Are you about to head off on your first travel adventure? While you probably can’t sit still due to all the excitement, you’re probably also experiencing the pre-trip jitters. Don’t fear! WOW has put together the ultimate list of tips and tricks to help you get the very most out of your trip.
50 Essential Tips for First-Time Travellers:
PLANNING
– Do your research and decide on your destination. Start pinning on Pinterest .
Related: The 15 Best Travel Destinations in 2015
– Determine your budget and start saving early.
Related: 50 Ways I Saved (a Lot) of Money to Travel the World
– Plan a flexible itinerary. Decide on the main things you will do, but be careful not to cram too much in.
– Purchase travel insurance. You might regret it otherwise.
Related: When Things Go Wrong: Why You Need Travel Insurance
– Research local customs so you’re prepared for when you arrive.
– See your doctor to discuss your travel plans and find out whether you need any vaccinations.
Related: What to Do When You’re Sick Overseas
– Advise your banks you will be traveling internationally to avoid your cards being cancelled when foreign transactions appear.
– Print several copies of your itinerary and leave one with your parents and a good friend.
PACKING
– Make a list. It will help you feel organised and ensure you won’t forget anything important.
Related: 7 Packing Tips You Must Read Before You Travel
– The most important item you can bring is a pair of comfortable shoes.
– Tie a ribbon or colourful luggage tag onto your bag to help you recognise it on the luggage carousel. You’ll be surprised by how many bags look the same!
– When in doubt, don’t pack it.
Related: Travel Packing Hacks – The Ultimate “How to Pack Your Bags Better” Post
– Prescription medication should be clearly labelled and you should carry a doctor’s note if possible.
– Pack a good book for those long flights.
– Pack a change of clothes, underwear, deodorant and toothpaste in your carry-on luggage. It will make you feel like a brand new person when you land.
Related: How to Pack Carry On Only
– Remember to pack an adaptor so you can use your electronics overseas.
– Only pack small bottles of shampoo and conditioner. You can buy it while you’re away and it will save weight and space.
– Do a packing practise run. This will help you judge whether you can fit everything into your suitcase!
Related: Packing Tips and Tricks for Travel
– Make photocopies of your essential documents such as your passport and itinerary and pack them in a different spot to the originals.
– Pack a small medical kit containing the essentials like band-aids, painkillers and antihistamines.
– Weigh your bags before you leave to ensure you haven’t exceeded your luggage weight limit.
FLYING
– Sleep and eat on your destination’s time. This will help you beat jet lag.
Related: 10 Certain Ways to Beat Jet Lag
– Don’t drink alcohol during the flight. It will dehydrate you and you will feel worse after drinking it.
– Drink plenty of water.
Related: How to Survive Air Travel
– Move around the cabin regularly. This will help reduce swelling in your ankles and feet and increase circulation.
– Don’t worry if there is some turbulence. It’s normal.
Related: Afraid of Flying? 8 Great Tips for Nervous Flyers
– Pre-order the vegetarian option. You will feel a million times better.
– A neck pillow, eye mask and earplugs are your friends and will help you get some sleep.
Related: 8 Ways to Actually Sleep on a Plane
AT YOUR DESTINATION
– Respect local customs. Remember that you are a guest in this country.
– Manners are universal. Politeness and a smile go a long way.
– Don’t judge things you see that are different to back home. Instead, think about how interesting they are.
– Learn a few phrases in the local language.
Related: How to Say Thank You in 50 Languages
– Keep some of your money and cards in a separate place to the rest.
– Don’t be afraid to respectively say no.
– Go with your gut instinct. If something doesn’t feel right to you, don’t do it.
Related: Top 10 Tips to Travel Safe
– Be aware of your surroundings and conscious of where your valuables are.
– Be open and make friends with other travellers.
– Turn off international data roaming on your mobile phone to avoid a nasty bill when you return home.
– Eat the local food. It will be the best you’ll taste on your trip.
Related: 20 Foods Around the World You Must Eat Before You Die
– Be cautious about pickpockets and scams. Don’t put your wallet in your back pocket. That’s just asking for trouble.
– If you have a bad experience, don’t let it ruin your trip. Move on and be thankful for each day you have.
– Don’t be afraid to splurge if your heart is screaming yes! Don’t go home with any regrets.
– Be curious. Soak up as much of this new place and all of these new experiences as you can.
Related: The Ten Travel Commandments to Ensure You Enjoy Your Time Abroad
PHOTOGRAPHY
– Invest in a good camera. It will keep your travel memories clearer.
Related: Travel Photography: Everything You Need to Know
– Don’t take photos with your iPad. Just don’t.
– Get up early for the best light and fewest crowds.
Related: How to Take Better Travel Photos
– Be patient. Wait for that perfect moment to snap your photo.
– Look for a different take on famous landmarks.
Related: Travel Photography Tips: What to Look for When Taking Travel Photos
– Get off the beaten track. A shot full of tourists is never a good one.
– Learn how to use the manual settings on your camera before you depart.
