This post will provide helpful travel tips for first time travellers. With the aim of being truly helpful, these travel tips are actionable and useful to first time travellers (or anyone that just needs a gentle reminder).
If you're preparing for your very first time travelling, congratulations! What an exciting time. I've prepared some of the best travel tips for you. If you've travelled before or are travelling again after a long period, welcome! I hope these travel tips will help you as well.
Travel tips for first time travellers
These tips are designed to simple and actionable...and realistic. I didn't want to create a list of the 50,000 best travel tips because 1) I know you won't read it. 2) Because you don't need 50,000 tips to travel well.
I'm focussing on the most important travel tips that will help a first time traveller on their first adventure. The tips are separated into three stages:
- Planning
- The journey
- The destination
Planning the trip
Planning is often the most intimidating part of travel. Where are you going? Where are you staying? Can you afford it? Will it even be worth it? These are all questions that you would tackle in the planning stage of a trip.
I know, I know...it's not "cool" to plan. But start by planning. If you're not a seasoned traveller, or being hosted by close friends/family for the duration of your trip, doing some planning will go a long way in terms of the enjoyment of your trip.
And here's the thing about planning that everyone forgets to mention. If you plan well, you'll be more likely to able to enjoy your first trip that much more. Why? Because you've taken care of the majority of potential issues before you've even left your home!
1. Start with your budget
Budgeting is the least sexy part of planning any sort of trip (...or anything really). But once you've set your intentions to travel, you need to set your budget. In some ways, your budget will determine what you can do, and where you can stay making the rest of your planning easier.
This doesn't mean you can enjoy your holiday. Or that you shouldn't plan a stay at that luxurious all-inclusive resort you've been eyeing. You just need to make a plan for how much money you have available for your travel, accommodation, and necessities. And then add on the amount you feel appropriate for "holiday spending", and finally set aside a little cash to carry with you (this is twice as important if you're travelling to the developing world where credit cards may not be accepted at some places).
Call your bank. If you're travelling internationally, give your banker a quick call before you begin your trip. A lot of banks will automatically pause credit cards if they see them being used in places they've not been used before.
Additional fees. Depending on your credit card, you may be charged foreign transaction fees anytime you're in a foreign country.
2. Bureaucratic madness
Depending on where you're from and what passport you hold, this can be a very easy step...or a maddeningly frustrating one. Make sure all your travel documents are in order. Typically, this involves two documents:
Passport. Make sure you have a valid passport, and that it will not be expiring any time close to your travels, or even just after you're scheduled to return home - I was once denied entry to a country because my passport was set to expire five months after I was scheduled to leave it.
Visas. Visas are such a pain. If you're a US, UK, EU or Canadian citizen, you have it easy. Generally speaking, you won't need a visa for a lot of popular locations, or you will be able to obtain a visa on arrival. This isn't always the case so make sure to check any entry or visa requirements prior to travelling.
For my friends carrying passports that require visas to enter everywhere, I feel your pain. That was the first 30 years of my life (and then I became a Canadian). Make sure to give yourself a few months to sort out all your travel documents.
3. Travel insurance
One more little financial thing before we get to the fun stuff. Buying travel insurance is annoying. Unless you suffer from certain medical conditions, it's relatively cheap. But it's annoying spending money on something with the aim of never having to use it.
Get it anyway.
The thing about international travel is that anything can happen. It can be as small as an airline losing your luggage. An unexpected accident. Or something much more catastrophic.
Pro tip: You don't always need to buy travel insurance separately. It may be something you already have:
Credit card. Many credit cards, especially travel credit cards with an annual fee, include some sort of travel insurance.
Work perks. If you are employed, make sure to check your company benefits plan. A lot of companies offer their employees free (or heavily discounted) travel insurance. The catch? You need to notify them and activate it each time you travel.
4. Book in advance
Unless you're intentionally waiting for last minute deals, it's almost always better to get all your bookings done in advance. Booking your plane/train/bus tickets and your accommodation are your biggest priorities. (You'll generally also get better prices if you book much further in advances.)
Once your tickets and hotel/hostel/friend's home/etc. are booked, you can start looking at any other activities you'd like to do and making advanced bookings as necessary. For example, booking a guide in advance is something I'd recommend.
The exception to this rule is when you're travelling somewhere specifically to do something. In which case, you'll need to book that activity in conjunction with your tickets and accommodation.
If you're less adventurous, very introverted/reserved, or easily lost, you may want to consider booking a guide for yourself.
5. Itinerary
If you've never travelled before you may not know what to do once you get somewhere new. Sometimes when you're only used to the familiar, the unfamiliar can cause you to freeze or feel somewhat muddled.
Having an itinerary is should be like having a supportive but not intrusive friend. A good travel itinerary will allow you as much or as little time to explore as you want, but will also add some structure to your trip. That way anytime you start to feel foggy about what's next, all you need to do is check your itinerary.
6. Packing
I always suggest you pack light. It makes life easier at the airport, it means you have to keep track of fewer things, and you have less to worry about on the trip. Of course, there are several caveats to this - you may be travelling for a long time, or will be in need of specific clothing or equipment.
While you should pack light, you should also make sure to pack for your destination and your trip. If you're going to luxury holiday resort, take a few swankier outfits. If you're planning an adventurous hike, grab your hiking boots, and maybe even a few different types of bandages.
Packing cubes are a great way of organizing your suitcases. They're cheap and keep everything in order. If you're taking a carry-on bag, make sure to have a TSA (or your local version) compliant one as well as a clear bag and mini bottle for any liquids.
