In this “Best travel tips to make you the world’s clever traveler” post, we have collected some of the most valuable advice for all those who want to travel around the globe. It doesn’t matter if you are a beginner or an experienced traveler. Sharing practical advice and reading about them always comes in handy.
Secondly, we have scanned a few world travelers’ blogs to give you the best tips possible. Ultimately, we found the Nomadic Matt the best; we’d like to share his advice and hope you will find them educational.
Let’s begin, shall we?
Note: If you want more tips on traveling better, please visit our Travel Resources page.
Table of Contents
Most people aren’t born smart travelers; at not at the beginning. It’s something that only comes with on-the-road experience.
Remember this! In the beginning, you make a lot of travel mistakes. After all, this is totally normal.
Travel skill is a process born of missed buses, senseless behavior, cultural ignorance and countless little mistakes. Then, one day, you begin to seamlessly move through airports and integrate yourself into new cultures like a fish to water.
1. Firstly, always pack a towel – the perfect travel tip
It is the key to success in an easy way. You never know when you will need it, whether at the beach, on a picnic, or to dry off. While many hostels offer towels, you never know, and wearing a little towel will not add as much weight to your bag.
2. Secondly, buy a small backpack/suitcase
This is another excellent travel tip; we think using it more often should be essential. Namely, by purchasing a small backpack, you will be forced to pack light and avoid carrying too much stuff. More particularly, we have a natural tendency to want to fill space. So if you pack light but have lots of extra room in your bag, you’ll go, “Well, I guess I can take more,” and then regret it.
3. Additionally, write down an essential list and cut it in half!
It’s OK to wear the same T-shirt a few days in a row. Take half the clothes you think you will need… You won’t need as much as you feel. Write down a list of essentials, cut it in half, and then only pack that! Plus, since we know you have listened to our previous advice, you most likely bought a small backpack. Therefore, the problem of this chapter has already been eliminated.:)
4. Most importantly, take an extra pair of socks
Perhaps a surprising traveling hint, nevertheless extremely handy. Washing dirty socks can be time-consuming, so packing more will be convenient. There’s nothing like a new pair of socks!
5. Take a credit card with you
Disasters happen. It’s always good to have a backup if a card is stolen or lost. In addition, you don’t want to be trapped in a new place without having access to your money.
6. Make sure to use no-fee bank cards
Don’t give the banks your hard-earned money. After all, the few dollars they take will add up during a long journey! Therefore, get a credit and debit card that doesn’t charge a foreign transaction fee or an ATM fee. Most importantly, please keep it for yourself and spend it on your travels.
7. Don’t be afraid to use a map.
Looking like a tourist isn’t as bad as losing yourself and ending up in the wrong neighborhood. Therefore, feel free to use a map or ask for directions and look like a tourist. After all, you are one!
8. But don’t be afraid to get purposefully lost.
Wandering around a new city is an excellent way to get to know it. It’s off the beaten track and away from tourists, and you might be surprised at how many hidden gems you find.
9. Always visit the local tourism office.
They know what’s happening in the city. Because of this, they can direct you to free activities and special events during your stay. In addition, they also provide discounts on attractions and transportation. More than anything, it’s their job to help you find your way. It’s amazing how many travelers skip this. But, as an experienced traveler, you should use this resource! Amazingly, it is one of the most under-used travel tips in the world. So, be smarter! Take advantage of the tourist office and save money!
10. Don’t buy a money belt
Thieves know they exist, and being seen with one shout, “Look at me, I’m a tourist with money! Rip me off! ” The more you can blend in and act like a local, the easier it will be to get deals and avoid touts. If you’re worried about pickpockets, watch your stuff better!
11. When you go out, take only what you need.
The next tip is convenient. Limit the amount of cash and bank cards you carry with you so that if something does happen, you can quickly recover. Never take more than one credit card or debit card with you.
12. Always carry a lock.
Carry a small combination lock with you when you travel. Don’t use one with keys because if you lose the keys, you’re screwed! They come in handy, especially when you stay in dorms and need to lock your stuff up.
13. Make extra copies of your passport and essential documents.
Don’t forget to email a copy to yourself. After all, you never know when you might need documentation and not want to wear your original. In addition, if your passport is stolen, getting a copy will be convenient for your police report.
14. Ask hostel staff for information — even when you aren’t staying there.
The following info is indeed handy. Namely, hostel staff deals with budget travelers all day, every day. That’s why they know exactly where to go for low-priced meals and attractions. They also tend to be locals, so they’re familiar with the city. In your own best interest is to ask them for all kinds of information. Even if you aren’t staying in a hostel, pop in and ask for help. They’ll usually give it.
15. Learn basic phrases in the native language of your destination
The locals will appreciate it, making it easier for you to interact. Most importantly, you don’t need to master the language. But learning a few phrases (like “Hello,” “Goodbye,” “Thank you!” and “Where’s the bathroom?”) will go a long way to endearing yourself with the locals. They will love it for sure.
