45 Travel Tips For Beginners

Are you new to the traveling world?  If so, welcome!  Be prepared to have your mind blown, and to never be the same....

Don't let the frolicking into the unknown part scare you, but rather let the inspiration start flowing.  That is one of the most beautiful things about travel, when we feel things that we have never felt before, or feelings things we never thought we would again come back.  You will discover a new you, and probably start recovering your old qualities - you find that your 20 year old self is still in there...she was just hiding :) 

In order to fully enjoy your traveling experience you need to start off with a certain mindset, that is why I recommend these 45 tips.  They will help you handle anything and everything while abroad so you can fully soak up all the glory that traveling is.

Have you ever heard of the yTravel blog?  It is a blog written by a family of four: Caz, Craig, and their two girls while they travel the world full time.  My family has a lot in common with them, and so we share inspirations.  These tips are straight from Caz's experience in long term traveling, but they are relevant for short term travel also.  You can read more from them here!

1. Don’t expect things to be like they are at home.

2. Travel with your eyes wide open.

3. Be open to learn new things.

4. Don’t judge, instead say, “Isn’t that interesting? Tell me more.”

5. Learn the basics of the local language. Use them often. It is the best way to show respect,  break down barriers and start conversations.

6. Manners are universal, use them.

7. Do not shout at others, they are not deaf, they just can’t understand you.

8. NEVER complain that the people of the country you are visiting do not speak English. Remember where you are.

9. Bargain, it is an expected part of a transaction.

10. Do not over bargain. 50 cents is nothing to you, but may mean a days worth of meals to the person you are haggling with.

11. Respect local customs. It is not about your way, you are the visitor.

12. Party yes. Have fun yes, but do not go so far to extremes that it means you trash the local area and people die.

13. Leave a good impression of your culture on the countries you are visiting.

14. Have off the beaten path adventures and enjoy traveling to the touristy stuff too – just add a different angle to it.

16. Travel in a style that is in alignment with your values and suits your likes and interests. Ignore everyone else’s opinion.

17. Start travelling when you are young

18. Don’t listen to the naysayers and dreamstealers telling you why you can’t live your dreams and how you should conform.

19. Eat street food. It won’t kill you. In fact, there are many reasons why you should eat street food.

20. Try different local dishes – ditch the Western diet.

21. It’s okay to feel uncomfortable, it is how you grow.

22. Be flexible, it is the best way to adapt.

23. Ask for help when you need it, even if it is in sign language and charades.

24. Carry palm cards with important phrases written on it in the local language. essential for vegetarians in China.

25. Don’t be afraid to respectfully say no.

26. If the chef of a village offers you rice wine shots at 10am after a morning hike so you can chase away any evil spirits you are carrying, do not be afraid to say YES.

27. Talk to the local people. Be friendly. It’s amazing what you will learn.

28. Do as much local as you can: local food, local transport, local accommodation.

29. Smile smile smile and laugh often- you’ll meet so many new friends this way.

30. Do one thing each day that scares you and push those comfort barriers a little further out each time.

31. Share and mingle with other travellers. It will give you a feeling of always being among friends.

32. Celebrate local customs and festivals with the local culture in their traditional manners.

33. Learn about other religions, not necessarily to believe something new, but to understand and perhaps to bring light unto your own beliefs.

34. Don’t rely on technology to help get you around, you will end up lost when the map app crashes.

35. Travel for longer in fewer places.

36. Don’t be afraid to take each day as it comes with limited plans.

37. Guard your passport with your life and don’t ever give it to US immigration for visa extension because they somehow think you don’t need it to leave the country and won’t return it to you.

38. Have travel insurance – it ain’t sexy but neither is the thousands you could end up paying if you don’t have it.

39. If you get robbed or bad things happen, don’t get hung up on it. As long as you are safe and well, let it go and continue to enjoy yourself.

40. Learn how to toilet squat. You’ll need it.

41. Don’t be afraid to blow the budget on those once in a lifetime experiences.

42. If you are really hating it, then change direction.

43. Be prepared for reverse culture shock when you return home as it could really mess you up. 

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44. Don't be afraid of taking loans out to travel.  Life is to short - if you want to travel and travel loans are the way, JUST DO IT!

45. Contact United Military Travel for all of your travel needs - airfare, hotel, car rentals, travel accessories, and event tickets.

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