Traveling is always great: new places, impressions and acquaintances. But inexperienced tourists are often afraid to go somewhere along an independently compiled route, and even more so they are afraid to go abroad alone. There is an opinion that traveling together or with a company is always more economical, safer and more interesting.
But it is enough to carefully study life hacks and tips for independent travelers in order to change your point of view: in splendid isolation, without friends and travel agencies, you can also make an unforgettable trip, which turns out to be interesting, safe and not too expensive.
Travel preparation
Documents, tickets, hotels When we buy a ticket from a travel agency, many stages of travel preparation pass by: the agency’s staff will issue a visa, medical insurance, hotel or hotel reservations and buy tickets. All inclusive provided by the travel agency is convenient, but too boring for tourists who are going to travel abroad on their own. How to deal with all documents , tickets and reservations yourself? What life hacks exist for independent travel? And how to save money?
The next important point is booking a hotel, hotel, hostel: use the websites booking.com or trivago.ru to find the most suitable accommodation option: price, living conditions, location relative to the airport and main attractions, services, transfers, meals; if you are not intimidated by hostel accommodation with other travelers, remember that you can agree on a free overnight stay in exchange for cleaning or other assistance; do not forget about the couchsurfing.com website.
Where you can find accommodation for 1-2 nights completely free of charge, simply by joining the mutual assistance program, many tourists who go on an independent trip prefer this option; if you plan to frequently move between cities or countries while traveling, try to take plane, train or bus tickets for night flights – this way you will get enough sleep in transport and save on housing.
Fees and flight
If you go on a trip on a ready-made tour, then the all-inclusive format will correct all sorts of mistakes, but if this is an independent trip, then you should be careful and focused when collecting. Take note of the tips for backpackers who travel on their own:
Take note of the tips for backpackers who travel on their own: if possible, refuse luggage: this way you will save money, time and will not find yourself in a foreign country without the necessary things in case of loss of things by the airline; practice shows: an experienced independent traveler manages with a minimum of things, and an inexperienced tourist collects huge suitcases for the trip.
So, that later not to use even half of the things brought with him on vacation; put heavy things (shoes, books, umbrella, tent) on the bottom of the bag, but do not send a laptop, tablet, or reader there: they may be asked to get them at the airport security check; put things in “rolls”, so they take up less space and do not wrinkle; it is better to pre-tie all the wires with a special wire and put them in a hard case, while do not forget to take an additional charger; creams, tonics and other products can be poured into small jars and bottles in advance, so as not to carry the entire home arsenal with you.
Take note of the tips for backpackers who travel on their own: if possible, refuse luggage: this way you will save money, time and will not find yourself in a foreign country without the necessary things in case of loss of things by the airline; practice shows: an experienced independent traveler manages with a minimum of things, and an inexperienced tourist collects huge suitcases for the trip, so that later not to use even half of the things brought with him on vacation; put heavy things (shoes, books, umbrella, tent) on the bottom of the bag, but do not send a laptop, tablet, or reader there: they may be asked to get them at the airport security check; put things in “rolls”, so they take up less space and do not wrinkle; it is better to pre-tie all the wires with a special wire and put them in a hard case, while do not forget to take an additional charger; creams, tonics and other products can be poured into small jars and bottles in advance, so as not to carry the entire home arsenal with you.
Useful tips for tourists who are about to fly on their own:
- Arrive at the airport 3 hours in advance, boarding starts 40-60 minutes before departure and ends 20-30;
- Go through the primary and secondary security check, then go to the check-in counter to get your boarding pass, which will indicate the departure terminal, boarding gate (gate) and your seat in the cabin;
- Alternatively – online check-in on the airline’s website a day before departure, be sure to print your boarding pass on a printer:
- Do not stand in line for boarding and be sure that after check-in the plane will definitely not leave without you, it is better to calmly read a book, have a cup of tea, fantasize about the upcoming trip;
- Do not forget to turn on “airplane mode” on your phone and laptop to save power and avoid equipment malfunctions;
- Bring a small snack on board with you if you are worried that the food given out on the plane will not taste good or that it will not be enough;
- If you are afraid of airplanes, then do not drink coffee before and during the flight, otherwise the pressure will increase and the feeling of anxiety will be with you all the time ( read more: how not to be afraid to fly an airplane );
- Take care of your leisure time yourself, prepare a book in advance or take a reader, charge your music player
- Take an aspirin half an hour before departure, stock up on candy and chewing gum in case your ears get stuffy during the flight;
- Pillows and blankets provided by flight attendants are often not thoroughly cleaned between flights, so decide for yourself whether to take them;
- Bring warm and comfortable clothes on the plane, because the plane cools down on long flights.
In another country
What do you need to know before traveling abroad on your own? After all, you land at an airport somewhere in Europe, Asia or Africa and find yourself in someone else’s territory with your own laws and mentality.
Remember the following life hacks for independent travel:
- Do not rush to exchange currency at the airport, as this can be very unprofitable, it is better to look for exchangers in the city;
- Download offline maps for moving around the city and all useful applications on your smartphone (local cafes and restaurants, museums, event posters, audio guides, travel guides, translators, taxis, metro, etc.) More about applications for travelers;
- Read in advance about the laws, culture and traditions of the country you are going to: in some countries you cannot show certain gestures, there are forbidden words and forbidden clothing, as well as dangerous, criminal areas and certain types of fraud that are characteristic only of this place;
- It is better to keep money partially in cash, partially on bank cards, and take at least two cards with you so that in case of loss or theft of one, block it and transfer all funds to the second ( more: where to hide and how to store money while traveling );
It is better not to carry documents with you, leave them at the hotel, and only have copies of your passport and visa with you. This is not everything independent travelers need to know, but these are basic, must-have items.
Conclusion
Experienced travelers have their own list of life hacks developed over many trips. You will have original life hacks too. It is enough to start traveling on your own to gradually gain experience and stop being afraid.
