25 common travel mistakes and how to avoid them

The website for travel always talks about what to do when traveling. These are all must-see attractions and things. Go to this page, do this action, see this, and feel this way. No, it is not the action that you take is that you do not do so?

Travelers make many travel mistakes that result in wasted money, wasted time, and missed opportunities. It's easy to tell what to do, but sometimes we forget to mention the things not to do.

So today, we want to share some of the common travel mistakes you should avoid. We made many of these mistakes in the past; we knew how to take advantage of them.

Here are 25 of the most common travel mistakes.

1. Do not scan your identity documents

This is, for us, the number one mistake not to make. Identity card, passport, driving license ... What if you lose your luggage or your wallet?

It is essential to scan all of your identity documents and have them on your phone to prove your identity. But not only ... It's really important to have them in your emails as well, for the simple reason that you will always be able to communicate from a device in the country where you are to have access to your identification documents if you lose or have your phone stolen.

It is the same for prescriptions. If you need specific medication, don't forget to scan your prescription. You never know, it can always be useful if you made a mistake in your calculation when you left but also for a plane cancellation that you had not planned or even when you forgot your first aid kit in your previous accommodation.

We recommend that you use Google Drive, which will allow you to access all your documents via your phone, computer, and tablet.

2. Having an overly ambitious itineraryx`x`

Be flexible; because of time or lack of resources, don't be afraid to alter your plans. Try to exhibit a smooth and seamless transition from letter 'A' to letter 'B'. (not by distance, but using travel: car, bus, train, etc.). Take into account extra time for possible delays as well as extra time to rest. Remember, you don't have to see the whole country in one visit.

3. Do not take into account the different time zones when booking

Take note of the time zones between "A" and "B," how long it takes to reach them and how many time zones are crossed. Take this into account when planning your reservations.

Also, think about the possible effects of jet lag in your first few days, or better yet, learn how to avoid jet lag.

4. Do not look at car comparators

Many sites offer to compare prices between different car rental companies. But if you had to remember just one, it would be Carlay Car Rental. This website has many functions to prepare for your trip. At the same time, you can ask him to find you all the cheapest rent a car in Lahore or any other city in Pakistan on a given date. Or conversely, tell him a destination, and he will find you the best dates to travel while spending as little as possible.

5. Booking flights with a short stopover

Allow yourself at least a few hours between flights to consider any possible delay scenarios (flight delay, long customs wait, long distance between terminals, etc.).

6. Not checking your documents and reservations

Check your documents and reservations for everything related to hotels, flights, trains, buses, etc. Always synchronize the time and place and make sure they are correctly scheduled. Also, check that your name is spelled correctly on your flight booking.

7. Take too much business

It is best to take just what you need, not eating what you think you will get. Go to the appointed store to buy the rest. When fully packed, take a look at everything you have and reduce the load a bit more.

8. Do not take travel insurance

As with a potential rise in prices, the route you take and the destinations you visit are never guaranteed, so there is a bigger chance of getting refunded. Even if you break your leg, lose your camera, or end up leaving your country, you are still safer here than abroad. Travel insurance protects you when you're abroad and shouldn't be avoided - it's the smartest thing to do. It's there to protect you from medical and non-medical emergencies.

9. Eat near a tourist site

Food near any tourist attraction will cost double the price and half the flavor of what you find elsewhere. When restaurants know people aren't coming back, they don't have to worry about consistent quality.

However, local and non-touristy restaurants must be of high quality. Otherwise, locals will stop going. Instead of eating in a tourist trap, feel free to walk a few hundred yards more. The farther away you are from a restaurant, the cheaper and less delicious the food there would be. After reading the extremely detailed menu extensively, I suggest going somewhere else. Also, avoid restaurants where a waiter approaches you to invite you to eat at their place. These are sometimes signs of a tourist trap.

If you are not comfortable walking into a random restaurant, you can also use the Tripadvisor travel app. People have posted reviews and ratings so you can work out what's good on the menu or whether the restaurant is worth a visit.

Another great way to find local restaurants is to walk into hostels and ask them what is good. Even if you don't linger there, it's pretty useful if you ask them for details, and they'll always be happy to point you in the right direction.

10. Blindly trust the first indications you get from a local

Get out your map and ask for more than one person's place before you go shopping. If the patient is in a situation where they are unsure, please let them know without hesitation and show them the way out on the next path.

11. Rely on the guides

The guides are made to inform your travels, not to define them. Pose the guide and interact with other travelers and people at the destination. Allow yourself to explore and follow your intuition; there is much more to one place than in any guidebook.

