10 Best Travel Tips for Beginners Everything You Need to Get Ready

1. ONLY BRING WHAT YOU NEED

Pack only the essentials.

The first rule for packing is to limit your items to only the essentials. Never cram all your stuff into the suitcases, only because you might need them. Bring only the things that aren't replaceable where you're headed, and skip all the items with local alternatives.

From our experiences, it's best to have a packing list so you don't overpack and never forget anything. Start with your important papers and personal identifications. Put them all in a zip bag and store them inside the safe compartment of your backpack.

Once you're done, it's time to check on your electronic devices. In most cases, you only need space for the phone and its charger. Your laptop is optional, especially if you don't plan to use it often during your vacation.

2. LEARN TO PACK CLOTHES EFFICIENTLY

Your clothes and other accessories are much needed to show off your styles and capture amazing pics during the trips. But only take those that you'll most likely wear during the experience. And make sure to follow our guidelines to pack them like a pro:

• You should always try to roll your clothes to optimise the space inside your backpack.

• Remember to put heavy accessories and clothes at the bottom of your suitcase or bag to avoid any disturbances during transportation.

• It's highly recommended that you use packing cubes to help organise the items inside your suitcase. Thus, allowing you to make the most of the available spaces.

3. PUT YOUR LIQUIDS INSIDE AIRTIGHT BAGS

Since you'll be keeping them inside your bag, together with clothes and other electronics, we advise you to stash any of them inside liquid bags to avoid spilling. In most cases, a simple plastic zip-top bag would be enough. And while you're at it, check the airline regulations for certain types of prohibited liquids before putting them inside.

A great way to avoid any airport hassles when going through the checkpoints is to use TSA-approved bags. These are specifically designed bags following the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) guidelines.

4. A DAYPACK FOR EXPLORATION

Bring only your daypack when you are out and about.

You don't have to bring your entire luggage when exploring a new travel destination. Instead, learn to prepare a small quality daypack for better mobility and convenience. This will allow you to relieve a lot of weight on your backpack, especially if you're always on the move.

Only take important items like your water bottle, sunscreen, snacks, charger, ID, and a little bit of cash. Depending on the day and your travel preferences, you can pack your stuff differently each day.

Remember, you don’t need much to explore a new place, just be open-minded and embrace the complexity.

5. RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH

Before travelling to a new place, it’s important to do some research on how to travel. With travelling, knowing what to expect before you board that plane is certainly a must.

Start by asking questions like:

• What will the climate/weather be like? – so you can bring the right pieces of clothing and gear for the next trip. Also, check the local weather forecasts to learn the exact patterns for the upcoming days.

• Do the locals speak your language? – Fortunately, English is a secondary language in many countries. But if you end up in countries that don’t speak your language, then you will need your translation tools (e.g. Google Translate) available.

• What are the means of transportation? – most of the time, we advise you to travel on foot if possible. It will allow you to have true experiences as a local. And to move between places of great distances, rental vehicles and public transportation are what you need. Make sure to have some research done and choose the best options, depending on where you're going.

These are just a few initial questions that you can ask yourself. The more you research your international travel destinations, the more well-prepared you will be.

Fortunately, food and travel information are as plentiful as blackberries these days. Here are some for you to get started:

• Your country travel advisories such as those of the U.S. and U.K.

• Travel blogs (like us!)

• Youtube

• Documenties and movies

• Podcasts

• Travel magazines and guides

• Travel forums such as TripAdvisor

• Social media like IG or Tik Tok

• And finally, your friends and family.

6. ALWAYS STAY FLEXIBLE

Expect the unexpected, and you’re golden!

No matter how well you prepare for your trips, unexpected things can always happen at the last minute. So, as experienced travelers, we highly recommend you keep an open mind and stay flexible when dealing with anything. A change of plane doesn’t necessarily a bad thing.

Adaptability is what all travelers should have. And sometimes, the best experiences come from situations that are least expected. Don't be afraid to change your plans as long as you know what you're getting into. This mindset will be your international entry when travelling to a foreign country.

7. EAT AND DRINK LIKE A LOCAL

One of the best experiences that you can have when travelling is trying local cuisine. And the best places to get these indigenous dishes are the local markets and restaurants. Look for the most recommended places on the Internet and start exploring them whenever you can.

It's even better to find a guide who can help you navigate the streets and get to places where they sell real, local specialties. A telling sight is when a place is full of tourists instead of the locals.

And when eating in a foreign country, our top travel tips would be to consider eating at trusted facilities and always watch how they cook it (do they wash their hand? Is there any ingredients that you are allergic to?).

When in doubt, drink only filtered or bottled water. Some even go so far as to brushing their teeth with water from their trusted source only. This will improve your food and drink safety while travelling.

8. MAKE NEW FRIENDS

A holiday is a great opportunity to make new friends.

Your trips are all about meeting new people, exposing yourself to new cultures, having new experiences, and making new friends. So don’t hesitate to start a conversation with the locals when you’re travelling.

In most countries that we've been to, the locals are always hospitable when interacting with visitors. And from our part, they were most helpful and welcoming, often doing more than required to help us with directions, recommendations, and advice about travelling.

Many of our foreign friends are from our previous trips visiting their countries. Sometimes, all it takes is a spark of curiosity to ignite a life-long friendship. And you'll never know how exciting the people you meet every day are until you can sit down and spend some time with them.

9. TRY TO LEARN THE LOCAL LANGUAGE

Most of the time, the best way to approach a foreigner and make new friends is to speak their language. Now, you don't have to be perfect and fluent when engaging with locals. Just make sure that you've tried learning a few basic phrases and be most open to speaking to others.

Sometimes, a simple “hello”, “please”, and “thank you” in the local language can get you really far when communicating with others. And at the same time, you can often enjoy learning new words and phrases from your new local friends, which will make the entire experience a lot more enjoyable.

Apps like Duolingo, Rosetta Stone, and Babbel can be helpful. A pocket-sized phrasebook or app of the same function is another handy reference you may want to have.

10. EXPLORE AND EMBRACE THE LOCAL CUSTOMS

Explore local customs while travelling.

When travelling, it’s important to understand that different countries will have certain cultural differences. So, as travellers, you need to be open-minded and well-adapted to the local customs. By understanding the different practices, you can learn about certain people and their society.

Start by exploring the common traditions of the locals before you travel, so you would know what to expect. And when you're staying in their countries, always be respectful and try to embrace the complexity as much as you can.

For example, in Japan, you must remove your shoes before entering any homes or temples. It’s considered rude when eating with your left hand in India. And in some Middle Eastern countries, it’s customary to haggle when shopping, especially at the local markets.