Most people believe they need to be born-savvy travelers. However, you must get out there and gain some on-the-road experience to be the savviest traveler. Therefore, some travel tips are earned through the school of hard knocks.

In the beginning, you will make many mistakes as you are traveling. However, if you do everything you can to remain safe, you will learn as you travel.

Travel savviness is a process born by learning from mistakes. Therefore looking back, some of this could be foolish behavior that caused me to miss a train stop, cultural unawareness, or countless other tiny errors. You will not feel like a fish out of water when you seamlessly transfer through airports and new cultures.

Travel Tips Guide to Visiting a Foreign Country

I’m ten months into selling everything and leaving for a trip across the globe. These are great travel tips that can help save on travel expenses. Are you interested in traveling? I travel all over the world with digital nomads. My experience should assist you with plenty of travel tips. My last journey began when I left my job in Computer Networking to fly from Louisville to Lisbon, leaping scared in the unknown.

I want you to learn from my mistakes, so I put together the best travel tips to cover everything under the sun to help you reach your full travel ninja potential.

I have learned these travel tips over the past twenty-plus years. Therefore I am putting together the tips and tricks to help you on your next trip.

Save Money Travelling the World

These travel tips will help you keep your money, sleep better, and explore more of the beaten path. You will want to meet locals and be a better traveler as you travel.

Anyways, here are my 55 best travel tips in the world:

1 Buy a Small Backpack or Suitcase

You will be forced to pack light by purchasing a small backpack and avoid carrying too much stuff. Great tips on backpack size are to go with something around 35/40 liters. It is one of the best travel tips; you most likely need new gear, including a water bottle.

If you have extra room in your bag, you will go, “well, I guess I can take more.” Then you will regret it because carrying around a bunch of stuff you don’t need is more weight on your shoulders.

Packing cubes are excellent tips for storing your dirty clothes and dirty laundry. However, they also add weight.

The same rule applies to suitcases. Don’t take a big bag because lugging them around is a pain in the butt. If you bypass checking baggage, you will also save time and money. Especially if you will be traveling long term (a short period, not so much), ultimately pack only what you need.

2 Pack Light

It’s OK to sport the same t-shirt the occasional days in a row. Bring half the clothes you believe you will need because you won’t need as many dresses as you feel. Write down a list of essentials, and pack only these items! 

Since you bought a small backpack, as I said above, you will only have a little room for extra stuff anyways! Therefore, our travel tips ensure you only carry what you need.

3 Take an Extra Bank Card and Credit Card

Disasters happen, and you will appreciate these travel tips. Possessing a backup card, in case you are pickpocketed or lose it, is convenient. You want to be stuck somewhere new with access to your funds. If you ever had a card duplicated and your bank put a freeze on your card, you will appreciate the availability of another card. You won’t be able to use it for the rest of your trip. 

4 Make Sure to Use No-Fee Bank Cards

Travel tips that will save you money from fees will assist you in doing more. Refrain from giving banks money. You worked hard for the money and should keep it in your pocket on your travels. Get a credit and debit card that doesn’t charge a foreign transaction fee when you visit an ATM. Throughout a long trip, the few dollars they take every time will add up!

5 Travel By Yourself at Least Once

You will learn much about yourself and how to become independent. It’s a cliché, but it’s true. Traveling solo taught me to fend for myself, talk to people, and handle unfamiliar situations easily. It has made me comfortable with myself, helped me learn what I’m capable of, and allowed me to be selfish and do whatever I want! 

Going solo can take some time to get into a groove. You should at least do it at least once. Being uncomfortable allows you an opportunity for growth. You may surprise yourself and learn valuable life skills when you push yourself!

6 Be Bold and Use a Map

You are looking like a tourist is better than getting lost and ending up in the wrong neighborhood. Feel free to look like a tourist. The locals are going to know anyways. After all, you are one! I always utilize a map app when I travel. It assists me in getting to where I want to go!

However, a paper or plastic map is a great way to learn about the city. Tourist offices often provide town maps to tourists, highlighting locations you should visit. 

Google maps count as a map as it provides you the bonus of GPS. You can download offline maps, so if you lose internet connectivity, you still have the map on your phone. While you are at it, make sure you have google translate on your phone too.

