Top 31 Travel Mistakes Even Travelers pro make. Are you one of them?

Do you wish to avoid the most common travel mistakes? I wrote this post as an excellent reminder of the most important things you should consider when planning your trip and right before traveling. I suggest you save it as a travel checklist so you remember it. It’s also a reminder to myself.

Although a few points on the list below may seem obvious, they aren’t, especially for experienced travelers. Yeah, you read it right. Pro travelers, myself included, tend to be more at risk of making those rookie mistakes because we are more confident and pay less attention to details. It makes sense if you think about it.

Despite being on the road since 2017, traveling for pleasure, and working multiple times since I was an adult, I have been a very messy traveler. I get to the destination unprepared. However, in my case, it’s not such a big deal because I travel slowly, and if I need to remember to book a tour, I can always wait and do it the following week.

Except this time. I am in the Azores for the summer, and I waited until the last minute to book a place on an island I wanted to visit, but it’s now booked out. The funny part is that I knew it, and it’s one of the main advice I share in my guides. You go figure! The paradox of the paradoxes.

So, I am writing this post on the most common travel mistakes to help you avoid running your vacations. Some mistakes are, in fact, easy to fix, but others can break your vacation, and we don’t want that, right?

So don’t be me and read these valuable reminders before planning your next trip.

30 most essential travel mistakes to avoid

1. Overpacking

Bringing too much can lead to heavy, cumbersome luggage and extra fees. Pack light and intelligently, focusing on versatile items. Packing cubes can be helpful for keeping your bags organized, but I notice I save more space when I don’t use them.

That is because I squeeze small stuff into corners and cracks between clothes and optimize space. But it’s up to you. Packing cubes can be a great way to save time when searching for an item.

You know exactly where it is, where I always have to throw everything out of the bag because I never remember where I put stuff.

2. Not Researching Destinations

This is one of my biggest mistakes. I keep postponing the research, and I always miss some incredible site or leave it for the last minute. However, failing to research your destination can also result in cultural misunderstandings. Learn about local customs, attractions, and weather before planning.

A thorough research can also help avoiding difficult situations or even misshappenings.

3. Ignoring Travel Insurance

I am always prepared on this one. Having travel insurance gives me peace of mind. Of course, I hope I never use it. But having it makes me feel comfortable, knowing that if anything happens, I will be covered. I always get coverage for medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and lost belongings.

I have been using SafetyWing as I found it to be the best for what I need. I have recently found TRAVEL INSURANCE MASTER, an excellent site for comparing different insurance companies. Make sure you read carefully what’s included before making the purchase

4. Overplanning

While planning is essential, overscheduling can leave no room for spontaneity. Balance your itinerary with free time to explore and be open to changes. Oh, I love changes of plans so much! Book the tours that are essential for your trip, but keep an open mind and get inspired by the things you see and the people you meet.

Maybe you go on a tour, and the guide suggests other off-the-beaten-path places you were unaware of, such as restaurants, museums, or trails.

I love to be surprised and open to change. It’s the best part of the trip.

5. Not planning at all

Conversely, not planning enough can lead to missed sights and unpreparedness. Research key attractions and logistics ahead of time. Making a raw plan can help you figure out how many days you need and how much you can see.

Also, by planning ahead, you can secure hotel deals or tours that may otherwise be full. The best choice is to strike a good balance between planning and being open to new opportunities.

6. Not Checking Passport Validity

Many countries require passports to be valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates. Check your passport well in advance of your trip.

7. Forgetting About Visas

Some destinations require visas that can take time to process. Check visa requirements and apply early to avoid last-minute issues.

8. Currency Exchange Mistakes

Avoid exchanging money at airports, where rates are usually poor. Use ATMs or local banks for better rates. If available, get some local currency money from your bank before leaving your country.

9. Not Learning Basic Local Phrases

Knowing a few basic phrases in the local language can go a long way. It shows respect and can help in everyday situations. Usually locals love when tourists try to speak their language, except from french people that are notoriously picky with foreign accent. I though it was a legend but I have personally experienced that. It was hilarious.

10. Neglecting Health Precautions

If you are taking any life-saving prescription medicine, make sure you take them with you in your hand bags with the doctor prescription in case of any issue at the airport security check. Also if you know that you may need some specific medicine during your trip, it’s best to take them with you so you don’t have to spend any time searching for them.

11. Booking Flights with Tight Layovers

Tight layovers increase the risk of missing connecting flights. Allow sufficient time between flights to account for delays. If you book connecting flights with the same ticket and miss the connection, the airline must cover any expenses related to missed flights.

On the contrary, if you book two separate tickets, meaning two separate bookings, and you miss the connecting flight, you are not covered.

