My 22 Best Travel Tips

I’ve been traveling pretty consistently for the past 7 years. During my travels, I’ve made plenty of mistakes. I’ve taken the wrong train, overpacked, and created impossible itineraries. But along the way, I’ve learned a lot and I want to share it all with you guys.

And let’s be real, can I actually call myself a travel blogger if I don’t give you my best travel tips?

My 22 BEST Travel Tips

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1. Make a Plan

Unless you are a badass nomadic traveler, you should book travel plans and accommodations before taking your trip. I know so many travelers who show up somewhere without a place to stay. They end up spending way too much time searching for available rooms once they arrive at their destination. I don’t know about you but that is NOT how I want to be spending my valuable adventure time.

You might be thinking, “is this really one of the best travel tips?” I know it seems simple but sometimes you just need to start at the beginning. Create a strong foundation for your trip so you can make the most of your experience. Maybe you really are a wandering nomad and things just work out for you. That’s amazing and inspiring. But this post probably isn’t for you.

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2. But Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff

Ok, I am still working on this one. I used to be a chronic planner. I created travel itineraries that I followed to a T. My trips became a stressful checklist that I had to complete. And one day, something just clicked. I can’t exactly pinpoint when this happened, but I realized the point of travel was not to check a bunch of things off of an arbitrary list. Travel was a way to slow down, learn about myself, and step out of my comfort zone.

But wait- wasn’t the first tip all about making a plan? Yes and I stand by that. Make a travel plan, know where you are staying and how you are getting there. But it is really important to remember that things will go wrong. Your flight might be delayed. The restaurant you wanted to try might be too crowded. The museum’s famous piece of art might be on loan in a completely different city. This stuff can easily ruin a trip if you let it. But once you allow yourself to understand that things will not always go perfectly, you will have a much better trip.

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3. Be Flexible

So if you are like me and still need to have some sort of itinerary, I totally get it. But there is a difference between knowing some highlights you want to see and having a strict unbreakable schedule. And that difference is flexibility. It’s so important to go with the flow. Maybe you will walk past a food market that wasn’t on your itinerary. You might hear about a popular local festival happening while you are in town. Who knows! But if every minute of your trip is planned, it will be almost impossible to fit in these other experiences.

What works best for me is to create a loose itinerary for each day. Maybe one or two key things I want to experience. But I like to leave the rest of my time more open. This has really allowed me to break from my chronic planning. I now enjoy my key experiences at a relaxed pace and fill the rest of my time with things I discovered along the way (like that food market or the festival). Honestly, this tip was hard for me to put into practice at first. But once I embraced it, I really slowed down and got even more out of my travels.

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4. Be Ready to be Uncomfortable

Travel is uncomfortable. You are stepping out of your normal routine into a new place. Yes, there are ways to make travel more comfortable (looking at you luxury travelers). But if you are reading my post you are probably a budget traveler. So you (and I) are not staying at the nicest hotels, flying first class, etc.

But even besides physical comfort, travel is just down-right uncomfortable sometimes. Maybe you are on an international trip and you don’t recognize ANYTHING on a menu. Maybe your French isn’t quite strong enough to carry on a full conversation. Or maybe you are in your home country, but get lost navigating an unfamiliar city. Guess what- all of us have been there! It’s just part of it. But for me, navigating these uncomfortable experiences have really made me more confident in my daily life. And besides, when you are traveling and finally figure out a foreign Metro system you start to feel pretty freaking badass.

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5. But Don’t Wear Uncomfortable Shoes

Just don’t do it. The pics really are not worth it. (Ok if they are worth it to you- just throw the cute uncomfortable shoes in your purse or backpack and change them for the pic.) I have fallen into the uncomfortable shoe trap WAY too many times. Of course, I need to wear those blister-inducing sandals on a full day of walking around NYC, right? (Wrong. So so wrong.)

You do you- but when I’m traveling I’m walking. A LOT. And I’ve learned that I need to wear comfortable shoes. Luckily there are so many cute sneakers out there now. Invest in a good pair and I promise you will have a much better time on your trip.

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6. Try New Foods

Yes, I am obsessed with food. Trying regional dishes is a great way to experience a new culture. So order that local delicacy. Or buy something from a food cart. Just try something new!