7 But Feel Free to Get Purposefully Lost

Wandering through a new city is an excellent way to reset your mind. It can be tiring, but you will also quickly get to know the neighborhood as you get off the beaten path. Some of the best places are away from tourists. There will be hidden gems you find that you won’t find in a Rick Steves tour. I even enjoy wandering around without using Google Maps!

8 Always Visit the Local Tourism Office

Overlooked travel tips are always the ones where you think you know better. The tourism office knows about everything going on in town. They can direct you to free activities and special events during your stay. The tourism branch could even offer discounts on transportation and attractions. They want you to have a great experience so you will either come back or tell your friends to visit. As a savvy traveler, I know you will use this resource! Therefore, this is one of the most underused travel tips in the world. Use the tourism board! Save money!

9 Take What you Need When you are Out

Our following travel tips are to carry the minimum amount of cash and bank cards on the streets. So if something does happen, you can quickly recover. Only take up to one credit card and $50 in cash.

10 Always Carry A Lock

Traveling with a lock can be handy for locking your stuff up. You can utilize lockers if you carry a combination lock when you travel. You will not want to use a lock with a key because if you lose the keys, you won’t be able to use the lock. 

11 Carry a Photocopy of your Passport and Travel Insurance Card

You must contact your health insurance company if you get hurt while traveling. If not, they could not approve the hospital or treatment your doctor had chosen. Whoever looks after your health needs must know to who he is speaking. 

Please find the most efficient travel policy at the most affordable cost by comparing our list with other insurance providers. Here are some tips on how to buy insurance if traveling.

Remember to email a copy to yourself too. You never know when you need documentation and might want to avoid carrying your original. 

Additionally, if you lose your passport, you will have a copy, which will come in handy for your police report. Some other necessary documents to take pictures of are your driver’s license and Travel medical insurance card.

12 Ask Hostel Staff for Information — Even if you Aren’t Staying There 

Hostel staff deals with budget travelers all day, every day. Therefore, they know the best budget travel tips for cheap meals and attractions. The hostel staff tends to be locals, so they know the city well. Ask them for all sorts of information. If you are away from a specific host, ask for help. They will usually provide you with any information about the city.

You might unexpectedly hear about special events happening nearby or other top tourist attractions. These individuals typically have the best helpful tips and tricks for the particular area.

13 Learn Basic Phrases in the Destination Country Local Language

If you want to learn the local culture, then you will need to be able to communicate a little. The locals will appreciate your attempts and try to make communications easier. You do not need to be fluent in the language but learning a few words like “Hello,” “Goodbye,” “Thank you!” and “Where’s the bathroom?” helps break the ice. While there might be a gulf in communication, they will appreciate you tried.

14 Read a History Book!

You can only understand a place’s present if you know about its past. Read up on the destinations you are staying. It will provide a deeper understanding of the location you’ve wanted to visit for so long!

15 Be Bold. Visit the Local Coffee Shop

Sometimes familiarity is comforting, and most coffee shops have free WiFi and public restrooms. So if you need to work remotely, it provides a decent location to get some work done. However, sometimes these spots can be noisy, so work calls are better elsewhere. 

16 Don’t Fly Direct

When you book flights, sometimes it is cheaper to fly to airports nearby your final destination. Therefore, you can take a train or bus here. Shop around and learn about the most direct and cheapest route. My favorite flight search engines are:

• Skyscanner – First, go here for the cheap flight website for your flights. Skyscanner skims different airlines, including many budget carriers that most miss.
• Google Flights – I utilize the tool to find the best flights available. Google Flights allows you to enter your departure airport and see flights worldwide on a map to see where it is the cheapest location to travel.

17 Get Behind Business Travelers

Business travelers are more well-versed in travel protocols. They move fast because they travel light and want to make their connecting flights. Doing so will help you speed through the line!

18 Never Get Behind Families

They take forever, and it is not their fault. They are trying to organize their kids, who have many items. Avoid being in line with many kids, as it will take a while.

19 When You Check In to the Hotel, Don’t Hesitate to Ask for an Upgrade

They have a lot of flexibility when assigning upgrades at check-in. It never hurts to ask. Often they can accommodate you if the hotel has the availability. Just be super friendly! If you are lucky, they might upgrade you for free. 

