The majority of people don’t come from a traveller background. Only road experience can give you the knowledge. The process of becoming a travelling sage is born out of missed buses, stupid behaviour, cultural ignorance, and many small mistakes. You will then, one day, be able to move seamlessly through airports, and you’ll integrate into new cultures as easily as a fish.
You’ll probably make many travel mistakes in the beginning. But I want to speed up the process for you and help you avoid the errors I make (and I make them often). So, I put together a giant list of all my travel tips to help you achieve your full travel ninja ability.
These tips I have learned over the past twenty years as a nomad.
Following these tips will save you money. You’ll also sleep better, get off the beaten track more, meet locals, and be a better traveller.
Here are 61 of the best travel tips from around the globe.
1. It’s a must for successful galactic hitchhiking – and just good sense. You’ll never know if you need one, whether at the beach or on a picnic. You never know whether hostels will provide towels. A small towel is not that heavy, and you can carry it in your bag.
It’s best to choose a lightweight and quick-drying towel, as regular towels can be too heavy and bulky (and take a very long time to dry). Dry Fox travel towels are my favourite. Use the code “nomadic matt ” for 15% off!
2. Use a small bag/backpack
If you purchase a small bag (I prefer something between 35 and 45 liters), you will be forced to pack light. The human tendency is to fill up space, so even if you initially pack lightly, you’ll fill the space in your bag.
Later, you will regret carrying more stuff than you need and more weight. The article below has some tips for finding the right travel backpack.
Same rule for suitcases. Avoid large suitcases, as they can be a hassle to carry around, particularly if you are travelling for a long time (short-term travel is not so bad). I like Level 8 suitcases. They are sturdy, spacious, well designed and reasonably priced (luggage is expensive). They also have a TSA-approved lock integrated into the zipper. Click here to find out more about the product and purchase one.
Packing cubes are also essential for those who will be using a backpack to live out of for several weeks (or even months) or want their suitcase to be more organized. These packing cubes come in different sizes so that you can store both large and small items. These are great for organizing your briefcase or backpack.
3. Pack light.
List your essentials and only bring them! You won’t need much extra space anyway, because you have a small bag, as I mentioned above. You won’t require as many clothes as you thought. Wearing the same shirt a few times a week is fine.
Unbound Merino clothing is great because it can be worn every day for several weeks and not get smelly. These are very light and look great, too. They are comfortable, don’t need to be washed often, and last forever. I wrote a review about the company.
But bring extra socks! Pack extra socks because you’ll be losing a lot of them due to wear and tear and laundry gremlins. You should always take more than you think you’ll need. I’m telling you to trust me.
4. Hostels are a great way to meet people
You’ll have a great time, they are inexpensive, they organize events, and you will meet many people. Hostel bars also sell cheap beer. Hostelworld has the biggest inventory, the best search interface and the highest availability of hostel accommodations. It’s the only site I use for hostel bookings.
This is my list of the top hostels in the world, sorted by city.
HostelPass is a great card to get if you plan on backpacking Europe. It gives you discounts of up to 20% at hostels in Europe. This is a great way of saving money, and the company is constantly adding more hostels. It’s a great deal. I’ve wanted this for years and am glad that it’s finally here. Get 25% off with code NOMADICMATT.
5. Bring an extra credit and bank card
Things are stolen or compromised. A card was duplicated once and then frozen. I couldn’t use the card for the remainder of my trip. It was great to have a backup. It’s not good to be stranded somewhere without your money. It happened to a good friend who had to borrow my money for several weeks as they waited to receive their new card. These articles will help you understand banking.
6. Use no-fee credit and bank cards.
Keep your money for yourself and spend it on travel. Spend it on travels. Choose a debit and credit card that does not charge foreign transaction fees or ATM fees. The few dollars that they charge you each time can add up throughout an extended trip. This article will show you how.
7. You don’t have to fly direct.
It is sometimes cheaper to book flights to nearby airports and then travel by train, bus or budget airline. Find out the cost of going directly to your final destination. Compare prices at nearby airports. I check the price to get to my main destination from the secondary airport if the difference exceeds USD 150.
Skyscanner is my favourite flight search engine and website for finding cheap flights. It searches many different airlines, including budget carriers, which larger sites often miss.
8. Travel alone at least once.
Solo travel instils confidence and independence. It may sound cliche, but it is true. I learned to be independent, to talk to strangers, and to handle unfamiliar situations easily. You may need to get used to it if this is your first time but try it once. Surprise yourself by making yourself uncomfortable. When you push yourself, you’ll gain valuable life experience. You can find some useful articles about solo travel here:
9. Visit the local tourism centre.
Travel tips are often overlooked. The tourism information centres are well-informed about what’s going on in the town. You can find out about free activities and special events that are happening during your visit. You can even get discounts on transportation and attractions. Their job is to help you enjoy the destination more. Locals are on hand to tell you the best places to eat and drink in their city that aren’t crowded with tourists.
They also offer city tourism passes that allow you to visit multiple attractions at a single price. This is a great way to save money, especially if you plan on doing a lot of sightseeing.
10. Enjoy free walking tours
These tours are free and will provide you with a good background of the city. When I travel, I absolutely love walking tours. It’s a great way to pass the time and ask questions of the guide. You also learn a lot about the place you are visiting. In the last few decades, the popularity of these guides has exploded. Now, most cities have one.
Walks, a company that offers in-depth cultural and history tours in many cities (especially in Europe), is my top choice for those looking to pay for tours. Small-group tours tend to provide exclusive access behind the scenes that you won’t find anywhere else. Devour Food Tours offers a variety of food tours in Europe for fellow foodies.
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