a great packing list resource.

3. Travel off-peak

One of the best ways to save money on travel is to avoid peak times. Travel during shoulder seasons or low season, and you’ll often find cheaper flights, accommodation, and activities. Of course, there are some downsides to travelling during these periods – like cold weather or fewer daylight hours – but if you’re flexible with your dates, it’s definitely worth considering.

4. Consider alternative airports

If you’re flying into a major city, there may be more than one airport to choose from. Sometimes, it can be cheaper to fly to a smaller airport that’s located further away from the city centre.

5. Travel light

If you’re only going away for a short time, there’s no need to pack your entire life into one suitcase. Not only will you have to pay excess luggage fees, but you’ll also have to lug around a heavy bag – which isn’t much fun. Instead, travel light, and only take the essentials. You can always buy anything else you need when you get there.

6. Travel insurance

This is something that many people forget about, but travel insurance is essential if you want to be covered for any eventualities – like lost baggage or cancelled flights. Make sure you compare different policies and find one that covers everything you need, at a price that suits your budget.

7. Have fun

Travel is all about enjoying new experiences, so make sure you take the time to do things you enjoy. It doesn’t have to be expensive – even something as simple as taking a walk in a new park or visiting a local museum can be enjoyable. And who knows, you might just find your new favourite place in the world!

8. Use public transport

Whenever possible, use public transport instead of taxis or private cars. Not only is it usually cheaper, but it’s also a great way to see a city like a local. In many cases, you can even buy day passes that will give you unlimited access to all forms of public transport in a particular city. Hop-on-hop-off tours are also an inexpensive and efficient way to see your destination in a day.

9. Walk or cycle

If you’re in a city or town, ditch the taxis and explore on foot. Not only is it great exercise, but you’ll also see things you wouldn’t have if you were whizzing past in a car. And, of course, it’s completely free! If you want a more economical mode of transportation than hailing a taxi, try renting a bicycle for the day.

10. Bring your own snacks

If you’re going on a day trip or taking a long train journey, make sure you pack your own snacks and drinks to avoid paying elevated prices by inflated prices at popular tourist destinations. A few sandwiches, some fruit, and a bottle of water will do nicely – and save you a lot of money.

11. Eat like a local

One of the best ways to save money – and enjoy your trip more – is to eat like the locals do. That means avoiding overpriced restaurants in the tourist areas and seeking out those small family-run eateries. Not only will the food be less expensive, but it’ll also be more authentic and delicious.

12. Buy groceries

If you’re staying in an AirBnB or hotel with a kitchenette, take advantage of the amenities and buy some groceries instead of eating out all the time. It’s usually much cheaper to cook your own meals, and you’ll get to try some local ingredients too.

13. Be prepared

Travel can be unpredictable, so it’s always best to be prepared for anything. That means having all your documents in order, making copies of important things (like your passport), and packing a small first-aid kit. You’ll be glad you did if something goes wrong.

14. Stay safe

Travel can be dangerous, so it’s important to take some precautions to stay safe. That means being aware of your surroundings, not traveling alone in unfamiliar places, and avoiding dangerous situations. If you use common sense, you should be fine – but it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

15. Don’t overdo it

It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of travel and try to pack too much into your itinerary. But that can lead to burnout – which is no fun for anyone. So take it easy, pace yourself, and make sure you build in some downtime into your schedule. You’ll enjoy your trip a lot more if you get to relax.

16. Keep an open mind

Travel is all about new experiences, so don’t go into it with preconceived notions of what things will be like. Be open to trying new things, meeting new people, and having new adventures – you might just surprise yourself.

17. Be flexible

Travel can be unpredictable, so it’s important to be flexible when things don’t go according to plan. That means being willing to change your plans on the fly, going with the flow, and not getting too stressed out when things don’t go exactly as you’d hoped.

18. Be patient

Travel can be frustrating at times, so it’s important to be patient. Things will go wrong, things will take longer than you’d like, and you’ll probably make some mistakes along the way. But that’s all part of the fun. If the last couple of years have taught me anything, it is to enjoy the little things, and to be patient – with everything. There will be delays at airports, customer service reps will be busy and likely backed up, and resources will be stressed. You will get to where you are going, so best to just be patient.

19. Learn some basic phrases

If you’re traveling to a place where English isn’t the primary language, learn some basic phrases in the local language. It’ll make your trip a lot easier – and more enjoyable – if you can communicate with the locals. Remember “dos cervezas por favor” and “gracias”. They will be your best friend.

20. Keep a travel journal – written and visual

This is one of the best ways to remember your trip once it’s over. Write down your thoughts and take lots of pictures along your journey, and you’ll have a beautiful record of your travels to look back on. Plus, it’s a great way to share your experiences with friends and family.

Enjoy your Travels!

These are just a few of the many travel tips that every traveller should know. By following these simple tips, you’ll be sure to have a trip full of wonderful memories.

Cheers,
Big Daddy

If you are a PR agency or brand and would like me to review a travel destination, vehicle, restaurant, product or service, please send me an email at craig@bigdaddykreativ.ca

Craig Silva

Craig is a husband, a father, team leader, travel and food writer, senior youth group coordinator, designer, brander, community builder, volunteer, and social media strategist. Craig likes to travel, go camping, go on road trips, watch movies, build stuff, operate the grill, and sing with his band. Craig is a member of the Travel Media Association of Canada. In June 2017, PR firm Cision identified Craig as one of Canada’s top 10 most popular male bloggers in the parents and family space.

The Top 20 Travel Tips Every Traveller Should Know

by Craig Silva

in Travel