20 Visit Historical Sites at Lunchtime

You will receive better service as there are fewer crowds. You will not have big tour buses, groups, and most travelers at these sites as they head to grab a bite to eat. It’s always best to visit an attraction early, late, or when people eat. Therefore, you will have even the most popular locations to yourself!

21 Never Eat in a Touristy Area or Near a Tourist Attraction

Generally, I avoid eating at nearby tourist attractions. The closer you eat to tourist attractions, the more you will pay. Typically, the service and food quality could be better in a place a little further away. Use websites like  Google Maps, Yelp, or Open Rice to discover tasty and famous restaurants.

Also, only eat somewhere with a menu in one or two languages! If the menu is in 3 or more languages, it is because they cater to tourists!

22 Locals Eat Out a Few Times a Week

Grocery shopping is a fantastic way to meet locals. You can discover the local diet and see the food they buy. Plus, your food budget will go way down as you save money. You won’t regret it. Cook your food, save money, and surprise yourself!

23 Eat Local Food Frequently

Taste something different when traveling, even if the information isn’t quite right. Get people’s suggestions in your area. Vendors with extensive lines of locals are a good sign that the food is good. Food on the streets helps cut costs during a trip! I only felt sick two times during my eight-week trip. Never worry about food. Hey, it doesn’t matter to go to Mcdonald’s unless you feel homesick, but why do we go to another country for a similar food to our food? Life in a small dose!

24 Put Important Items In Your Carry-On

Often essential items can be carried with you, like your laptop computer, medication, toothbrushes, and underwear. You may purchase most of your bag if it gets lost, but keeping it at hand saves time if your suitcase is lost during the journey.

25 Carry a Basic First-Aid Kit

Accidents happen, so you will need to have the appropriate preparation. I take band-aids, antibacterial creams, and ointments for minor cuts and scrapes. You never know when you’ll need it, and you can only sometimes get it when you travel.

26 Book flights 60-90 Days in Advance for the Best Price

Do not spend too much time attempting to get the absolute cheapest fare. Spending five hours trying to save $10 will cause you a lot of stress. Here is some article on how to save money on flights:

27 Stay in Hostels

They are cheap, and many organize events. Therefore you will have the opportunity to meet many people! If you want to have tons of fun, utilize this travel tip! Other travelers will be doing the same thing. Plus, if you embrace the hostel bars, sell cheap beer. 

28 Use Meetup, the Gig Economy, and Hospitality Websites 

These websites will help you meet locals. Then you can get an insider’s perspective on your destination. Connecting with locals in the places you visit enriches your experiences. The sharing economy has altered how people travel, permitting you to meet locals and step away from tourist travel.

Here are my favorite hospitality websites:

• Couchsurfing – The website permits you to sleep on people’s couches for free. Some places might even have a spare room. It is a fantastic method to save money. You can also meet locals who can tell you much more about the location.
• Airbnb – Another great accommodation alternative that allows you to connect with homeowners. The homeowners rent their space to you.
• EatWith – There is a fee where everyone sets their price for a dining experience. Therefore, this is a fantastic method to pick a local’s brain and hopefully make a new friend.
• BlaBlaCar – The website is a ridesharing app that allows you to share rides with vetted local drivers by pitching in for gas. You request a seat, they approve, and off you go!
• Gumtree – This Craiglist-like site is a fantastic resource for travelers. You can find travel partners, rideshares, jobs, second-hand gear, homestays, and more.

29 Be Open to Strangers but Be Wary of Strangers Who Approach You for No Reason

Make a careful look at someone amiable that speaks English exceptionally well. If not, the surprise you receive will likely have an adverse consequence. I learned very quickly. I met a nice guy who invited us for some wine. The table was crowded and when we went to leave we were told was a 100 euro fee. The moment made for a wrong choice as we were lured into a trap. To prevent similar situations, give a wealthy stranger a different benefit of the doubt and politely leave.

30 Bring A Universal Adapter

It has all the necessary features and two USB-compatible chargers to charge your device at any moment. I learned the importance of this travel tip the hard way. My camera and phone lost a charge before I was able to get an adapter. Therefore I was out of luck until I could find an adapter to charge my electronics.

