Hope. Fear. Excitement. Traveling for the first time creates intense emotions.
When I set out on my first world tour, I didn't know what to expect.
Now, with over 10 years of travel experience, I know better. Traveling is now second nature to me. When I land at an airport, I go on autopilot.
But back then, I was one of the biggest novices. It was my first time traveling abroad.
To compensate for my inexperience, I followed guidebooks. I was young and inexperienced, and I made a lot of rookie travel mistakes.
If you are just starting out and looking for advice on how to become a traveler and prepare while your head is full of questions, worries, and anxieties, here are 12 tips I would give to a first-time traveler:
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- Don't be afraid! Fear is a powerful deterrent. Stepping into the unknown is scary, but remember: you are not the first person to travel the world. You aren't discovering new continents or exploring uncharted lands.
There is a well-trodden travel path out there, and there are people to guide you along the way. If millions of people travel the world every year, you can too. You are as capable as anyone else. After all, you’ve already done the hardest part: you decided to go. Making that decision takes courage and is the toughest part.
You will make mistakes. Everyone does (myself included). But that is part of the experience.
There will be many people out there to help you. You will be surprised at how helpful and kind people are. You will make friends, you will survive, and you will be better for the experience.
- Don't Stick to Your Guidebook Guidebooks are useful for getting an overview of a destination. They are a great way to learn basic facts about the cities and countries you plan to visit. However, you will never find the latest off-the-beaten-path spots, bars, or restaurants in them.
Connect with locals for the latest information (and insider tips). You can get recommendations, advice, and tips by connecting directly with locals and expats using websites like Meetup.com or Couchsurfing.
Also, join a free walking tour when you arrive in a new city. This allows you to connect with a local guide whose job is to share their recommendations. They know the best places to eat, the best bars, and the best off-the-beaten-path activities.
Finally, ask other travelers you meet or the staff at the hotel/hostel where you are staying. Also, visit the local tourism office. It is often an overlooked treasure trove of information. It is run by locals who can point you in the right direction!
In short, use a guidebook as the foundation of your plans, but fill in the details with up-to-date information from locals.
- Travel Slowly This is something most new long-term travelers learn the hard way (myself included).
I know how tempting it is to squeeze in as many cities and activities as possible. (This is especially true if you only have a few weeks of vacation.)
But rushing to a new city every day will only leave you tired and stressed. You will experience a series of activities, and looking back, most of them will be a blur. Sure, you'll have great photos for Instagram, but is that really why you are traveling?
In the words of Rolf Potts, the bestselling author of the book Vagabonding:
"The value of your travels does not hinge on how many stamps you have in your passport when you get home — and the slow, nuanced experience of a single country is always better than the rushed, superficial experience of forty countries."
Quality of travel is superior to quantity. Don't worry about how much you see. Don't worry about trying to impress people with the number of countries you visit. Slow down and soak in your destinations. You will learn more, enjoy yourself more, and have a much more memorable experience.
When it comes to travel, less is more. (Plus, slow travel reduces your transportation costs. Going slow is cheaper!)
- Pack Light When I went to Costa Rica in 2003, I brought a bag full of tons of stuff: hiking boots and pants, a fleece jacket, too many clothes, and my body weight in toiletries. And they all stayed in my bag, mostly unused.
I was packing for the "what if I need this" and "what if" scenarios, rather than the reality of my trip.
It may be tempting to bring extra items "just in case," but remember this: you can buy things on the road. Socks, shampoo, jackets, new shoes — you can find them all abroad. You don't need to bring everything including the kitchen sink.
So, pack light. You'll have less to carry and you will avoid the hassle and stress of having to lug around a giant backpack for weeks (or months) on end.
Unless you are going somewhere cold, a 40-liter bag will suffice. Bags of this size are easier to carry, not too bulky, and can be carried on as a carry-on only on your flight when necessary (a huge plus if you want to avoid headaches).
You can find everything here to help you find the best bag for your budget and trip.
- Get Travel Insurance Whether you are an experienced traveler or a new backpacker, don't leave home without ensuring you'll be protected if things go wrong. As we learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, sudden emergencies can come out of nowhere.
My luggage has been lost. I ruptured my eardrum in Thailand. I got stabbed in Colombia.
I have friends who broke their bones while traveling. I have friends who had to be helicoptered out of the Amazon. I know people who had to fly home due to a sudden death in their family.
Things happen. Life gets in the way.
Make sure you are covered; get travel insurance.
I always set off with insurance because I know how quickly things can go wrong. Make sure you are protected. It also gives you peace of mind and helps you travel with confidence.
