6 Travel Mistakes Every Newbie Makes (And How You Can Avoid It)

Hey, everyone has to be a newbie traveler at some point. Many of us have learned from our mistakes. From our passports not being valid in a certain country, to having very awkward situations in countries with different cultural norms. Yikes.

Lucky for you, we're here to help you out so you don't have to make these mistakes. Here's to a stress-free trip!

1. Not contacting your cell phone carrier.
We assume just because we have smartphones now, everything's fair game. Sure, things have changed a lot. You don't have to pay 50 cents for every text you send anymore, but unfortunately, international phone fees are still incredibly steep. Before your trip, call your carrier to make sure your phone will actually be operable and find out what other fees you might need to pay. A lot of phone users end up not using their data or phone because of the fees. A great alternative to this is downloading texting / calling apps, such as WhatsApp and using them when you have WiFi. 

2. Not contacting your credit card company.
This is a big one! You might be able to get away with a few purchases, until... your card doesn't go through! OOPS. Now you have to step aside and stop everything you're doing, to call your bank. Which is quite a process. And if there's a time difference, you're screwed and have to wait till the next day. An entire day with no money? Have fun with that!

3. Not researching your locations proper etiquette & cultural norms.
Did you know you could end up in jail for kissing in public in India? That there are basically no vegan options in France? That you're not supposed to tip in Japan? That you're not supposed to eat with your hands in Chile? Yeah... neither did we. Research, people! You could end up ruining your entire trip (or even ending up in jail) by making the wrong move. 

4. Exchanging currency at the airport.
Would you take cash out of a random ATM when your bank is right around the corner? Probably not. Exchanging currency at the airport is the same story. Exchange rates at airports are super expensive. Do you really want to waste that money? Instead, place an order with your bank before your trip. Planning ahead will definitely help you in this case!

5. Booking your flight too late.
The awful moment when you paid $1,780 dollars for a plane ticket when you could've spent $500. When you think you want to go on a trip, look at the prices for every month, every week, every year. Usually, plane tickets end up being your biggest investment, so invest well! Don't make a rookie mistake by not looking at various options. 

6. Relying on the internet too much when planning.
We're talking to you, over-planners! The whole point of traveling to a new area is experiencing that area. Don't only go to the restaurants with good Yelp reviews. Don't rely on Google Maps for directions. Don't plan your trip using Groupons and Travel-review sites. Of course all of these sites come in handy, but some of the best places are unexplored on the internet. And trust us when we tell you to take internet reviews with a grain of salt. Some Yelper might've hated that restaurant because the food was too spicy, but you love spicy food, right?