Beginner Travel Tips
The first thing that you need to know is not to pack more than you can comfortably carry. When you’re finished packing everything you intend to take with you throw it on your back, pile it up high. This includes any rucksacks, daypacks, suitcases, carry-ons, purses, pillows, teddy bears or whatever else you might deem an absolute necessity. Now that you’re slightly swaying under the weight of it, I want you to go for a 20-minute walk down the road, completely unassisted mind. If this walk proves to be more than you can handle then I guarantee that you’ve packed too much.
You have to remember that whatever you walk out the door with you intend to take with you around the world. And because most of us don’t take mom and dad or their financial resources with us on the road we are now entering a whole new realm of travel. Gone are the cabs and cushy hotels. This is the world of cramped buses that never turn up on time, overheated, smelly undergrounds, and crowded hostels with no elevators and 12 flights of stairs. Thankfully you needn’t tackle this completely alone. We have put together some hints on making your first major travel experience a smashing success.
Packing Do's and Don'ts
Pack a variety of clothes
Starting with the basics, you’re going to want a variety or clothes. Just because your destination is warm and sunny doesn’t mean it’s alright to leave behind the jumpers and rain gear. Prepare for every weather related eventuality. But keep it simple, you don’t really need 10 different t-shirts or 7 pairs of pants. There are laundry facilities along the way. And travelling isn’t a beauty contest, you can wear the same jeans three days in a row, it’s okay.
Small Travel Journal
You’ll want to remember all the people and places you meet along the way. When you travel you’re taking in so much new stuff every day that it’s impossible to remember everything. But this is a once in a lifetime opportunity, so to help you relive it later, just jot something down every day.
First Aid Kit
Absolutely indispensable. The must-haves include: aspirin, band aids, Imodium or charcoal tablets, hand sanitizer, Neosporin, allergy tablets. Also visit your doctor before you go. Make sure you have enough of any medications you may require. In addition to any shots or vaccines you may require.
Important Documents
Passport, Flight information, Travel Insurance, Visas. You’re going to need all of these. And you’re going to need to keep them safe. These bits of paper represent your identity. Before you leave home, make photo copies of everything. Leave one set with someone at home, take the second set with you and pack it completely separate from your originals. Remember to register with your consulate whenever you get to a new country.
Compass
Head three blocks east then head north for about 10 yards. Got that? Now which way do you go? Consult your handy little compass and you’re sorted. Should you be seriously directionally challenged like me, the best way to find where you want to go, is open up your mouth and ask. Usually hotel concergieres or bus drivers/tube station attendants are reliable people to ask.
Safety Pins
There is no limit to what problems the safety pin can solve. And they take up next to no room, a must-have. A small sewing kit will also tend to come in handy in a pinch.
Bike Locks
This is for keeping your personal belongings safe in hostels while you’re out loving the town. If small lockers or cages are available in the dorm rooms these are the best, separate your valuables and lock them up. Don’t make it easy on would-be thieves.
Small Pad of Paper and a Pen
Use this for jotting down directions, suggested pubs or restaurants or for grabbing the contact details from your new friends. It also really helps if you’re having trouble with the accents, just ask them to write it for you.
Random tips to further help smooth the way
Laundry powder
Put you laundry powder into a well dried water bottle or Tupperware container, this takes up much less room and is easily sealed to prevent spills.
Small, plastic bags
Carry some plastic bags with you so that you’re able to separate your clean and dirty laundry, or for packaging up any wet items you might have.
Day bags
Take your day bag with you grocery shopping, this saves on wasting plastic bags and makes it much easier for you to transport your food. Helping your back and the environment.
Bring a pillow case
Hygiene and hostels don’t always fit together. So in order to avoid lice or strange rashes, a pillow case really won’t take up much room and you can wash it as often as you like.
Ditch the sleeping bag
Unless you’re going camping or sleeping rough, leave your sleeping bag at home. Many hostels won’t allow you to use them in the rooms as they’ve no guarantee against your own brand of cooties. Plus their just additional weight you don’t really need.
Snack food
When buying food buying small snack foods, lots of fresh produce and rice or pasta which can be sealed in Tupperware and carried along with you is the best option. Things to avoid are cans as they’re too heavy. And general bulk buys, like a loaf of bread. Are you going to eat an entire loaf of bread in two or three days before you’re on the road again? And if not how are you going to carry it without it being completely squished?
Throw some light on the subject
One final pointer and this is one I place huge emphasis on for just decent hostel etiquette: INVEST IN A HEAD TORCH! Or a small flash light. This will help you out immensely when you want to read at night but everyone else in your 16-bed dorm is looking for lights out. Or for when you have an extra early plane, train or automobile to catch and you need to get yourself sorted. Especially because you’re causing enough grief to those light sleepers just by being awake, you don’t need to add glaring overhead fluorescent bulbs to that. Trust me; you’ll really appreciate the courtesy in return.
