Skip to main content

Travel tips and tricks: 5 dumb mistakes I make every time (but you can avoid)

Travel tips: Do as I say, not as I do. Please.

I’ve reached an unusual anniversary in 2022. This marks 10 solid years that I’ve been traveling constantly. Over the course of that decade on the road, I’ve been to all corners of the world, resided almost exclusively out of Airbnbs and hotels, and—for the most part — lived entirely out of a bag or two nearly every step of the way. The only occasions that involved traveling with more bags were the months of road-tripping, and living out of a car or van isn’t exactly far off from minimalism.

With all that travel experience, you’d think that by now I’d have the entire process streamlined to perfection. But while my travels are certainly less stressful than they used to be, there are a few mistakes that I tend to make again and again—maybe not as frequently as I used to, but they still happen. To that end, here are a few travel tips to keep in mind that will help you avoid these all-too-common mistakes.

Tall stacks of suitcases.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Packing too much stuff

For a while there, I had my luggage situation trimmed down to a single, light bag that I could (and did) live out of for months on end. Eventually, I started missing little luxuries and conveniences. It started with my guitar, which I began lugging around in a heavy case. Then I wanted a power strip for plugging in all my devices. Then some paper books, because sometimes you want a real book rather than a Kindle, right? Things spiraled out of hand; just the other day, I ended up putting my guitar and a suitcase full of crap into a friend’s storage near Amsterdam. I’ll pick it all up when I’m passing back through . . . eventually.

Arguably my top piece of advice to travelers involves packing less stuff. You might think you need a different outfit for each day, but you don’t. I’ve spent a lot of time around travelers, and they almost always wear the same handful of clothing items even if they have a lot more. Forget all the “just in case” junk. Leave toiletries at home and buy them once you arrive. Load up the Kindle. In other words, do anything you can to trim the excess.

An airbnb in the woods.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Picking a “cool” Airbnb without checking the location

It happens all the time: I pick an Airbnb that offers an amazing space —light and spacious, cool balcony or pool, hip décor, maybe a great view — then arrive to find that it’s in an entirely impractical location. Maybe it’s difficult to reach from the airport, or once checked in, it’s far away from everything worth seeing. Or maybe there aren’t any places nearby to get food or do laundry. Whatever the case, the place looks great, but the location sucks.

Take the time to do some research on the neighborhood you might be staying in. Check Google Maps for any businesses you deem essential — a grocery store, gym, or whatnot. Make sure that it’s near or at least accessible to the sites you want to visit. It’s also a good idea to use Google Street View to take a look around and see if you like the vibe.

At the airport.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Forgetting to ask for the upgrade

Over the course of a particularly busy year, I can take upwards of twenty separate flights. I’ve found that when I ask about upgrades at the gate, I end up getting them as often as every second or third flight — when I remember to ask, that is. Somehow, I consistently manage to forget.

These upgrades can transform your flight experience. Sometimes it means an entirely free bump up to first class, while sometimes I end up having to pay $50 or so — totally worth it for an eight-hour flight. Frequently, if no upgrades are available, they’ll check the seating chart to see if there’s an empty row I can have to myself. In any case, it never hurts to ask.

Athens when empty.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Neglecting to check the calendar

I tend to plan my itinerary around what makes the most sense for me personally, without considering what’s going on at a particular destination during the date in question. For example, I once booked two weeks in Athens because it made sense on my way from Italy to Turkey, but when I arrived, I found that the city was empty and everything was closed due to a two-week-long holiday.

Before scheduling flights and accommodations, be sure to check that there isn’t anything conflicting with your plans. That could mean holidays, a low season (if you’re looking to party), a high season (if you’re looking for quiet), a rainy season, or a hot season. I screwed up once and brought my easily-overheated mother, aunt, and uncle to Naples in August. If I have any advice for traveling, it’s this: Trust me, you don’t want to make the same mistake.

