There really is enough for you to deal with on the road. You may find that your bus breaks down, that your flights get cancelled, or even that attractions are shut. Either way, all of these issues can make your travel much harder than it needs to be. If you want to make your next journey a success or if you want to try and control your experience and have the best time, then this is the guide for you.
Read the Fine Print
This applies to anybody who plans on flying with a budget airline for the very first time. You have to know the rules, and you also need to find out if you need to check-in online as well. It’s worth finding out if you need to print out your own boarding pass or if you need to be in the airport by a certain time. If the airport has very strict baggage rules, then it’s worth finding out this information as well if possible because if you do, then you will soon find that you can come out on top.
Book your Airport Transfer
You really are at your most vulnerable when you arrive in a foreign country. You’ll probably be tired from your flight, and you may even be jet-lagged as well. You’ll have no idea how taxis work, and you may not know how to catch them either. To make things even more stressful, people are hassling you, and you don’t have any change to pay for things. The solution to this would be for you to try and book a transfer directly to your hostel. If you can do this, then you will soon find that you are able to make the most out of your journey in general.
Pack light and Use Wheels
If you can, you need to take a carry-on if possible. If you can do this, then you won’t ever have to worry about lost luggage. If you are going on a longer trip, then this may not be possible. That being said, the less you take, the less you have to worry about going missing. The fewer things you take, the easier it will be for you to wheel your luggage up and down staircases too, so make sure that you keep that in mind if at all possible. If you want to make your luggage handling easier, then why not explore the idea of luggage storage? Find out more about Radical Storage.
Learn the Language
Obviously, you are probably not going to be fluent in Thai before you go to Phuket, but that being said, a basic knowledge will help you out more than you realise. You may find that all of a sudden, you are able to read menus, that you can ask for directions and that you can even haggle over some prices. Language skills will make your travel experience much easier, and even though it’s not necessary, it will be very useful.
Your Phone is your Friend
Your phone truly is your friend, that being said, you don’t want to be stuck checking Facebook all day. You need to buy a local SIM card, and you need to make the most out of Google Maps if possible. This will help you to load all of the guidebooks onto your phone, and you may also be able to download a translation app too. This will give you access to a huge range of other tips, and you may find that you can learn reviews from other travelers too.
Eat like a Local
There are so many travelers out there who spend so much time wandering around cities trying to find safe food. This is unfortunate as it may mean that you miss out on a lot of the things that the locals have to offer. If you want to do something about this, then you need to try and eat like a local. Find a popular local street vendor. If people are eating there and if they love it, then they are most likely eating there for a reason, so make sure that you eat there as well.
Do some Research
This covers a great deal. It will cover everything from finding the right city to stay in to ultimately knowing what you want to see. If you can do your research before your trip, then you will find that your travel experience becomes easier, and you will be able to make the whole trip more rewarding.