So, keeping a generous amount of time between flights helps prevent any missing flights and consequently, money loss.

12. Not Understanding Local Transportation

Learning how to move around in a new destination can be a bit overwhelming. Every city’s local bus system is different, and not everywhere can you find it in an app or Google. Certainly not in Cancun, Mexico, for example. However, if you travel in the US or the majority of European cities, it may be easier.

When it comes to taxi every country has their preferred apps, like for example, the most common taxi apps in Italy are different then taxi apps in Ireland or in the UK. You could do some research or ask your host what they recommend.

Also, in some destinations, buses are better than trains or vice versa. I would rely on bloggers’ advice for this information because it comes from personal experience.

13. Not Backing Up Important Documents

Keep digital and physical copies of important documents like passports, visas, and itineraries. Store them separately in case of loss or theft. I have learned this the hard way.

Actually, this is something that I always recommend doing, but I didn’t, and when I got robbed near Sayulita in Mexico, I lost my documents and credit cards in a ridiculous way.

If I had all my documents backed up, it would have been easier.

14. Forgetting to Notify Your Bank

Inform your bank of your travel dates and destinations to avoid having your cards blocked for suspicious activity. Some banks automatically block credit cards when they see unusual movements from different countries. This activity is flagged as suspicious, and in order to protect their clients, they automatically block your card.

Also while checking with your bank ask if your card offer car rental insurance and what are the conditions. This will allow you to save a lot of money if you rent a car.

15. Not Checking Mobile Phone Plans

Ensure your phone plan covers international usage, or get a local SIM card to avoid exorbitant roaming charges.

16. Ignoring Local Laws and Customs

Research local laws and customs to avoid inadvertently offending or getting into trouble. Respect local norms and dress codes, for example, when you travel to Muslim countries as a woman. It’s always best to blend in rather than stand out as a tourist.

17. Overlooking Safety Precautions

Stay aware of your surroundings, secure valuables, and avoid risky areas. Travel insurance is always a good help for peace of mind, but it’s best to prevent issues.

When I talk about safety, it’s not only about robbery or scams; it’s also about environmental hazards, such as when you go hiking by yourself or weather-caused dangers.

Make sure you foresee some unpleasant situations and make the necessary arrangements.

For example, if you go hiking alone, let your hotel reception or host know where you are, and you can also share your live location with a friend.

But you should also investigate about the territory, about wildlife, kind of terrain or any possible hazards in the area. Basically don’t be naive or too brave. Being a bit fearful keeps you safe and precautious.

18. Not Keeping Track of Time Zones

Jet lag and time zone differences can disrupt plans. Plan for rest and adjust to local time to minimize its impact. Some people take melatonin. I don’t, but you can talk to your doctor or therapist if it’s a good idea if you are badly impacted by the jetlag.

19. Skipping Travel Reviews

Read reviews of hotels, restaurants, and tours, but take them with a grain of salt. Although they can prevent unpleasant surprises and help you choose better options, remember that it’s more frequent for somebody who had a bad experience to write than for a happy customer. Also, bad experiences can happen for many reasons, and it’s not always the tour company or the hotel to blame.

Employers are a company’s face, and it wouldn’t be unfair if an employer who has a bad day or a bad reputation ruins the company’s reputation.

Multiple negative comments, though, can be a sign that you may want to make your reservation with somebody else.

20. Mismanaging Travel Budget

Not budgeting correctly can lead to running out of money or spending more than what you have planned. Keeping track of your expenses can be a great help to stay on track. I use an app called Expensify, which I find pretty helpful. But there are many apps out there that help you track, or a simple Excel sheet may do the job.

21. Failing to Relax and Enjoy

Travel can be stressful; tell me about that! I travel for work, so while my relatives believe I am always on vacation, I am constantly stressed out.

Please remember to relax and enjoy the experience, even if it’s not going as planned. It doesn’t matter. It’s a vacation, and you are supposed to take it easy, free your mind from work worries and life responsibilities, and enjoy discovering a new place.

And if it rains when you are supposed to go hiking or go for a swim, you will get wet anyway. 🙂 Flexibility and a positive attitude go a long way.

22. Not splurging

We have talked about the risk of going out of budget before, but I would also indulge in splurging a little bit and include it in the budget, which is why I always recommend budget planning ahead of time. It’s your vacation, your free time, and you deserve to treat yourself to a nice hotel or treatment or an expensive tour if that’s what makes you happy.

When my income exploded, I decided to treat myself to an arctic cruise to swim with killer whales in Norway that cost a fortune if I looked at it with my “regular salary” mindset. But at that time, I could afford it without stretching it, and although it seemed like an outrageous amount of money, I thought I deserved it and it wouldn’t have hurt my lifetime goals.

