40 Tips for First Time Travelers

As this is going to be your overseas trip, you are feeling wonderful and obviously, you are pretty excited. But does this feeling sometimes turn into a slight fear of traveling to a whole new place? How are going to cope-up with money matters, traveling, food and other challenges? You do not want to commit cultural faux pas? Searching for some travel tips? There is no need for you to worry at all as this is a mutual feeling amongst people who travel for the first time. Little knowledge and little research about your place and you are ready to go.

In order to make your maiden journey a success, here are some useful travel tips for first-time travelers:

1. Pick your destination carefully, after considering your interest and your budget too. Make sure that you have done enough research about the place you will be visiting. You might also plan a flexible itinerary, but that is about it. You can pre-book flight or train tickets and accommodation.
2. Do not keep your money at one place. Keep your emergency portion of money somewhere else hidden.
3. Pack basic and prescribed medicines, daily utility items like charger and memory card for your camera. And, pack only what is extremely necessary. Packing light is the key. If you are traveling by air, sticking to the airline’s luggage limit is mandatory.
4. While traveling, keep your eyes wide open.
5. Do not expect that things are going to be the same as it was at your home.
6. If someone is telling you something about a certain topic or issue, do not start judging that person or that thing just look interested and try to know more about it.
7. Be keen on learning new things.
8. Your good manners are going to be useful at all times and at all places.
9. You should learn the basic words of the local language and try using them often in your conversation. With this, you show respect, break the ice and can begin a conversation easily.
10. If someone is not able to understand what you are saying or you are not able to understand what someone else is saying, do not lose your calm and start shouting. Be polite.
11. Do not complain that the residents of the place you are visiting do not speak your language. It is necessary that as you are visiting them, you must know what they speak.
12. Do not over bargain with street vendors and small shop owners. Their margins are not generally high. It would not really make a huge difference to you but it will certainly make a difference to them. However, do not also pay the price that they ask you for.
13. You must respect local customs and practices as you are the visitor.
14. Create a respectful scenario for your culture in the places that you are visiting.
15. No one is going to stop you from partying and enjoying but make sure you do not litter here and there, and pollute the place.
16. You can play safe by visiting the popular attractions but walking on a lesser-known path would be equally exciting.
17. Travel the way you like. You can listen to the reviews and experiences of other travelers but do not make them the basis of your travel plans.
18. Start travelling at a young age.
19. Do not stay stuck on your eating habit and tasting street food is a must. Trying dishes from local cuisine would be a great idea.
20. Do not listen to such people who stop you from fulfilling your dream of travelling.
21. You would be able to adapt in a better way, if you remain flexible.
22. Feeling uncomfortable is fine as this means you are growing and opening to new things.
23. You can carry small palm cards with important things written in local language so that you can produce one when the need be.
24. If you need help, just ask for it, even if you need to do that in sign language.
25. Respectfully deny if you do not want anything or you did not like anything.
26. Do not shy away from talking to local people. Be friends with them and you might learn some amazing things.
27. As they say ‘When in Rome, Do as the Romans do’, follow the rule. Be as local as possible- food, accommodation and transport.
28. Get slowly out of your comfort zone, do not push yourself too hard. Try to do one thing at a time.
29. Someone has rightly said, ‘We all smile in the same language’, you too try to smile often. You are going to make new friends.
30. Join the locals in celebrating their festivals and customs, respecting their culture and tradition.
31. Interacting with other travelers will be a great idea. You will feel like you are with your friends.
32. Mobile apps might not be really helpful all the time while searching for ways around. You might end up completely lost.
33. Try to travel fewer places for longer duration. In this way, you will be able to see much more at one place rather than rushing to other places.
34. If you learn about other religions you might be able to understand their customers and traditions in a better way.
35. Take very good care of your documents. Keep some photocopies of each. Treat them as gold.
36. Take each day as it comes and do not be in a hurry as in this fashion, you will not be able to enjoy everything.
37. Do not miss out on having a travel insurance, it is an extremely important thing to do. You would not want to cough up thousands if any mishappening takes place.
38. If robbery or any similar things happens, push it back in your memories and move forward as you are safe.
39. You can loosen-up your pocket if certain experience is going to be for lifetime.
40. Follow your gut instinct. If something is not feeling right, do not do it.

Geetika Handa

Geetika Handa is a travel writer who has an interest in sharing her experiences with all. She provides a detailed account of any travel topic she chooses to write on. You can get detailed information and tips about choosing the right kind of holiday packages in the country from her write-ups.