Make sure to share WanderMoore!

Top Travel Tips

Make sure you have the best travel adventure possible with these smart travel tips! Everything from what travel services to use, international tips, insider travel tips, discovering hidden gems, travel dining ideas, and more. All tips for when traveling are from experienced travel bloggers who have learned all the best tips and tricks in their many travels! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Affiliate links are used which means if you purchase via my link I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you! I only recommend products I use and love!

• 

Plan Ahead

Submitted by Clotilde from A Princess Travelling With Twins

One of my top travel tips is to plan ahead! Even people who travel a lot sometimes forget that one of the most important things for the success of a trip is to have a detailed trip plan. How many times has it happened to you to arrive in front of a museum on closing day, or to have tried to visit a famous site only to find that tickets must be booked well in advance? Don’t worry you are not alone; it happens to everyone. 

The ideal way to avoid these situations is to put together a good trip plan. First, do a little research and decide which attractions you don’t want to miss, then compile a spreadsheet, or even a detailed day-by-day list.

 In the case of visiting a large city try to group the attractions into zones, for example, if you are organizing an itinerary to visit London this will help you to save a lot of time and money on travel. 

Decide what time you want to start your day and start your list. Calculate roughly how long it takes to travel from your hotel to the first site and how long the visit itself takes. Do not forget to add useful details such as opening times, if you need to book in advance if you need a particular dress code etc. 

Continue like this, also adding the times for meals. If you want to stay within a certain budget, you can also add entry costs and travel expenses, so you will have your trip perfectly organized.

Take a Day off After Travel

Submitted by Sara from WanderMoore

One of my favorite travel tips is to take a day off after travel! Like many of you, I love traveling as much as I can. What I don’t like is the way I feel when I get home from traveling. I like to call it the “Travel Let Down”. The trip is over and that sucks. And then I have to go back to work or back to a “normal” life, which in most cases isn’t nearly as exciting as traveling. So what I like to do is take a day off in between traveling and going back to “normal” life. This helps me to get my head back in the game and reacclimate. Some of the things I like to do on my day off after travel are taking a nap, catch up on laundry and do a little Yoga! Read more here!

• 

Be Visa Smart

Submitted by Deb from the Visa Project

A lot of us travelers ignore the visa angle when traveling. And I get it. Citizens of most developed countries are usually visa-exempt. So many don’t dig. I have often met travelers who enter visa-free and then work or volunteer in informal capacities. Or they forgot to get the extensions.

Here is the thing: many countries are very strict about it and you face being fined or deported if found violating any of your visa norms. For example, if you plan to teach English in Thailand, you need to get a Thai work permit. If you want to volunteer in Ecuador, you need to get a volunteer visa. 

You might get 90 days in a country visa-free and need to get an extension after that. Or you may be allowed to stay for only 90 days in a Calendar year. 

And finally, travelers from many developing countries need to apply for a visa prior to traveling. Often they can’t also apply for a tourist visa if they are not in their home country. So if you are from a developing country, you have to plan your travels much better. And make sure to follow this tip when traveling!

Make Copies of Travel Documents

Submitted by Sara from WanderMoore

Before your leave on your adventure, make sure to create copies of all your important travel documents. This is one of my favorite smart travel tips! This may include passports, driver’s licenses, international driving permits, birth certificates, etc… Then place them in a separate bag from the originals. So if you are carrying the originals in your backpack, put the copies in your checked bag. When going out and about leave one set in your hotel room and the other set with you- this way if your bag gets stolen or your room gets broken into you will still have copies of your travel documents.

Pack Travel Games

Submitted by Katie from La Jolla Living

When traveling with kids, pack lightweight travel games that are fun for every member of your family. Games not only entertain — they promote interaction between family members and also provide a break from shows and apps on digital devices that otherwise might get more play.

