Buzz
Because when you travel to another country or region, you incur international conversion fees, and the usage charges can be much higher, directly impacting your wallet.
4. Trusting the term “close to the city center”
“Not far from the city center” is a phrase many hotels use to encourage you to book with the expectation of being close to the city center. However, when you check-in, you realize that the hotel or restaurant you booked is not close to that city center at all. This forces you to spend a lot of money on transportation to tourist spots, dining in the city. Therefore, you should research the hotel on Google or through travel websites before officially booking.
5. Forgetting to bring photocopies of important documents
Those important documents include passports, travel insurance, credit cards... This mistake could lead you into a disaster if they get stolen. You should also carefully check the expiry date on your passport and visa, lest you find yourself in chaos during that holiday.
6. Overlooking the time zone difference
When booking flights, hotels, or other modes of transportation, travelers often overlook the time zone difference of their destination. Additionally, they forget to research if there are any festivals or events happening locally during their stay. Consequently, they may be surprised upon arrival to find difficulty in booking accommodations or securing transportation tickets.
7. Failing to choose the perfect timing for booking tickets
According to a study conducted by CheapAir, the cheapest airfares can typically be found 79 days before domestic flights and 81 days before international flights. However, according to Kaya Travel, the optimal timing is 21 and 34 days respectively. Meanwhile, researchers at Texas A&M University suggest that Saturdays and Sundays are the best days to find cheap fares and promotions. Nevertheless, there is no one-size-fits-all rule; it entirely depends on your understanding of the travel market.
8. Showing a lack of respect for local culture
You may visit a culturally rich destination dressed in overly revealing attire, which may not be well received by the locals.
9. Not exchanging currency at the airport
When traveling internationally, it's advisable to exchange currency at the airport since the exchange rate is usually lower compared to the city. If you exchange currency elsewhere, you may end up with a higher exchange rate, impacting your travel budget.
10. Not arriving early or anticipating possibilities
You might encounter overcrowding and long queues at airports, train stations, or other terminals if you don't arrive early and anticipate potential issues like traffic jams or vehicle breakdowns. This could lead to the cancellation of your trip.
11. Indulging in cheap shopping
Buying cheap items during your trip without considering their quality because they're inexpensive may seem convenient, but neglecting their quality could affect your health. Moreover, the actual quality might not meet your expectations.
12. Fearing street food
No one wants to fall ill while traveling, but that doesn't mean you should visit a country and miss out on enjoying its cuisine, especially its diverse street food. It would be a shame to travel and not savor the flavors of the nation just because of the fear of food poisoning.
13. Displaying flashy jewelry and wallets in public
Inviting thieves by flaunting expensive jewelry and personal belongings in public places during your travels.
14. Over-reliance on travel guidebooks
Embarking on a trip where you solely rely on guidebooks is not advisable. While guidebooks are handy, you shouldn't depend solely on them. Instead, listen to the experiences shared by fellow travelers who have been there and the insights shared on travel blogs and forums.
15. Not purchasing comprehensive travel insurance
Imagine traveling and facing an accident while driving or food poisoning. Insurance would only cover a certain amount, excluding hospital expenses during the days you're hospitalized just because you didn't purchase comprehensive insurance. Getting comprehensive insurance is crucial, especially when encountering unexpected risks during your trip.
16. Using credit cards to withdraw cash
This is the quickest way to pay through credit card payment. However, credit card companies charge high transaction fees for using cards to withdraw cash, along with ATM withdrawal fees. This will impact your travel expenses. Moreover, you need to check if your ATM card is accepted at your destination. Some banks even require you to notify them before traveling.
17. Loving photography but having a poor-quality camera
You enjoy traveling and taking photos, yet you always rely on your ancient camera, smartphone, or tablet. You take numerous landscape and personal photos, but the quality is subpar. When you browse through the photos back home, you deeply regret not investing in a quality camera for the trip.
18. Not checking visa requirements before departure
This could force you to return home as you start your journey when you realize a certain country doesn't grant you a visa.
19. Missing the return flight due to incorrect estimation
Incorrectly estimating the time between connecting flights or transportation, especially when traveling abroad. Missing the return flight is the most headache-inducing and costly mistake for travelers.
20. Not printing out important addresses
Have you ever wondered why you need to print out a list of restaurant and hotel addresses for your trip when you have a smartphone, laptop, or tablet? Until one day, those devices malfunction, fail to work, or cannot connect to the internet in the country you're visiting.
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Source: Travel Guide Mytour – Via: ngoisao.net
MytourSeptember 27, 2013