And this is coming from someone who used to eat homemade peanut butter sandwiches when I traveled. Yes, I saved money, but I missed out on the experience of trying new foods and getting a fuller picture of the places I visited. I still try to save where I can, but I also make sure to try local food everywhere I travel.

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7. Make sure you Listen to Your body

Someone needs to tell me this again. I have such a hard time following this one. I try to take advantage of every single second of my travels. I lived by the phrase “you can sleep when you’re dead” on my 18-day European adventure. I burn the candles at both ends and try to squeeze in as much as possible into my trips.

But I’ve learned that this can ultimately ruin my experience. Sure I may have seen 15 historical sites in one day, but am I really going to remember them if I’m exhausted the whole time? Allow yourself to take breaks, sleep, and slow down.

This also goes for food and drinks. You should absolutely try the local food (see the above point). But if you stray too far from your normal diet, you are going to feel it. Just try to fit some fruits and vegetables in between those vacation treats. Oh and drink tons of water! Carry a water bottle with you and refill it when you can. Stay hydrated, travelers!

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8. Listen to the Locals

Talk to your Air B&B Host, tour guides, baristas, or a friendly dog walker. Locals know the hidden gems in their city. They can direct you to the lesser-known sites that you might not find with a quick Google search.

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9. BUT BE SMART

This is SO IMPORTANT. Seriously. While I do recommend getting advice from locals, you have to be smart. Trust your gut. Try to avoid situations that you know seem sketchy.

Just be aware of your surroundings. When you are traveling, you are in unfamiliar situations. And most of the time, this is an incredible learning opportunity. But depending on where you are visiting, you might be uncomfortable. You could easily stand out and be targeted as a tourist.

You guys are smart. I know I am preaching to the choir here. But I just think it’s something we need to all remember, myself included. It’s easy to be an overconfident traveler, especially if you have a lot of experience. But we all need to just remember to be smart and safe travelers.

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10. Know Your Stuff

Trust me- it just makes travel so much easier. If you are traveling internationally, you need to provide some basic info at the border checkpoint. Just know things like your accommodation information, how long you will be staying, why you are visiting. I usually try to print off (I know- I am betraying of my millennial status!) my accommodation info and any additional travel plans I have (like additional flights inside the country).

Also, if you are planning to take a taxi or Uber from the airport, know the address of where you are staying. This just really makes it easier for everyone involved.

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11. But be Open to Learning

Yes make sure you know your basics (travel and accommodation information), but other than that, try to learn. Travel is such an invaluable learning experience. Be ready to learn about yourself, new cultures, and the world. Don’t go on a trip with expectations or assumptions. Learn while you are there through experiences. Talk to people. Take tours. Read signs. You will get so much more out of traveling if you are open to learning along the way.

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12. Do see the Tourist Traps

I know this might be controversial, but if you want to see the touristy stuff, go see the touristy stuff! Honestly, you might never have the chance again. And do you really want to say you went to Paris and didn’t see the Eiffel Tower? Tourist traps are generally popular for a reason. And you might be mad at yourself later if you decide to skip them.

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13. But Don’t Stress About Seeing ALL of Them

Like I mentioned earlier, you want to actually enjoy the stuff you are seeing. So don’t try to fit every museum, statue, and historical site into a weekend trip. You won’t be able to hit them all and you will end up exhausted and frustrated.

Instead, think about how much time you have and make a list of the top 5 sites you HAVE to see. Try to fit those in at a relaxed pace. That way you will actually get something out of visiting these places. And since you won’t see everything, you will have an excuse to return someday.

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14. Do Some Research

Read a book set in the place you are visiting. Watch some Travel Channel episodes. And don’t forget to check out a few blog posts (you are already ahead of the game on that one!) Seriously, give yourself a little time to research the place you are visiting. No, you don’t need to bust out a book report or anything like that. But if you have some background knowledge, you will be more prepared for your trip. And you will probably get more out of it too.

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15. Take a Tour

Tours are one of the best ways to learn about the place you are visiting. Sure, you can wander around still have a great time. But if you take a tour you will learn about the history and significance of the sites you are seeing. This is a great way to learn and check off a few of those bigger touristy places on your list. Or you could find a more specialized tour that will take you off the beaten path to some lesser-known sites.

