Mistakes that first-time travellers make

Whether for business or pleasure, travelling to another country can be exciting, daunting and even a little stressful. And this is especially true if it’s your first time travelling on a long journey.

There are some obvious solutions to making your trip hassle-free such as enjoying an easier journey by travelling by private jet, booking fast track tickets for the airport or utilising meet and greet services. There are also multiple other ways to ensure you start your journey feeling calm and organised.

We’ll explore some common first-time traveller mistakes and how to avoid them.

Overpacking

Aside from the extra charges you might incur at the airport desk, packing way more than you need means an unnecessary load.

Consider where you’re travelling to and check the weather conditions to establish what clothing you really need. You can always pick up essentials whilst on your journey if you need to.

Try and leave some room in your luggage in case you want to bring anything home with you. And it’s always a good idea to pack a change of clothes in your hand luggage in the unfortunate event that your bag gets lost or is delayed.

Incorrect paperwork

Always check the visa, passport and any other country requirements well in advance to ensure you have the correct paperwork. Errors can mean delays or even refusal of entry so make sure you stay up to date on the rules for the country you’re travelling to.

Paying for cash withdrawals

You’ll need to decide whether you’ll be using cash or card whilst abroad. It’s useful to have some money on you in case of emergencies but make sure to check the best place for foreign currency exchange so you get a good deal.

If you’re using your credit or debit card, check with your bank before you go to avoid incurring expensive charges or costs for withdrawing cash.

Once at your destination, make sure to keep your cash and bank cards in a safe place. Using a room safe, if available, is a good idea when you’re in your accommodation.

No insurance

Travel insurance might seem like an unnecessary expense but it’s vital to take out at least some form of basic cover for your trip. If something goes wrong, it can be costly so a good policy will give you peace of mind.

Think about where you’re travelling to and the activities, you’ll be taking part in to determine the best insurance for your needs.

Finally, there will always be some aspects that are out of your control but, as long as you’re well prepared, you should be able to stay calm and enjoy your travelling experience.

image credit