You can get a free quote using the booking tool below:
Insurance covers you wherever you go. Age range 0-39 years old
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For more travel safety tips (and tips on choosing the best travel insurance policy), you can check out this webinar with Medjet:
- Bring a Phone (and Get Local SIM Cards) Having a phone with data allows you to instantly find directions, make bookings, and contact emergency services if something happens.
Since there is free Wi-Fi almost everywhere today, buying a local SIM card for data might seem like a waste of money (especially if you are on a very tight budget), but having instant access to roaming data can be a lifesaver.
If you are from the US and traveling for less than 3 months, T-Mobile has reliable data plans. Google Fi is another great option.
Also, having a phone makes it easier to connect and stay in touch with other travelers you meet.
In short, having a phone (and data) is truly useful these days. I like to use Airalo for eSIMs. They are super affordable and cover almost everywhere. You can download them directly to your phone, so they are easy to set up.
Just don't stay glued to the phone all the time.
- Go With the Flow When every day is planned and there are schedules to follow, you get stressed. Very stressed. You run around and become unhappy if there is any hitch in your carefully organized program.
And there will be hitches. And glitches. And all sorts of inconveniences, both big and small. Life on the road doesn't always go as planned — that’s both fun and frustrating.
When you plan too much, there is no room to experience the happy accidents of travel. There is no room to make spontaneous decisions or to add in new information and advice you've learned.
When making your plan, make sure it is flexible. Learn to go with the flow. Plan one or two activities and let the rest of the day unfold naturally.
It will be a more enjoyable and less stressful experience. You will be surprised to see what happens.
Be flexible. Let life unfold as it should.
- Bring Extra Money Travel is not as expensive as many people think, but you do need to create a budget that fits your needs. The secret to long-term travel is smart money management.
However, always overestimate more than what you think you need. You never know what will come up on the road. After all, you didn't save every penny and leave home just to skip out on once-in-a-lifetime experiences, did you?
Maybe you'll want to try bungee jumping or discover an unmissable, amazing restaurant. Or maybe you'll meet great people and decide to abandon your entire plan.
No matter how well you plan, something can always come up that blows your budget.
That’s okay.
Just leave home with a bit more money. If your planning says you need $2,000, bring $2,500. This creates a buffer for emergencies and spontaneous decisions.
There will always be unexpected expenses, and if you don't create a buffer, you might have to return home early.
- Remember Everyone Is in the Same Boat When you first start traveling, talking to strangers takes courage, especially if you are an introvert like me. What will you say? Can you invite people to join you? What if you end up alone?
These were all questions I asked when I first started traveling. The good news? Everyone is in the same boat. There are other solo travelers around you looking for friends. They, too, want to meet new people.
While there are a few tricks to help you meet people, mostly just saying "hello" and taking the first step is enough. The rest develops on its own. You have nothing to lose. It will help you overcome your shyness, make new friends, and become better at conversation.
- Be Adventurous We only grow when we are outside our comfort zones. And travel is all about growth. This doesn't mean you have to do dangerous things, but it means you should step beyond what you are accustomed to.
Hiking, skydiving, trying new foods, camping, rock climbing, hitchhiking — whatever taking a risk means to you is perfectly fine. Everyone has different interests and tolerance levels. Push your own boundaries. It might be scary and uncomfortable in the moment, but you will be glad you did it afterward.
Challenge yourself. Try new things. You will become more self-confident.
- It's Okay to Change Your Mind If you don't like a city, leave and go to another one. If you don't like the tour you joined, end it early. And if you really love a place you are visiting, change your plans and stay longer. The beauty of going with the flow is that you are the master of your own space and answer to no one. Do whatever you want.
It is perfectly normal to change your mind on the road.
Maybe that means extending your trip. Maybe it means returning home early. There is nothing wrong with either option.
If you are not having fun, you can always return home. You are not forced to decide to travel or stay in a certain place. You are the captain of your own ship. Never forget that!
However, don't sell yourself short. If you've only been away for a week and want to cancel your whole trip, give yourself more time. It takes time to get used to life on the road. Homesickness is normal. If you are still not enjoying it after a few weeks, then, of course, go home early. Just don't give up right away. You will likely regret it.
- You Are Not Alone Wherever you go, there is a network of travelers who will be your friends, give you advice and tips, and help you out. They will guide you, point you in the right direction, and be your mentors.
You are not on your own out there.
And you will be fine.
Everything will work out. You will make many friends and collect many memories. Traveling alone does not mean you are truly alone. Trust me. I've been backpacking solo for fifteen years and I've never felt alone.
I know you are nervous about stepping into the unknown. It is human nature to worry. However, if you remember these words of wisdom, you will set off with the right mindset and be able to avoid rookie mistakes.
Take a deep breath, relax, and enjoy your trip!
