50 BEST TRAVEL TIPS FOR FIRST-TIME TRAVELLERS
Heading around the world for 3/6/9 months or maybe a year and looking for some travel tips? It can be really nerve-racking to travel as a solo female traveller and I've totally been there not knowing where to start, what to take or what bag would be the best to travel with!
There are definitely a few things that I'm glad I took with me and some things I probably should have checked beforehand. For one, 3/4 of my bank cards expired on the road. 🤦🏽♀️ Oops...
I also backed up all of my photos to a cloud but having an external hard drive would have been really handy! At the time I thought it would be annoying to carry around so I didn't really bother. It was more of a pain having to wait for good wifi to back everything up.
I've learned so much from my experiences which I'd love to share with you and have compiled a hefty list to help you get started.
I'm also going to share a few things that I did and they can be improved upon for the next time.
The best travel tips for first-time travellers
Hanging in Havana
1. Dress the way you feel comfortable
You know those ugly trekking pants, the ones that look a little like this... The first time I went travelling, I packed three of them! Urgh! I look back at those photos and wonder what the heck I was thinking!
I now rarely ever buy extra things for travel with the exception of necessary items like hiking boots, thermals etc... I take whatever I love wearing and that includes a pair of jeans too!
2. Don't feel bad about skipping things or not doing what everyone else is doing
I met a girl in La Paz who felt bad that she hadn't gone to Sucre in Bolivia and didn't really have the time to. A couple of other travellers had made it seem like the end of the world.😳
It's easy to get a big dose of FOMO. Thankfully, as you get used to being on the road, you'll get a better sense of the things you love and what excites you.
It's your trip, your journey and it's all up to you.
3. Have multiple bank cards
Travel with more than one bank card. And I normally find having a credit card (not a debit card) on hand is helpful for emergencies. When I was hospitalised in Thailand a few years ago and needed emergency treatment, the first thing they asked for was a credit card.
Thankfully I had travel insurance but a credit card provided the hospital with a guarantee that I could cover my costs until they were given confirmation by my insurance company that I was covered by my insurance policy.
Look out for a travel-friendly bank card. Does your bank card offer you points when you travel? What are the fees that they'll charge? There's normally a minimum fee charged per transaction and then a % added on.
I love to use my Revolut card. The fees are minimal and charged 2% for cash machine withdrawals over £200. The spread on the exchange rate is zero unless it's the weekend and it's great being able to block your card when you're not using it.
Be sure to check the expiry dates of all your cards before you leave! If they're expiring soon, replace them before you go. :)
4. Have at least two padlocks
If you're travelling to the US, make sure these padlocks are TSA approved.
One padlock for your backpack and another on hand for your locker. I often used the second for my daypack on overnight bus journies.
5. A routine for check-in and check-out
As I was travelling with my laptop and other valuables I was constantly taking a mental count of where everything was. During check-in, I counted all my items as I locked them up.
During check-out, I checked all the sockets I used for charging, under tables, beds for anything I might leave behind. As long as I had my 7 valuable items, everything else was replaceable.
I tried to avoid hostels that didn't have a personal locker.
A lovely rainy day at Mont-Saint-Michel
6. Travel Insurance
In the UK we have public health insurance and even in France I had a really cheap private insurance provided by my employer, so I've never really had to worry about getting sick or receiving medical care in case of an accident.
When you're travelling, this isn't the case. Medical bills can be insane and run into the $1000's easily depending on the country. Take adequate coverage.
Handy tip: Read the policy document before you buy. It sounds really boring and it is. But you'll want to make sure you understand the what action (if any) you need to take in case of medical emergencies and other events.
I use World Nomads who have been great. Depending on your country of residence there might be cheaper alternatives so do shop around!
7. Take earplugs and an eye mask
If you're a really light sleeper like me, take earplugs and an eye mask!
There's always one dorm room buddy who has to check-in at 1 am. And even for private rooms, the walls didn't always have the best soundproofing. I had oneAirbnb where the dog loved barking at 4 am.
