Journeys2memories
20 Practical Tips for Stress-Free Travel
Travel has taught me that the best journeys are not always the most luxurious but the ones that were perfectly planned because travel comes with its own challenges. Last-minute delays, unforeseen happenings and cancellations are all part of the travel adventure.
Over the years, through our extensive travels across many continents, I've picked up practical travel tips, budgeting hacks and planning advice that have made our trips smoother and more enjoyable.
In this blog, I'm sharing some useful travel tips for international travellers that can help you travel smarter, save money and make the most of your journey.
These are travel tips, not just from a fellow traveller, but a mother travelling with two kids, one of them a teenager!
Tip 1: Travel the way YOU like!
This is the most important point I’d like to make. Travel should be to each his own.
‘Oh! You didn’t see that museum or that art gallery?’ ‘Oh! You missed that change of guard?’
Don’t listen to anyone. After all, you are spending so much time and money on your travels. Do it the way you like.
If you wish to see a city superficially, so be it. If you’re not interested in going to museums or some such attractions, then let it be so.
I always say in all my blogs that not every museum, every attraction, every art gallery, every statue, every nook and corner of a city needs to be seen and clicked. Some people just like to soak in the vibe of a city. It is enough for them. Haha...I am not one of them, though.
Tip 2: Always research the place you’re about to visit
A little research about the place can save you a lot of hassle and precious resources. Where to go, what to do, how to reach there…a lot of information is available on the internet.
Don’t overdo it, otherwise, it might work as a spoiler and kill the excitement but some research in advance is good.
We did a day trip to Hallstatt from Salzburg. Hallstatt has no direct connection; it was some pre-done research that helped us change three connections to finally reach our destination all in one piece.
Even when there was no Google to look for tips, we did a fair amount of research by picking pamphlets from here and there before starting on our trip. Always helped.
Tip 3: Don't overpack your itinerary
One of the biggest mistakes travellers make is trying to see too much in too little time. We realised over the years that slowing down and spending time in fewer places is more meaningful and enjoyable.
Some of our most memorable memories come from unplanned evenings, local cafes and simply walking through unfamiliar streets without rushing to destinations.
In Japan, for instance, there is so much to do that fitting eveything in a short 2-week itinerary was tough, so our 4 days in Kyoto were jam packed. We, undoubtedly, had a great time there but I would have preferred to spend maybe one half day in the divinely beautiful shrine like Fushimi Inari.
Tip 4: Always start early at popular attractions
There is an unprecendented increase in the amount of travel in the world today than it has ever been. This obviously translates into more crowds everywhere, especially at popular attractions, like the shrines in Japan or the Colosseum in Italy, among many others. The only way to beat the crowds is to start early.
We had read great reviews about the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest on a day trip from Kyoto.
We reached there about 8 in the morning, only to find massive crowds thronging the forest already. We did not know this bamboo forest is best seen at sunrise, so our experience was a little underwhelming. With so many people around, the place became noisy and crowded.
Tip 5: Always keep digital and printed copies of important documents
Always keep essential documents on your phone and as printed copies as back-up, too, in case, you are stuck in a place where connectivity is poor. It's also a good idea to email copies of these documents to yourself so they can be accessed from any device in case your phone gets stolen. This should include passports, visas, travel insurance, hotel bookings and flight tickets.
Tip 6: No shame in being penny-wise
Travelling is expensive. If you’re travelling from India to Europe, the USA or the UK, then you know where your Indian Rupee stands against the Euro, dollar and pound respectively. So, spending judiciously is not bad.
It’s a good idea to buy some foodstuff from the local groceries. Restaurants are quite expensive, buying all your meals can dig a hole in your pocket.
Supermarkets like Spar, Walmart, Billa, and Cosco, to name a few, have huge sections that serve ready-to-eat meals.
One can get everything from good wines to cold cuts, desserts and much more at these supermarkets served fresh, at reasonable prices. There are so many bakeries that serve excellent breakfasts for a very reasonable sum.
Tip 7: Check your suitcases for locks and wheels
If you’re going to wheel your suitcase, then ensure that the wheels are in place. On our very first day on a trip to Bergen, Norway, the wheels of my new suitcase from a reputed brand came off.
We presumed that the screws must have come off. We looked for a screwdriver and opened the zipper of the suitcase.
To our horror, we discovered that the wheels came off because there was only one screw holding it to the base of the suitcase. There were no other screws. I had to haul that suitcase on 3 wheels for the rest of the journey.
Tip 8: Travel light
This is like preaching to the choir since most of us would already know this and agree on this too.
But believe me, travelling light makes life easy, really easy. Unless you’re travelling to a destination where there are valets for certain, remember you will have to tow your own luggage, haul it up staircases if there are no lifts, and lift it over and over again on trains and buses.
Have travel packs for everything you need, each small package weight saved adds up to many kilos in weight.
This is difficult to achieve since most of us like to post our pics on social media, but being frugal with packing is a favour to yourself.
But I’d like to mention here that don’t be stingy when it comes to carrying shoes. An extra pair of shoes can actually be a lifesaver.
Tip 9: Always carry clothes in layers
If you’re travelling to a destination in Europe in summer, then layering is your best bet.
One day is warm and sunny, even scorching at times, the next day it rains and suddenly there is a chill in the air.
So, having a light jacket at hand over light cotton clothes would take care of such unpredictable weather.