The cabin of a plane.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Picking the front of the plane

It might seem intuitive to select a seat as close to the front of the plane as possible, especially if you’re attempting to go carry-on-only. It allows you to get off the plane faster, right? But it also means that you’ll often board last, which can translate into problems with finding overhead storage for your carry-on. Suddenly you’re forced to have it checked into the belly of the plane, and your front-row fast escape has just turned into a long wait at the baggage claim.

Avoid the first dozen rows and aim for someplace in the middle of the plane. It’s not going to delay your disembarking by much, but it will ensure that you find a place to stow your bag.

Editors' Recommendations

Nick Hilden
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Nick Hilden is a lifestyle and culture writer whose work has appeared in the Washington Post, Esquire, Rolling Stone, Afar…
Travel tips: Getaway House lets you get off the grid for as long as you want without changing your whole life
Even if you want to, chances are you can't check email
A small, black wood-paneled tiny house in the woods with a firepit and chairs in the foreground

If the sound of your inbox ding, signaling the arrival of yet another email, is like nails on a chalkboard, and the dead-eyed stare of blue light reflected from your partner’s screen is keeping you from connecting, a timeout from technology and a trip off the grid may be just what you need. In a world that never seems to hit the pause button, where the persistent ping of notifications and the siren call of social media relentlessly beckon, there exists an oasis of serenity — a Getaway House.
Nestled away from the constant cacophony of digitized existence, a Getaway House is not simply a destination, but also a digital detox for always-online travelers. The chronically online and overworked can find solace in the serene sanctuary of a Getaway House, where the cell reception is nil and the point is peak disconnection.

How Getaway House gets you off grid
There’s no internet, no reception, and no screen time. Period. Here’s how the Getaway website describes it:

Read more
Make travel easy: The best packing apps for every type of traveler
Packing is always the worst part of traveling. Find the best packing app to help you stay sane for your trip
Someone packing their suitcase for a trip.

Let's be real: Packing for a trip is tedious, stressful, and time-consuming. For most of us, it just plain sucks. If you’re not the sort of masochist traveler who actually enjoys packing, smartphone technology is here to help. There's an app for everything, and they have come up with the best packing apps so you don't have to cry while putting things randomly into your suitcase.

There's a huge selection of travel apps out there, including packing apps for every flavor of traveler. From control freaks to those who want a dead-simple wizard to hand-hold them through every step of the packing process, these mobile packing apps make the process as quick, painless, and even mindless as possible. These are the best packing apps for travelers who seriously hate to pack.

Read more
The 5 travel apps every traveler should have on their phone
You'll want to download these travel apps today
close up of phone in man's hands with motorcycle in background

Travel stress can wreck even the best-laid plans. Whether you're a frequent flyer or an occasional adventurer, using travel apps can help transform your journey into an effortlessly enjoyable experience. From stress-busting itinerary management to unlocking the doors of the world's most exclusive airport lounges, having these five travel apps on your phone are like having a magical travel genie in your back pocket.
Best travel apps for stress-free trips
TripIt
Instead of digging through your inbox to pull up details of your next flight or hotel stay, use the TripIt app to organize everything in one spot. The app automatically compiles a comprehensive itinerary for you when you forward trip reservations for your flight, hotel, car rental, or other travel details to plans@tripit.com. TripIt's offline accessibility ensures you can access your travel details without an internet connection, and Siri shortcuts enable hands-free access.
Beyond basic itinerary management, TripIt offers advanced features like uploading PDFs, photos, boarding passes, and digital passport QR codes to consolidate all your travel-related materials in one convenient place. The app's map-related tools are particularly convenient on road trips, allowing you to plot your entire journey on Google Maps or Apple Maps, find transportation options, and access driving directions. You can also use the app to locate nearby restaurants, parking areas, ATMs, and more.

For added benefits, you can upgrade to the TripIt Pro subscription service for $48.99 annually. Stay up-to-date with real-time flight status alerts, check-in reminders, and potential fare refunds if prices drop after booking. The pro subscription also allows travelers to manage reward programs, a perk that can help you use your points before they expire, and even includes interactive airport maps. 
Learn More

Read more