Traveling is exciting and character-building, but it can also be difficult. No one enjoys waiting at airports, arriving at hotels with heavy luggage, and overpaying for everyday necessities, yet these are the obstacles you must overcome when traveling. However, some challenging tasks can be made easier with proper planning and a few tricks.
Problem: High roaming fees for using data abroad
Solution: Get an eSIM app.
Nowadays, traveling without the internet is almost impossible. Services such as Google Maps and online timetables are crucial. To access them, however, you need data, and relying on your home carrier’s roaming plans is likely to be overly expensive.
One solution would be to purchase a physical SIM card at your destination, but doing so is inconvenient. A much better solution is to use an eSIM app such as Saily eSIM. Saily is a handy app that offers many affordable data plans for more than 150 countries, solving the problem of expensive roaming plans and inconvenient physical SIM cards. Activating a new eSIM card takes just a few taps and provides access to reliable internet wherever you are.
Problem: Expensive flights
Solution: Start hunting for tickets early.
Traveling is expensive. Flying is a big part of it, but there are ways to get cheaper plane tickets. Did you know that airlines usually raise their prices as the scheduled departure approaches, and tickets can be cheapest four or more months before departure? If you start hunting very early, even six months before your planned trip, you can save a lot of money.
Also, supply and demand play a huge role in determining ticket prices. If you want to travel during the holiday season, be prepared for higher costs. On the other hand, booking a vacation in the off-season can save you a lot of money.
Problem: Huge, heavy luggage that is difficult to transport
Solution: Consider traveling with carry-on baggage only.
Depending on where you’re going and how long you’re traveling, you may be able to take your carry-on luggage with you and not stress about checked baggage. Traveling with carry-on luggage is a great way to save money and reduce stress. Keep in mind that checked baggage is not only inconvenient but can get lost.
Proper planning lets you fit a pretty long trip into one carry-on bag or backpack. Here are some tips and tricks:
- Instead of packing many clothes, pack a few versatile items, such as plain T-shirts and blouses that go with everything.
- Make sure your rental property has a washing machine or a laundromat so you can wash your clothes.
- Roll your clothes instead of folding them—it saves space!
- Be selective when packing, and don’t take items that aren’t essential.
Also, be sure to check airline requirements for carry-on baggage size and weight.
Also Read: Top 10 Items You Should Avoid In Your Carry-On Luggage
Problem: Long, boring flights and waiting times
Solution: Plan some activities that can be done during commotion.
Flying abroad can be extremely boring, especially when it involves connecting flights and long waiting times. However, you don’t have to sit around and do nothing. If you have a social media presence, use this free time to plan blog posts or edit photos. Write in your journal. Reply to emails. If you’re traveling for pleasure or work, take a simple book or, better yet, an e-book or audiobook you can listen to with your smartphone. Download a TV show to watch on the plane. Sketch in a sketchpad. The possibilities are almost endless.
Problem: Running out of money in the middle of the trip
Solution: Always budget a little extra (if possible).
It’s easy to run out of money when traveling abroad. A few unplanned Uber rides here and there, one overpriced meal at a restaurant, and suddenly, you have no more money to spend, and the trip isn’t over yet. That’s why it’s always better to plan over budget than under budget. When preparing for a trip, always add a little extra to all your planned expenses. If possible, set aside an emergency budget as well. Not to be pessimistic, but bad things can happen. You may have to buy some essentials or even go home early.
Problem: Stressful, over-planned vacations
Solution: Plan fewer activities than you think you can do.
Using travel time to the maximum is very tempting. You might like to think that you haven’t traveled to waste time, but that’s a quick way to a stressful, hectic vacation. Instead of filling every minute in your itinerary, leave some room to breathe. It will allow you to remain flexible. You can always opt for spontaneous activities if you feel bored.
Also, remember to include commotion time when planning your itinerary and add a little extra time for each activity. Traffic can be crazy; trains can be late—it’s better to plan for the worst-case scenario than to run everywhere stressed.