Winter travel is different. You would need heavy woollens but layering with thin thermals and thick cotton shorts still works since everywhere indoors is heated.
Tip 10: Always carry an umbrella
I learnt this after buying at least half a dozen umbrellas from all over the world.
Umbrellas are not meant to languish in our cupboards, but take a place of pride in our carry bags so that they can be put to some use when it rains.
Tip 11: Try local cuisine
Unless you have some strict reservations about food, or you have some ailment like some tricky food allergy, trying the local cuisine can be fun.
One, it is easily available and two, it’s cheaper.
Most tourists keep hunting for the cuisine of their choice but at times, trying something over the counter at the local bakery can be quite gratifying. We have tried all sorts of food items everywhere we go, it’s good at times, not so good at times and ugh! at times too.
But the experience is always enriching.
I can never forget the squid I ate at the Hong Kong harbour. It fell into the ugh! category. No offence intended.
Tip 12: Use local transport whenever possible
This is one point that I cannot emphasize enough. Even if you’re travelling with a group, take out a day to travel on the local tram, train, bus or whatever.
The entire culture of the city, what people wear, what they eat, and how they talk, the finer social nuances is on display for free here.
Interacting with locals can give a whole new dimension to your visit. You not only learn so much about their ways but at times also get some very valuable advice regarding what to see and especially what not to see.
We often run into locals who have travelled to India, some as tourists, others for weddings or spiritual pursuits, interacting with them is always fun.
My husband and I make it a point to get ourselves a city card for unlimited travel on the city’s local transport.
Tip 13: Go the extra mile...literally!
I mean, literally! You will never probably come to that city, that country again.
So, even if it’s a steep hike, a long stretch of walk or anything that could be causing some discomfort, go for it.
After coming back, you will only remember the good parts of your visit, not the pain or the discomfort.
Tip 14: Write off the day of arrival if you’re travelling with kids
As a mother of two kids, I learnt this the hard way. If you’re travelling with kids, never include the day of travel in your itinerary. Children get tired as they disembark from long flights, they deserve a day of rest before you tow them along to do sightseeing. Otherwise, be prepared for their tantrums and grumpy faces on the very first day of your vacation.
Even if you're not travelling with kids, the day you arrive in a city is slightly disorienting. Looking for your hotels and Airbnbs and settling down in the new space can take up a lot of energy and time.
Tip 15: Carry as little valuables as possible
Most hotels and apartments these days have lockers but still keeping track of your valuables on a vacation can be tedious.
Carrying some cash is a must but avoid carrying jewellery, expensive watches, and expensive bags that could be a liability.
Tip 16: Be mindful of your possessions
In a lot of touristy cities, especially in places like Barcelona and a lot of cities in Italy, pickpocketing is rampant in public transport.
My husband could save his wallet from getting flicked by a pickpocket on a local train in Barcelona after the timely intervention of a fellow passenger. The experience left us rattled but also made us more aware of our surroundings.
https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/10-simple-reasons-to-visit-spain-and-some-tips-if-you-do
Tip 17: Be vigilant about the local currency
A lot of touristy places are also tourist traps, so to speak. Venice, Barcelona, Prague to name a few.
In non-English speaking countries, I have noticed that locals try to use thick ambiguous English accent to dupe tourists by quoting something else for a service and then insisting on a different amount later on on the pretext of miscommunication.
It's good to be vigilant about how much one needs to pay for a service availed.
Even for exchanging currency, one should always do it from an authorised exchange counter.
In Prague, a person approached us and offered us very good exchange rate for the Indian rupee. Luckily, we had read somewhere before our visit that some currency notes in Prague had been taken out of circulation, so we obviously ignored him and were saved.
So, be sure of the purchase value of the local currency that you're carrying.
Tip 18: For intercity and inter-country travel, land transport is your best friend
Wherever possible, substitute flying with travel by road or train. This is cheaper than flying and the most fun thing you could do. Airports are usually very far from the city and getting there is quite expensive.
Travelling by land is more time-consuming but we always try to incorporate it in our itineraries and keep two to three days extra for this.
Roads mostly wind through scenic countryside. The same goes for trains. Treat this as part of the outing and enjoy the ride.
Tip 19: Don't ignore travel insurance
Travel insurance is one of the things we carry, hoping that we never get to use it and that's what makes it so precious to possess. If something unexpected happens, like a medical emergency or lost baggage, then this is the one thing to fall back upon.
Many travellers skip travel insurance to save money, but medical treatment in a foreign country can be extremely expensive. A lot of countries have made it mandatory to have travel insurance before they grant you visa, but one should have a travel insurance for countries where it's not mandatory.
Also, before purchasing a policy, it's important to carefully read what is actually covered, including medical emergencies, flight cancellations, the risk that comes with adventure activities and baggage loss.
Tip 20: Use eSIMs or local SIM cards
Over the years, I've realised that using eSIMs or local SIM cards is usually more affordable than activating expensive international roaming plans.
Apps like Google maps, translation apps and ride-hailing apps work better when you have uninterrupted internet access. In places like Cambodia and Vietnam, Grab App can make like so much easier. You can even hail a tuk-tuk through the app.
But, do check whether your phone supports eSIMs and whether local data plans are easily available at your destination before you embark on your journey.
Every journey taught me and my husband something new, not just about the world around us, but also we, as people. I hope these travel tips for international travellers help you save time, reduce stress and enjoy richer travel experiences wherever your next journey takes you. Happy travels!!