You can find portable versions of classics like Scrabble and Clue, but what you choose depends on how you’re traveling. On-road trips, turn to the classic license plate games and visual scavenger hunts that can be downloaded as templates from Etsy or bought on Amazon. On planes, games with minimal or magnetic pieces and those that can be played alone or without much movement work best. Take N Play games to come in small tins with magnetic pieces for chess, checkers, bingo, hangman, and other games (these are also handy in restaurants). And, of course, remember there are games that require just your mind like I Spy or 20 Questions. 

The other bonus of keeping a stash of travel games on hand is that you don’t have to be on vacation to use them. Keep some in your handbag or car for when you’re running errands at home.

Let Your Bank Know Your Traveling

Submitted by Sara from WanderMoore

My next tip for when traveling is to make sure to let your local bank know you are going on a trip. The best thing to do is to call/email/fill out an online form before you go letting them know where you are going and the dates. There is nothing worse than having your debit card down while traveling abroad. However, most international credit cards like American Express, do not make you inform them of this. So just double-check the details of use on all the cards you plan on using before you travel!

Stay at a Hostel to Save Money and Make Friends

Submitted by Becky from Becksplore Travel

Especially if you are traveling solo, it is always a good idea to stay in a hostel. You can not only save money by staying in a dorm room but it is also one of the best ways to make friends while traveling. A lot of hostels offer great activities such as dinners, bike tours, pub crawls, or walking tours. Some hostels even have their own tour desk. If you do want to find friends in a hostel, try to choose a hostel with a common area and try to join as many activities as possible.

It is always a good idea to read the reviews from other travelers as well to get an idea of the hostel atmosphere and if it is a social place. In smaller hostels, it is usually easier to meet new people than in the bigger places. This is my smart solo travel tip!

Make Sure You Have Everything You need!

Submitted by Sara from WanderMoore

For my next smart travel tip-Make sure you have everything you need before you leave for your trip. The worst thing you can do is find yourself on your dream trip and be without something important. One of the best ways to do this is to create your own packing list! Or one of my favorite things is to search Amazon for the perfect travel products. Check out my list of the top Amazon Travel Products!

Interested in a custom packing list? Email Sara at wandermoore24@gmail.com for more info!

Get Travel Insurance

Submitted by Anisa from Norfolk Local Guide
One of the things that makes travel exciting is the unpredictability.  You never know what will happen, which is why it is important to always be protected just in case.  Travel insurance can come in handy whether it’s lost luggage, an accident, or some other issue with your trip.

Unfortunately, it’s not as simple as just getting travel insurance, you need to get the right one for your situation.  For example, will you need rental car insurance or does your regular car insurance cover rental cars.  There are also some higher-end credit cards that have a travel insurance benefit or you could also buy an annual policy. You need to read the fine print to understand what is covered and the limitations.  If you are not sure, don’t hesitate to call and get clarification.  Also, be sure to choose a reputable company so that you won’t have issues if you need to make a claim. Remember if you travel against government advice that could void your policy.

Travel Using Points

Submitted by Sara from WanderMoore

Another great tip for traveling is to use points to book your travel. One of the best feelings ever is booking a flight using points that you already earned- it’s like flying for free! There are various ways to earn points with almost all the major airlines, resorts, and travel companies. My two favorites are the Delta Sky Miles from American Express and the Disney Visa Card. Both give you points back on your everyday spending and you can use those later to book your travel adventures.

My go-to reference for all things travel points is The Points Guy. Check out more info here !

Find Hidden Gems

By Or from My Path in the World 

Traveling isn’t just about seeing the highlights of a city/region/country. Discovering hidden gems and non-touristy things to do can take your trip to a whole other level, and here’s how you can easily find them. This is my favorite tip for traveling!

First, start with Instagram. From destination-focused accounts to hashtags to geotags, you might have to scroll for a while, but you’ll surely find unique spots that are not on any guidebook. That’s how I found an old bookstore in Madrid, a unique garden in Warsaw, and a quirky museum to add to my Budapest itinerary.

Next, look for destination-focused blogs, which are packed with expert info. If you’re familiar with the local language of your destination, you can try finding local blogs that usually have fantastic insider tips (for example, Google ‘secret places in x’ in Spanish).

