Preparing For Travel? 7 Helpful Travel Tips You Need To Know

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Are you preparing for travel to a new destination? Traveling can be a thrilling and memorable experience, but it also requires careful preparation to ensure a smooth and enjoyable journey.

To help you make the most of your travel adventures, look to this helpful list of 7 travel tips you need to know before you prepare for you trip.

These will save you time, money, and unnecessary stress. Then, you can focus on creating incredible memories.

So, read more below to discover the most valuable tips to make your next trip a breeze!

Preparing for travel
Follow these essential tips for you if you are preparing for travel.

CONTENTS โ€” In this article, you will learn the essential things to do while preparing for travel, including:

Essential Actions to Take on Every Travel Journey

Experienced wanderers, seasoned solo adventurers, novice travelers, and group tour enthusiasts alike all know that traveling requires a remarkable amount of courage and determination.

The key to successful travels lies in harnessing instinctive everyday behaviors that can turn your trips into extraordinary experiences.

How do you do that?

You’ll find the answers in the tips below.


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What Should You Do While Traveling to Prepare?

Here are 7 things you need for travel that should be on every traveler’s checklist.

1. Check for Regional Festivals

On of the best aspects of traveling is immersing yourself in someone else’s culture.

Before planning any trip, savvy travelers always check to see what festivals or events are taking place so they don’t miss out. You’ll want to do the same.

For instance, when traveling in Taiwan for the first time, you might find yourself there during Chinese New Year.

This is an exciting and cultural experience to see almost every part of Taiwan lit up with lanterns and painted with the colors of red and gold. Going at this time of year allows you to experience the true nature of the Chinese New Year in Asia.

You can do the same in Thailand and celebrated accordingly, too.

On the flip side, it’s important to know which celebrations will close down the city. For instance, on certain patron saints days in Italy, shops and storefronts may be closed. That can be a real disappointment if your visit coincides with it!

2. Prepare the Necessary Smartphone Applications

Your journey will go much smoother if you have all the necessary apps on your smartphone as you are preparing for travel.

It helps to make sure you have the following installed before your trip:

  • Language translator
  • Hotel and car booking apps
  • Currency exchange
  • Online maps (with offline features)
  • Tools to protect your privacy

Privacy apps are especially important to avoid becoming a victim of scammers.

If you think about what travel tips are most important, then the issue of safety will be the among the most important. You can improve your security if you set up VPN apk on your Android device. For a detailed guide on how to set up a VPN on Android, follow the link.

It is not difficult to configure the VPN settings for Android. Even an inexperienced user can do everything. The main thing is to choose trusted VPN providers like VeePN.

You can find similar apps in the app store to protect your iPhone.

Related: Best Apps for Traveling Europe (& Beyond) Guaranteed to Improve Your Trip

3. Take the Path Less Traveled

When you are preparing for travel, the appeal of resort confinement or visiting the tourist hotspots may provide you with a sense of comfort.

However, the resulting stories can often become just like everyone else’s experience.

Regardless of whether you embark on a solo adventure or travel with a group, you’ll want to opt for the road less traveled. Look for opportunities to go to lesser known places and find out where the locals love to go.

And when you’re exploring a market alone, veer left where crowds are scarce.

Any time you’re navigating a new city with a group, inquire with the guide for off-the-beaten-path recommendations during leisure time.

When you do, you’ll likely have a more authentic experience by visiting a few hidden gems along the way.

Related: How To Ensure Solo Travel Safety: Top 7 Tips For Secure Journey

4. Pack the Right Things For the Journey

only pack necessary things
Always pack the right and necessary things for your journey.

What are the essential things you need to pack when you go on trip? You’ll find varied expert advice.

The simple answer is, you need to pack the things that will make your trip more comfortable.

No matter the length of your trip, it’s smart to pack no more than 5 days of interchangeable wardrobe items you can layer that will wash and dry easily. That might mean washing them in your hotel room, laundromat, or taking advantage of the hotel’s laundry service.

When you pack light, you avoid extra luggage fees, and won’t be lugging around a bohemoth of a suitcase!

Comfortable shoes are a must, too.

So are outlet adapters that fit your destination country. Make sure you pack travel adapters to ensure compatibility with different power outlets. It can be hard to find them locally at your destination, and they will be expensive at the airport.

One often-overlooked item to pack is a travel steamer, which can be particularly useful for long journeys. They are usually light-weight and compact, and allow you to quickly release the wrinkles from your outfit.