31 Check Into Your Flight as Soon as it Opens to Get Seats Together

It is very frustrating when you are booking flights with a friend or partner, and you have gotten $30 a seat for sharing. Therefore, this isn’t justified. There is another option. The airline’s checkout will start at the same time. Set up a time and check it out right then, and you’ll sit beside each other. All right, it works for us, particularly in long-distance Travel. Some airlines, like Ryanair, deliberately seat you apart because you did not pay for additional seats and are very short-distance.

32 Avoid Taxis

Traveling the world, you will find taxis are always the most expensive transportation. Only take a taxi if you have to! The travel tip saves you some money but only avoid a taxi because there is no other transportation.

33 Take Free Walking Tours

Besides being free, tours provide a good orientation and background of the host city. I enjoy walking tours when I travel because you get to ask the guide questions and learn so much more than you could imagine.

While the tours are free, ensure you tip your tour guide after they provide you with their services. Everyone wants to feel like their time is valued, and you will still save money along the way. 

34 Obtain City Attraction Cards

A city pass will save you money if you visit many museums and other attractions quickly. Admission to attractions typically gets discounted so to get tourists to these spaces.

35 Take Pictures of your Luggage and Clothes

If your bag is lost, photos will help you identify it more efficiently. Airtags also help identify where the bags might be and speed up the process. However, the pictures will help your travel insurance reimburse you if the tags are lost.

36 Carry Emergency Cash

Because emergencies happen, you never know when you will need cash. There was a time when I needed help finding an ATM, and it took a long time to walk around aimlessly. Having emergency cash for the bus to the hostel will help you save some time. I keep about $200 in emergency cash in case something happens!

37 Wear Good Shoes

You are going to walk a lot when you travel. Therefore, you want to avoid beating up your feet. A good pair of shoes will love you back as much as you love them. Every incredible journey begins with a new pair of walking shoes. 

38 Get Vaccinated

You want to avoid falling prey to an illness in a foreign country. Being sick is not fun and worse in a foreign country. However, at the same time, many countries require you to get vaccinated to visit them, and you might have to, regardless of your opinion.

39 Learn to Haggle

Haggling is an entertaining, animated method of not getting tasked with the foreigner price. It’s the art of bargaining and will assist you throughout life, not just at the market.

40 Use Points and Miles for Free Travel

You can go further on the planet when you don’t have to spend money on Travel. Learn the art of travel hack by collecting points and miles through your everyday spending. Therefore, you can obtain free flights and accommodation. All expert travelers know the ins and outs of their miles and points to lower their travel costs. You should become an expert too!

41 Take a Jacket

Nights get chilly. If you go on a solo trip, you want to be warm. A light jacket can often be beneficial for amazing moments. You can put it in the same bag if it is warm out during the day. When it cools off, you have it available.

42 Eating Street Food!

Eat the same food as the local people. If you skip the local food, you miss out on culture. Feel free to eat the local food from the street vendors. If you’re anxious, find places with kids eating. It might not be the healthiest food, but if it is safe for them, you can survive too. These are the best deals.

43 Get Travel Insurance

One of the most essential travel planning tips is to get insurance. Travel insurance is the crucial thing to get that you never want to use. If something goes wrong, you want to avoid being out thousands of dollars in expenses. When flights get canceled, you are sick or injured, or you must go home early, they will cover the costs. A few extra dollars a day will help you feel secure and is a sound investment for your trip. While we all believe we are superheroes, so did my friend who dislocated his shoulder and didn’t have insurance. 

• SafetyWing – A budget-friendly choice for travelers who need basic coverage. They are affordable, have excellent customer service, and make claims easy. If you’re on a tight budget, go with SafetyWing!
• World Nomads – They offer comprehensive plans with in-depth coverage for travelers who want extra protection for their trip.
• Insure My Trip – The best insurance for those over 70 years old.

44 Be Patient

There is no rush to travel around the world. Things will work out in the end—no need to rush. You’ll get to where you are going in due time. Travel is about the journey, not the destination.

45 Be respectful

Locals are willing to help you out, but there’s probably a language barrier, so keep cool when something doesn’t go your way. If you don’t, you will look like an arrogant tourist.

