You're overwhelmed, obviously. You're about to head off for your first authentic trip solely for the purpose to feed off your wanderlust, and it's an amazing feeling. And to think of that you will get your first chapter in your travel diary is truly exciting.
It's almost unlikely, just like cooking a perfect Pasta at your first try, that you're going to make no mistakes on the first time you travel. Simply identical as you'd make mistakes in the other aspects of life. These are the common ones that beginner adventurers commit. And after this you might become at least a little aware of them, if unable to avoid completely.
Making the Travel agent do everything
While it's now simple for you to book a whole trip yourself over the web, we get your wish to feel the security cushion of a travel agent. However that does not mean you have got to use them for everything. Book your flights, and perhaps your pick-up taxi. But you will usually save cash if you take care of everything else yourself, specially on online hotel booking.
Booking things more than required
It's tempting, on that first intimidating trip away, the urge to keep everything secured in – every hostel, each transfer, each breakfast, lunch and dinner. Your stay in any of the hotels in Delhi can be assured. That means you do not need to worry regarding any of it, right? However you will soon come to understand that it pays to have some flexibility. Book within the bigger things, sure. But also leave yourself space to alter your itinerary and take opportunities as they present themselves.
Being conned
There are scammers out there, and it is the naive novice travellers that give their easiest targets. I was scammed the first time I travelled. And also the second time. And also the third time. There isn't any simple approach around this – you are usually handling professionals who've been doing this their entire lives. Simply roll with the punches and check out to not give up too much money.
Being suspicious to every native
That said, however, you'll invariably spot the first-timers' hands subconsciously guarding their cash belts, faces set to "suspicion", continuously making an attempt to work out what the scam is, who's making an attempt to tear them off. It's exhausting when you initially begin to spot the crooks from the friendly locals, therefore many individuals simply mistrust everybody. That is a blunder though. The vast majority of locals are not hell-bent to get you. It pays to trust them every now and then – you will build plenty of new friendship.
Wanting to visit every place
This is why the group tours are well-liked, why folks see titles like "Seven cities in 12 days" and assume that its an honest thing. This is your first huge trip and you would like to check out as much as possible humanly – you would like to tick as many boxes as you physically can. However that is a slip-up. You've got to trust that you will travel again. Rather than attempting to visit everyplace right away, slow down, get to understand one city, or even two, and your craving will be whetted for a lifespan of many other travel adventures.
Misjudge the costs
Here's the deal: everything is going to price over than you're thinking that it will. From the flights you saw publicised for "₹600 return" to the beers you may buy at a bar somewhere on a drunk night out, everything is going to be costlier. You will pay double the maximum amount as you'd planned. And that is a conservative estimate. Before you travel, save extra money. To your luck, at least hotel booking online will be satisfactory with MiStay.
Stuffing your luggage too much
Don't take a sleeping bag unless you're actually going camping. They're useless. Most hostels won't even let you use them. Don't pack too many clothes – remember, you'll buy things while you travel. Don't take a huge first aid kit. You really just need a few necessities. Don't take more than three pairs of shoes. Don't take more than two pairs of jeans. But do take soap – most hostels don't supply it.
Forgetting to get an insurance
You need insurance. Even if you are simply aiming to sleep in a resort for a week. If you are in an accident, or if you get sick, or your luggage go missing, or any from a million other mishaps occur while you are travelling, you will be very happy you spent that tiny amount on an insurance.
Shopping crazily
It's tempting to steer into one in every of the travel outlets and simply go bananas. You may pay thousands in there, buying off things like special travel shirts with breathable material, compression sacks, wire mesh thingys to wrap around your backpack, cash belts, karabiners, hiking shoes… However you do not need any of it. Wear garments you are comfy carrying. And using a money belt is like carrying around a signal shouting "rob me".
Freaking out
Things are about to fail. And that is not just because you're a beginner – things are continuously progressing to fail. That is a part of any travel episode. The error first-time travellers make is letting it get to them. Thus your train did not come, or your hotel has lost your booking, or ₹50 has gone missing from your purse, but relax. You can sort it out. Getting upset or freaking out will merely create worse situations.
Following the guidebook, word by word
It's nice to have a handbook, one thing to point you towards the right direction and provides you background info on the places you're visiting. The fault first-time travellers make, however, is barely doing things listed in the guidebook – only visiting the restaurants, staying in the hostels and visiting the attractions that get the guidebook's stamp of approval. There is a lot of to the planet than the bits listed in those pages.
Travelling for the social media
And just to be clear, this one is not just a mistake but a crime to commit. C'mon! You're out in the world, feeling new things and meeting new people, and what you do? Take a selfie and post it somewhere wasting your precious time.
Honestly, commit all the mistakes one can possibly make. Learn, and do it better next time. But live the moment, be in the moment and make it a part of yourselves than your snaps.