Sometimes even most seasoned travellers make these travel mistakes. Though it is easy to avoid them once you know, if you ignore them they have the power to ruin your trip, cause you stress and cost you money. But actually they are very easy to take care of and as your travel embassy it is my job to present you with friendly reminders about them.
These are my list of top five of most common travel mistakes I saw around.
1- Let’s start with a “things we think it is true but it is actually not” example like “Last minute tickets are cheaper”. I have no idea when this was in fact a fact but statistically “chances of your ticket price going down last minute” is a slim one. Usually tickets are cheaper when bought couple of months ago from your travel date, especially true for international flights. Actually there are some research numbers like buying 34 days or 49 days prior are the cheapest time but it changes according to where you are going, date, other circumstances so I don’t think they are even worth using as a general guide. But one thing for sure is that as the date of your travel gets closer likelihood of your ticket prices going down is less than it is going up. And even more, assuming you are a very lucky person and really found a cheap ticket last minute, do check ticket conditions such as what time is it, allowed baggage weight etc., because it is unreal enough that you manage to find a cheap flight last minute, let alone it will be a good flight. Frankly only thing I saw cheap tickets are when airlines made promotions and it is usually months before the flight date. This method can only be helpful if you are, like me, one day planning to do this cool conversation at the airport ticket line; “One way ticket please”, “Umm, sir/madam where to?” “Cheapest and nearest flight please”
2-It is true you can find many alternatives in good prices thanks to increasing number of airlines that compete with each other. But that also means pricing policies differ from one airline to another and that may mean some flight factors are not included in the ticket price. For example allowed luggage weight and in-flight meals are extra things now. So don’t forget to check your flight’s total cost. If your flight price is especially low do check luggage allowances first. Because otherwise, like it happened to me in China, you will need to pay for luggage fee even for a normal one piece of luggage less than 15 kg and that will make your flight cost same as a not so cheap option. Also check your arrival airport because sometimes your cheap flight may land to a further airport which will cost you additional time & money to your hotel and make it not worth the price difference.
3- Don’t be overly optimistic about connecting flight times and never ever book connecting flights in separate tickets/reservations. Seriously this one is very important. If you don’t book your connecting flights in the same booking airlines have no responsibility or what so ever even if you miss your connecting flight due to inbound delays. But if you book them in the same ticket they will have to rebook you in such cases. And while booking them, I know nobody wants to spend extra time at the airport waiting for connection flight but don’t forget to be realistic. If time between your connecting flights is under one hour, think twice. Busy airport lines, big terminals that you may need to cross are likely and even small delays will stress you.
4-Overweight or much more than you need luggage. Best luggage is the lightest. Internet is full of resources on this topic, including couple of my own words, but seriously people don’t underestimate this one. Even if it is just between airport and hotel travelling with stuff you don’t actually need is a burden and it sucks. Get better at preparing your luggage.
5-Over plan your travel itinerary. Yes I know, sometimes you just have a couple of days to discover a city and you want to do as much as possible. But don’t forget travelling is about enjoying the journey and if you don’t give yourself time enough to experience the ambiance, if you are schedule is too busy even for a coffee break or doesn’t allow to drink a second if you feel like it, it is time to reschedule. That kind of itinerary won’t let you truly “see” the city or place wherever you are. Only plan for really must do things and allow flexibility for your trip to truly enjoy it.