46 Be Flexible & Don’t Over Plan

I cringe when readers ask what time they can travel to different cities. The reality is I am still determining what your enjoyment is going to be. I was going to travel to Nicaragua for about one week, but I ended up staying there for four months because I liked it. I’d recommend identifying a starting point, one of the must-complete activities, and a final point. So let the world decide for the rest. Keep flexible if there’s a new thing you learn.

Let the adventure days unfold naturally as you explore. Schedule a couple of things and let the rest of the day complete independently of your expectations. It’s less stressful, and letting the day unfold is one of the best methods to travel. 

47 Relax

If you tensed up hearing the word, relax. We get it. However, if you are traveling worldwide, you will need to unwind. The essential thing is to at least take a deep breath from time to time. We might want the instant gratification of getting to our next destination, but we also need to enjoy the journey.

48 Be frugal — But not Cheap

Don’t be pennywise but pound-foolish. Look for deals and save money, but take advantage of extraordinary experiences or walk 10 miles to save a couple of dollars. Time is money. Spend them both wisely. Saving money can be great, but there are better amazing tips and tricks.

49 Take Earplugs

Snorers are everywhere, and we all need our beauty sleep. Long-haul flights will seem even longer if you do not have earplugs and there is plenty of noise. You will thank me later for this travel tip if you travel worldwide.

50 Always Have an Extra USB Charger.

Batteries die. Your good mood shouldn’t. Sometimes I need to be reminded of these travel tips. Often I still need to remember an extra USB charger. When traveling, you never know when someone else has forgotten their charger or one of your USB chargers has gone wrong. Backing yourself up could net you a new best friend in the process.

51 Book Your Tickets Online.

Book them online if you’re planning to do any activities or excursions on your trip. Companies typically offer a discounted price online. Not only will you save money online, but you can also pay with a credit card, which gives you extra protection and more travel points!

52 Sign up for Flight Savings.

Regarding Travel, your flight(s) will likely be your most considerable expense. Save money by signing up with websites like Scott’s Cheap Flights, The Flight Deal, and Secret Flying. You will gain knowledge of epic deals straight to your inbox. These locations might not be where you were planning to travel, but the savings might be too challenging to pass up—your time and money. Sign up for airline newsletters because they will announce their sales first!

53 Pre-book your Tickets to Attractions

Many significant attractions permit you to reserve your spot and not be in line. If booking online is available, it will help at popular tourist sites. Therefore, this will help you to avoid wasting time in multi-hour queues and go right in. People will wait hours for the Paris Catacombs, Louvre, churches, temples, and other historic locations. Pre-book the day before, skip the line, and get to see more during your day!

54 Avoid TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor is OK when you need opening hours or an address. However, when you want accurate reviews, I ignore the website completely. Negative reviews occur when something terrible happens, but you rarely see positive reviews at locations with less foot traffic. So the reviews tend to be skewed toward tourist traps. On top of that, it’s straightforward to create fake reviews. Thus it makes the place seem better than it is. Many hotels and restaurants hire firms to inflate their thoughts on the platform artificially. TripAdvisor is known to remove overly negative reviews and reviews on sexual assault. 

Utilize TripAdvisor with caution, as a quick google search will provide you with the information you want on local businesses.

55 Wear Sunscreen

The sun can be more intense in different regions of the world. Therefore, it is a good idea to apply a layer of sunscreen. It is a miserable experience on day 2 to have a sunburn. You need to nurse.

Atypical Last Word

Frequent travelers will agree with many of the above tips and tricks while traveling worldwide. Traveling internationally, the first thing I do when I get off the plane finds a local sim card. Therefore when I leave the airport, I have internet access. More often than not, I have jet lag and will need to know where to go. Therefore, I will have access to local maps, google translate.

If you have access to cellular internet, it will provide you with your essential documents in your email. Therefore you can give extra passport photos if you need them.

One item I should have mentioned is to bring your water bottle. The drawback is that packing light takes up space, and you may need to carry it in your hand. However, if you take some packing tips and tricks, you can carry on more stuff on great flight deals traveling the world.

Remember to book refundable hotel rooms and eat street food.

Only some people will agree with my list. However, feel free to provide your suggestions below. Share your incredible tips and moments.

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