Also, I am obsessed with whales and orcas, which was a lifetime occasion that I shouldn’t let go of. Although I was happy with the experience, I regret not doing better research. If I did, I would have saved 20% of the cost. I booked with a photographer who was organizing the trip, and I didn’t realize until I was on the boat that he inflated the original rate to make his earnings without offering any extra services, such as photography sessions or any additional perks, from those who booked directly with the company.

I come from the tourist industry and know how these things work. Tour organizers get retail prices from the operator to add their commission and still offer competitive rates. Or if they need to pay extra costs, they provide additional services.

In my case, it was nothing like that. I paid an extra 20% for no reason to pay for his trip and more.

It was my fault for not having done any research. I got excited about swimming with the orcas, and I actually had a fantastic experience that I will repeat next year but paying much less. So the message here is:

Allow yourself to splurge for what you love, but do the due diligence and research to find the best deal.

23. not booking ahead

I usually love to book last minute, especially on long trips, so that I can decide how long I want to stay in one place first and then decide day by day. However, although it’s okay for me to do it because I live on the road, sometimes it costs me a lot of money because booking last minute doesn’t leave the most affordable options available, and I end up spending double the price or not being able to find anything at all.

If you are traveling for a week or two vacation, I would recommend not only planning ahead but also booking your accommodation ahead of time to secure the best options, which are usually the cutest places at affordable rates. They are usually the first to go.

Once you decide where you want to travel and find the hotel or home that you like, compare prices among different platforms and secure your space. Before making your reservation, make sure you check the cancellation policy and the booking terms and conditions.

24. Rushing Things Out

When you travel, you want to see as much as possible—I get it. However, consider a slow kind of travel. Enjoy sitting in a cafe and watching life go by, enjoy the views of a lookout point, indulge in a local restaurant, or spend time with new friends that you met on a tour, for example. Make time to actually enjoy the place instead of rushing to the next one.

25. having too high or wrong expectation

Setting high expectations comes naturally, but sometimes, it can lead to disappointment. If you have never been to a place, you never know how it may turn out for you.

You may have seen spectacular Instagram pictures with blue and sunny skies, but maybe when you get there, it’s cloudy, and the setting changes completely.

Keep your expectations low and stay open to what’s coming, appreciating the place for what it is. You will have a happier and more positive experience, which, most of the time, may exceed expectations.

26. not staying hydrated

It doesn’t matter where you are traveling, it’s easy to forget about healthy habits, including hydration. Make sure you keep a refillable water bottle with you, whether it’s a water filter bottle or simply a refillable one, it’s the best way to keep some water with you to drink throughout the day.

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27. Overdoing

I believe in the power of sleeping enough hours to be able to enjoy your time exploring more and with more energy. I get that you want to see as much as possible, but if you are tired and sleepy, what’s the point? You will also risk getting sick more easier if you are weak and tired.

28. Eating only in tourist restaurants

It’s easy to fall into the trap of touristy restaurants that look pretty and chic but don’t offer the best food. Unfortunately, those are usually located in the most strategic and convenient spots, such as near the Arena di Verona, in Milan around the Duomo, and in the center of every capital city.

A great way to find a local restaurant that offers authentic, quality food is to go off the beaten path or ask locals. If I go on a tour, I ask the guide where they would usually go to eat, or if you rent a house, you can ask your host. Doing what locals do is the best way to find the best places to eat at reasonable prices.

29. not having emergency cash with you

Even though credit cards are generally accepted, it’s a good practice to keep some cash with you in case of an emergency. In some places, they don’t accept cards, or your card gets stolen, or it doesn’t work for any reason. You never know.

Also, just to be safe, I would spread the cash and different cards in different bags.

30. Avoiding talking to locals

The best way to get to know a country and its culture is by talking to locals, preferably not people who work with tourists. Go to markets or local shops and ask questions; feel if the person is keen on chatting and engaging. Talk about the weather and the places, and ask questions. I do it all the time, and it makes me feel like I am a local. Say thank you and smile, especially if you don’t speak the language. But also try a few words and use Google Translate to help you find the right one.

31. Relying exclusively on guidebooks

Guidebooks are great. When the Internet was not a thing, The Lonely Planet was my bible. However, nowadays, I also rely on multiple online resources, such as travel blogs and local sites. For example, my Cancun Travel Site is spot on in everything about Cancun because I lived there.

When you read a blog, make sure you check out when the post was updated and if the person was actually there, and when. It’s easy to spot scammers and to understand if they are writing from experience or not.

Guidebooks are great for reading about history, culture, and landmarks, but when it comes to local places and off-the-beaten-path itineraries, I will rely more on bloggers like me. Oh! Well, I know I may be biased, but if I didn’t believe in my tips, what am I doing here?