Other things you can do to find hidden gems are asking locals about their favorite spots, taking alternative walking tours, or checking out websites like Spotted by Locals and Like a Local Guide (which are a mix of popular and non-touristy places, so you do have to do some digging).

Create an Intinerary

Submitted by Victoria from Guide Your Travel

The best way to ensure that your trips are enjoyable and well-planned is to come up with a detailed itinerary before you go. Of course you don’t have to plan every second of your day but having a plan for your trip can help you save money and time.

Make sure you set up transportation, a list of things to do, and a hotel transfer ahead of time which means you’ll have to spend less time on planning when you arrive. Create a map of all the places you want to see and then group them together according to location. That way you won’t miss out on anything and will have an overview of what you should be doing each day. Of course, watch out for the weather and do the most important things first so you don’t have to rush around on your last day. Find out all you need to know about planning an effective itinerary here.

• 

Get Behind Adult Travelers in Lines

Submitted by Sara from WanderMoore

My next smart travel tip is to get behind adults in line. It may seem odd, but just hear me out!

Whether it be the security line, the line into a museum, or the line for the bathroom, make sure you pick who you stand behind wisely. As someone who has traveled solo, as a couple, and as a family, there is one thing I know- kids take forever! There is always more time required when traveling as a family. So if you aren’t traveling with kids try not to waste time standing behind them in line. 🙂

Visit a Smaller City First

Submitted by Roxanne from Far Away Worlds

When visiting a new country, I always try and visit the second city first. Getting off a plane and stepping straight into the go-to tourist city can be very overwhelming. Visiting the second city first gives you the opportunity to get your bearings and settle into the culture of a new place – and, as a bonus, is often cheaper to get to.

Once you’re there, fewer people try to sell you things, there are fewer scams and quieter streets. It’s a wonderful way to ease into a new country at a slower pace, giving yourself time to learn about its history and culture before being confronted with the confusion of a huge city. Smaller cities are also easier to navigate and frequently have a few hidden gems you’d otherwise miss.

I enjoy traveling slowly, so I often start in a smaller city and travel overland to the capital, choosing to finish my trip there. This way I have insight into the different regions and cultures, as well as practical information about the country – how much things cost, different foods, and local greetings. And by the time I get to the capital, I can just soak it all in and enjoy my time in one of the world’s greatest cities. Make sure to follow this travel tip for your best travel experience!

Bring a Solar Powerbank

Submitted by Athul from Our Backpack Tales

One of my best travel tips is to always carry a Powerbank! We always carry power banks with us every time we travel as a backup to charge our electric devices. These are very helpful in case of emergencies or when there is no option to charge the devices. While hiking to remote hilltops like that of Skandagiri, or traveling to remote villages, charging our travel gear or mobile phones can get really hard. A solar charger becomes handy in these situations. Unlike normal power banks which can be only charged if connected to a socket, a solar power bank has solar panels integrated into it and charges itself when kept in sunlight.

Make sure to just keep the power bank in the sun for some hours to get it fully charged! These power banks come in various battery sizes. You have to choose the battery size according to the number of gears you have. Usually, 10000 mah power banks can be used to charge two mobile phones of 4000 mah battery size. So always keep in mind that 80%-90% of the capacity will be available for charging.

Take Too Many Photos

Submitted by Sara from WanderMoore

Another great tip for traveling is to take lots of photos! Photos are the ultimate souvenir for avid travelers. You want to not only have the right equipment to get great quality photos but you want to take a variety of photos. Scenery shots, photos with you in them, group photos, food photos, etc… You can always delete them later but you can never go back and take them once you have left a place. So make sure you take as many as you can so you always have the memories to look back on.

My favorite travel camera- get it here!

Helpful tips to take great travel photos- read it here!

