I still remember my first trip overseas to Europe when I was 20. I was moving to Scotland for my semester abroad and didn’t know even half of what I know now when it comes to traveling. Being in new situations while traveling can cause you to grow and become more adaptable, but some situations won’t cause growth and will only cause major headaches.
I asked a group of seasoned travelers what is one thing they wish they would have known for their first international trip. I’ve consolidated their best tips for you so that you can avoid first-time traveler common mistakes.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Mistake #1: Carrying a lot of cash
Don’t carry a lot of cash.
Use ATM to withdraw money in the local currency (not USD, the rate is worse)
Also, don’t waste your time getting cash anywhere, 99% of places in the all countries I’ve been to take credit cards.
The traveling community is resoundingly united on this one. You do not need to head to your local Wells Fargo to take out euros before your trip to Europe. You will not likely not run into a place that does not credit cards while you’re abroad. If you do want to have cash in case you run into small shops or local stands that only take cash, withdraw it in the actual country at an ATM.
And while we’re on the subject, you should always choose to pay or withdraw in the local country’s currency to avoid paying a higher conversion rate.
Mistake #2: Using a credit card with foreign transaction fees.
Get a credit card with no foreign transaction fees.
Amex is not an option in most places in Europe.
If you’re not carrying hoards of cash, then you’re going to be using your card for your purchases. Make sure you’re using a card that doesn’t have foreign transaction fees as those can really add up over the course of a week-long vacation.
I love my Capital One Venture X card. Like ~I talk about it often and my friends don’t care anymore~ love it. The card has no foreign transaction fees and offers additional trip protections if you book certain things on your Venture X card (eg. Primary rental car insurance, trip cancellation insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, etc.) Use my link here to learn more.
Mistake #3: Thinking everything will go perfectly
Something always goes wrong. How you deal with it makes it a train wreck or adventure. Only broken bones, lots of blood, or attacks are emergencies.
So you’re on a Greek island and you crash your rental moped into the side of a wall and scratch it up a bit. Who hasn’t? (Or is that really just my husband and I?) What should you do? The moped still works just fine; take it out on your island joyride and when you return, ask your Airbnb host for their advice on how to handle the situation.
You may end up losing €200 but you still had an unforgettable day.
Mistake #4: Not preparing for the unexpected
Don’t leave the country without travel insurance!!
Travel insurance is a must!
When you’re a Basic Economy B, do you really need the extra expense of trip insurance? Yes, and let’s break it down.
If that aforementioned moped crash would have resulted in a medical injury to either of us, our US health insurance would not have covered a penny of that bill. The reimbursement aspects of the travel insurance are nice, but if it’s the international emergency medical coverage that makes trip insurance a must for savvy travelers.
TravelInsurance.com has disrupted the travel insurance industry in the best of ways for travelers. The site lets you search, compare, and ultimately purchase insurance from highly rated insurance providers. You can customize what fits your budget and your needs. And you’ll get the best rate thanks to TravelInsurance.com’s guaranteed lowest price.
Mistake #5: Overpacking
You only need half the clothing you think you need.
Only need 2 pairs of shoes – walking sneakers and sandals. Add fancy shoes if you’re going to an event but make sure you can walk in them a while.
A lot of experienced travelers have mastered the art of traveling just with a carry-on suitcase, and you can too. Bring things that layer and can be paired with multiple different pieces of clothing, so that you’re not sacrificing style and you’re also not lugging around two giant suitcases across cobblestone streets in Europe. (A wheel will break and it will be a whole ordeal.)
Mistake #6: Not giving yourself enough time when traveling
Leave plenty of time to go through security and relax at the gate. Travel with some healthy snacks so that you don’t have to wander far for food.
Look, I know the internet loves picking on parents for getting to the airport 9 hours before their flight. I do too. Sorry Mom and Dad. But with international flights, you really do want to arrive at the airport 3 hours early if you are checking a bag. International flights also may start the boarding process sooner than domestic flights, so it’s best to be at your gate well ahead of your departure time so you don’t miss any flight announcements.
Mistake #7: Being unprepared for varying temperatures
Take a handheld fan in carry-on for hot airplanes, hotel rooms, standing in warm weather lines.
This may seem minor, but I would suggest anyone wear a light/medium sweater on the plane – I’m usually cold on flights.
It doesn’t matter your destination, when you’re traveling, you may be dealing with temperature extremes. If you get really warm at certain times and turn into a cranky person, do yourself and your travel companions a favor a get a small handheld fan like this one.