16. Read a guide!
You can’t understand a place’s present if you don’t know anything about its past. After all, what’s the point of watching an ancient building, for instance, if you don’t see the back story? Read up on the destinations you are visiting. It will give you a deeper understanding of this place you’ve wanted to see for so long! There are plenty of local guides online as well.
17. Don’t fly direct
In our opinion, that’s one of the best tips for you. Many of us are making the same mistake. When booking flights, it is cheaper to fly into airports close to your final destination and then take a train or bus to where you need to go. Be sure to shop around for your flight, and know that direct isn’t always the cheapest route. Our favorite flight search engines are:
- Momondo is my all-time favorite search engine. I like it because it searches for small booking sites no one else does. It always seems to find airlines that offer the best deals, and its calendar view lets you see which days are the cheapest to fly.
- Google Flights—One of the best flight search engines, Google Flights lets you enter your departure airport and see flights worldwide on a map to find the cheapest destination.
- Skyscanner—This excellent website searches many different airlines, including many budget carriers that more significant sites miss.
18. Always get behind business travelers when waiting in security lines and never behind families.
Business travelers move fast since they are usually in a rush and travel light. After all, they know the drill. Therefore, do line up behind them as much as possible.
On the contrary, families take their time. It’s not their fault. They have a lot of stuff because of the kids. Try to avoid getting in lines with lots of kids. It’s going to take a while.
19. When you check in to the hotel, don’t hesitate to ask for an upgrade.
They have a lot of flexibility when assigning upgrades at check-in. Often, they can accommodate you unless the hotel is entire. Just be extra sweet! It never hurts to ask.
23. Libraries, Starbucks, and most cafés have free Wi-Fi.
Check out one of these places if you’re staying somewhere that charges you to connect. You can join for free.
24. Lunchtime is the best time to visit historical sites.
Visiting an attraction early, late, or when people eat is always better. This is the perfect way to find even the most popular places! You’ll have fewer crowds getting in the way than large tourist bus groups, and most travelers head for lunch.
25. Never eat in a touristy area or near a tourist attraction
Firstly, consider this rule as one of the basic rules when traveling. The closer you are to the sights, the more you pay and the worse the food (and service) will be. Use websites like Yelp, Google Maps, Foursquare, or Open Rice to find delicious and famous restaurants around you.
26. Locals don’t eat out every night, and neither should you.
Go grocery shopping. You can learn a lot about locals’ diets by seeing the type of food they buy. Plus, it will save you a lot of money. You won’t regret it. Cook your food, save money, and surprise yourself!
27. Eat at expensive restaurants during lunch.
Most expensive restaurants offer lunch specials featuring the same food they would serve for dinner but at half the price! That’s the best time to eat out when you travel.
28. Pack a flashlight.
This is one of the best travel tips almost no one thinks of. But, it will let you see at night, avoid stepping on stuff, and most m amusingly, it will help you tell ghost stories. Who’s afraid of the dark?
29. Carry a basic first-aid kit.
The following best travel tip concerns your health. Namely, accidents happen! So be prepared. We take band-aids, antibacterial creams, and ointments for minor cuts and scrapes. You never know when you’ll need them and can’t always get them when you travel. Plus, they don’t take up much space or weight.
30. Book flights 2-3 months in advance for the best price.
This is truly one of those handy and perfect tips. We are using it constantly. It goes like this: Don’t drive yourself too crazy trying to get the cheapest fare. Be economical—not affordable! Spending five hours trying to save 10 Euros will cause you stress.
31. Use Meetup, the sharing economy, and hospitality websites to meet locals
The sharing economy has changed the way people travel, allowing you to meet locals, get off the tourist travel, and save mega money! These websites will help you get an insider’s perspective on your destination by connecting you with locals in the places you visit. It’s a triple win, and I always use resources when traveling.
- Couchsurfing – This website allows you to stay on people’s couches or spare rooms for free. It’s a great way to save money while meeting locals who can tell you much more about a city than you will find out in a hostel/hotel. Here are some of my favorite sharing economy and hospitality websites:
- Airbnb—Another good accommodation alternative, this site connects you with homeowners renting out their homes or apartments.
- EatWith – There is a fee (everyone sets their price), but this is a great way to do something different, pick a local’s brain, and make a new friend.
- BlaBlaCar—BlaBlaCar is a ridesharing website that lets you share rides with vetted local drivers by pitching in for gas. You request a seat, they approve it, and off you go!
- Gumtree—This Craiglist-like site is a fantastic resource for travelers. You can find travel partners, rideshares, jobs, second-hand gear, homestays, and more here.
- Lyft—Hire locals to pick you up and drop you off where you need to go! It’s about 30% cheaper than a taxi.
- Getaround – Need a car for a few hours? Rent someone else’s. Getaround allows you to rent people’s new cars by the hour.
33. Be open to strangers, but keep your guard up
Some people don’t bite. So, say hi to people on the road and turn strangers into friends. After all, they’re just like you! All they want is to live happily and have dreams as well! You never know where you can bump into a lifelong friend or even a lover.