12. Forget the budget and run out of money

It would help if you considered your budget to experience the place more creatively and authentically, not as a restriction. Creating a reasonable budget shows that you can stick to it and allow additional funds to handle any last-minute expenditures.

13. Arrive at the wrong airport

When traveling to large cities with more than one airport, check your reservation to confirm the correct airport and terminal. Believe us; this mistake could cost you dearly.

14. Exchange money at the airport

You will get the worst exchange rates if you do this. For the best rates, use an ATM or express credit card to travel internationally. This will be as close to the interbank rate as possible and ensure that you get the best rate.

At shops, never swap cash unless you have to (and there are times you will have to). If you need to exchange money, try doing it at a downtown bank where you will get better rates and lower fees.

15. Do not bring cash

Not having cash with you when traveling is one of the mistakes to be made. Depending on what time you arrive and where you go, sometimes it is difficult to find a distributor. So far from the idea of taking large sums on yourself, it is important to have a "just in case".

16. Using a paying bank card abroad

We don't like giving our money to the banks. Get a bank and credit card with no overseas transaction fees to avoid ATM fees and other surcharges.

We advise you with your eyes closed to use the N26 card, a foreign bank on which you have no bank charges abroad, not bad. Moreover, through our link above, you are entitled to 15 euros for your registration.

17. Do not save your images

Save your images to a server like Google Drive. This mistake is drastic, so it is best to avoid it. Your memories are one of the most precious things you keep from your travels.

18. Avoid hotel networks

Hotel networks allow travelers to stay with locals for free, share stories and participate in cultural exchanges. First, you don't always get a sofa. You can sleep on sofas and beds, in guest rooms, and mansions.

Second, they're not just for single travelers. You can stay with couples, families, students, and young people and accommodate single travelers, groups, and couples. Many traveling families use it to meet other families around the world.

It is fantastic to have free accommodation and meet and make friends with other people. Still, the main advantage is gaining some insider information about the destination and getting some tips about getting a nice place for free. You can make many friends through these networks. Do not neglect them. These are our favorites:

(So-called Couchsurfing) similar to the website Couchsurfing, you need to do is go around staying in people's homes. It is a perfect way to save money by living in a nearby hostel or hotel, where you can get way more information about the city than you would get by staying at a hostel or hotel.

• Servas - Like Couchsurfing, you can connect with locals here and arrange homestays.

• BeWelcome - Another cultural welcome/exchange website with a widespread community.

19. Book your trip too early

For your flight, plan your itinerary for about three months before your journey. This is when the airline begins to increase or decrease its rates depending on demand. For cruises or tour groups, do not book travel until the very last minute. As these companies stock up on vessels and tours, they provide great last minute offers to fill up the room they've left unused.

20. Do not research

Avoid arriving at your destination and not knowing what to do by doing at least a little Google search. Learn about the things you can do and the interesting history of the place.

The more you research ahead of time, the more you know; the more likely you are to enjoy the place.

21. Stick to the tourist trail

Dare to explore, create your own unique experiences; don't just follow what others have done. Get off the beaten track. Often the best experiences and the greatest opportunities lie there.

22. Wear beautiful, visible jewelry

Use common sense and do not display your valuables. If you don't need them, don't wear them. As for digital SLR cameras, laptops, and expensive gadgets, take them with you, hidden in a locked bag, and use them if necessary.

23. Be culturally insensitive

Instead, try to understand the culture and environment in which you are traveling. Having an open mind will help you blend better, enjoy and absorb the culture in a more interactive way, and avoid making a mistake.

24. Have all your money in one place

Don't bring in one basket all your "eggs." Because of the VA fiasco, it is necessary to not carry too much cash and securely lock and store it in different "safe" locations.

25. Do not see the local tourist office

We are still shocked by how few people frequent the local tourist offices. On any ride, it is always our first stop. They have tips on current events, festivals, and off the beaten path information, you won't find in any guidebook. Their job is to find out everything about where you are. They are paid to help you. Be sure to go to the tourist office when you arrive in a new city and ask for guidance about what to see and do and where the deals are. They have loyalty cards and cards, and they will help reserve rooms.

It will help you stop wasting money, save time, find more satisfying and cheaper travel experiences, think outside the box, and be a better traveler by avoiding these common travel errors. People who follow guides and "click and go" when they book online end up paying more. If you do a little more work, you'll save big, and the less you spend, the more you can travel!