Join a Free Walking Tour

Julia from The Cure For Curiosity

One of the best travel tips every traveler should know is to check out a city’s free walking tour the first day they arrive. Most tourist destinations offer them, and it’s the perfect way to get acquainted with a city, plan out your itinerary, and save money while traveling. Typically, a tour will last just a few hours, and they will cover the highlights of the city, the history of the area, and additional insights into what to do during your time there. 

If that is not enough incentive to try them out, there’s another great reason. Joining a free walking tour is the ideal place to meet other people! Whether you are traveling alone and looking to make friends to explore with or you want to get a local’s perspective on which attractions are worth your time or what the best restaurants are, walking tours are perfect for both!

Keep in mind that while they are considered “Free” Walking Tours, they are really based on tipping at the end. It’s actually a huge positive as it gives the tour guide incentive to be the best tour guide ever – and most of the time they are!  Another one of my great travel tips!

Pack light with only carry ons

Submitted by Diana from Travels in Poland

Traveling light is a difficult thing for many people to do sometimes but it is my top smart travel tip. Especially if they are traveling to a location where they are unsure if they will be able to get basic things they may need. However, traveling light is one of the best things anyone can do.  Lost luggage is a major issue, as is time spent at the baggage carousel.  For connecting flights, this becomes particularly pronounced, and the risk of lost or delayed baggage is sometimes compounded.  

Being able to pack light and keep only what you need in carry-on suitcases takes practice. However, the benefit of being able to only take carry-ons will save a lot of time, energy, and fees.  Many airlines charge additional fees for baggage, and this can be avoided easily with a carry-on.  Though it can get a bit more complicated when traveling with children, for example, being able to minimize wardrobes and rolling clothes into a carry-on are both good tips to avoid taking luggage.

• 

Create a Google Map for your Trip

Submitted by Jennifer from Family Trip Guides

We’ve had the joy to travel with our young kids around Europe, parts of Asia, and all around the US. For each trip, I use the same travel tip I learned years ago. I plan with Google Maps! Google Maps has tons of free tools that allow you to create your own private map and chart out your itinerary putting in notes, color coding stops and sharing with any other travelers.

How I use it: Before the trip, I create a new google map and title it for this specific trip. I put down markers for the cities and attractions I am interested in seeing it. This helps me visualize the distances between attractions and restaurants and hotels. I can use that info to decide what I want to visit. During our trip, I have access to this google map to look up directions and opening times, etc. I now use Google Maps to explore our area in DC as there is so much to discover! 

Eat-In

Submitted by Sara from WanderMoore

One of my favorite travel tips is to eat in while traveling. While on vacation you may be tempted to eat out for every single meal, you are on vacation after all. But to get a more “local” experience try eating in! Go to the local market, store, or wine shop (my fave!) and pick out some local ingredients to make a fabulous meal. My favorite time doing this was in Paris- there are so many great little shops with delectable ingredients to choose from!

Check out more international recipes from WanderMoore-here!

Talk to people around you

Submitted by Nesha from Niche Travelling

When it comes to traveling, talking to people around you is invaluable. This is my favorite tip for traveling smart. Whether it’s talking to other travelers or talking to the locals, you never know what knowledge you will receive.

The first time we traveled, we learned about this travel tip very quickly. When we stopped off at campsites, we always made sure we got chatting with other people. Sometimes this would be locals traveling their country, or it would be other visitors like us. By talking with other people, it helped us learn about places to visit in the area. It was actually one of the best ways to find all the hidden gems. Talking to people on your travels is also a great way to make friends. Having more friends around can help pass the time. We are still in contact with some of these people to this day.

Putting yourself out there while traveling is such an important thing to do. The people you meet may know about an area more than you do and vice versa. The travel community can be such a great place

Know Where to Ask Questions

Submitted by Debbie Fettback from WorldAdventurists.com

It is important to know where to ask questions so that you can make the most of your trip. One of the best places to ask questions is the local tourism office. They know what is happening around town each day. They can direct you to the best activities, and give recommendations to where the locals love that you may not find in a guidebook.