On the contrary, some people bite, so keep a healthy level of suspicion. Ultimately, you don’t want to fall for travel scams or get into uncomfortable situations. Therefore, be open but cautious.
34. Try new food.
Please don’t ask what it is. Just put it in your mouth and see if you like it. If you put your guard up, you might miss out on some unusual and delicious local cuisine.
35. Avoid taxis.
They are always a budget buster. Therefore, never, ever take a taxi unless you have to!
36. Fill an empty metal water bottle through airport security at your gate.
This is one of the most practical travel tips. So, drink from the tap when you can. That way, you’ll save money and help the environment. Lastly, if you’re going somewhere you can’t drink the water, get a water bottle with a filter.
37. Take free walking tours.
Besides being free, these tours will give you a good orientation and background of the city you are visiting. You will also learn so much about where you are!
38. Get city pass cards.
If you plan to visit many museums and other attractions in a short time, a city pass will save you money on admission. In addition, most provide free public transportation!
39. Take pictures of your luggage and clothes.
If your bag is lost, it will make it easier to identify it and accelerate the reimbursement of your travel insurance.
40. Carry emergency cash.
One of the best travel tips you can follow because, as you know, emergencies happen.
41. Get vaccinated.
Why? Because falling prey to an illness in a foreign country is not fun. In addition, many countries require you to get vaccinated to visit them. Consequently, regardless of your opinion on the subject, you might have to do it.
42. Take a jacket.
You probably won’t find this best travel helpful tip during the summer. What about during the spring days, when one day can be super hot and the following day rainy and cold? What is more, the nights can get chilly.
43. Eat street food!
If you skip the street food, you miss out on the culture. So, don’t be scared. Look at places where kids are eating. If it’s safe for them, then it’s safe for you.
44. Get travel insurance
Travel insurance is the most important thing you get, and you never want to use it. Because, if something goes wrong, you don’t want to be out thousands of euros. More so, it will be there if you get robbed, the flights are canceled, you get sick or injured, etc.
It’s just a few euros daily, one of the best investments you can get from a trip. Even though sometimes you may think you’re a Superman/woman, so did we many years ago. And then the illness happened (simple, painful earache), and we had to pay thousands out of our pocket. The following year, we took it, and we haven’t regretted it ever since. So, get it!
45. Be patient.
Things will generally work out in the end. So, no need to rush. You’ll get to where you are going in the scheduled time. That is why you should never forget that travel is about the journey, not the destination.
46. Be respectful – one of the best travel tips you should never forget!
Locals are willing to help you, but there’s probably a language barrier, so keep cool when something doesn’t go your way. If you don’t, you’ll look like an asshole tourist.
47. Most importantly, don’t over plan your trip.
Let your days unfold naturally. Schedule two or three things and let the day fill in the rest on its own. It’s less stressful, and letting the day just take you is one of the best ways to travel.
48. One of the best travel tip is simply to take your time to “RELAX”
See Be patient.
49. Take earplugs.
Snorers are everywhere, and you need your sleep. As a result… Read the headline!
50. Always have an extra USB charger.
Batteries die. Your good mood shouldn’t.
51. Take photos of and with people.
Lots of photos. Years from now, you’ll want to reflect on those nights you can’t remember and the people who made them memorable.
52. Book your tickets online
If you’re planning to do any activities or excursions on your trip, book them online. Companies usually offer a discounted price when compared to buying in person. This is one of the best travel tips you need to use. Namely, you will save so much money and most of all, you will save valuable time!
53. Sign up for flight deals
Regarding travel, your flights will likely be your most significant expense. So, save money by signing up for flight deal websites like Scott’s Cheap Flights, The Flight Deal, and Secret Flying. You’ll get epic flight deals straight to your inbox, saving you time and money. Also, sign up for airline newsletters since that is where they will announce their sales first!
54. Pre-book your tickets to attractions
Many significant attractions allow you to reserve your spot and skip the line. That’s why I look online to see if this is an option. This will help you avoid wasting time on multi-hour lines and go right in. Namely, we’ve seen people wait hours for the Paris Catacombs and Louvre. Pre-book the day before, skip the line, and get to see more during your day! In the end, some destinations, such as the Alhambra, for example, are better to book one month in advance if you want to visit on a specific date.
55. Wear a sunscreen.
Better safe than sorry. Because the sun can be powerful, especially during summer, it is one of the best and most essential travel advice you can follow.
56. Finally, Check out the COVID regulations
These are extraordinary times for the world traveler. Therefore, any additional precautions are always welcome.
Click here to check the most updated world regulations. After all, we all want to travel safely.
There you have it! Our best travel tips! Now, all you need to do is follow them, and you’ll be the finest traveler you can be in no time flat! Leave a comment below and add anything you think we missed!
Note: On our travel resources page, you can check more travel tips, tricks, and resources.