Tours can easily get expensive, but if you look around you can probably find a good deal. Free Tours By Foot offers pay-what-you-wish tours in many major cities. They even have some free self-guided tours on their website. You could also check our Frommer’s or Rick Steves for their self-guided tours.

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16. Know Your Limits

It’s important to stretch yourself and grow. But it’s also important to understand your limits. Although it sounds adventurous, maybe staying in a hostel isn’t right for you. Some people are fine with red-eye flights. Others aren’t. That’s ok. Trust yourself and know where you want to stretch and where you need to be comfortable.

Also, if you are traveling in a group don’t be afraid to let them know when you have reached your limit. If you need to go back to your hotel and take a nap, do that. If you trust yourself and pay attention to your limits you will have a much better travel experience.

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17. Pack Light

You guys, I am the worst when it comes to overpacking. I’m not sure what it is, but when I am going on a trip I suddenly think that I need about 8 pairs of shoes and every t-shirt I’ve ever worn. Obviously, I don’t need all of this stuff. And it really just makes traveling more difficult. I get stressed that my carry-on bag is too big for the flight. Or I don’t have any room for souvenirs. And it’s really challenging to repack my bag at the end of a trip.

So we will be working on this one together, guys. But let’s try to only bring what we need. And it’s really ok to re-wear items when you are traveling. Especially if you are on a budget flight and can only bring a personal item. No one expects you to stuff every article of clothing you own into that little bag. So make your life and travels easier, and just pack the essentials.

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18. Don’t be Afraid to Look for Creature Comforts

Yes, you should immerse yourself in the local culture. But it’s also totally ok to look for those familiar places. Heck, it’s even kind of fun to check out a McDonalds or Starbucks in a foreign country. You don’t have to make this your go-to for every meal. But if you need to revert back to your comfort zone every now and then, give that to yourself. And don’t feel like you are wasting your experience. Travel, especially internationally, can be overwhelming and stressful. Do what you need to do to feel like yourself so you can enjoy the experience.

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19. Charge It

I’m not talking credit cards here people. Charge your phone! Seriously, you are going to need it. You know you want to take pics and Snapchats. But you will probably also need it for Google Maps. You might have to download a translation app. Who knows, but you will be relying on your phone.

Pack a charging cord in your day bag so you can plug in at a coffee shop or wherever you find an outlet. Invest in an external battery and make sure it is fully charged. Oh and don’t forget to bring outlet converters if you are traveling internationally.

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20. Be Open to Growth

I’ve been mentioning growth a lot in this post. Be open to it. I have become a more independent, extroverted, and confident person through travel. Travel affects everyone differently, but every time I take a trip, I come back a slightly changed. This might not always be a major change, but traveling gives me a new perspective on the world and allows me to see how I respond to new situations. Try to allow this growth to happen and see how travel impacts you.

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21. But Don’t Forget Where You Came From

Travel gives you a new perspective of the world. And you will probably see some incredible things. But it’s also important to remember the great things about your home. And let’s be real, there is just something so nice about sleeping in your own bed after a few days away.

It is so exciting to plan an itinerary for a trip. You want to see everything while you are traveling. But it can be easy to overlook all the amazing sites in your hometown. Explore those local gems that you’ve never made the time to visit.

Oh, and I need to throw this in here. When you are traveling, don’t forget where you are staying. Seriously, you don’t want to get lost after a long day of exploring. Keep the address somewhere you can easily find it. Especially if you are staying in an Air B&B.

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22. Have FUN!

I probably don’t need to remind you of this, but if you are traveling you need to have fun! Live in the moment and soak it all up. Sure things might go wrong, but just go with it and make the most of it.

This might seem cheesy, but some classic Hamilton lyrics always pop into my head when I’m really feeling my travels. “Look around, look around, at how lucky we are to be alive right now.” Seriously, if you are lucky enough to travel, try to appreciate it. Not everyone has this opportunity. So appreciate it, enjoy the experience, and have fun!

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I hope you all enjoyed my best travel tips. Now let me hear from you! I know this community is full of BA travel peeps, so please share your best travel tips with me! I would love to learn from you.

Looking for more of my best travel tips? Check out these posts:

My Ultimate Megabus Travel Tips

My Best Budget Travel Tips

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