16 Mistakes Every Traveller Makes At Least Once — And How To Avoid Them

Save yourself money, time — and a whole lotta headaches.

1. Overpacking your suitcase.

Pop TV

You don't need a million outfits — even if you want to look good in every Insta pic. Travelling with a carry-on-only sized bag will save you a ton in baggage fees, and it'll make your life so much easier on trains, buses and pesky cobblestone streets. Here are some tips to help you pack a carry-on bag without missing out on any essentials. 

2. Exchanging currency in the wrong place.

Nickelodeon

Do not, I repeat, DO NOT exchange money at the airport. You're going to get the worst possible rates, and probably some random fees to boot. Do your research before you leave, and find a currency exchange place near you that has the best rates. Yes, changing money at the post office is convenient, but is not always the cheapest option. 

3. Not getting the right travel money card.

@trevorjohnstoo / Via youtube.com

It feels like there are a million options out there for travel cards, but some of them are absolute rip-offs. Look for one that has no additional ATM fees, offers good conversion rates, has low or no account fees, and can hold multiple currencies at once. After extensive research, I've found that the Wise card is one of the best.

4. Using data roaming on your phone.

E!

Even if your phone plan lets you roam for $10 a day, that's going to add up so quickly. If you need data and calling capabilities, just get a local SIM card in the country you visit. They'll often be no more than $30, saving you heaps of cash. As a bonus, a lot of European SIM cards will work across most countries you plan to visit. 

5. Overplanning and cramming in too much.

NBC

Of course, you want to see as much as possible when you're travelling. But when you have 8am breakfast plans followed by three galleries, a walking tour, a shopping trip, sunset drinks, dinner and a club – you're going to get exhausted VERY quickly. If you want to plan each day so that you're able to cross off all your must-sees, be sure to add in a couple of "rest hours" to recharge your batteries. 

6. Getting self-conscious about being a tourist.

Nd3000 / Getty Images

I get that no one wants to be the person walking around in dad sneakers looking at a map, but there really is nothing wrong with being a tourist. So many people get caught up in the idea of getting a "local experience" when travelling, that they might miss out on some of the city's best things to see. Tourist attractions are popular for a reason. They're good!

7. Getting intimidated by local public transport.

Instagram: @fergie / Via instagram.com

Public transport is the best way to get around a city, whether its via bus, tram, or train. While it can be a little daunting to navigate a foreign public transport system — particularly in a new language — it's literally designed to be easy to use. Google Maps lays out your whole journey, including stops and changes. You'll save so much money, as well as get a genuine vibe for the city. 

8. Comparing prices to home rather than destination.

TV Globo

When you're looking at prices, don't compare them to the cost of things at home. Yeah, maybe a $15 dollar meal is cheap in relation to a restaurant in Australia, but a $15 meal in Thailand is way more than you need to spend. Look at a couple of places near you to get an idea of what you should be paying. 

9. Not learning local phrases.

Warner Bros.

If you're travelling to touristy places, you'll find that most locals you meet will speak English. But it's kind of rude to use English as a default without even trying to learn a couple of words. Look up how to say things like "hello", "thank you", and even "how much does it cost?" Even if you butcher the pronunciation, people will appreciate you trying. 

10. Travelling too fast through an area.

Disney

Yes, Europe is small. But taking the Contiki approach and trying to cram five countries into two weeks is just a recipe for disaster. You'll miss out on all the good stuff — and you'll be exhausted. Build an extra few days in each place you visit into your itinerary, where you can just wander around and soak up the vibes. The same can be said for every other continent and country on Earth.

11. Eating at chain restaurants.

HBO

It's tempting to head to McDonald's or Starbucks when you're overseas, because you know exactly what you're gonna get. But don't do it! First of all, chain restaurants are usually waaaaay pricier than a regular meal. Plus, you're missing out on all the fun of exploring local cuisine! If you're nervous, look up restaurants on Google Maps beforehand, read the reviews to know what to order, and show the waiter a picture of the food you want to get. 

12. Going in with zero research.

POTUS

The whole "grab your passport and my hand" idea is aspirational as hell, but in reality that's not exactly going to work. While there is a certain magic to be found in wandering around a new city, sniffing things out and making judgements based on vibes, it's just not sustainable. Sketch out a basic list of places you want to go, restaurants you want to try and potential day trips you could take. That way, if your wandering goes off track and you need a plan B, it's right there. 

13. Relying on planes or fast trains.

ITV

Okay, if you're only travelling for a couple of weeks, then maybe you should prioritise convenience. But when you zoom around with planes and fast trains, not only will you be spending a lot more money, but you'll also be missing out on a lot of cool spots you could visit. Take a bus with a layover in a cute city where you can spend the night, or rent a car and take the scenic route. 

14. Being too frugal.

FOX

Of course, when you're travelling it helps to stick to a budget. But if you're being so stingy that you're missing out on amazing experiences, it might be time to question if it's really worth it. Maybe you don't need to spend 50 euros to go clubbing with new friends, but spending 50 euros on a day trip to an incredible waterfall is definitely something you shouldn't miss. 

15. Not negotiating taxi fares.

Nickelodeon

I'm not out here to say that all taxi drivers want to rip you off, but it feels like every single time I've tried to get a taxi from the airport, I'm quoted a price WAY higher than what it should be. Either use a ride-share app, or, if that's not available, do some research online to figure out what the price should be, and offer that. 

16. And finally, not saving all your recommendations in one place.

Google / Via insider.com

Google Maps is an absolute godsend when you're planning a trip. For every location on there, from bars and cafes to museums and parks, you can add a little bookmark. Then, when you're looking at your map, you'll see all the places that you saved during your research. It's handy when it's 11am and you're dying for a coffee but have no idea where to go — just open your app and see what's near you!