A lot of people ask me about my frequent travels and how I do it.
Before I was 21 I hadn’t even left New Zealand; now I’ve been lucky enough to see (and live in) a lot of countries.
Travel has changed so much in the past few decades and even since I started at the end of the last millennium.
If I could pass on my top 10 travel lessons to newbies or people considering taking time out from the 9-5 slog to travel, this is what I’d say:
1. Travel doesn’t have to be expensive.
Especially if you go to cheaper countries in Asia or South America. Particularly if you are traveling on a strong(er) currency. Check out free things to do in the area and avoid the long museum queues. Wandering is usually free.
2. Travel doesn’t have to suck up all your savings.
There have been times when I’ve traveled and watched my money drain slowly away. This doesn’t have to be the case.
Instead, here a few ideas to generate income:
- research work permits in the country of your choice
- arrange contract work in your home country to complete while you’re on the road
- set up some kind of automated business or passive income (see Timothy Ferriss’ 4-Hour Work Week for ideas)
- think up an angle for your trip and get sponsorship. I know people who’ve done that.
3. There are so many helpful people just a few clicks away.
There are some amazing travel sites and blogs now with user reviews and tips. I personally love TripAdvisor and VirtualTourist. People love answering travelers’ questions: check out the Lonely Planet Thorntree forum. Seatguru can even help you pick the best seats on the plane.
4. Write up a to-do checklist well before you go.
There’s a lot to do before you embark on a big Overseas Experience (O.E.). Don’t leave everything until the last minute and get caught out/panic. Work through your list of visas, vaccinations, insurance, tickets, items to pack, list of phone numbers, mail, etc. Print one out online.
5. Do not over-pack.
For my first O.E. I could barely lift my backpack. I had packed for four seasons! Don’t do that. Most items will be available cheaply overseas. Be realistic. If trekking through jungles, leave the heels at home.
6. Learn the language.
If you are going to a non-English speaking country, learn some of the language in advance via a free online language course. It always amazes me how few people even bother. It’s polite, you don’t have to be fluent, and the response can be fantastic.
7. Put the guide book down.
Guide books can be saviors but also severely limit a trip if followed to the letter. No one knows exactly what you will like, not even the ‘experts’. Use the book for tips, if you must have one, but don’t work your entire schedule around it. The best things are discovered by accident.
8. Be careful, not paranoid.
Yes, there are scam artists and potential dangers when traveling. But there are also potential dangers where you’re sitting right now. Do your research on potential dangers and travel insurance deals and don’t wander down alleyways in the middle of the night. Make sure someone at home has copies of all your travel documents.
9. Take a good camera.
Especially if you are going to be photographing exotic wildlife. You’ll want a good zoom. Check out camera reviews and consider buying a second-hand one on eBay. And upload/develop your photos quickly as you take them. Photos can be the most precious part of a journey, after memories.
10. Try not to compare too much.
When traveling it is very tempting to compare everything with how it is at home. Of course you’ll compare, but try not to do it all the time, especially if you are getting frustrated with differences.
Remember why you came in the first place. Ordering Western-style food in Asia is often way more expensive than a corner noodle house. Adapt to local tastes.
A version of this article was originally printed here. Republished with permission.
Shona Riddell is freelance writer, website editor and online advertising specialist. Shes blogs over at Rich Minx about money and travel to inspire herself and others to grow her finances and stop spending cash on junk.What new century travel advice would you pass on?
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I would recommend finding a way to live in another country for awhile; teaching English, a government program like the Peace Corps, etc.
There is just no comparison to going as a traveler and going as a resident, plus if you’re already planted in Asia or Europe or Africa or whereever, it’s so much easier to launch yourself to other countries.
My family and I have lived in Japan and the Netherlands, and I’ve lived in Bahrain as a youth; the experiences are incomparable.
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Great post. The tips are really good. I would also suggest that travelers spend some time in each place to get the real feel for the culture and atmosphere. Thats what traveling is all about!
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Definitely a great post, and I totally agree on #7 – I’ve always found the best hostels/pensions, places to eat, and general experiences while just wandering or by taking the advice of locals.
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i always try to push “working holiday visa” ideas on anyone that crosses my path at work (i work at a cheese shop right now), and they’re always surprised that something like that even exists! i also agree with one of the reply posts above, that, actually living in a different city is much better than just traveling. i consider living, to be actual travel (the experience is much different, if you have to work as well), and the latter to be more, vacation/luxury travel. to each their own.
i call myself, “the wandering ch!nk” and when i travel, all i have, is a brief overview of the city/place, and all i find for myself, are two maps. public transit, and a full map with street names. wandering rocks!
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1. Make sure that your shoes are comfortable and functional for your trip. I left Kansas City for Lille France with new pair of western boots. I never wore them again.
2. Minimize your luggage. On each trip to work in Europe, I take as small a bag as I can get by with. On the return trip it is parked in a larger bag with souvenirs.
3. A daughter just got back from a business trip to eastern washington. She was robbed in her motel room as she slept. If you don’t need something any longer, and won’t need it for the remander of the trip – send it home. Have a commercial postal box to send it to that will hold on to these packages – that does not have your home address, etc. Money can be sent directly – registered mail to your bank or the private mail box.
4. Use a money belt.
5. Use full service banks for money exchanges. A friend changed US money in a foreign gas station – we figured she paid thirty-five dollars for a coke. And you will be in a hurry in stores or passing through airports – too busy to count your money. I almost lost a wallet with twelve hundred dollars at Le Gar Nord, Paris; next time – money belt. A lady in our group in France had a clutch purse loosely parked in a large bag. A bunch of girls gathered around her at a train station, and left with her purse, twenty-five hundred dollars, and credit cards These are expensive lessons.
6. In the future I will do my travel with a lot of zippered pockets or those with velcro. Dress casual – if you are wealthy, dress down. Don’t flash your money. And women traveling alone/with other women need to travel at least in pairs. Subscribe to travel magazines that offer warnings, cautions, suggestions to keep you out of trouble. Check the countries that you are to visit – more other countries as Mexico and Canada have new regulations.
7. If you are traveling in Mexico, and have an accent, keep your mouth shut, and let someone else do the talking. When the border people here you speak with an accent, they want a passport. That is dangerous on the Mexican border!I need to write my own book – there is too much more.
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Awesome tips!!!
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Nice tips, especially about wandering, it`s the best way to really get a feel for where you are.
I must say. the above post by El Dario sounds more than a little paranoid to me. I’m a woman, I`ve travelled in 22 countries on 5 continents (and in a couple months to my 6th continent) mostly on my own and I`ve always been safe and free of troubles. While it`s true that you have to be cautious and do research on where you`re going, mostly just use common sense and listen to what others who know tell you. People are generally good all over the world, if you travel with a chip on your shoulder waiting for something to happen, guess what? It will! Just keep your antennas up and enjoy!
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in my own travel i have particularly met loads of women that have travelled alone and had wonderful time of their life.. as they say its all about journey not the destination adding some spices and handling things by your own jundgement wouldnt that be great and nice idea.. there are bad apples everwhere.. you cant look for them to destroy your journey..i would say just relax and feel the world. enjoy have fun.. there are loads of people and places to be discovered..
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