Most ardent and perceptive travellers did not start as professional travellers, and definitely, most travellers are not yet there because that is something that comes only comes with on-the-the-road experience.
Becoming a travel pro is a process that is built gradually, step by step. It comes with interesting facts such as missed transport – train, buses, flights, or a mismatched taxi ride.
It comes with foolish mistakes and behaviours such as lack of planning, culture shock, wrong hotel bookings, and misguided travel experiences among myriad behaviours that cause you small or big damages during your travels.
Then, one day, without really placing a finger on where it started, you find yourself articulately planning for your travel whether local or international, time becomes critical to you and there are no missed flights, wrong bookings, or being held at the airport because you did not have your travel documents in order.
In due time, the mistakes tend to disappear one by one until you become a savvy traveller!
However, this process can take a long time to accomplish and you might find yourself frustrated because you seem to be making travel mistakes, one after the other You wish you had a way of speeding up the process to help you avoid the mistakes. Yes, it is a learning process, but while to some people, learning is swift, to others it can be a dragging process.
Here are some tips to bring you up to speed on the road to becoming a smart traveller.
1. Security – at public transport
Whether travelling by road, air, or rail, learn to identify business travellers, and then always catch up with them and stay right behind. Business travellers are usually in a rush and are well organised and always want to be the first in clearing the booking procedures. They know the drill effectively. Line up behind or close to them as much as you are able to. You will not only be up to speed with clearing, but you will learn quite a lot of travelling tips from them.
2. Never queue or stay behind families at a travel booking facility
If you do this, you will probably miss your transport or find yourself in an unfavorable and awkward situation. Families (including yours if you have any), carry along a lot of luggage, which makes them take forever, though it is not their fault. They just take a lot of time to clear. Reporting at the station at least two hours early will save you from the rush minute rush.
3. Your accommodation
When you arrive at your accommodation destination, especially if you booked in advance, you might find that it falls short of your expectations. Do not be afraid to mention this and ask for an upgrade. In most cases, the facility can offer you an upgrade, even without you asking, especially if the hotel is not full. Just learn to be tactful when asking for this, without making it look like a demand or an entitlement.
4. Document your experiences
In today’s technology era, it is much easier to document, record and save your experiences in applications that help you fall back on your experiences whenever you need them. If you are limited in technology, always ensure you carry a journal and a pen to document your travels. You could use your travel applications or journal to write down important information like directions, contacts, and cultural tips.
5. Travelling on a budget
If you are on a low budget, make it a general rule to eat within a tourist attraction at the airport, railway, or a port restaurant as prices here will be exorbitant. Instead, avoid the departure and arrival eateries, walk at least five blocks away in either direction and find a place to eat. Experts say, the closer you are to tourist attractions the more you will pay and the worse the food and service will be.
Other tips to become a perceptive traveller
Plan your trip ahead, do a lot of research on your travels, read a lot about travel, pack two days before travel, learn packing tips, and travel light, and learn about travel tools and their use. Others are: carry along a basic-first-aid kit, cheap can be expensive at times, be open to strangers, but always keep your guard, carry emergency cash – more importantly, learn to not over plan your trip.
