With 2022 officially here, everyone has new goals set in place, and traveling will be big on a lot of people especially people who have never traveled before and will become first-time travelers. With the beginning of the new year, many foreign countries will start easing up their borders, which means people will be able to begin planning their 2022 gateways. But things have happened over the past 24 months and the way we used to travel has drastically changed. especially if you are a first-time traveler. For example, new safety guidelines and rules have been set to travel and for those who have never traveled before, especially abroad, it might be overwhelming to figure out what to do for the first time traveling on a plane. Fear no more, because I decided to compile a list of 10 tips for all you first-time travelers out there. Believe me, these will help you plan your trip and save you as much time as possible. Keep reading if you would like to get our tips for first-time travelers.

1. Choose your destination wisely

I know how hard it can be to choose where to travel especially after nearly 2 years of continuous lockdowns. But we are all different and obviously, people have diverse likings when it comes to traveling. Have you ever wanted to see Venice in Italy? Have you ever wished to appreciate the view of Paris from the highest point of the Eifel Tower? And what about enjoying the scenery of the breathtaking Grand Canyon? You should always pick up a place that has sparked your interest rather than focusing on locations described as must-see places. Traveling is a personal choice so do not let others sway you from your dream vacation.

2. Pay attention to your documents

Now that you have set on the city or country you are planning to visit you have to verify that you got all the conditions to enter the state. If you are going abroad pay attention that your passport is still valid and if not, you need a new one, try to plan to obtain it as soon as possible. Passports are used for booking flights and obtaining visas therefore is important to always have these things in check. As for the visa, a quick internet search will help you find all the information for acquiring it and if you needed it before traveling.

3. Compare transportation and accommodation alternatives

You are set on where to go and now it's time to see how to get there and where to stay. When it comes to traveling by plane, different websites offer comparison services, which for those traveling on a budget can come in handy. As for accommodation, hotels, resorts, and Airbnb are easily available but you should pay attention before booking. Websites like Trivago and Booking can help you choose thanks to the many different reviews left by travelers. Reading those reviews left by people who have been there beforehand can save you from unwanted surprises.

4. Keep Yourself Safe

Traveling and discovering new places can be very thrilling to the point that we can easily get caught up in all this excitement. But we have to focus on safety as well. Being safe while traveling is something you are not supposed to forget. For example, try to make research about the place you are visiting to find the safest neighborhoods. When exploring the city, keep an eye on your things especially when it comes to wallets and phones as many thefts have taken place within crowded sites. Watch out for pickpockets!

5. Plan your itinerary in advance

Planning your itinerary wisely is one of the most important things as it helps you lay down all the matters concerning the places you want to visit as well as the finance that will be needed. Keep in mind that you do not want to spend the entire time walking around looking for places so if you have everything already set that will save you a lot of time. In addition, if you want to visit museums or specific locations you might want to purchase tickets earlier which will help you save money and time.

6. Money matters, especially when traveling!

As you have seen traveling requires a lot of preparation, and that also incorporates your finances. Knowing beforehand how long you will be there and what things are you going to do and see is the best strategy for a smooth trip and will help you save money. I am not talking about having all your expenses settled but at least try to make an estimation of how much are you going to spend each day. In addition, you might want to stop by your bank a few days before you leave, to get foreign cash. Nowadays you can exchange money at international airports which comes in handy if your local banks do not have that specific currency. Finally, try to have enough cash wherever you go as card payment could be unavailable in remote locations.

7. Pay attention to what you pack!

There is something about traveling that can be very stressful, even for those who are used to being on the road and that is packing! Now imagine for those that are packing their bags for their first trip ever, double stress! Packing has always been very challenging and the best way to overcome it is to keep in mind a few things. First of all, is important to research carefully what type of weather are you going to find out when landing. Second, if there are any cultural and religious policies to not upset the locals with your attire, and most importantly consider the type of activities you are going to engage in. You will be walking and sightseeing most probably, so I suggest you pack comfy shoes!

8. Don’t be stingy, get yourself a travel insurance

Today travelers can easily purchase travel insurance no matter which country or city they are planning to explore. If you are booking everything with a travel agency, you might be offered different packages that you can add to your travel. You can either choose between full coverage, meaning transportation, accommodation as well as any possible medical emergency. If this is your first time traveling and is after two years where everything has changed due to the current Pandemic, you might want to purchase that insurance! Medical expenses can be very high in different countries.

9. Learn some useful sentences in the local language

Before deciding to visit a country is important to understand that not every local you will come across to might be able to speak in English. For example, you can check if the staff of the hotel you are staying at does know your language, or if you do not want to come across as rude you might want to learn small sentences to greet the locals. With technology being with us everywhere, you can still use devices to translate sentences in the local language if you fear butchering the enunciation. For a more authentic experience, I highly recommend speaking with the locals. You might come back wanting to learn that foreign language!

10. Check your phone plan

When traveling, is important to consider that you might want to be reachable not only for safety purposes but also in case you want to reach and contact your family. If you decide to use your phone overseas you might get charged with outrageous fees so before leaving is good to check which option to opt for. Check if your company offers good deals about international roaming and if you are traveling for more than a week you might want to search which local company offers the best deal. Sometimes purchasing a local sim might save you a lot of money!