I got used to dorm rooms and to be honest the main reason why I slept so well was that I had these two things.
8. Take flip flops
I didn't hang out at the beach until I got to Providencia. But flip flops were the best footwear I could have taken, next to buying my hiking boots.
Whether you're sharing a shower and bathroom that maybe hasn't been cleaned yet, or your feet are really swollen and sore after a trek, flip flops are just so comfy.
9. Stock up on tampons before you go
This was a great idea for two reasons:
I saved money doing this.
Tampons weren't always available when I needed them.
They're easily available in some countries but not others. It's the one thing I don't like to worry about or have to go and look for.
I'm thinking about trying the menstrual cup next time.
10. Try multiple cash machines before you withdraw cash
In South America, most countries generally had at least one bank with free cash machine withdrawals. The machine will normally tell you the fee before you withdraw and give you the option of accepting or cancelling the withdrawal.
Arequipa | Mundo Alpaca
My faves!
11. Give yourself some freedom
When you're working in a 9-5, it's so easy to get used to having a routine and planning out all your weekends sometimes weeks in advance.
What I loved most about travelling was the freedom to choose where to go next and what to do sometimes on the day. Getting out of the 9-5 routine where I had everything planned out and instead to make decisions to do things that I probably wouldn't have even thought off before arriving in a destination.
I normally have a few ideas of what might be fun to do and by the end of my travels, I was researching everything on the bus journey to my next destination.
It also gave me the opportunity to extend my stay in places that I just loved and wanted to get to know better.
12. Give someone you know your itinerary
Whenever I booked a flight, a bus journey, a hostel, I always forwarded my itinerary to my family. It's a good idea for someone to know where you are and where you're going, just in case.
13. Keep your valuables with you on bus journies
Avoid keeping valuable items in your main backpack. I would also avoid putting valuables on overhead shelves or under my seat away from me. If it's important, keep it with you.
14. Take loads of photos!!
Be shameless about this. I didn't take a tripod but at times I really wished I had one.
I got used to asking local people and other tourists and usually, people were kind about it. I even asked a bemused police officer in Colombia sitting on his motorbike.
I'm so glad I did! I love having my photos to look back on.
If there's one thing I'd add for next time... More video!!
15. Packing cubes
Packing Cubes are a great space saver for your backpack! They also made packing a whole lot faster and easier.
Victoria Falls
That time I got pushed off a cliff in Zambia
16. Emergency cash
I normally keep some emergency cash that'll keep me going for a few days in case my bank cards stopped working or I need some emergency money.
17. Be patient. Don't expect things to work the same way as home.
That 3-hour bus journey, it could take 5-hours. The power might just go out. In Malawi, the water was cut off at times. And sometimes the only place to pee is a hole in the ground.
Not always the most ideal situation but it's all part of the journey.
18. Shoulder seasons are a great compromise between peak prices during high season and getting decent weather
I don't think it's always necessary to try to time everything for peak season. In fact, travelling on the shoulder season can save on accommodation costs which are often cheaper.
19. Track your spending
If you've seen my South America breakdown of costs and expenses, it's pretty easy for the little things to add up. And then wonder where it's going.
Keeping tabs on my spending helped me adjust my spending so that I could splurge out when I wanted and also save when it was possible.
I use a free app called Tripcoin, where I fill in my budget and it calculates my average daily spending. It also lets me categorise everything so I know exactly what I am spending on.
20. Get offline
I never really post real-time toInstagram. Sometimes there's a delay of a few hours and sometimes even a week or a month. It's really not my priority.
I got into the habit of adding my stories for the week once a week. And posting my photos generally after I had left a destination.
I tried as much as possible to be in the moment, making the most of my time.
A snowy day in France!
21. Get your vaccinations before you go
In some countries vaccinations can be really expensive *ahem* USA *ahem*. Sorry, I have very little experience on American healthcare so I can't really help you here.
But for the UK and a lot of European countries, they're free or you pay a reasonable amount privately.
