The first time traveling abroad is an exciting milestone at any age. For many people, their first international trip is when the travel bug bites. Once you get a taste for travel and experiencing new cultures, the wanderlust is nearly impossible to satisfy. To make the most of their first trip abroad, travelers should avoid these 10 rookie mistakes.
10 Not Learning The Local Language
Of course, it’s not necessary to learn an entire language before departing for a trip, but many first-time travelers underestimate how beneficial it is to research a few common words or phrases. When traveling abroad from the USA or Canada, knowing how to greet locals, say thank you, and ask basic questions like “How are you?” or “How much does this cost?” is extremely useful in many nations around the world where English isn’t widely spoken. Even when visiting a country where many people are fluent in English but it’s not the nation’s first language, locals will undoubtedly appreciate travelers attempting to communicate in the local tongue.
9 Trying To Do Too Much In A Short Time
Once travelers set their sights on a destination, it’s easy to get carried away in the planning phase and overschedule the entire trip. While it’s important to hit the highlights of any destination and get a good taste of the local cuisine, culture, and history, spending all day, every day, bouncing between tourist attractions or different areas of a city can take the fun out of the experience. Instead, select one primary activity for each day of the trip and build an itinerary around that.
8 Not Planning Downtime
Going hand-in-hand with overplanning is failing to account for the downtime that first-time travelers undoubtedly need during their trip. International travel is exciting, but it is also exhausting, especially in cities where the majority of the day is spent walking between destinations or sightseeing. To avoid burnout or getting ill while on the road, travelers should build time into their plans to get proper sleep each night and return to their accommodation at some point each day to regroup. Allowing an hour before dinner to shower, freshen up, and lounge in the room each day might be all the self-care you need.
7 Succumbing To Jet Lag
Jet lag is an inevitable part of traveling internationally, especially when crossing multiple time zones to reach the final destination. Rookie travelers may succumb to the feelings of fatigue and go to bed “early” in their local time upon landing, effectively staying on schedule for their regular body block. However, it’s often better to combat jet lag by addressing it right after arriving at the destination. Travelers should do their best to adapt to local time and go to bed the first night of the trip at a reasonable time to reset their sleep schedule for the rest of the week. This will allow them to wake up with the sun and make the most of their destination.
NHS recommends beginning to combat jet lag while on the plane. Try sleeping during the flight if it’s nighttime in your destination and drink plenty of water to remain hydrated.
6 Over Packing
First-time international travelers may feel that packing an excessive amount of outfits and toiletries makes them better prepared for their escapades abroad. However, it simply bogs them down and adds unnecessary pounds to their baggage. In many cases, for a 1-3 week trip, it’s possible to travel comfortably with just a carry-on suitcase, preventing the hassle of checking a bag and potentially losing it. To narrow down their selection of clothes for a trip, first-time travelers can focus on only packing items that complement each other, allowing them to mix and match all clothing articles to create multiple looks with less.
5 Spending Too Short A Time In Each Destination
While there are plenty of guides for how to spend 24 hours in Paris or 48 Hours in Tokyo, there are few scenarios where this is actually enough time to see everything a destination has to offer. Rather than cramming multiple cities into one trip with these whirlwind visits, first-time travelers should consider the benefits of slow travel. Taking the time to experience a country or city at leisure often means spending less money traveling between cities or areas and is also better for the environment.
4 Eating In Tourist Trap Restaurants
First-time travelers are likely to get sucked into eating at restaurants that are in popular tourist areas, typically near significant historical landmarks and crowded city centers. Although it might seem convenient at that moment or look inviting because it's busy, it’s critical to consider whether a venue is crowded with tourists or locals before dining there. If it's full of tourists, the menu may be overpriced and the food geared towards international visitors, leading to a sub-par dining experience. For authentic, local cuisine in any destination, venture into less touristy neighborhoods and look for restaurants and cafés that are popular among the locals.
3 Not Realizing You Can Use The Local Transit System
Many first-time international travelers spend unnecessary money on private airport transfers and car services or taxis, adding exorbitant costs to the trip. Although this might be more comfortable, it’s not a cost-effective way to travel long-term. Often, the best way to get around and the most affordable is to travel on the local transit system. Whether that’s a train or bus, look for accommodation near a stop or station that makes where you’re staying accessible for the areas of the country you want to visit.
2 Scheduling Too Many Back-To-Back Guided Tours
Guided tours are great in theory; they provide background on the history and culture of a destination, and it’s absolutely worth doing one or two per week while traveling. However, packing a trip full of back-to-back tours is a recipe for mental and physical exhaustion. Not only does this result in pressure to reach specific locations at designated times, but it reduces the time travelers have at their disposal to wander freely and simply get lost in a destination. Having at least a day or two to explore a city, country, or region independently (as long as it’s safe to do so) is one of the best parts of international travel.
1 Traveling In Peak Season
First-time international travelers may feel the need to visit a destination during its peak season. While peak season (when there are the most tourists in a destination) exists for a reason, the pleasant weather is likely not worth the increase in prices and crowds. Peak season varies by destination, but the best way to avoid this rookie mistake is to plan a trip during the shoulder season. Traveling one month before or after peak tourist season means still benefiting from relatively good weather while having a more local experience at lower prices.