My 45 Best Travel Tips from 14 Years of Travel

After traveling as a solo female to nearly every continent over the past 14 years and encountering both amazing and terrible travel experiences, I’ve learned that these are the best travel tips for having a great travel experience:

DO WHAT YOU WANT TO DO

You’ll figure out your travel style and what you like to do and what you don’t like to do as you go.  Some people like to stay in a city for a week, while some stay for a month or two.  Some people love museums, while some have little interest in museums.  There is no right or wrong travel style, so do what will ultimately make you happy.  But also…

BE ADVENTUROUS AND TRY NEW THINGS

There’s a chance you’ll only be in that foreign place once, especially while you’re young, so you might as well try new things.  Don’t be like the English guy I met in Thailand who told me he was there for a few months so he could relax, eat English breakfasts and watch football.  Great things happen outside of your comfort zone. 

TRAVEL SOLO

Doing what you want to do is a lot easier when you travel solo because you have the ultimate freedom.  And you meet so many more people than you would if you were traveling with someone.  With solo travel, whether you’re alone or not is often your choice- you can choose to be with others or you can choose to be by yourself.  I highly recommend solo travel to anyone and everyone, whether you’re 18 or 80, male or female, introvert or extrovert.  Everyone should experience solo travel at least once in their life because you learn independence, confidence, assertiveness and you really learn how to read people, which are essential life skills everyone should learn.  See Why I Prefer Solo Travel.

STAY IN HOSTELS

Not only to save money, but to meet great people.  You can stay in a dorm room or a private room, depending on your budget.  See How To Find A Good Hostel and Hostel Etiquette.

BE ADAPTABLE AND FLEXIBLE

Shit happens and things don’t always run smoothly.  Go with the flow and remember that even during the rough times, the good far outweighs the bad.

DON’T BE AFRAID TO GET LOST

It’s part of the fun and the adventure and you’ll discover new places.

BE SPONTANEOUS AND BE A “YES” PERSON

Don’t plan too much, be flexible and say “yes” to new adventures, experiences and opportunities (this applies at home too).  Know the key spots you want to see, but be open to new plans, places and people and go with the flow.  See The Best Travel Advice? Be Spontaneous.

TRAVEL TO DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

These countries will leave you with some of the most authentic and memorable cultural and local experiences.  I predominantly travel to developing countries because many of these countries are the most beautiful, fascinating and worthwhile.  And they’re often less touristy and untouched and much more budget friendly.  However, this doesn’t come without some culture shock and unique challenges.  See What To Expect While Traveling In Developing Countries.

TAKE DUKORAL

If you’re traveling in developing areas, take Dukoral before your trip.  Dukoral is an over-the-counter oral vaccine that coats and protects your stomach from travelers’ diarrhea, E. coli and cholera.

Surprisingly, many travelers haven’t heard of it, but I absolutely swear by it and I’ve never had any major stomach issues while backpacking places like South and Central America, Mexico, Africa, India, Southeast Asia and the Middle East, where I regularly indulge in street food, salad and fruit (while still using some precautions).

When I traveled to Egypt, the people who had taken Dukoral were fine, however, the people who did not take it got very sick and the trip was a lot less enjoyable for them.

LEARN HOW TO BARGAIN

The majority of the world operates on bargaining.  Get an idea of how much things should cost and bargain fairly.  You’ll save money and it teaches you important life skills.

TRY THE LOCAL FOOD

Especially the street food.  It’s super cheap and it’s the most authentic cuisine you can get.  And contrary to what we’re taught, it won’t make you sick, if you’re careful about which food stall you choose (pick a busy one).  See Legal Nomads How to Eat Street Food Without Getting Sick.

OBSERVE LIFE AROUND YOU AND PEOPLE WATCH

To get a feel for a place, park yourself in a cafe, a busy street corner or a park and watch life happen.

TRY THE LOCAL FOOD

Trying the local cuisine is a huge and great part of the traveling experience.  If you need to save money, cook some meals at the hostel and when you do go out, don’t eat in the touristy (ie. overpriced) areas.

PACK LIGHT

You really don’t need much, it’s easier and lighter when you’re always on the move and it leaves room for souvenirs.  And if you really need more, you can buy when you’re there.

DON’T PACK THINGS YOU REALLY CARE ABOUT

Your clothes can get trashed in the laundry, or even lost or stolen, and you will be sad.

LEARN A FEW PHRASES IN THE LOCAL LANGUAGE

The locals appreciate the effort.

BRING A STASH OF EMERGENCY CASH

At some point, in some place, your bank card and credit card won’t work.  Depending on where you are, this emergency stash should likely be US dollars or Euros.

BRING AT LEAST ONE EXTRA CREDIT CARD OR BANK CARD

And keep it separate from your wallet.  If you only bring one card and it gets lost or stolen, or if it doesn’t work at the ATMs, that’s a big problem.

ALWAYS BE AWARE OF YOUR THINGS AND SURROUNDINGS

To avoid pickpockets and unwanted situations.

ONLY CARRY WHAT YOU NEED ON A DAY/NIGHT OUT

Don’t bring hundreds of dollars in cash, or your bank card, credit card or passport if you don’t need them.

DRESS ACCORDING TO THE LOCAL CULTURE

You don’t want to offend the locals or attract unwanted attention or harassment.

Know the difference and know your audience.

INTERACT WITH THE LOCALS FOR AN AUTHENTIC EXPERIENCE

The people you meet while traveling often make the trip more than the sights do.

BRING EARPLUGS

Earplugs are life.  I couldn’t survive travel without them.  They’re an absolute must if you’re staying in hostels.

