7 Tips for Novice Travellers

by Caitlin Boros · April 12, 2016

A first-time travel experience can seem daunting at the start, especially if your plans take you to a far away, unfamiliar destination. That being said, a traveller’s first trip abroad is usually the one that remains most vivid in memory, inspiring many future adventures (or, as some would say, inciting a lifelong travel addiction). If you’re a novice traveller embarking on your first big voyage, there’s no need to fear! Here are a few useful tips to help you on your way.

Plan Ahead

While stories of nomadic backpacking trips may seem idyllic, for the novice traveller, a well-planned trip is the best way to start. This can mean everything from researching your destination, booking a flight well in advance, selecting accommodations that make sense both for you and your budget, and perhaps joining on a few guided tours (or at least using a guide to create a rough itinerary). Though this may seem to take some of the spontaneity out of your first adventure abroad, it will also help ease your nerves, especially during early moments of frustration (“I can’t read these street signs and no one speaks English!”). Plus, there will still be plenty of opportunities to meet new people and add a few unexpected surprises into your agenda. Once you have your first big travel experience under your belt, you may be comfortable with a more relaxed plan. But for the first time, you’ll be glad you came with a road map in-hand.

Travel Light

On my first major trip abroad, I bought a 50L backpack and stuffed as many outfits, pairs of shoes, toiletries, and incidentals as the bulging bag could hold. After three days, my back was sore, my knees felt broken, and my level of enjoyment was at an all-time low. I ended up ditching several of what I’d originally thought were ‘essentials’, and have since realized time and time again that travelling smarter means packing light. Though what you pack will certainly vary for different trips, limiting yourself to a small to mid-sized bag is a good place to start. Focusing on versatile clothing and footwear and basic toiletries, you should have no problem fitting 1-2 weeks’ worth of essentials into luggage the size of a duffel bag. Though you may worry about missing something you’ll need, I guarantee that having to deal with an oversized bag during your big adventure is a much bigger stress.

Cards and Cash

Sorting out how you’ll pay for things on your trip abroad can prove a little difficult. Fears like carrying too much cash and getting pick-pocketed or not carrying enough cash and being unable to find a bank are common among novice and experienced travellers alike. The best way to mitigate these fears is to do a little research about your destination in advance (see tip 1), specifically looking for information on daily costs, bank locations, ATM access, and areas with higher risk of theft. While travellers cheques may have been a popular option in the past due to the ability to cancel if stolen, very few banks and currency exchange counters currently accept these. A better potential solution could lie with your current local bank – many large banks are now affiliated with a global network of ‘sister banks’ that provide travellers with reduced or free rates for withdrawals when abroad. This allows card carriers to withdraw regularly (as long as they have access to an affiliated bank throughout the trip), meaning you can limit the amount of cash in your pocket.

Meet Fellow Travellers

Engaging with fellow travellers is not only a great way to make new pals abroad, it’s also one of the best ways to get to know your destination. Why’s this? Each visitor comes to a place with certain things they want to see and do, sure. But for those who may be a few days ahead of you, fresh experience and insights could greatly enhance your own stay. That friendly group of Aussies staying at your hostel may just know the perfect spot to spend your evening, or that Argentenian couple may have the inside scoop on an underground art gallery. At the very least, connecting with others will solidify you as part of the ‘travel community’, resulting in experiences and sometimes friendships that become the true highlights of your trip.

Say Yes

There many things to say yes to when travelling, especially for those embarking on their first big adventure. Try a unique local dish? Yes. Participate in a new cultural activity? Yes. Join your bunk buddy for a bite in the hostel bar? Yes. Listen to a group of busking musicians? Yes. Join a walking tour group? Yes. There are many opportunities when you should absolutely say yes, even if it takes you a little outside your comfort zone (haggis, anyone?). Opening yourself up to new experiences, especially cultural ones, will result in some unforgettable memories – the type that really give you the travel bug.

Say No

While there are many things for travellers to say yes to, it’s important to know when it’s ok to say no. While travelling in Tanzania, I was in a rural village and was offered a homemade popsicle by a town elder. It was an incredibly hot day and I knew that providing a guest with food and drink is an important local custom. That being said, I also knew that it had likely been made with unfiltered water, and that I risked getting really sick. In the end, I didn’t say no – and was ill for a week. It’s important to set boundaries for yourself, especially as a novice traveller. It’s easy to get swept up in the travel experience, but keeping yourself safe and aware is essential. So don’t be afraid to say no when you need to.

Focus on the Moment

There’s a great John Mayer lyric that goes: Didn’t have a camera by my side this time – hoping I could see the world with both my eyes. In today’s fast-moving, high-tech culture of selfies, daily posts and insta filters, the desire to capture every moment of our experiences in a form that’s easily shareable can sometimes interfere with the real joy that comes from immersing yourself in travel. So while you’ll certainly want to take some photos to capture some of the key highlights of your trip, be sure to keep the focus where it belongs – in the moment. Whether it’s a beach-side sunset, a busy market, or an incredible meal, take the time to enjoy the present, savouring every bit of it without thinking of the later. While you may miss a few photo ops, those moments will forever be captured in your memory.

Have some tips to share with novice travellers? Post them in the comments below!

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Caitlin Boros

Caitlin's love for travel began at age 2 and has been a life-long affair. She's visited 13 countries, and has lived in 4. Caitlin currently resides in Paris, where she works as a Social Media Consultant at the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). In her spare time, you can find Caitlin reading a good book, catching a flick at the local theatre, or eating something delicious. No matter where she is, you can bet she's thinking about her next adventure.