17 Ways Your Dream Vacation Can Turn into a Nightmare

Planning your first trip can be exciting but also a little confusing if you’re not sure where to start. Even people who travel often can make mistakes, so don’t worry—it happens to everyone. The good news is that a little preparation can help you avoid problems that could spoil your trip. To make sure your vacation is fun and stress-free, here are some common travel mistakes and simple ways to avoid them.

Overplanning

It’s exciting to travel somewhere new because you want to try everything and visit every destination. But don’t book activities back to back; you’ll only tire yourself out and miss the rest of the itinerary. Choose the activities you want and plan with enough (or at least an hour) gap between them.

Overpacking

Every inexperienced traveler overpacks because they don’t know how to estimate their needed clothing. This is normal, but don’t pack more clothes than days on your trip. For example, for a 3-day vacation, pack just three outfits, excluding PJs. Pack just one emergency and one fancy outfit. Follow the same rule for all trips.

Not Checking Passport Validity

Many travelers are turned back from the airport because their passport or visa expires before their return date. It’s best to check your passport and visa dates before booking your flight. Contact your passport/visa office for an emergent change if you’ve already booked the flight.

Not Notifying Bank

Notifying your bank of a trip is the silliest and most unnecessary step. However, most banks mark any transactions and withdrawals made in a foreign place as suspicious and will block your cards. Notifying your bank informs them of such transactions so they won’t lock you out of your account.

Booking Flights Too Late

Don’t delay booking your flight. You’d think you have plenty of time, but flights can be booked pretty quickly, even weeks in advance. You can postpone or cancel a booked flight and get a refund if you do it timely, but you won’t be able to squeeze in a booking at the last minute.

Ignoring Travel Insurance

Many tourists think travel insurance is just a clever way for tour and insurance agencies to pocket money. But not getting travel insurance can be the biggest mistake of your life. Travel insurance ensures you can get back on your feet after an unexpected travel emergency or tragedy and even hooks you up with a refund where possible.

Not Backing Up Important Documents

Carrying essential documents like passport and vaccination records isn’t enough; you can still lose them. It’s best to back up all crucial documents by scanning them and uploading them on a cloud file. You can access these documents from anywhere with a simple login.

Forgetting Time Zones

You’re pretty wrong if you think time zones only matter once you reach your destinations. Many airlines offer flights with a foreign time zone, but tourists don’t think to check before they click ‘book.’ Additionally, time zones also matter when making hotel reservations and pickups; you don’t want your pickup to wait for you at 2 AM when your arrival is at 2 PM.

Packing The Wrong Charger

Destinations across the United States use type A and type B sockets. In contrast, European destinations use type C. Non-European and non-U.S. destinations use various socket types, so your charger might not work when you land. It is best to buy a universal adapter or check the kind of charger required for your destination.

Relying On Credit Cards

We think paying for everything with a swipe is easy, but it can get you in trouble. Only some stores accept credit cards, and some even charge a surcharge to use them. Similarly, your credit card might be blocked for suspicious activities, even if you do all the transactions. Carry cash in case of emergencies.

Ignoring Travel Alerts

If your destination sends a travel alert just before departure, don’t take it lightly. Follow the guidelines and recommended instructions to ensure you stay safe. If travel alerts cause your flight to ground, inform your travel agency for insurance and contact your hotel to postpone your arrival. But don’t ignore these alerts.

Not Investing In Good Footwear

Destinations outside the U.S. have open roads designed for walkers. You won’t be comfortable in just the crocs or sneakers you packed; you’ll need ergonomic footwear that’s comfortable enough to avoid sores even when you’ve walked miles. It’s also best to invest in orthopedic footwear.

Not Learning Basic Phrases

Picking up a few phrases in the local language can really help you throughout your trip. It’s also a great way to connect with the local people if you need anything. Plus, locals often appreciate the effort as it shows you care about their culture. You can learn the basics such as ‘how are you?’, ‘I’m fine’, ‘Can you please help me?’.

Not Checking Reviews

Make sure to look up reviews about accommodation, tours, and attractions you want to visit. Recent feedback can give you the real scoop on what to expect—sometimes a place isn’t as great as it used to be, or maybe it’s gotten even better! Go through a mix of opinions before finalizing anything.

Not Learning About Local Etiquettes

Ignoring local customs can really lead to awkward moments. Take some time to learn the do’s and don’ts of the place you’re visiting. Respecting local dress codes, tipping norms, and social customs goes a long way. Being considerate of local etiquette not only makes your experience enjoyable but also earns you respect and friendly interactions.

Skipping Vaccination and Health Requirements

Certain countries have mandatory vaccination and health requirements if you wish to enter the country. While you may find these requirements “extra,” compliance is crucial for your safety and everyone around you. Since diseases spread rapidly through travel, fulfilling these health requirements should be your top priority. Remember, it is better to be safe than sorry.

Not Packing Prescription Medicine

It’s easy to forget medications when on vacation, but ensure you don’t. Set up alarms on your phone to remember to take your meds, and don’t forget the prescription. Since you’ll go through TSA anyway, having a legitimate prescription eliminates the hassle of explaining why you’re carrying meds with you and lets you off the hook quickly.

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This article was first published at Rbitaliablog.