GO ON FREE WALKING TOURS

Many cities have them and they’re a great way to become orientated and learn about the city you’re visiting.  They can be hit and miss, but the great walking tours have far outweighed the bad.  Locals can take you to lots of cool places and give you tons of great local information, history, anecdotes and advice that you’d miss out on otherwise.  And if you’re a solo traveler, walking tours are a great way to meet people.  Always leave a tip at the end of the tour.

KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FRUGAL AND CHEAP

It’s important to watch your money, but also know the time and place.  Don’t be like the backpackers I met in Cambodia who tried to bargain to the death over a $1US dinner at a sit down restaurant (which is not an appropriate place to bargain) or the girls who I met in Laos who made a very dramatic scene over having to pay an extra $0.75US for a tuk tuk ride.

DON’T FEEL GUILTY ABOUT SPLURGING ONCE IN A WHILE

I’m a budget traveler because it allows me to travel longer and to more places; however, living on a tight budget gets old after a while, so it’s nice to treat yourself once in a while with a nice dinner or nicer accommodation.

PACK EXTRA UNDERWEAR

If you’re moving between cities quickly, it can be difficult to find the time to do laundry because sometimes the turnaround time is 24 hours, so pack extra underwear.  It doesn’t take up much space.

KEEP EMAILED COPIES OF YOUR PASSPORT, VISAS AND CREDIT CARDS

If something happens to them, this will make your life a lot easier.

BACK UP YOUR PHOTOS ONLINE

Just in case.

GET OFF THE BEATEN PATH

The best places are typically the least touristy and therefore the most authentic and memorable.  Also travel to the popular places, but don’t write off other places just because they’re not on the tourist trail.  Some of my favorite countries are Albania, Mexico (NOT the all-inclusive resort Mexico) and Palestine, but most people wouldn’t ever consider visiting these places.

VOLUNTEER

It’s a great way to interact and connect with locals and you’ll be rewarded with amazing experiences and memories.  BUT not all volunteer organizations are ethical, so you need to do your research.  See What To Know Before You Volunteer.

WEAR SUNSCREEN

Sunburns and skin cancer are very real things.

WEAR SANDALS/THONGS/FLIP FLOPS IN HOSTEL SHOWERS

You might be lucky if you don’t, but I’ve heard horror stories of warts and infections.

KEEP A JOURNAL

It can feel like a tedious chore at times, but you’ll be happy you did, especially once you’re older.  And it gives you something to do when you’re waiting for a plane, train or bus.

DON’T STAY TOO FAR OUTSIDE OF THE CITY ACTION (UNLESS THAT’S WHAT YOU PREFER) ONLY TO SAVE A LITTLE MONEY ON ACCOMMODATION

You’ll spend that same amount of money or more just to get to and from your accommodation and it’s also a waste of your precious travel time.

IF YOUR ACCOMMODATION DOESN’T HAVE FREE WI-FI, STARBUCKS, MCDONALDS AND CAFES ALWAYS DO. 

GET TRAVEL INSURANCE

Hopefully you won’t need it, but if your luggage is lost, if you have to end your trip early, or if you get sick, robbed or injured while traveling, travel insurance will have you covered.

USE COMMON SENSE

For example, just because a place doesn’t have a sign saying that it’s unsafe to enter, doesn’t mean that it’s safe to enter.  Developing countries lack these kinds of signs and precautions, making it a “survival of the fittest” lifestyle.

TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS

They don’t fail you.  If something doesn’t seem right, get out.  But at the same time, don’t be too paranoid.  The vast majority of people don’t want to harm you.

DON’T BE AFRAID TO BE ASSERTIVE

If you’re put in an uncomfortable or potentially dangerous situation.  The more you do it, the easier it gets.

DO YOUR RESEARCH ON TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

Many popular sights are unethical, exploitative (visiting the pygmies in Uganda), promote human trafficking (children at fake orphanages in Africa and Cambodia, and women at ping pong shows in Thailand) and animal cruelty (the Tiger Kingdom in Thailand and elephant riding around the world).

IF IT’S EXTREMELY HOT AND HUMID AND SWEATING IS UNAVOIDABLE, WEAR BLACK OR DARK COLORS

It seems counterproductive, but you’re going to be drenched in sweat regardless and black hides it well, which is especially nice when you’re in pictures, without obvious sweat stains.  Photos are for life.  For the love of god, do not wear grey.

TAKE LOTS OF PICTURES

It’s a great creative skill that you will continually improve on, so who cares if you look like a dorky tourist?  You’ll look back at all your amazing photos again and again and all your travel memories will come flooding in and make you so happy.  Whenever I look at my travel photos, I feel an instant surge of happiness.  But remember to enjoy the view without your camera as well.

TAKE PICTURES OF YOURSELF AND THE PEOPLE YOU MEET

Until a few years ago, I used to dislike pictures of myself, but I had to make more of an effort to take pictures of myself for my blog and now I actually enjoy it and have fun with it.  Even if you dislike pictures of yourself, I highly encourage you to take some anyway or you might regret it later on.  You’ll learn what works and what doesn’t and you may even start enjoying it too.  Landscape and architectural pictures are great, but sometimes having a person in these pictures gives perspective to the size and it adds life and personality.  And having some pictures of the awesome people you meet will always bring back the best memories.

KEEP IN TOUCH WITH LOVED ONES AT HOME

They miss you and worry about you.

 

If you experience post-travel blues when you get home, that means you had a great trip!  Here’s How To Deal With The Post-Travel Blues.

 

For budget and money saving tips, see How To Save Money For Travel, How to Save Money While Traveling and How to Plan Your Travel Budget.