We all make mistakes, but when it comes to something as complex as international travel, we can make mistakes without even trying. Some traveler mistakes are quick to fix and easily forgotten, others can be expensive, time-consuming, and even disastrous. Here’s a list of some common mistakes international travelers make and some great travel tips for how you can avoid them.
1. Failing to Check Passport Dates
Many countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return. If you go through customs with a passport that is soon to expire, you may be turned away.
Travel tip: Check the passport regulations for both your home country and your destination countries well in advance of your trip – getting a new passport can take months.
2. Forgetting to Buy Travel Insurance
Many travelers forget to buy travel insurance. Consequently, when they encounter injuries or contract illnesses that require medical attention they’re forced to pay out of pocket for medical care. Depending on the country, and nature of the medical treatment, this might mean spending thousands of dollars.
Travel tip: Buy travel insurance. This is one of the best travel tips we can give you. Plans are often cheaper than most people realize. They offer financial protections against injuries and illnesses incurred while abroad and ensure that you get the medical help you need as quickly as possible!Travel insurance can also cover you in case of passport and credit card theft, and even travel delays or cancellations.
Travelers who buy travel insurance know that they have the coverage they need in a travel emergency as well as a person to call for help when things go wrong on their trip. It is a good idea that you take up a good travel insurance on your next trip – To get quotes for the best travel medical insurance for your next trip, visit Travel Health Insurance.
3. Booking Tight Connections
Weather, traffic, accidents and other unpredictable events can delay your trip and can be a potential hindrance to your next point of connection. Travelers with tight connections are taking an unnecessary risk.
Travel tip: Give yourself plenty of time – it reduces the stress that might otherwise put a damper on your vacation.
4. Packing the Wrong Stuff
Have you heard the saying, “there’s no bad weather, just inappropriate clothing” before? It’s true. If a traveler packs well, they will have the right clothing, medicine, and tools they need to be comfortable.
Travel tip: While you can’t plan for everything that can go wrong, having what you need when you need it can go a long way to ensure that your travels go smoothly and that you arrive back home safely and in full health.
5. Taking Too Much Stuff
As we’ve waited for our own flights, we’ve probably all have seen travelers struggling with an overload of heavy bags. All that extra weight adds to your stress, makes it harder to travel, especially if you’re traveling solo, and can even lead to injury.
Travel tip: Think before you pack. Make a list. Start with the absolute essentials and go from there. If you encounter a situation you aren’t prepared for, in most case you can purchase the items you need.
6. Not Having Enough Prescription Medicine
Travelers who take prescription medication need to make sure they have enough medication to make it through their trip. If they don’t, the medicine they need may be hard to get in some countries.
Travel tip: Talk with your doctor and get enough medicine to make it through the duration of your trip and a few days beyond that, to account for the possibility of travel delays.
7. Forgetting Travel Adapters
The electrical plugs that are standard in your home country are not the same in other countries, and you may need adapters to use your electronic devices and appliances (like hair dryers).
Travel tip: Buy the adapters you need for the country you are visiting. And remember: If the plug doesn’t fit, don’t force it! You could cause an electrical fire or worse.
8. Not Taking Precautions Against Theft
Travelers are often considered easy targets for pickpockets, credit card thieves, and other criminals looking to make a fast buck. Tours and taxi drivers take the long way around to run up the meter. Hotel staff members can steal your credit cards and passport.
Travel tip: Take precautions such as wearing a money belt under your clothing, knowing the route before you get in the taxi, and locking up your passport and extra credit card in the hotel safe.
9. Forgetting to Call Your Bank
Due to rising identity theft and fraud, many financial institutions have procedures in place to reduce the risk of fraud. If you live in Kansas, for example, and forget to notify your credit card company or other financial institutions that you’ll be in Germany for a week, they’ll likely flag the first purchase you attempt to make in the country. When any charge deemed unusual appears , your account could be locked and you could temporarily lose access to your money.
Travel tip: Always contact your bank and/or financial institution to let them know where you will be traveling, how long you will be gone, and how to get in touch with you.
10. Changing Currency at the Most Expensive Places
Traveling abroad is not usually cheap and it can get even more expensive when you consider currency conversion. If you don’t do your research you could face a high exchange rate.
Travel tip: The best way to exchange currency is by visiting official exchange kiosks, and tracking the look for the most favorable exchange rate. Exchange fees vary widely and get more expensive at the airport.
We hope these travel tips help you avoid unforeseen situations and keep you safe during your next trip abroad. If you’d like to find out more about travel insurance and how it can help you travel safely, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our award winning Customer Success Team.
