What to do and what not to do while travelling | Travel tips and tricks | Advance Travel guide

Not everyone is a born traveller, most of us when beginning makes a lot of mistakes. But the best part about human nature is we learn from our mistakes. 

This is a long process the experience of foolish behaviour, unawareness, countless forgotten things. You learn every time and then one day you are on the road like a fish in the ocean. Then my friend you become a traveller.

This is a time taking process, let's speed things up. I will be sharing some travelling tips that will help you out on your next trip. I have personally integrated these tips, and trust me, this has made a lot of difference.

I am sure you have already come across some of these tips before. Even so, I suggest go through all of it and by the end of this post you're definitely going to bookmark this page.

Keep in mind these tips are for travellers who are travelling on a limited budget.

So, let's get going...

• Always make a travel list

It may not sound necessary but it is necessary, just trust me on this. How often do we forget things and later regret them? I still remember I once forgot my power bank and by the time I reached my destination my phone was out of power. And once I forgot my camera, can't believe how I freaked out I was I thought I lost it on the way.

Don't repeat all such mistakes and plan a list of things to carry.

• Plan a Basic Itinerary

Before you plan anything further, plan a basic Itinerary, This will help you get the most out of your trip. Keep plenty of holes, space for activities and you don't need to be hard and fast on it. Just plan a basic one, an Itinerary with a lot of activities may make your trip hectic and stressful. And that is the last thing you want.

• Plan your trip around local events

If you really want to make the best out of your vacation plan your destination around the time when local events are happening in the town. Maybe it will be overcrowded then, but you will get to witness local culture and get the opportunity to interact with many people. When you interact with localities you may get to know about local sites to visits, local cuisines to have, easy and cheap accommodations to get and much more.

Perhaps you may not get all that but you will get a local friend to hang out with.

• Do not over plan

Don't overcrowd your activities one after the other, maybe the sunset now is more intimidating than the laser show after 15minutes(you know where I am getting from). So just enjoy wherever you are whatever you are doing. You are there to relax and enjoy, just do that.

• Have a good travel gear

Having good travel gear is really essential. A good backpack that has good weight distribution will never make you tired and will keep you going. Good water repellent trekking shoes will keep your feet comfortable and give you the versatility to foot on every terrain.

These little things count and will change your travel experience a lot different.

I will be writing on the essentials a traveller or a backpacker should have.

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• Wear good comfortable clothes while travelling

While travelling you have to be comfortable. Wearing jeans and a shirt while travelling on a bus, on a 12-hour long journey... Not so comfortable right, so, be wise and wear something comfortable. Comfortable like a loose t-shirt, track pants, joggers or even shorts if you like.

You will find yourself more confident, energetic and agile in activities.

• Travel through Public Transport

Travel by public transport will not only save you money also you will be more comfortable and relaxed during your journey. Travelling on public transport like bus or a train will keep you well-rested and will make you more energetic for activities when you reach your destination. Even if you are travelling with family or friends, you will enjoy yourself a lot more on the road.

And for me, I think मंज़िल से ज्यादा मजा सफर में हैं. Joy is on the journey not on the destination.

• Do not book your ride in advance

I have often found that booking buses or taxis in advance is not a wise decision. you will be charged 10-15% more in advance booking, no matter how you book. Getting a bus on the very own day from the depot will cost you a bit less as most buses are eager to leave while they are still having empty seats.

So, go to the depot and get buses on the same day.

• Pool your ride

If you are not comfortable with public transport carpooling is a very good option. Oil prices are touching the sky and travelling alone is boring as well as costly.

So, pool your ride with friends, family, colleagues or strangers if you are comfortable.

• Don't fly direct

A direct flight may save a bit of time but if you plan your flights, some indirect flights will save you some money too and you can add that to your activity budget.

This is not always true but checking this beforehand is always a good option.

• Book flights 2-3 months advance

Booking flights 2-3 months in advance comes with a lot of benefits.

1. You will get good deals

1. You will get a better seat as you like

1. You can always ask for an upgrade while getting boarding tickets.

This will make your flight a lot more comfortable and enjoyable. Well, anything for free will always give you a smile.

• Travel at night

If you want to save some money travel at night. So, the next morning when you reach your destination you can easily go local sightseeing and find good, cheap accommodations. If you travel during day time you will reach you destination by evening and then get any accommodation without looking for options and go there and just sleep.

So, what you did is just travel and sleep.

If you are really out there to get the most out of your vacation do travel at night. Rest in the bus or train, This will save you both money and time.

• Pack light

The mistake almost all of us do, we overpack. And most of the time we don't even use half of what we pack.

Get this clear you are there for a vacation not there to settle down for your entire life.

Pack only essentials and just a few clothes. Obviously, you are going to shop wherever you go. Keep that in mind.

As I told you before, I will write a blog on the essentials to pack. So, stay tuned and follow.

• Carry a basic First-AID kit

This is the most necessary thing. Always carry a basic First-AID kit while travelling. Numerous times I have seen people get sick and sometimes get minor injuries while doing activities.

It would be really great if you carry one. Not much just a few bandages, basic medication for fever and motion sickness, some antiseptics. Just go to the nearest chemist or pharmacy he will set you up.

It cost only pennies for that matter.

You can travel and enjoy yourself a lot more without any worries. I remember I have injured myself at times, but it eventually became a fun story as we always carried first aid.

• Carry extra copies of your IDs

You never know where you will be needing them. Maybe at the time of hotel booking or maybe for the activity, you are travelling for. Running here and there in the market for a copy can be stressful and I thought you were there to relieve your stress.

So, Just carry them and keep one in your bag, one in your wallet.

