Traveling for the First time

 Traveling is a skill that can be learned with time and experience, not a talent that you need to be outstanding at. One of life's best instructors is travel. It forces you out of your comfort zone and into the unknown while also assisting you in developing compassion, empathy, and an open mind to differing worldviews. However, whether you are a seasoned traveler or a novice, you need to use the travel resources on saudia.com to travel better and, more significantly, for longer without freaking out when you are completely out of your space.

Whether you are a first time traveler, or someone who takes several trips in a year, we all make mistakes like dealing with travel agency scams that may cause us a little trouble. But, with few tips and a little planning, you can avoid some of the most common travel mistakes people make, especially when traveling for the first time.

To help you enjoy your trip to the fullest, here is a list of some of the most common mistakes people make when traveling for the first time.

Over Packing

Over packing is one of the most common mistakes travelers make. The idea of bringing outfits for every possible scenario sounds tempting, but makes carrying around your luggage a pain, and might even cost you extra baggage fees — many airlines only allow minimum luggage weight. Remember, you always end up shopping wherever you travel, so it’s always better to leave some space for shopping. You don’t have to sacrifice all of your outfits!

Visiting too many Countries in One Trip

Most people believe that if they invest in a vacation, they should visit as many cities or counties as possible. This is the reason why group tours are so popular, as they offer a trip to different countries in less days — this is nothing but a mistake. As in greed of getting to visit more places, you don’t get to enjoy yourself or explore a country properly. So instead of ticking boxes off your list, slow down and get to know one or two countries in the best way possible. If you plan on many activities or counties, you will limit your opportunities of finding hidden gems or getting to meet the locals.

Underestimating Costs

A common travel mistake most people make is underestimating the cost of their trip. It’s always better to keep a margin, and save extra money. The reason we say this is because everything costs more than you expect. This applies to everything from tickets to food, the cost may ultimately be more than you imagine. So it’s always better to do your research, and keep some extra money.

Not Booking Enough Time in Between Flights

Flight conditions are very unpredictable, so if you have connecting flights with less time in between, you might find yourself rushing in an unfamiliar airport, trying to make it to your next flight, and the chances of you making it on time are very low. The best option is to book flights with a gap of good time, this way you won’t have to worry about missing your flight, and you also get to explore different airports. Cities with busy airports have long security lines, this also takes up a lot of one’s time, so it’s always better to take long layovers to avoid such problems.

Not Grabbing Local Currency at the Airport

You must have the currency of the country you visit, for public transportation, food, shopping etc. That is why it is advised to take out money from an airport’s ATM, as they offer reasonable exchange rates as compared to what you may find outside. You can use your card to make payments, but there are several local markets that don’t accept credit cards, so it’s always better to keep some extra cash in hand.

Not Realizing the Importance of Travel Insurance

Some travelers believe travel insurance is a waste of money — instead it’s the opposite, as it saves you from spending hundreds of bucks in case of an emergency. Most travel insurance covers cancellation fees, so in case you are unable to make it to your trip, you won’t have to pay a great amount of money. They also cover medical emergency expenses, which most health insurances don’t cover outside your country. So in case you get sick, you won’t have to worry about an expensive medical bill. Similarly, there are several other accidents that can happen on a trip, like your bags could go missing, or you could get robbed, etc. If such a situation occurs, you’ll be pleased that you spent a small amount on getting travel insurance.

Not Informing Your Credit Card Company about Your Vacation

If you haven’t informed your bank about your foreign trip, then they may flag your foreign transactions as credit card fraud, block your card, and may even freeze your account. So, before you head out on your journey, inform your bank about your vacation, and also ask them about the fee they charge on foreign transactions.

Not Keeping Track of Your Reservation Details

It is recommended to keep your itinerary, safely in your bag or the best way is to keep an electronic copy on your phone. This saves you from the hassle of finding your reservation details every-time you visit a new place. Also, don’t depend on printing copies, as you might not find a printer everywhere.

Not Checking Visa Requirements

Imagine getting turned away at a foreign airport, which would not only be a waste of your money and time, but would ruin your vacation. That is why it’s always better to check for all visa requirements before you book your ticket. There are several online websites where you can do this, or even consult a travel agency like Travel agency in Raleigh, to help you in this matter.


Not Keeping Your Valuables Safe

Getting robbed is the last thing you want to deal with on a trip. There are several countries and cities, where thieves are quite common, so it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Keep all your valuables such as cash, passport, electronics, and other items in a safe place. You can also buy anti-theft bags to stay extra safe.

Traveling alone is not easy because there are several things to take care of, besides yourself. You are responsible for your belongings and you can’t rely on anyone to handle your things. You must be aware and alert throughout your trip.