What advice would you give first time travellers? Share it in the comments below!
WOW Contributor
Story by World of Wanderlust contributor Rachel.
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March 7, 2016Suzan Hall
February 23, 2016 at 6:28 pmLots of information at one place. It’s always a privilege to read your blogs! Just loved these tips and ideas.
monika
November 20, 2015 at 6:08 pmLovely and Effective post for essential tips in your first time travellers.
Kenza
October 7, 2015 at 9:31 pmGreat list ! Even if I’m not a “first time traveller” I think it’s useful !
Thank you 🙂
Jennifer Reilly
August 16, 2015 at 5:49 pmCan’t agree more about not using an iPad to take photos!! Did a European tour last year and so many people trying to take photos with their bulky iPads! Taking up all the available space with the huge screens. I took my iPad and transferred photos from my camera each night so I could label them so as not to forget each place.
Olga
August 15, 2015 at 1:38 amThis is SUPER informative!!!
ruth
August 14, 2015 at 5:58 amHonestly every traveller needs to read this post. It is my new check list for my next trip!
Caitie Joy
August 12, 2015 at 8:24 pmI am planning a 6 week trip for next July so these tips were great to keep in mind while I’m in the early stages of planning!
Caitie x
pat.
August 11, 2015 at 11:30 amExtra batteries and card for digital camera.
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Joy Della Vita (Lisa)
August 8, 2015 at 10:29 pmWhich Prada model is this? 🙂
Diana
August 8, 2015 at 8:02 pmThanks fro sharing there’s is some great tips here i’m flying solo to Canada soon in a few weeks so this has helped me alot.
Toya
August 7, 2015 at 3:37 amWonderful travel tips! Thanks for sharing, Brooke!
Instagram:@inspiredpassport
Paige
August 7, 2015 at 12:35 amHey guys! Great article, really helpful! If you want to check out my vegan travel blog, I would really appreciate it, I think you would all love it!
@wonderstruckfawns on insta! xx
Charlotte
August 6, 2015 at 8:58 pmThank you for the great tips!
I’ve been wanting to start planning for travels and these have given me a great starting point for preparing.
Holiday information | Pearltrees
August 6, 2015 at 7:55 pm[…] 50 Essential Tips for First-Time Travellers. Are you about to head off on your first travel adventure? While you probably can’t sit still due to all the excitement, you’re probably also experiencing the pre-trip jitters. […]
Jessica Mayhew
August 6, 2015 at 7:55 pmThanks for sharing those tips Rachel! If you are a first time traveller, here are some ways to gain confidence to travel
Rachel Ang
August 6, 2015 at 6:54 pmGreat tips! The one on eating on your destinations time is so helpful! I always struggle with gastric after long flights, and different time zones! I guess not anymore:))
Rachel x
thehappybits.blogspot.com
Leonie Parker
August 6, 2015 at 6:36 pmGreat Tips. Great wait until I can go travelling again!!
Leonie ♥
Daniela Frendo @ Grumpy Camel
August 6, 2015 at 6:09 pmI recommend having a dental check-up before your trip, especially when travelling to developing countries. Of course this is something that every one should do, not just first-time travelers. If you’ve had wisdom tooth pain on and off for months it’s better to do something about it before your trip – I learnt this the hard way!
Madison
August 6, 2015 at 4:34 pmGreat post 🙂
PS: I have a blog
I just posted an EPIC poem with crazy fruit pics.
Please check it out lovelies xxxx
Deepti @ Endless Postcards
August 6, 2015 at 3:03 pmGreat tips! Have you ever backpacked? I’d love to see a packing list for what to bring abroad as a backpacker!
Kaley
August 6, 2015 at 12:37 pmKeeping money in multiple places is such a vital tip that no one ever considers! Especially if you’re traveling to a place with limited ATM access!! Not only will it protect you if you happen to lose the thing holding most of your money, I find it helps your spending by keeping your cash in different places because you don’t think about the large amount of cash you have total, but the small amount of cash you have on hand!
So many times I have been traveling and thought I had spent all my money I brought only to get home and find a few large bills stuffed in a roll of socks or something. It is a great little surprise and I know I would have ended up spending that extra cash had I had it!
Kate
August 6, 2015 at 11:45 amGreat tips–thanks so much for sharing!
Kozue @ Tokyo Direct Diary
August 6, 2015 at 11:38 amGreat list!
There are essentials for any international travel and I believe that good health is the most important of all.
I keep this post. Thanks, Rachel!
Kozue
Monika
August 6, 2015 at 10:39 amI was just away and saw a bunch of people taking snaps with their iPad. I thought it wasn’t that good of an idea and I can see you feel the same way. I also think it’s a great idea to remind people to let your bank know that you’ll be away. Some banks will immediately shut your card down if they see a purchase that is out of the ordinary. It can result in a very very bad situation where you don’t have access to your funds.
-M
Paula Espíndola
August 6, 2015 at 10:28 amDiscover Chile and South America with me
