11 Of My Best Travel Tips for ANY Trip

Recently, I realized that I spent so much time talking about specific destinations and planning that I hadn’t talked much about the bigger picture. It’s important to me to apply some fundamental principles to all of my travels, so I decided it was the right time to share with you my top travel tips.

# 1: Travel tips that will help you on any trip

The tips below cover both what to do before and during a trip. But they all involve preparing for your trip by doing research.

Even for things such as What type of souvenir should I buy, you need to do some research to find out what the area is famous for and to learn how to identify quality.

Did I miss any obvious tips? Let me know what you think in the comments!

Rethink your accommodation

My passion for this came from my time studying abroad, when I lived with an older couple in their apartment on the outskirts of Florence. Even before Airbnb was around, I would often rent apartments rather than stay in a hotel. This is especially true for Europe, where many of the larger hotels are not as central.

I love the feeling that comes with waking up early in the morning, gazing out at the city and going for a quick run before the crowds arrive (followed, of course, by delicious coffee and pastries). Look at both hotels and apartments.

Don’t stop here. I’ve stayed at a beautiful apartment in a medieval town, in a Bedouin tent in the desert, in cute bed and breakfasts and a traditional Norwegian Sami Lavvu Tent. Consider thinking outside the box.

But don’t misunderstand me–there are some times when staying in a hotel is the best option. There is a post that goes into detail on how to pick the right hotel or rental for your trip.

#2: Do something special, and maybe even a bit scary

I’m a firm believer in making every trip, at the very least, epic.

Consider different experiences, such as those that will make you nervous or excited. You can go dog sledging or paragliding off a cliff, snorkelling between continents or hiking a glacier. In general, I try to include some nature-y activities in every trip I go on.

It’s easy to assume that it has to be something “active.” However, this is not always true. A food tour in Asheville or a cooking lesson in Thailand might work for you. Or, perhaps, an evening tea in London with a traditional twist or a trip to Colombia where you can learn how coffee is grown. Even if you’re only going away for a weekend, this is my top travel tip.

#3: Don’t wear new clothes

My most controversial tip might be this one. Many people shop right before their trip. I completely understand this mistake (and have been guilty of it myself). It’s a huge gamble.

Go for it for those who can wear any clothing and look great. Most of us need time to adjust to different fabrics and fits. We may have loved a piece when we first tried it, only to find it pulling or bunching in strange places, looking terrible in pictures, or even busting a seam after the first wear. Shoes are one of the biggest leaps of faith.

There are exceptions, like an Arctic winter trip or a trek through the rainforest (I have a packing guide for that!). For most trips, I recommend you build a simple, comfortable, and cute wardrobe subset that you’ll be able to take with you on every trip. (See also: My favourite bra for travelling and my trusted cross-body bag.)

#4 – Learn some words in the local language

This is a non-negotiable for me. It’s not about learning a language fluently (though you can go Glen Coco )…), but it’s not only smart but also respectable to know a few conversational words.

It’s amazing how much more friendly people can be when you say “Hello, How are you?” or order your coffee in the local tongue and thank them for their service.

It is much more polite to expect everyone you meet to speak your native language. This is a great way to feel more like a part of the group and blend in if you want. This detailed advice from Team Hazard Rides Again on how to navigate the language was very helpful.

(Although no amount of language preparation will likely make you ready to drive through this …)

#5: Buy something useful as a souvenir

I hate tacky and completely useless souvenirs. Just…WHY. One of my favourite things about travelling is finding unique items to bring home or give as gifts.

I tend to gravitate towards items that I can use every day, such as coffee mugs and pint glasses. I also like jewellery and food. Every time I use the item, I feel a wave of nostalgia and a thrill from my amazing trip.

If you want to bring home a high-quality item, do your research and look for the best. Don’t forget to bring home delicious perishables such as olive oil, truffles, and sea salt.

#6: Try public transport

It’s a great way of getting a sense of the local culture, even if you don’t use it as your main mode of transportation. It’s a great way to learn how to navigate despite the language and cultural barriers. ).

I have ridden the trams in Istanbul and Jerusalem, the cable car in Medellin, London’s metro, funiculars, ferries, and more all over the world. It’s fun to see how locals commute to work or get around, but it’s best to avoid rush hour if it’s just for fun.

#7: Keep a journal of your travels

I don’t do this well, and I honestly don’t like it much, but I still believe it’s important. In some ways, I put it on my list of “best travel tips” to hold myself accountable!

Since I was a child, I’ve kept a journal on and off. I keep it up when I travel. Because of this, I can now look back on my journal and recall funny stories and odd details that I never would have remembered.

So, whether you’re keeping a journal or video diary, keep track of your life. One thing that I am good at is taking a lot of photos, which is another type of record.

#8 – Go Local

Please, for the love of God and all that is holy, don’t go to the same destination as you do at home and stay or eat in the same places.

Stay in family-run hotels or find restaurants and bars that are hidden away. Discover the local drink and try it. Look for places where the only other people in the area are locals, as they know the best drinks.

#9: Check Sunrise & Sunset Times Ahead

This may seem obvious, but people often forget that the time of year has a HUGE impact on what you can include in your itinerary. You’ll be disappointed if you plan a trip to Iceland for July in hopes of seeing the Northern Lights. In Scotland, sunset in winter is around 3:30 pm.

Add some padding if you want to be there for sunrises or sunsets. Sunrises and sunsets can be funny depending on your location (I assume latitude and seasonality have the biggest impact).

If your camera settings don’t match, you may miss the experience. A safety net of 20-30 minutes will ensure you don’t lose the experience.

# 10: Don’t overload your bag.

I can’t stress this enough! You will be slowed down and tied down. The type of vacation you plan makes a big difference, especially how much you will be moving and what kind of transportation you use (e.g., renting a car or staying in one location), which gives you more flexibility.

I have packed carry-on so many times because it has allowed me to be flexible if something goes wrong. Whether that was delays, which made for a tight connection, a cancelled flight, which changed our destination, or having to drag bags up and down those insane hills and stairs of Cinque Terre.

#11: Get out early .

It’s not just my best travel tip; it could be my foundation for travel. This is especially effective when travelling to more popular destinations, like Europe.

It’s magical to go for a run or walk in the early morning light. You feel alone in the Pantheon of Rome, as it is quiet and peaceful.

It’s never been a regret for me to get out of bed in the morning and explore. I can capture an amazing sunrise over the ocean or take a picture of a famous spot without anyone else there.

You may also enjoy How to use Google Flights’ “Map Search” to plan your travels.

Here are some of my most useful travel tips, which work for all types of trips. These tips will not steer you wrong, but they will help you to feel better prepared and immersed in the destination.