After all, when you look and feel your best, you’ll be ready to fully enjoy your travel experience!

A portable battery is also necessary to ensure you have sufficient power for your electronic devices. Nothing’s worse than having a dead smartphone when you want to capture a beautiful scene or get directions. Ugh!

You might want to bring an airline-approved size of your favorite moisturizer with you so you can keep your skin hydrated while traveling. Likewise, bring a refillable water bottle to stay hydrated while you travel. (Always do your research as to weather the local tap water is potable.)

Additionally, a camera and external storage are important for capturing and storing precious travel memories. You might rely on your smartphone for photos, but a DSLR offers versatility.

And don’t forget a small first aid kit. At minimum, you should bring any prescription medication (check the legality of certain meds in your destination), bandages, pain reliever, and an antibiotic cream for any unexpected emergencies.

Lastly, it’s always a good idea to have toilet paper and hand sanitizer on hand. ๐Ÿ™‚

5. Budget Realistically

travel budget
Make your travel budget after doing detailed research, and then add a bit for emergencies.

You’ll want to be sure you have sufficient funds to cover your entire trip. Don’t forget that you may need to put down extra for a car rental or hold a room, even if you ultimately won’t be charged as much.

While most places in the world accept electronic funds, you should always have some local currency to pay local vendors, tips, and taxis in some places.

Whether you opt to use your bank card or the local currency, allow a little extra for spontaneous activities from bungee jumping to food tours, too.

You could get a travel money card to avoid international debit card charges, but also check with your existing credit card providers. You want to make sure you fully understand the complexity of exchange rates and fees.

Finally, when it comes to budgeting, it’s prudent to have backup funds available in case you find yourself in an unexpected circumstance. Bring along an extra credit card that you can use internationally in an emergency.

6. Avoid the Tacky Souvenirs

You might want to resist the temptation to buy generic souvenirs while you’re traveling. They may not even be made locally!

Instead, explore local markets to find truly unique items.

Here’s an example. On a visit to Marrakech, you might opt against purchasing the typical lanterns and Aladdin-style slippers from tourist-oriented shops. Instead, consider going home with a handmade rug from an elderly artisan who’s dedicated her life to weaving.

This type of discretion when buying souvenirs will lead to more cherished mementos that will remain in your possession for years to come.

They make great conversation pieces, too!

Related: Travel Souvenir Ideas: 29 Ideas for Souvenirs Youโ€™ll Love to Collect

7. Check Local Currency

local currencies
Do your homework to understand the value of local currencies at your destination.

Another essential step to take before traveling is ensuring your familiarity with the local currency in the destination.

It is crucial to be aware of the exchange rate and decide whether it is more cost-effective to obtain some of the currency in your home country or withdraw cash from an ATM upon arrival.

By addressing this beforehand, you’ll avoid potential complications during the trip.

Moreover, you’ll want to acquaint yourself with the local currency when you’re making purchases.

In certain countries, the appearance of bills and coins can be quite similar to one another. Therefor, verifying accuracy when you’re giving and receiving change is crucial.

For instance, in Bali, receiving thick wads of cash may initially seem fortunate. But two million Indonesian Rupiah is equivalent to just over $125 US (100 GBP).

The conversion process can be deceiving, so make sure you know local currency’s worth and how far it will get you.

Final Thoughts on Preparing for Travel

Traveling can seem intimidating at times, but with the right preparation and actions, it can also be thrilling.

When you following these essential tips for traveling, you can look forward to a more pleasant and fulfilling journey.

A little extra effort in planning will always pay off when you go on your ext adventure. By taking these steps before you leave home, you’ll be well-prepared.

Then, you can enjoy the entire journey in safety and comfort.


Jackie Gately at the beach


About Jackie Gately, editor-IN-CHIEF

I'm Jackie Gately, your travel confidante and the creative force behind Enjoy Travel Life, awarded the "Best Casual-Luxury Lifestyle Blog (USA)" in Travel and Tourism by LUXlife Magazine for four consecutive years.

With 25 years of published expertise, I'm a seasoned writer, editor, and photographer curating inspiring travel guides and lifestyle tips for empty nesters. I hope to kindle your spirit of exploration, encouraging you to overcome obstacles and turn your dreams into reality.

Learn to minimize your pre-travel angst and maximize the joy of exploration with insights from my experiences. Let's make every adventure a celebration of this exciting phase of life! 

Follow my social channels for more inspiration.


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