Travel Tips I Learned the Hard Way, So You Don’t Have To

I’ve learned most of my travel lessons the hard way. Missed trains. Lost luggage. One memorable trip where my suitcase went to an entirely different country and enjoyed a longer holiday than I did.

Here’s everything I wish someone had told me before I paid for these lessons in stress.

Before the trip

Check your passport expiry date. Many countries require it to be valid for several months beyond your travel dates. Check entry requirements for your destination on official government sources, not a random blog from five years ago.

Get travel insurance. I used to think it was optional. Then I needed it. It is not optional.

Photograph your important documents and store copies somewhere you can reach from any device.

Tell your bank you’re travelling, and carry more than one way to pay.

Packing

Pack a change of clothes, your medication, chargers and essentials in your hand luggage. If your suitcase goes on its own adventure, you’ll survive the first day or two.

Roll your clothes. Pack less than you think. You will not wear the third pair of shoes. You never wear the third pair of shoes.

A small portable charger has saved me more times than I can count.

At the airport

Arrive earlier than you think you need to. Airports have a magical ability to turn a relaxed morning into a sprint.

Keep your documents somewhere you can reach easily without unpacking your entire bag at the security line.

While you’re there

Learn a few words of the local language: hello, please, thank you, sorry. It goes a long way, and people appreciate the effort even if your pronunciation is terrible. Mine certainly is.

Respect local customs, especially around dress and behaviour at religious sites.

Download offline maps before you go, in case you lose signal or data.

Money

Use a card with low foreign transaction fees if you can. Carry a little local cash for small purchases. Keep emergency money somewhere separate from your main wallet.

The most important tip

Something will go wrong. A delay, a wrong turn, a closed restaurant. Build a little flexibility into your plans, and remember that the things that go wrong often become your best stories.

My suitcase came back eventually, by the way. It looked well-rested.

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