By Ah, your first big trip. Excitement! Fear! An unshakable belief that you need to pack 17 pairs of socks!
Before you launch into full-on panic mode and start Googling “Do I need a survival kit for Paris?” take a deep breath. You’re not the first person to leave home, and you probably won’t end up as a tragic backpacker horror story.
But since you don’t know what you don’t know, let me, a seasoned traveler who has made every mistake in the book, save you some grief.
1. Stop Being So Scared
You’re not discovering a lost civilization. You’re going to places with running water and Wi-Fi. If millions of people manage to travel without incident every year, you’ll be fine.
Sure, there will be moments of confusion. You’ll get lost. You’ll make mistakes. You will butcher basic phrases in another language. But guess what? Nobody cares. Most people are nice and will either help you or at least enjoy your tragic attempt at asking for the bathroom in broken Spanish.
2. Your Guidebook Is Already Outdated
Yes, yes, Rick Steves is great. But by the time your guidebook is printed, half the places in it have either closed or doubled their prices.
Instead of blindly following a book from 2019, ask locals. Use sites like Couchsurfing or Meetup, chat with other travelers, and Google things written in this century. Even better—make friends with hostel staff. They know all the cheap eats and fun spots.
Bonus: The local tourist office actually exists for a reason. They’re not just there for decoration. Go in. Ask questions.
3. You’re Not in a Race—Slow Down
I know, I know. You want to see 47 cities in 10 days. Because, obviously, the best way to experience a country is by sprinting through it like a caffeinated lunatic.
Or… hear me out: do less.
Nobody is impressed that you technically “did” five countries in a week. Slow down. Stay longer. Actually experience places instead of just checking them off a list.
Trust me, your Instagram followers don’t care about your selfie in front of the Eiffel Tower. They’re busy scrolling past it to watch dog videos.
4. Pack Like a Sane Person
I promise you: you do not need three pairs of shoes for a weekend trip. You will regret bringing that massive suitcase when you’re dragging it over cobblestone streets, up hostel stairs, and through tiny bus aisles.
Pack light. Anything you forget, you can buy. Locals also wear socks. There are stores.
Stick to carry-on only if you can. That way, airlines won’t lose your bag, and you won’t waste half your trip waiting at baggage claim, questioning your life choices.
5. Get Travel Insurance—Because You’re Not Invincible
Sure, you could roll the dice and assume nothing will go wrong. Or, you could be smart and get travel insurance.
It covers lost luggage, flight cancellations, broken bones, and that “totally safe” street food decision that ends in disaster.
Don’t be the idiot who skips it and ends up crowdfunding their hospital bill because “it seemed like a waste of money.”
6. Your Phone Is Your Best Friend
How did people travel before smartphones? No idea. Probably witchcraft.
Download Google Maps offline, get a local SIM card so you’re not stuck begging for Wi-Fi, and for the love of all that is holy, put your important documents in the cloud.
(Yes, your passport photo looks awful. No, you can’t retake it. But you’ll be glad you saved a copy when you inevitably lose it.)
7. Plans Will Fall Apart—Deal With It
Your bus will be late. Your flight will get delayed. That restaurant you were dying to try will be closed on Mondays (because of course it is).
Freaking out won’t change anything. Roll with the punches. The best travel memories happen when things don’t go according to plan.
8. Bring More Money Than You Think You Need
Yes, you budgeted everything perfectly. But then you found a cool excursion, a must-try restaurant, or, I don’t know, a new personality.
If you budgeted $2,000 for your trip, bring $2,500. Because “unexpected expenses” are really just code for “I want to have fun and not stress about going broke.”
9. Other Travelers Are Just as Clueless as You
Everyone else is also winging it. Even the people who look like they have it all together.
Say hi. Make friends. You will not die from social interaction. In fact, most of your best travel memories will involve random people you met along the way.
(Pro tip: If you’re awkward, just carry snacks. Offering food is an international friendship cheat code.)
10. Do Something That Freaks You Out (Within Reason)
No, you don’t have to jump out of a plane or eat a fried tarantula. But step outside your comfort zone.
Try a weird dish. Attempt a conversation in another language. Take that slightly terrifying bus ride to a cool destination.
Being uncomfortable is how you grow. You’ll be amazed at what you’re capable of once you stop overthinking everything.
11. Changing Your Plans Doesn’t Mean You Failed
If you hate a place, leave. If you love a place, stay longer. If your whole trip is going sideways, scrap it and start over.
There’s no rule saying you have to suffer through a miserable itinerary just because you planned it. Travel is about enjoying yourself, not checking off a checklist.
12. You Are Not Alone
Everywhere you go, there are other travelers just like you. They’re lost. They’re confused. They also have no idea how public transport works here.
The world is full of people who will help you, befriend you, and sometimes save your clueless self from disaster.
So breathe. Relax. And enjoy the ride.
Final Thought: You’ll Be Fine (Probably)
If you remember nothing else from this list, remember this:
- You will make mistakes.
- You will forget something important.
- You will embarrass yourself at least once.
And none of it will matter.
Because at the end of the day, travel isn’t about perfection. It’s about experiences, stories, and making memories that will be way funnier later.
So go. Mess up. Have fun. And try not to get scammed too badly. 🚀