Traveling to a new place can be scary, even after perusing the entire location on Google Maps and downloading the local language into your translation apps. But when you exit the airport, train station, or whatever other conveyance you’ve picked, you are hit with the reality that now it is up to you to handle everything.
So a forward-thinking internet user decided to do us all a favor and ask around for the best travel tips that might not be that well known. We also got in touch with Travel Blogger/Photographer Jon Miksis, to learn more. From unexpected, to downright genius, frequent fliers and other veterans shared all the insights they had picked up over the years, so be sure to upvote your favorites and comment your own tips below.
More info: Instagram
#1
It’s ok to be sitting in your hotel room, across the street from the Eiffel Tower/palace/mountain and decide…today is a sit in my room and order an amazing pepperoni pizza and binge a tv show day.
You travel to relax, not to run a marathon of “how much can I fit in”.
Image source: photoguy8008, Pixabay
#2
Never pass up a bathroom.
Image source: virtual_human, Possessed Photography
#3
When visiting a city get up before sunrise and walk as the city wakes up. I did this in Venice and it was magic!
Image source: sunbuddy86, Daniel J. Schwarz
#4
I always take 2 or 3 sarongs. They’re so thin and fold up so small, but they are useful for SO much.
They can be used as towels for the beach and as wrap-around clothes such as a skirt/dress, for getting changed under at the beach or wearing over your swimsuit when you’re heading back – they’re thin enough that they dry quickly.
They can be used as a headscarf if you want to cover up in certain places, or as a shawl/scarf/shoulder wrap if you want to protect your skin from the sun or if you feel a bit chilly after the sun goes down.
They can be folded/scrunched to use as a pillow during travel, or as a blanket if you’re resting somewhere. They can be a buffer on a cold bench or a hard seat.
They’re light and small enough to throw one in your day pack for any eventuality. I recommend it to everyone!
Image source: McBird-255
#5
Take a trip to a local grocery store whenever you’re in a foreign country. I’m always surprised to see how much I learn about the local culture just by spending 10 minutes walking around a market, browsing what’s available in the different aisles, and watching locals do their grocery shopping. It’s so fascinating.
Image source: Hannah Loewentheil
#6
Two things:
1) Make a color photocopy of your passport to carry with you and leave the original in your hotel safe
2) Learn a few simple words in the local language. Hello, goodbye, thank you, at a minimum. It will go a long way to making people friendly to you
Image source: lavidaloco123, Vinta Supply Co. | NYC
#7
Google local scams in the area before visiting somewhere new. It’s helped me not fall for a few.
Image source: sumadviceplz, Solen Feyissa
#8
If you are in a country where you don’t speak the language and might be taking taxis, have the staff at your hotel record a voice memo on your phone explaining how to get back to the hotel. Then just play it for your taxi driver. Or use this strategy for allergy messages to play in restaurants , or basically any message you can anticipate needing.
Image source: Previous-Atmosphere6, Scott Gummerson
#9
I always take some sandwich bags. There’s always a half eaten pastry, or leftovers etc when you’re out. That way I can pop it in my bag for later
Image source: oh_no551, Erik Mclean
#10
Having light rain gear on a rainy day can make normally packed activities wait free.
Image source: PieMastaSam, Daoudi Aissa
#11
Set your watch and phone to the timezone of arrival once you’re on the plane. Frame the flight around this timezone whether that means taking sleeping pills or drinking caffeine, you will avoid jet lag like a champ.
Image source: Bambambonsai, Jaelynn Castillo
#12
Always bring ear plugs and an eye mask
Image source: ashblak
#13
Brushing your teeth is the quickest way to feel human again after long flights. Have toothpaste and brush ready so you can do this before you leave the airport.
Image source: AlternativeMinute306, Miriam Alonso
#14
Always schedule a quiet day after you arrive, especially if you’re coming off a long flight, jet-lag is a real thing
And always have spare days in your itinerary for either weather events, or just things you discover while you’re there
Carry more than one credit/debit card
Image source: JulieRose1961, Rafael Cisneros Méndez
#15
An oldie but a goodie: you must always bring a towel
Image source: tall_pakeha_fulla
#16
Never travel with brand-new sneakers. Visiting a new place where you’re walking a ton is not the right time to break in those new sneaks. Rather, pack your favorite comfy pair that is already worn in and won’t give you blisters while you’re out exploring.
Image source: Hannah Loewentheil
#17
Try searching for flights in the airline’s original language. I once saved $700 when booking tickets for a trip to Peru by using Spanish rather than English.
