Preparing for and planning a trip is certainly an exciting process. You want everything to go well, have a good time, and avoid any unfortunate incidents. While traveling or booking a vacation, even experienced travelers who had more than one trip abroad sometimes make stupid mistakes. What can we say about those who are just taking their first steps in tourism? In order not to be in the middle of a story and not to spoil your holiday mood, we recommend reading the tips in this article.
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Saving on insurances
When we plan a trip, the last thing on our minds is the need for medical attention while we are away. Usually, we can toss a bottle of nose drops or headache pills in our suitcases. It’s only when something unexpected happens, like a sprained ankle or a broken tooth, that we think about insurance. Or the fact that we didn’t buy it. And then you have to spend more than a hundred dollars to go to the doctor. Or even more, if you have to spend several days in a hospital in another country. So, rule number one: buy health insurance for the entire duration of your trip! However, if you suddenly have to go over your planned travel budget, always remember about the possibility of a quick loan at Payday Depot.
Waiting in lines
It’s probably hard to plan everything during a trip, and it’s not worth it because it’s always interesting to discover new things. But if you want to visit some famous sights, it’s a good idea to plan ahead. Crowds of tourists are always present at the most famous monuments and museums. Thanks to the Internet, we now have the opportunity to avoid standing in line for hours to buy tickets — you can buy them in advance on the website of a famous place. Such tickets allow entry at a certain time and often cost a little more. So, while the rest of the tourists are waiting in line, you can save your time.
Staying only in the tourist areas
Many people choose the most popular routes during the busiest tourist times and then complain about the crowds. Or they visit cafes and restaurants only in tourist areas and complain about the expensive food. You will greatly enrich your trip if you decide to walk along the side streets away from the main tourist areas. So, during the day, feel free to go where there are fewer travelers, but always keep the following advice in mind.
Be safe and stay alert
There are scammers and thieves in every country in the world. But that doesn’t mean there’s a mugger with a knife waiting for you on every street corner. A taxi driver, a waiter offering exclusive services, a poor man with sad eyes, and children with pitiful stories can deceive tourists. Be alert and careful. Keep your passport, credit cards, and cash in a few safe places.
Book late or plan ahead
In some cases, you can get a significant discount if you book on the last day before your trip. However, this does not happen very often. Therefore, it is best to plan a trip that includes airfare and hotel accommodations as early as possible. Flights are usually much cheaper if you buy your ticket a few months before your trip. And in most hotels in Europe, it’s hard to get a room without a reservation. Again, we emphasize the positive side of planning the major stages of your trip.
Plan your expenses and find out about fares
In many countries, taxis do not have meters, so it is worth discussing the cost of the trip in advance to avoid giving the driver an unpleasant amount. You can always check tourist reviews on travel booking sites to find out how much you can negotiate.
Also, be aware of the exchange rate, which is often higher at airports than in the city. If you don’t have a way to change money before your trip and you need local money immediately upon arrival, don’t change a large amount of money at the airport.
Choose a hotel far from the city center to save money
People often think that they can save money by staying in a hotel away from the city center. We advise you to think carefully about such savings because you will most likely spend a lot of time traveling from your hotel to tourist attractions, be tied to public transportation schedules, or spend extra money on taxis. Detailed professional information and user reviews on leading booking sites will always help you weigh the pros and cons, compare prices, and make a choice.
Too little time to transfer
If your trip involves changing planes or changing trains or buses, choose a flight with a connection time of more than one hour. At first glance, an hour may seem like enough time, but unfortunately, it is impossible to predict the delay of the first flight or the security line at the airport. Choosing a short connection may cost you additional stress, a new ticket, or a night in a hotel at your own expense.
Be attentive to details, read, and pay attention to other people’s travel mistakes to avoid making your own.