If you're backpacking, then pack as light as possible. One thing worth packing is a copy of your passport as well as copies of any important documents you need. I usually keep soft copies on my iPhone and laptop, but if you're travelling somewhere where wifi isn't easily accessible or if you may not always have access to your electronics, keep hard copies in your luggage.
7. A little research
It's always prudent to do a little research before travelling. I'm not talking about researching to find where in Paris the Eiffel Tower is located. But rather, do a little research to learn the local customs or some of the basics of the different culture you may be entering.
Understanding the local culture better prepares you for what will be your surroundings while abroad. This could mean learning what is considered an appropriate dress code where you're going; it could be understanding major differences in the local laws of your destinations. And it can even help you with safety tips like not looking like a tourist...meaning you'll be less of a target for thieves.
The Journey
All done with your planning. Your bookings are made, and your bags are packed. Woohoo! Now it's time for your journey (some might say it's just as important as the destination).
8. Don't be scared
It's natural to feel fear or apprehension when you're embarking on any kind of voyage. That's not a bad thing, your fear response is designed to keep you safe. Just don't let it run wild! Fear can deter you from experiencing a lot of wonderful things. You're trying something new, be excited! If you followed the instructions in the planning stage, you're already ready for most things that could potentially go wrong.
9. Be on time
Trains, planes, and buses have a horrible habit of being delayed. When this happens you're mostly expected to wait around. Unfortunately, the reverse isn't true for you. If you're late, they'll just leave without you. Be on time...and when it comes to travel, on-time means early.
This applies to any tours and activities you book for the most part too.
10. Carry some essentials
While I hope your journey is smooth, eventualities do sometimes happen. My flight leaving Qatar was overbooked some years ago and the airline kept moving me to a different flight due to the number of other passengers that were displaced, and transferring my checked bag to the new flight. This meant I was without my luggage for almost three days.
Depending on your destination, you may want to carry a change of clothes or chargers for your different devices, and of course any important medicine. A reusable water bottle is always handy.
The Destination
You've made it! Hopefully you had a smooth journey, but even if you didn't, you're finally at your destination. Have a great holiday and make the most of your time. These last few travel tips are focussed on what to do once you've reached your destination to make sure that you have a fun and safe visit.
11. Jet lag
If you've never travelled between time zones before, you likely haven't experienced jet lag. It can feel quite debilitating. Keep this mind, and don't be too hard on yourself if you find yourself feeling unusually tired on the first couple of days of your trip.
12. Get your bearings
A new place means plenty to see or do. But the first thing you may consider is just getting an understanding of your surroundings. It'll make it easier to move around later, as well as to get back to your hotel at any point.
For example, when I first moved to Toronto, I had a lot of trouble knowing where in the city I was. A friend gave me a fantastic tip: Look for the CN tower, and use it as a starting point to figure out where you are.
If you're as forgetful as I am, you might even consider writing down the address of the place you're staying at. Extra brownies points if write the address in English for yourself, but have your hotel receptionist write it for you in the local language of the country you're visiting too (I wouldn't necessarily recommend flashing your address to everyone...this is just a failsafe in case you can't find your way back home!).
13. Be safe
As an old teacher once told me, common sense isn't very common. Sometimes in the excitement of travelling we can forget that not everyone is looking out for our best interests. Be mindful of that.
A very important travel tip for first time travellers (or really anyone) is to keep your wits about you.
In the same vein, it's sometimes a good idea to carry a little cash separate from your purse or wallet. Some recommend a money belt for this, or just tucking a little folded cash into your socks.
Of course this depends on where you are. If you're in an all-inclusive resort like Xcaret Arte, you don't need to worry about carrying any cash at all (they'll give you a bracelet to tap and charge things to your room).
14. Take it slow
I find the biggest mistake new travellers make is trying to do too much, too fast. It's a big world and it's easy to want to see all of it in one go. Take it easy on yourself. You have time. Prioritize seeing what you're most excited about, and then go from there. If you feel tired, take a rest day. I actually schedule rest days into any of my travel plans.
15. Make new friends
Social media the internet makes it so easy for us to stay connected with friends and family members that many don't realize that travelling is an incredible opportunity to meet new people.
Perfect spots for this are at your hotel or resort, and during guided tours or activities. I tend to be friendliest when I'm fed, so I often find myself saying hello to people after breakfast while I enjoy a cup of tea or coffee somewhere. (Note: Do not speak to me before breakfast and caffeine. You have been warned.)
16. Save a few memories
Try to take some photos and capture a few memories of your first trip. Even if you're not a big "Instagram-person", take some photos for yourself and your loved ones. You'll thank yourself for it later.
17. Smile
My last tip for first time travellers is possibly one of the most important. Cherish the trip. Enjoy it as much as you can.
Not everyone is fortunate enough to be able to travel abroad or even to be able to go on local holidays. Some parts of your trip may not go as planned, other parts may not live up to your assumptions. That's okay, go with the flow. Keep smiling, and carry on. You have many more adventures ahead of you. This is just the first one.
That's all for now. Enjoy your trip! And if you have more travel tips for first time travellers, please feel free to share in the comment below.
It's a big world, but we're never too far away! SIGN UP for the Travel & Chai newsletter, and follow Travel & Chai on Instagram and Pinterest to keep in touch.
Mohan says
Love these tips! First-time travelers can feel overwhelmed, but this guide makes it so much easier!
Mohan UAE says
Super useful! From currency exchange to navigating airports, these tips make international travel less intimidating!