Flying over the ocean? The temperatures on trans-Atlantic flights get a lot colder than you’d expect. My aunt gifted me with this scarf before my first international flight, and I’ve used it on many flights since then. It’s super lightweight and packs down nicely but is an extra layer to keep you warm on chilly flights.
Mistake #8: Not taking precautions for your long flight
Buy compression socks!!! I really like medium weight knee high ones.
Compression socks are a must.
For travelers of any kind, compression socks are a smart choice to prevent swelling and improve circulation during those hours in the air. If you’re on birth control and gearing up for a long flight, consider compression socks your must-have accessory. The pill (OCP) can increase the risk of blood clots, and compression socks play a crucial role in reducing this risk by improving circulation.*
They might not always be the most stylish, but don’t underestimate their power to enhance your travel experience and safeguard your well-being. These compression socks are my affordable favorites that come with me on any flight longer than 3 hours.
*Basic Economy B is a lot of things and doctor is not one of them. If you have any concerns about the potential health risks associated with extended periods of travel, consult with your doctor beforehand.
Mistake #9: Being unprepared for pickpockets
If you’re going anywhere where pickpockets are an issue, don’t take anything you’re not willing to give away. We always clean out our wallets and only take essentials, but not until we were pickpocketed and I lost my favorite wallet did I think about the wallet itself!
In addition to taking a picture of everything in your wallet and your passport to store in the cloud, we always keep our ID and passport separate and keep one credit card separate from our wallet so if something happens you’re not entirely sunk.
Certain cities are notorious for pickpockets. There’s no need to panic and call off your trip because of the risk of pickpockets, but if you want to avoid a headache, you should be prepared. In cities like Athens, Rome, and Barcelona, one of us always has a money belt that has cards and IDs and the other usually has a crossbody bag that can’t be snatched from the shoulder.
At the absolute minimum, please just don’t put your phone or wallet in your back pocket while you’re out sightseeing. Always have it in a front pocket if it is not in a money belt or bag.
Mistake #10: Putting too much faith in your checked bag reaching your destination on time
Pack everything you might need in the first day or two in your carry on. Then, when they lose your luggage, it is not devastating! Also, use Apple Air Tags or Tile in luggage to help the airline find your bag if it is misplaced. Has saved me twice so far!!!
If you’re checking a bag, make sure you’re not putting all of your eggs in that one basket. Definitely make sure to pack your toiletries, medications, chargers, and at least 2 days worth of clothing in your carry-on suitcase so that you’re not caught literally pants-less if the airline messes up with your baggage.
Mistake #11: Having the opposite of buyer’s remorse
Souvenirs: see it, really like it, buy it! This is my travel mantra, and I’ve never regretted a purchase. But there are purchases I regret NOT making!
I’m still kicking myself over not buying that Scottish wool sweater that I fell in love with in Edinburgh while on a 7 day Scotland trip.
Don’t be like me.
If you love something that is special to the place you’re in, just buy it. It will always be a special connection for you and that trip, even many years later.
Mistake #12: Leaving the essentials at home
Take a small first aid kit. Those kinds of things are exorbitantly expensive abroad.
This common mistake is similar to not being prepared for the unexpected. Pharmacies abroad can be very difficult to navigate as their labels are printed in the language of the country you’re visiting. Not to mention, many over the counter medications in the US are much more expensive abroad.
Make your own first aid kit from your larger stash, or purchase a small one like this that you have as your dedicated traveling kit.
Mistake #13: Not having a plan for your phone’s battery
Put cell phone in “low battery” mode daily, and bring a portable charger everywhere!
To be fair, as far as common mistakes go, this is probably a mistake you only make once. Sightseeing and navigating a new city, where you’re likely taking lots of pictures and videos, can really drain a phone battery. At best, you’ll miss out on taking some precious photos if you’re phone is dead, and at worst you’ll end up lost in the middle of a foreign city with no way to navigate or contact anyone for help.
Putting your phone on low battery mode can really help if you don’t have a portable charger. If you’re in a more remote area where you don’t need cell service for anything, switch to Airplane mode so your phone doesn’t drain its battery searching for service you don’t need.
Traveling can and should be an adventure! These common mistakes for first-time travelers can easily be avoided with a little extra preparation, which will make your trip go all the more smoothly. Are there common mistakes missing from this list? Let me know in the comments!
Save to Pinterest:
Leave a Reply