Last updated on October 24th, 2022
Want to know the best travel tips for beginners? These are the top travel tips and tricks every beginner should know.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Please read the full disclosure for more information.
Traveling is extremely exciting, and if you’re anything like me, you’re doing tons of research to ensure you are fully prepared. As a traveler myself, I’m giving you the top travel tips for beginners that will make your trip much more enjoyable.
You will learn all about the best travel tips for beginners, from what to pack, proper luggage, how to budget, and much more.
After learning about all of these travel tips and tricks, you’ll be well prepared for that much-needed vacation in no time.
This post is all about the best travel tips for beginners.
Best Travel Tips for Beginners:
1. Start Small
While traveling is a lot of fun, it can also be insanely overwhelming, especially if you’re doing it for the first time. So I suggest starting somewhere small initially.
There are many aspects to think about when traveling, for instance, knowing how far your accommodation is from everything you want to do. That’s major! Once, I booked my Airbnb a whole HOUR away from all the attractions. It was a total nightmare. So, traveling to bigger cities sometimes adds to everything you have to think about during the trip. And the last thing you want to be is frazzled on vacation.
Visiting an ‘easy’ location and taking it slow will help you keep a clear mind while planning and traveling.
2. Research
The next tip for a smooth trip is to research the location beforehand. Researching may seem obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people don’t. And I’ve learned from experience that things can go haywire rather quickly if the proper reviewing isn’t done.
Here are some questions to get your research started:
- What activities are there to do?
- How far is your accommodation from attractions?
- Are there any travel alerts for my destination?
- Do I need a vaccination card?
- Do I need to buy my tickets in advance for activities?
Make sure to subscribe to the newsletter below to keep up-to-date on the latest travel tips and inspiration!
3. Find the Right Luggage
Finding the right luggage is essential to traveling with ease. Of course, any bag that holds your personal items will work just fine. And I recommend using what you already have if you’re on a tight budget. But you’ll quickly learn that not all bags are created equal. Some bags are much harder to lug around than others (It’s a pain to carry them around the airport) or break easily. Although it doesn’t sound like a big deal, a luggage mishap can ruin the mood. So to prevent that from happening, you’ll want to find the right luggage to travel with.
Here are some things to look for when searching for suitcases:
- Durability: again, you don’t want your bags breaking on you mid-trip. So check the zippers to ensure they are secure.
- Wheels: You’ll definitely want to test the wheels out because a broken wheel is a headache. Move the wheels around to make sure they’re firmly secure, and take it for a slight spin to ensure the wheels are moving smoothly.
- Handles: the best handle will not rattle or shake as you pull it. If it does, there is a good chance that it will break soon. So, avoid those.
Looking for similar luggage?
These suitcases fit all of the criteria mentioned above for the perfect traveling bag!
4. How to Pack & What to Pack
The rule of thumb for packing is to do so lightly. People have many reasons for doing this, but I especially do this to have room for souvenirs. One of the best parts of traveling is collecting trinkets that remind you of your travels – and you can’t do that with a packed suitcase.
But you may be thinking, “I still want to look nice while I’m there.” And I totally understand. Here’s how you can look good and limit how much you pack: try to take garments that can be worn in multiple outfits. I find the best way is to bring the basics like jeans and simple t-shirts, followed by a few fancier tops and bottoms.
Bonus tip: Roll your clothing instead of folding it. This will save space and allow you to pack more.
These travel compression bags are an excellent way to roll clothing & save space.
5. Budget
Indeed, money can’t buy happiness, but you will undoubtedly be miserable if you don’t budget wisely for your trip. Of course, you’ll need to determine a budget before leaving for your trip. But having a daily budget and then sticking to it will ensure you don’t run out of money. I would also recommend having some extra funds just in case you go over the daily budget.
Also, remember that some areas are more expensive than others, so what you need for one trip might not be your need for another.
Be sure to check out my post on Unexpected Travel Expenses & Tips on How to Avoid Them before setting your budget.
6. Get the Right Travel Accessories
You need to have the right travel accessories to have a truly successful trip. Now there are many travel accessories available, but I’m going to mention the ones that I think are absolutely essential.
Travel Accessories:
- A Power Plug Adapter is first on the list and an absolute must if you’re traveling abroad. Outlets are different in other countries, and this tool will help you charge all your devices like your phone and laptop. So make sure to grab one (or two, just in case you lose the first) before boarding your flight.
2. Headphones are necessary for life in general. Lol. But in all seriousness, you’ll definitely need a nice pair of headphones for viewing videos on your phone or laptop, especially when you’re in the airport.
3. Did you even go on the trip if you didn’t take photos?! Photos are a must so, make sure you have a quality camera. If you can’t afford to get a digital camera, your phone will work just fine.
4. And the last accessory worth mentioning is a portable charger for your phone. Most likely, you’re going to be out all day when traveling, and unfortunately, your phone isn’t going to last. So you definitely want to grab one of these for extra battery life.
7. Be Alert
The next piece of advice for beginner travelers is to be alert while out and about. I know an obvious tip, but it’s super easy to get caught up in the attractions and excitement and lose sight of what’s happening around you. Generally speaking, the world is safer than the news would have us believe. Still, it’s essential to be mindful of your belongings and the people around you. With caution and attention, you’re sure to have a great trip!
8. Download Travel Apps
Travel apps make the average traveler’s life much more straightforward. And they help in so many areas ranging from the beginning stages of booking the trip to transporting you around the city.
Here are the top travel apps I use whenever I’m on an adventure:
- Google Maps: This is one of my favorite apps to help me get around unfamiliar areas, and it’s free!
- Citymapper: This is also a free navigating app that I love to use. It is only available in 41 cities around the world, but I like it because it tends to be a little more detailed.
- Uber: This app is great when you need to catch a ride. It’s like ordering a taxi but with your phone! Very convenient. It is free to download, but you have to pay to book a ride.
- Lyft: Another ridesharing app I use frequently is Lyft. This app is much like Uber in that you can order a ride right from your phone. I use Uber and Lyft interchangeably depending on pricing.
- Google Translate: As you can tell from the name, this app is convenient for translating. This is a must when traveling to areas with different native languages.
- Duolingo: This user-friendly app is how I learn new words in other languages. Using Duolingo is a fun way to grasp new languages.
9. Blend In
Tourists are easily recognizable; they stick out like a sore thumb, making them an easy target for pickpocketers and potentially other dangerous people. You don’t want that kind of attention. So, I highly recommend all travelers blend in! Research what people wear in your destination and dress similarly. Reframe from wearing anything too flashy because it will draw attention. You want to experience the culture, not be a victim of it.
Make sure to subscribe to the newsletter below to keep up-to-date on the latest travel tips and inspiration!
10. Learn Basic Phrases in the Language of Your Destination
Of course, when you travel, you will need to communicate with others. So, make sure to learn the basic phrases in the native language. Grab a friend, a family or even a co-worker to practice with! And you can make it fun using apps like Duolingo. Happy Learning!
11. Wear Good Walking Shoes
And my last tip is to bring good walking shoes on your trip – this is a necessity. Even if you plan on Ubering the entire time, it’s nice to have a good pair of walking shoes, especially when sightseeing. Your body will thank you later.
Enjoy & Safe Travels!
This blog post was all about the best travel tips for beginners.
Like this post?! Pin it for later!
This website is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.
