Sometimes spontaneous trips seem more fun and adventurous, but it’s not as fun when you find yourself in an unsafe area of a foreign country at night with a language barrier. Researching the most basic details of your destination (like places to avoid) can help you avoid a whole host of troubles.
This includes flight attendants, gate agents, phone representatives, and baggage handlers. Even if you have a legitimate complaint—or the airline is being difficult or rude—your life (or at least your vacation) is still in their hands until the end. No matter how bad things get, they have the power to make it worse. So take a deep breath and stay calm.
Do you know how many pairs of shoes you actually need for a trip? Two are enough. One nice pair, one casual pair. If you want to work out, add a pair of sneakers.
In the U.S., ATMs are everywhere—but that’s not the case in most foreign countries. Exchange money early and exchange enough. We recommend never arriving in a foreign country without having some local currency in hand. Exchange some at your local airport so you can avoid long lines when you land.
Taking local buses and trains is convenient, but give yourself other options—like exploring the city on foot.
6．Bringing wine, olive oil, and other glass bottles
This never ends well. You might think wrapping wine and olive oil in old T-shirts and hiding them in your suitcase will help you avoid extra fees, but you’re wrong. By the time you get home, the glass may be broken and ruin all your clothes. Don’t risk it—ship them home instead.
7．Only upgrading your seat if it’s cheap
If your flight is three hours or longer and you’re offered an upgrade for less than $150, take it. Your comfort and peace of mind are worth more than shopping.
8. Dressing Inappropriately
Don’t wear shorts and a T-shirt when climbing the Alps. If your attire offends locals, it seems you’ve made the mistake of “not doing your homework before the trip.” Before traveling, learn about appropriate local clothing, culture, weather, and more.
9. Not Notifying Your Bank When Using Credit or Debit Cards
Because your issuing bank may block your card due to unusual spending in a new location, cutting your enjoyable trip short. Sure, you can call the bank to clear things up—but if you're overseas, international call rates are steep. Notify your credit card issuer before you travel.
10. Forgetting to Bring Converters and Chargers
Forgetting your charger is like leaving your camera, phone, and laptop at home—because your devices likely won’t charge.
11. Leaving Your Raincoat at Home
You say, “But the forecast says the weather will be sunny.” But we all know weather forecasts aren’t 100% accurate, right? No. You might be caught in unexpected downpours during your trip: your options are to stay in your hotel room until it passes or scramble around looking for an umbrella or raincoat. One option is terrible, the other will leave you soaked. To avoid the whole mess, bring some rain gear.
12. Booking Flight and Cruise Tickets for the Same Day
Booking flight and cruise tickets for the same day is just asking for tragedy. If your flight is delayed and you miss the cruise’s departure, the cruise fare is non-refundable. Even if you make it to the cruise, the entire flight will be spent listening to every tick of the clock and worrying about every possible delay. Arrive at the port city a day early, check into a hotel, and think of it as cruise travel insurance. Explore the city, and more importantly, enjoy a completely stress-free journey.
13. Forgetting Sunscreen
This one’s obvious. Remember: the sun shines just as brightly in other countries.
14. Overpacking or Underpacking Activities
It’s a delicate balance. Some attractions waste your time, while missing others may leave you regretful. One of our editors still regrets skipping the Taj Mahal instead of the Mona Lisa. To avoid this, plan carefully in advance what you want to see—not what you think you should see.
15. Not Keeping a Travel Journal
You’ll wish you had it later.