Travel Tips for the Seasoned & First-time Traveler

Everyone wants their trip away to be perfect, but vacations rarely run so smoothly. Sometimes you forget to pack certain things, your baggage is overweight, and flights are missed. Whatever the purpose of your travel is, and whether you’re a seasoned or a first-time traveler, keep these tips in mind to avoid unnecessary stress during your vacation.

Invest in a travel wallet, and use it

A good travel wallet will have different sections to hold all the papers and documents you’ll need while you’re away: itineraries, passport (for international travel), boarding cards, tickets, and other miscellaneous things. Before you leave make sure you’ve printed all your itineraries (hotels, flights, buses), as well as extra information about the city you’re going to (cab numbers, airport information, the closest hospital or medical center to where you’re staying).

Pack smart

Make a list before you start packing. The list doesn’t have to be overly detailed, but at least have a general idea of what you’ll need for your time away. Try not to completely fill your suitcase because if you go shopping you’ll have a hard time trying to fit your new purchases in. Another tip: roll your clothes – you’ll be able to fit more into your suitcase.

Be extra early

Would you rather sit in the airport lounge for an extra 40 minutes, or miss your flight by 10 minutes? Know when check-in closes for your flight, and when your flight boards. You might also want to make sure you’re in the right terminal. When you get to the airport, check the departures board straight away for flight delays and to know which gate you need to go to.

Know where you’re going

Getting lost in a city you don’t know that well can be scary. Make sure you have at least one map with you, especially if you can’t use your phone’s internet (if you’re in another country, for example). If you have internet where you’re staying, Google Map the places you’re going to before you leave and take screenshots of the directions on your phone. If you get lost, don’t be afraid to ask someone for directions – but be careful, because even locals can give you wrong directions sometimes.

 Photo by Ziyan Sha