In France, I often used the Air France vaccination centre in Paris. In the UK, my local GP has a nurse that provides free travel advice. I often use the NHS fit for travel website, geared towards UK citizens but really helpful for knowing what you need before travel to pretty much every country in the world.
22. Go at your own pace
Plan some rest days in. There are sometimes moments where you just want to not do a whole lot. Give yourself some time to absorb the amazing experiences.
23. Keep a journal
You'd be surprised how quickly you forget things. Especially when you're having one experience after another.
Keeping a journal was one of the best things that I did. Reading back, I love going back to the moments I felt anxious about doing a trek or a hike and then so amazing about completing it.
You'll also meet a lot of people and it's a great way to remember their names and personal stories. Not to mention the names of places, the food you're eating.
24. Have some spare toilet roll just in case
This happened to me a lot in Bolivia. Not sure why but some hostels didn't seem to include toilet roll.🤷🏽♀️
You'll be so happy you have your own those times you do need it!
25. Download country maps beforehand
Maps.me is honestly one of the best apps you could download before your trip. Sometimes it surprises me how much Google seems to get lost in the world. 🤦🏽♀️Its geography outside of more developed countries isn't always the best.
I download a country map generally before I head to the country and pin my accommodation if I know where I'm staying. It's also super helpful for hiking trails, especially when I went to Laguna Churup.
Volcanic lakes in Indonesia
26. Bring a medical kit
It sounds like a pain but this is super useful. I normally carry scissors, bandages, plasters, antiseptic spray/cream, Imodium and some pain killers. Speak to a pharmacist or a specialist at a travel store who can give you specific advice for where you're going and activities you'll be doing.
You might need malaria tablets, altitude sickness pills or other equipment. Get some advice from a professional before you go.
Planning a trip or fancy a freebie? These are some websites and services I love:
Booking.com: For the best hotel deals! 🏝
World Nomads: Travel insurance on the go 🌎
Airbnb: For the best apartment deals!🏡
Affiliate links above!
27. Don't pre-book all your accommodation unless it's really necessary
If you're heading to Patagonia in January, accommodation in El Chalten can get pricy and booked up quickly. So yeah... book away for those situations.
The handy part about booking last minute or just finding a place where you show up, is negotiating on prices and getting discounts. It also gives you the option of changing your plans and itinerary last minute.
28. Learn a language or a new skill
I took Thai and Cambodian cooking classes in Asia, learnt to tango in Argentina and picked up some private Spanish classes in Bolivia.
Whether you go, it's so much fun learning something different. If you're planning to stay somewhere for a while, make the most of it by taking some classes!
29. Assess the cost vs value
When you're paying for everything, something you'll ask a lot will be, is it worth it?
After trekking a lot in South America, by the time I came to Colombia I decided to skip the Lost City trek. I did my research and it just didn't seem worth it to me.
I also splurged in Torres del Paine and some would say that wouldn't be worth it either. It's really up to you. I don't regret the things I skipped and I don't regret the things I did.
30. Back up your photos
Online storage on apps like Dropbox are great but they do require wifi.
Having an external hard drive would have been really handy to not have to worry about backing everything up.
Hiking in Thailand
31. Get some souvenirs
I really wish I did more of this.
I would love another pair of alpaca socks after I rubbed holes into the ones I bought in Cusco from hiking.
I'm always worried about making my backpack heavy or buying things I just don't really need. But having some souvenirs are a great reminder of your travels and I'm totally going to do more of this!
32. Try not to complain about prices
This is kind of a pet peeve of mine. When travellers complain about the cost of everything and have an expectation that things should always be ridiculously cheap.
If it's out of your budget, you have the right to walk away as you do where ever you live in the world.
Sometimes it's really annoying when you know you're paying 2x or 3x or 4x the price for something. This happened to me a lot in Bolivia when buying groceries. I took my Spanish teacher to the market one day and realized just how much less things really cost. Don't let it get to you.
I feel really privileged and lucky to be able to experience the world as so many people don't have those opportunities. If you can afford to buy a plane ticket in the first place, you're pretty darn lucky.
