Don’t make these common travel mistakes!
Planning for a trip? Excitement fills the air as you lay out your itinerary, read about sites you want to see, and shop for necessary (and sometimes unnecessary) items you think you’ll need.
Along with what to do, there ought to be a list of what not to do!. That list can be equally useful in saving you time, money and frustration.
Don’t get traveler’s checks: There was a time…before the digital age…when traveler’s checks were the safest and easiest way to carry money. Now they are almost useless, since they not only cost money (they often incur fees, typically ranging from 1% to 3% of the total amount), but few places will accept them. Traveler’s Checks have basically been replaced by ATM’s, credit cards, and prepaid travel cards that are widely accepted worldwide. If you do want to get traveler’s checks, they can be purchased at some banks, credit unions, and AAA offices, or ordered online through American Express. Major banks like Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo largely no longer offer them.
Another tip: don’t exchange cash at the airport! In some cases that might be unavoidable, but you will not likely get the best exchange rate compared to a bank or ATM, so if possible get your foreign currency a few days before your trip. Visit this page for more advice on currency.
Don’t skimp by not taking out travel insurance: Sure, travel insurance is one of those “extras” we feel we can do without, and most of the time we can. Then something unexpected happens…maybe even before the trip starts, and Chances of getting a full or even partial refund, from the airline, cruise line or tour operator (after a certain date), are slim to none. There are many other things that can go wrong that travel insurance will cover, so that is why we stress it so much. Visit this page for our best advice regarding travel insurance.
Don’t forget to check the local tourist office when you arrive:Most cities have local tourist offices that are sponsored by local entities, and should be one of the first stops you make in any city.
They offer free advice on attractions, provide maps, discount coupons, advice on current events, and other useful information that you may not find in a guide book. And, usually they speak English!
Don’t eat at restaurants next to tourist attractions: There may be one or two exceptions to this rule, but let’s face it, they know you are probably not coming back so there is little concern about price or quality. Instead of eating where the tourists eat, walk a few blocks away and dine with the locals. Not only will the quality be better (and more authentic) but the prices will be much better. And, since they cater to locals, they want to keep the quality up so that people will come back.
Be sure to check your passport expiration date before leaving on your trip:
That sounds pretty much a given, but strange things can happen. Your passport may not show “expired” as in the sample shown at the left, but the expiration date will have to be at least 6 months after your return date in most cases. Check with the passport office in your home country for the various expiration terms…this is always subject to change.
An expired passport or lack of proper documentation can mean a vacation that never takes off….you literally may not be allowed to leave country. Here are a few problems we have run across over the years….don’t let them happen to you!
View some very important travel documentation tip on this page