Over the years, I’ve heard numerous stories from friends and family about travel mistakes they made — from traveling to the wrong hotel and forgetting essential medication to ending up in unsafe driving situations.
Most recently, I experienced my first major cross-country road trip. Along the way, I learned a lot — both from my own mistakes and from my travel partner’s experiences.
So here are some of the biggest travel mistakes to avoid, so that you can travel smarter, safer and like a pro.
1. Driving in the dark during road trips and not adding an extra hour when planning your departure time.
Driving at night during a road trip sounds manageable until you’re actually doing it. When you’re planning your departure time, always give yourself an extra hour or two of leeway.
I know the temptation to squeeze in just a few more hours on the road to get to your destination quicker. Procrastinators like me love to think, “I’ll deal with that later,” when planning the drive earlier in the day. But the possible added stress of driving at night is not worth the risk to your safety, car or peace of mind. This includes fighting exhaustion and possible hazards on the road.
On my recent road trip, we miscalculated the correct departure time for our 14-hour drive. We ended up having to drive through winding mountain roads in Montana in pitch-black darkness — no cell service, deer and elk spotting the road and three hours of white-knuckle driving. The concentration and exhaustion that racked my body left me stressed and depleted of most of my energy for the rest of the trip.
Arriving safely and actually enjoying your trip is always more important, even if it means stopping at a nearby hotel or splitting your drive up into more days than you originally desired.
2. Not researching the best time to book your flight to save on cost.
According to Forbes, the best time to book flights in the United States is 34 to 86 days before departure. This can save about 25% on the ticket price compared to booking closer to the flight.
If flying internationally, Forbes recommends the opposite for some trips, booking about 18 to 29 days before the departure. This can save you about 17% compared to booking three months in advance. Midweek departures are also often cheaper than Friday or weekend flights, as Forbes reports.
When planning your trip, research the best times to purchase plane tickets for the specific destination. International flights can vary greatly in timing.
3. Not getting your car serviced before a long road trip.
This means rotating or replacing your tires, changing your oil and taking care of any other necessary repairs before you leave. The last thing you want is to be stranded in the middle of nowhere because of a preventable issue with your car.
In the case of a malfunction, not checking your vehicle ahead of time will likely cost far more to tow and repair your car on the road than it would be to fix the problem in advance. This small amount of preparation can save you money, time and even your life.
4. Not being prepared for losing essential medication.
For important medications, talk to your doctor about getting an extra refill or backup supply in case your original prescription is lost during your trip. Additionally, keep the medication and its duplicate in separate bags. For example, one in your purse or carry-on and one in your checked bag or suitcase. That way, if one bag is lost or misplaced, you know exactly where the other medication is.
This allows you to fully relax on your trip if you lose an important medication, helping you avoid multiple phone calls, the need to find a pharmacy in your insurance network, etc.
5. Focusing all of your attention on tourist attractions only.
Don’t neglect the major tourist attractions, like museums and monuments, but also make time for the quieter, everyday places that reflect the area’s culture.
For example, while visiting Seattle, I stopped to see the Space Needle from the outside. Rather than waiting in line for hours and spending $100 to travel to the top, I took a bus to a beautiful residential neighborhood. This spot had one of the best sunset spots in the city, with a perfect view of the whole city and the Space Needle. I spent no money, avoided wasting time in crowds and experienced an area of Seattle that felt truly authentic.
6. Not double-checking hotel reviews.
Photos and information from the hotel website can make it seem better than it actually is. Therefore, check Reddit forums and review websites like Tripadvisor, Booking.com and Google Reviews to gain a good understanding of all the pros, cons and amenities of your desired hotels.
It is better to spend the extra time researching than to be stuck with an uncomfortable or unaccommodating stay.
7. Not researching free transportation options to and from the airport.
Before you spend a large chunk of your money on an Uber to and from the airport, research local transportation options. This includes affordable buses, trains, airport shuttles and subways. Most large cities have a bus or train to and from the airport to areas within walking distance of your hotel.
Try entering your airport and hotel onto Google Maps or Apple Maps to see transportation options and times. This will allow you to see exactly what buses, subways or trains you can take and help you find them.
Also, when booking your hotel, always double-check how far it is from the airport. You do not want to be shocked by a two-hour travel time. This often leads to expensive Ubers, Lyfts or cabs.
8. Not reviewing your required travel documents or reviewing the laws and restrictions of your destination.
This means checking the expiration date of your driver’s license and passport and making sure your passport accurately reflects how you currently look.
When traveling internationally, conduct thorough research and use travel.state.gov to understand the rules and regulations for specific destinations. For example, certain locations require specific vaccines, health codes and attire.
9. Not double-checking the location of your hotel or flight booking.
The last thing you want is for travel day to arrive and notice that you actually booked your flight to Gainesville, Georgia, not Gainesville, Florida.
Reread your hotel and flight bookings at least five times before purchasing to ensure that you did not actually pay for the wrong location due to a simple misread. This can also help you to avoid expensive cancellation or change fees.
10. Not picking the right travel partner(s).
If traveling with friends or family, ensure that you are positive they would make a good travel partner. You do not want to spend a significant amount of money, look forward to relaxing and then feel stressed or annoyed.
Travel partners are also intended to improve your safety when exploring unknown places. You want to be certain that your travel partner will not leave you stranded in a foreign location or in a moment of need. Make sure they have your back, and you have theirs.
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