33. Go for a random wander from time to time
There's no need to always follow a tourist map. Sometimes it's just fun having a wander with no real end destination.
This is pretty much how we spent our three days in Venice. Stopping whenever we found somewhere cute. We loved it!
34. Take some spare passport photos
I haven't needed these too often but sometimes you do. And trying to find a photo booth that works can be a total pain.
I think Cambodia required them when I went. Apart from that, I keep a few on hand just in case.
35. Make sure your passport is valid for the entirety of your travels
A lot of countries require a passport to be valid for at least 6 months to the expiry date. Check the date before you go. You don't want to arrive somewhere and have to deal with that at immigration.
Lovely Venice in January
36. Get a backpack that suits your size and physique
I sometimes get asked for the best backpack recommendations. To be honest, it really depends on the activities you're doing and also your own physique.
I'm 158cm and try not to carry more than 15kg. Around 11-12kg is perfect. I also like ones that open like a suitcase instead of from the top.
Go to an outdoor store and try on loads of backpacks and ask the shop assistant to put weights in to see how it feels heavy. When you get home, pack it full and practice walking around with it. Is it comfortable? Does it sit well on your hips? Does it need adjustment?
I tried and returned 3 backpacks before I found one I liked.
37. Get inspiration from other travellers you'll meet
Some of the destinations I picked were purely on recommendation from people I had met along the way. I had met a guy who had spent 3 months in El Bolson and couldn't stop raving about it. In Colombia, Providencia was recommended by a lot of people and I loved it!
38. Take a spare battery pack
This one was so handy for my phone and even my kindle! Especially on overnight buses when the battery would drain.
39. If you think you might need something one day... You probably won't
Anyone else try to pack for that random moment where you might need that useless item in your backpack? 🙋🏽
Leave it at home.
40. Don't be afraid to spend a little extra to get from A to B safely
When you're travelling as a solo female, all sorts of things go through your mind. To ease my worries, I spent a little extra whenever I could.
Landing in Bogota at midnight? I took a private taxi to my accommodation. I didn't even think about public transport.
La Paz from above
Laguna Colorada
41. If you're British, you might need that annoying card reader for your bank
This depends on your bank, but sometimes, you just might annoyingly need one when you're doing a transfer or a transaction. And don't forget to tell your bank you're going abroad too!
42. Go on a foodie tour
I used to avoid food tours but now I love them. After my amazing experience in Malaysia, food tours are a great way to quickly get to know the local cuisine.
43. Join some Facebook groups before you go
When you're travelling solo, it's fun to meet up with other travellers and even organise activities. There are loads of groups online.
Here are a few groups I love to use:
Girls LOVE Travel®
Backpacking South America
Backpackeuses en Amérique Latine
44. Pack any medication you might need for the road
This also included an ample supply of contact lenses for me. I use monthly lenses which aren't so bad but I have a friend who packed a year's worth of dailies for her trip. It takes up space, but at least your backpack will get lighter as you use these up.
45. Enjoy living with less
When you're on the road for an extended period, it's amazing how little you need and how much you'll really miss.
Gorgeous Cayo Coco in Cuba
46. A few phrases in the local language goes a long way
Whether you download the most common phrases from google or use a guide book, learning a few basic phrases and words in the local language can really go along way when building a relationship.
47. If you need a yellow fever vaccination, don't forget the certificate!
A lot of countries in Africa require this so don't leave it behind! It'll get verified on entry.
48. Observe local customs
Some countries might require you to dress a certain way. Or for example, if you're entering a church you might be required to cover up.
An island I went to in Indonesia asked people not to walk around in their swimsuits. Be respectful.
49. Not every guest house or hostel is listed online
I usually use booking.comor Airbnb when reserving online. However, not everything is always listed online and you can get really good recommendations from asking around.
This was especially true of Cuba. We asked our guesthouse to help us book our next casa and this worked out well.
50. Share your story!
I love reading about other people's travel experiences. It always inspires me and you never know who else it might inspire!
Beautiful Annecy