Worst travel tips will only cause travellers a headache, especially when travelling abroad or even for the first time. There are a plethora of advice available everywhere when it comes to travelling. Here are 5 of the worst travel advice one should not pay heed to when planning a vacation.
Worst Travel Tips #1: Not Conducting Research
When it comes to travelling and preparing for D-day, not researching your destination beforehand is one of the worst travel tips that everyone should ignore. While it may seem more fun and exhilarating to explore places randomly while travelling, jumping into a new place without prior research may turn out to be overwhelming, stressful, time consuming and sometimes dangerous.
The lack of research of a certain place or areas may result in many different complications such as cultural barriers and communication breakdowns that often times can lead to conflict or confusion. For example, some countries have a different set of rules, specific attire expectations as well as other customs or social norms — ignoring these can often times cause more confusion and set you apart from the surroundings or cause some uncertainty in your travel plans.
In addition to cultural factors, research is important for a multitude of reasons. For instance, being unaware of the allocated time or the best moments to visit certain spots or locations can cause a lot of confusion in terms of time planning.
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Additionally, being unaware of the modes of transport or not understanding them can also create a lot of complications when moving from one area to another — causing a more stressful environment rather than a relaxing and enjoying one. Furthermore, understanding the potential safety issues in your travel destination such as dangerous areas that should be avoided or occurrence of local scams can prevent you from falling prey towards unnecessary risks.
Moreover, research can help to further enhance your experience as it allows you to discover hidden gems, cool spots, fun local items or even unique restaurants that may not be known or is an uncommon knowledge to the general public. Without researching and coming up with a proper plan, you could miss out on the fun and unique things that make travel worthwhile.
Finally, researching thoroughly on your travel destination will help you manage your expectations. For instance, it is helpful to know what to expect in terms of weather, prices and local conditions as this will be a great way for you to prepare properly and plan your trip well — reducing any form of stress or travel anxiety.
Worst Travel Tips #2: Skipping Travel Insurance
Skipping on travel insurance is considered to be one of the worst travel advice one can follow. While it may seem like an unnecessary expense to some, skipping travel insurance can cause more trouble should something of an emergency happen while you are travelling abroad.
Travel insurance is a form of a safety net that takes care of unexpected events that may ruin your trip and cost you more money — medical emergencies, trip cancellations, lost luggage or even accident related expenses abroad. Many travellers tend to assume that they may not encounter any problematic events; therefore, they assume that it not a must have for them. However, unexpected events such as natural disasters, sudden illnesses or accidents can occur without any prior warning.
Additionally, the cost of treatment abroad can be very expensive and without insurance you may have to fork out extra money to cover these extra expenses that can sudden and can be unnecessary. Furthermore, actions such as canceling a trip due to personal reasons, airline delays and cancellation or the spread of sickness or diseases can also cause significant financial losses without proper insurance. Even something as simple as lost or delayed luggage can be a costly inconvenience. In fact, the peace of mind alone is worth the investment because you know you are protected from anything unexpected.
Buying travel insurance is a practical part of travel planning that ensures that even if things do not go as planned, they do not have to stress on taking the entire financial burden. This is a decision travellers will not regret and undergo unsurmountable amounts of anxiety when something unexpected happens.
Worst Travel Tips #3: Waiting To Exchange Currency At The Airport
One of the most common aspects that travellers tend to forget is about currency exchange before traveling — especially rushing to get it done at the airport. While it may seem like a good idea to carry a wallet full of local currency, this practice often results in ridiculous exchange rates and unnecessary fees.
Currency exchange services at airports and some banks often offer exchange rates that are lower than the exchange rates you can get at the local ATMs in the country you are heading to. In addition to bad rates, these services may charge higher commissions than usual — reducing the value that you can get with the exchange. However, using a debit or credit card to withdraw money from an ATM on your trip usually comes with low foreign transaction fees and is more cost-effective. ATMs often offer slightly better exchange rates because refer to the live exchange rate.
In addition, digital payment options such as e-wallets and contactless payments are gaining popularity worldwide due to the ease in use. On your trip, you will soon find out that carrying less cash and relying on card payments is more convenient and safer.
While it is a good idea to carry a small amount of local currency to cover any emergencies in places that do not accept cards, transferring all your money to a specific card can help ease the process as well. In short, you should thoroughly plan your currency exchange process and look for options that work for you when you are travelling.
Worst Travel Tips #4: Bad Budgeting And Financial Planning
One of the worst travel tips you can follow is setting out to travel without a proper budget. This approach may seem carefree and simple, but it is definitely a way that can cause more stress and anxiety — especially when you have unexpected costs or other reasons that require more cash or expenditure.
Without a financial plan, travellers may have the tendency to spend too much on various aspects such as accommodation, food or entertainment — making it difficult to find money in the middle of your vacation. This may force you to compromise on the quality of your experience such as cancelling certain plans or not being able to spend on things you were looking forward to get.
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In contrast, a well-planned budget helps you channel your spending properly and ensures that you can enjoy the activities that matter most to you while you are on a holiday. A well planned out budget also provides coverage for unexpected expenses, such as minor emergencies, last-minute travel changes or schedule adjustments. This gives you peace of mind knowing that you are financially prepared for the unexpected.
Creating a budget doesn’t mean you have to be overly restrictive. Instead, this allows you to thoroughly plan all aspects of travel — ensuring a smooth and seamless journey. By creating limits on certain areas such as shopping or luxury, you can ensure that you do not overspend too much on a certain category alongside being able to track your expenditure and what you have left daily. . Ultimately, traveling on a well thought out budget gives you the freedom to enjoy your trip without the constant worry of running out of money — making your trip more comfortable and memorable.
Worst Travel Tips #5: Not Opting For Travel Vaccinations
One of the worst travel tips that should be avoided is assuming that you can skip travel vaccinations or flu shots because you do not require them. Vaccinations are not just random recommendations — they are seen as an essential element to help protect your health when traveling to places where diseases may be rampant.
Vaccinations can be administered for diseases such as yellow fever, hepatitis, typhoid and malaria as they are threats in many countries of the world and travellers are at a higher risk in the case that they do not have the immunity to these diseases.
Also, getting sick while traveling can disrupt and cause you to change your plans — making an exciting trip turn into a nightmare. Ignoring these tips does not only put you and your health at risk but it can also become a contributing factor to the spread of diseases around the world. In this regard, it is extremely important to consult your doctor carefully before traveling abroad as well as making sure that it is suitable for you to be administered these vaccines. They can provide guidance based on your travel location, activities and length of stay.
In a world where diseases such as measles or COVID-19 have shown us how quickly diseases spread from one place to another, getting vaccinated is a simple but powerful way to protect your health and those travelling with you and living around you.