• Carry a water bottle

You can get packaged water anywhere. But, plastic is just environmental waste, we all agree on that. And anywhere? that's really a stretch. if you think you can find packaged water anywhere, then my friend you have not been to places. At some places, it becomes difficult even to find water let alone clean drinking water.

Getting a good water bottle is never a bad idea. Get a good quality thermos flask, it will be a good investment and you'll never regret it.

• Make sure to wear sunscreen

Mountains or beaches, Sun is gonna tan you. After a tan, you will be left alone singing "Kaale hai to kya Hua Dil wale hai"(A Hindi song).

Keep tanning aside sunburns are really harsh on your skin and really painful too. Make sure you pack sunscreen in your utility bag. Pack in some glares too while you are at that, as the sun is harsh on your eyes too.

• Try to make most of the payments through cards

This is mainly to keep your accounts in check. Use no-fee cards and keep a check on offers. Sometimes some cards offer cashback on certain payments.

If you are travelling in a group Splitwise is a great app to evenly distribute all expenses. All my friends use it. I use it even if I am travelling alone and paying cash anywhere, It helps me keep track of my expenses on a trip.

GET YOUR AMAZON BUSINESS ACCOUNT NOW!!

• Always carry some Emergency cash

Make most of your payments through cards but also carry cash as not all accept cards. Moreover, keep some emergency cash somewhere other than your wallet. It will help you in unfavourable situations.

• Don't book accommodations beforehand

Some of you may think booking in advance will give you peace of mind and will get you a good deal. Totally not true, Yes it will give peace of mind but it will not save you, In fact, you will be paying more. Some sites charge 10-15% more on online bookings or on-call bookings.

If you go out and look, you will find that you can get accommodation for significantly less.

So, don't be stupid and travel at night go and search for accommodation after you reach your destination.

• Choose your accommodations looking at merits and demerits

There are a bunch of options out there if you are looking for a good stay. Hotels, resorts, camps, hostels, bunks and what not. Heck, there are even Igloos and huts to stay.

But come on, most of the travellers go and look for Airbnb.

Well, not for me. it usually depends on what I want. Every place has its own merits and demerits.

Like for Airbnb

• Stay in hostels

If you are a friend or you are travelling solo, staying in a hostel would be a good option. You will be saving some money as you are there just to sleep. I usually prefer to stay in hostels and get a bunk bed.

• Always pack in a Towel

You never know when you will need it. it's often a good idea to pack one in. A small hand towel if not big

• Learn basic phrases

No matter where you are travelling learning some phrases is always a good option. It will help you to establish friendly behaviours among the local people and you can get help in many ways. Come on, a friendly "hello", "Good morning", "how is your day?", etc. how hard these phrases will be? Just use google translate, it will get you there.

Don't rely on google translate too much it usually messes up the pronunciation and there is no way to get the accent as of now.

• Don't walk into expensive or popular restaurants

Popular restaurants are there to do business which will earn only for one individual. These are damn costly and some of them don't even serve the local cuisine. Moreover, you won't find a good taste of the cuisine they make.

If you are really out there to explore, experience the local culture and food, don't think twice head to local small restaurants.

• Eat street food

If you really want to save some money, enjoy the local food and culture, interact with people, go to the streets, and have some street food. this will cost significantly less and you will get to have a variety of food. Meanwhile, interact with locals, ask them about their lifestyle, ask them about the place and sites that are less visited but have the natural grace of the place.

• Do not overstuff yourself

Sometimes the food is so good we overeat. this happens to me all the time. My friends always tell me "we'll eat less" I always nod to the "yeah, yeah" and at the same time I order some more food. They always look at me with a frown like, "What the hell!". You can surely make a meme out of the real scenario.

Getting to the point, overeating may cause dizziness and laziness as your digestive system is now working hard to digest all that food. You'll also feel tired and less energetic for a while. This will defeat the wanderlust you have.

So, I suggest eating just adequate perhaps a little less than full.

• Never be afraid to ask for an upgrade/discounts

Wherever you are, whatever service you are using ask for an upgrade or some discounts. As a consumer, you can bargain too for certain services.

For instance, if you have prior booking or hotels or flights, ask for an upgrade. If you are at a restaurant for deals or combo meals.

Asking will never make you regret it. I have personally asked many times and usually got good deals (From my perspective of things).

• Lunchtime is the best time to visit sites

Yes, you heard me right, lunchtime is the best time to visit sites. Most of the tourists are having food and relaxing and these places will be less crowded. So, this is the best time to put on your shoes and get going to have the scenic views of your destination.

• Be open to strangers

Be open to strangers, get a little friendly with them. These local strangers will serve as a local guide for you. they can help you have an insight of the place, what to do, what not to do, where to stay, what food to have, etc. So be welcoming to strangers, Some maybe are helpful in situations too.

• But keep up the guard

Get friendly with strangers but stay cautious of those who are getting over-friendly with you. Some are out there just to bite you. There are often travel scams that they take on with travellers. Always keep your guard up.

• Avoid taxis

Taxis always bust the budget. Unless and until it is absolutely necessary do not waste your money on a taxi.

• Get a bike/cycle for local travel

Having a tour of the city has been made easy by these rental bikes. Almost every major tourist destination has some vendors offering bikes for rent, grab one and paddle your way around the city.

If not you do have two legs, just take a walking tour of the city.

• Be frugal, but not cheap

Don't make a fool of yourself just for the sake of saving money. You are there to enjoy, so don't miss out on the right things and save only where it is necessary.

• Take a lot of Photographs

Building memorabilia is really very important, take a lot and lots of pictures. More of the place, people, activities, and culture than yourself.

• Last but not least

Be patient, be respectful and relax.