Image source: Huge-Recognition-366, Mark Olsen
#18
It is not a requirement to pack your bag as full as possible
Image source: lunch22, Sigmund
#19
If you need to poo in the center of a city, search for a public library and enter confidently. Library toilets tend to be much cleaner than those in other public buildings and are free.
Image source: hzanahoria, Jamie Taylor
#20
in the EU and UK, carry about a dollar’s / euro’s / pound’s worth in change, because some public restrooms charge.
Image source: nucumber, Jeff Weese
#21
If someone smiles a lot and appears overtly friendly when talking to you, leave.
Image source: Finnbalt, Shiny Diamond
#22
Get travel insurance… simple but seen many people forgetting and regretting
Image source: Historical_Wonder794, Scott Graham
#23
If I’m going to a sketchy country, I carry a fake wallet. I have expired drivers license and credit cards in it and at the beginning of the day I put the amount of cash I expect to spend that day in it and that’s it. If I get mugged they won’t be spending the time to check expiry dates and they won’t get ALL my cash. I keep the rest of the cash and my functional credit cards somewhere else on me.
Image source: hillbillygoat, Allef Vinicius
#24
what’s available offline from google is insane. downloading an offline map on google maps for a region helps you navigate whether you have cell service or traveling on airplane mode. if in a country w a language barrier, you can download languages in google translate for offline use, and while you may not have a deep intellectual convo, you can get by with basics like food, bathroom, etc. particularly helpful in countries with different alphabets, as you can scan a photo you take or play out loud a phrase for someone helping you
Image source: ShtOutOfDuck, henry perks
#25
“Do what the locals do” is awful advice and can make a lot of novice travelers feel like they are doing something wrong.
Fact is, you’re going to end up going to tourist spots because… you’re a tourist. That’s okay.
You’ll get some misses on food or you may not be able to navigate markets effectively if you have a language barrier. That’s okay.
You might not meet a bunch of people with similar interests who you party with and make lifetime friends with. That’s okay.
Go and do your best. You won’t regret it, even if it sometimes feels like you might have made the wrong choice on dinner or an attraction.
Image source: LubeMeUpMommy
#26
When getting local currency from an ATM, use a weird dollar amount to get smaller bills. So if I need 2000 and the machine dispenses in 20s, I will withdraw 1980 so I’ll get an assortment of smaller bills rather than big bills that no one will break for me.
Also, I will always bring an after-bite stick for anywhere that has mosquitos. You will get bit at least once even if you’re good with the repellents and it will itch like hell. The after bite stick helps it itch less.
Image source: AgentOrangina, Nick Pampoukidis
#27
When traveling off the beaten track where personal safety is less certain ( basically anywhere that you’re not supposed to be out at night ) carry at least $50 to $100 in cash in a separate pocket from your money/cards/etc. That’s enough to give a potential assailant that warm feeling of achievement, so they will let you go.
Image source: Gezuntheit, Tobi
#28
My travel medicine kit: the stop and go set (imodium and senna laxative), along with a blister pack sheet each of paracetemol, rennie (i.e., tums), and chlorphenamine (antihistamine for allergies). Fits in a tiny makeup bag and has saved me loads of trips to foreign pharmacies to attempt to make my way to some common medication for a minor complaint.
Image source: katie-kaboom
#29
For some reason it’s often difficult to find sunblock and mosquito repellent in countries with lots of sun and mosquitoes. Take them with you!
Image source: sudoku602, BATCH by Wisconsin Hemp Scientific
#30
I have one that won’t be helpful to everyone, but hopefully convenient for some.
I’m one of those people with a mild coffee addiction, where if I don’t have at least a cup by 11am my time, I develop a splitting headache or migraine. On busy travel days where I don’t have time to stop for a coffee, it can be miserable.
So, I always travel with either a box of the espresso Clif bars to stick in my bag or, if I’m really tight on space, Excedrin. One dose of Excedrin has 65mg of caffeine, almost as much as coffee. So it’s like having a bottle of 50 cups of coffee for when I’m short on time
Maybe not recommended for everyone but it’s helped me out a LOT
Edit: just not a fan of the instant coffees I’ve tried, and the Excedrin doubles as part of my medicine kit for traveling (although I prefer the espresso bars). I’ll have to try the travel french presses though!!
Also, while I’m sure people mean well… I only drink a cup a day, ever. I’m just sensitive to caffeine. Needing one cup a day isn’t really a concern for me
Image source: SuppleAsshole, Clay Banks
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