At the tourism office, you can also find discounts on attractions or transportation and any pamphlets for your desired activities. Their job is to help make your trip incredible, so make sure you use this free resource!   Another great place to find quality information is from hotel staff. Even if you’re not staying there, do not be afraid to stop in and ask questions. The staff knows what travelers commonly ask, where to find great food and attractions, and are locals of the city, too.  This is one of my favorite travel tips!

Dress in Layers on Flights

Submitted by Hannah From the Hoppy Flight Attendant

As a flight attendant, I can tell you the best piece of airline travel advice is to wear layers! This is one of my top tips when traveling smart. Unfortunately, aircraft aren’t known for their good heating and cooling settings and it’s hard to find the perfect temperature for everyone onboard. When a passenger asks to heat the plane up or cool it down, a flight attendant has to call and inform the pilots. The pilots then turn a little knob up in the flight deck and hope for the best.

It also tends to get very cold near the airplane walls, windows, and door areas which is unavoidable due to the incredibly low temperatures at 30,000 ft. If you know you’re a person who gets cold easily I would
pick an aisle seat further away from the doors and windows and come prepared with a sweater, socks, or a blanket. Keep in mind that during the pandemic most airlines do not have blankets available.

 I see way too many passengers coming onboard dressed for their destination. I understand trying to pack light and being ready for your vacation, but you also want to be comfortable for the journey there. So
make sure to wear layers on your next flight to avoid being freezing, sweaty, and uncomfortable.

Eat Local

Submitted by Luke from Wild About BC

When traveling to a new country we suggest eating at local restaurants rather than those targeted at tourists. There are several benefits to doing this but the number one reason is that you’ll usually get amazing food. We really noticed this in Sri Lanka, where we ate at local restaurants almost exclusively during our month-long trip. Every single meal was delicious and we found the food had a little bit of extra flavor and spice versus the more touristy restaurants we ate at. It’s great to try new foods and sample the local cuisine when traveling rather than just eating the same as you would at home.

The other reason that eating local can be beneficial is that it is often much cheaper, especially when traveling to countries in Southeast Asia. Restaurants targeted at tourists know you have much more money to spend so they charge much higher prices. Whereas restaurants catering to the local people will offer similar, if not better, food but it will be significantly cheaper. If they are serving more western-style food, they often have to import a lot of the ingredients which can drive up the price as well.

We recommend diving headfirst into the local culture when traveling and eating the local food is such a big part of that. This is not only my top travel tip but you’ll get to enjoy some amazing food while also saving lots of money.

Travel Off-Season

Submitted by Eden from Rock a Little Travel

One of my best travel tips for anyone looking to travel abroad to popular destinations is to travel in the off season or shoulder season. 

Off-season travel destinations often come with significantly lower prices for hotels and airfare. It is not uncommon for hotels to double or triple room rates during their peak season. Planning your visit for the off-season or shoulder-season is one of the easiest ways to save money when planning travel.

The same goes for airfare. You’ll always see airfare on sale when it’s the off season. Even better, the planes are not as full. If you’re lucky, you might even get a full row to yourself. 

Off-season travel also comes with another added benefit, smaller crowds. This is especially beneficial if you’re planning to visit cities like Paris, Venice, Barcelona or London. 

These touristy destinations come with big crowds during the busy summer months. However, if you’re willing to visit in the spring of fall, you’ll often avoid lines entirely, even at  the most popular attractions.

Use a Booking Service

Submitted by Sara from WanderMoore

My final travel tips to use for travel is to use a booking service! Using a travel booking service is like one-stop shopping for all your travel needs. You can book your flight, hotel, and car rental all through the same company. Plus, there is normally a discount for booking everything with them! Also, in this day in age where things may need to be canceled at a moment’s notice you will only have one phone call to make. My favorite service to use is Booking.com! They are easy to work with and their app is very user friendly. Plus, I always feel like I am getting a good deal.

Can’t Travel Right now?

Make sure to keep your travel spirit alive with these tips!

Subsribe to WanderMoore

Pin for Later!

• 

• 

•