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Sometimes the excitement of going on a holiday can leave you complacent about all the extensive research and planning you need to do.

However, in order to get the best bang for your buck and to ensure you have a smooth-sailing, pleasant holiday, there are some things you simply must tick off your travel to-do list.

Here are the top 5 travel mistakes people often make and how to avoid them:

MISTAKE 1 – Not bothering to shop around strategically for the best bargain

Always research and shop around, in order to get the best value for your money. Check out daily deal sites for great travel deals and packages that include flights, accommodation and bonus extras. Also be strategic about the way you research. For example, did you know that most airline and travel websites track your cookies? So if your search history is filled with flight searches, they can increase the price of flights as you continue to check for other deals. Switch your web browser to incognito (private) mode or erase your cookies before purchasing airfares online. A little bit of patience in the research phase may just score you a big bargain! Now you can do some extra shopping with the money saved

MISTAKE 2 – Not getting a travel money card

The Australian dollar is often at a disadvantage in places like Europe and USA. It’s worse when your bank charges you a hefty percentage every time you withdraw cash or swipe your credit card. Carrying loads of cash isn’t always the safest option either. Get a travel money card to ensure a flat rate every time you withdraw or make a purchase. You can also have multiple currencies on one card if you’re a global trotter.

MISTAKE 3 – Not doing your research on safety concerns

Know the safety of the countries you are travelling to by lodging your travel plans with Smartraveller, a great service provided by our government. Should there be any travel warnings or safety issues, Smartraveller will email and notify you accordingly. If you are uncertain of any areas, you can do a preventative check first to ensure your safety. Don’t skimp on this step – it’s not worth it.

MISTAKE 4 – Not tipping in places you are supposed to

Knowing how much to tip can be a very contentious issue. For example, in places like Japan there is no such thing as tipping and tipping can be perceived as rude. Whereas, if you don’t tip in America, it would be deeply offensive and you may be called out on it. It doesn’t matter where you’re travelling to – either purchase a guidebook or do your research beforehand to find out how much you should be tipping. Also be sure to factor this into your budget because if you’re tipping 15% on every service offering this could quickly add up!

MISTAKE 5 – Not knowing the local language at all

We are very fortunate to have a predominant language in Australia which the majority speak. However, when you’re travelling, you can’t assume that everyone speaks English. Just learning a few phrases can make a huge difference to how you are received in another culture. It is a sign of respect to learn the language of the country you are travelling in and can also prove to be very practical. You’ll be satisfied when you are able to order a meal in that country’s language or when you understand crucial signs. If you’re going to have a local SIM card with data on your phone, downloading a translation app could be handy too.

Just a little bit of research and planning before your trip can save you a lot of time and money. Happy travels!

Do you have any other tips or mistakes to avoid when travelling? Please share in the comments below.

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  • Always talk to the locals and ask them what they think you should see and do. Often they come up with hidden gems that you otherwise wouldnt discover

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  • I don’t have the money for overseas travel, I prefer to stay in Oz anyway, lots of good tips for those that do travel tho

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  • Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

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  • More great travel tips to help with our holiday plans. thanks!

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  • We’re off to Thailand later this year so these are some good tips to ensure we get the most out of our stay.

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  • Having all the necessary vaccinations is also important.

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  • Love the point on travel money card. A very useful tip.

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  • great tips, thank you so much

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  • Good tips. Also be aware of common local cons used.

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  • It’s a mistake to travel without being willing to try new things.

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  • Thanks for the excellent tips here especially the one about the air flights. We loved to travel so any help is great.

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  • These are all great tips. We’re heading to Thailand in July so it’s a great reminder. I do love the Travel Money Card. I had not heard of this previously so will definitely be looking into it. And before heading overseas, always be mindful of safety issues. This is a must.

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  • good tips – my brother is the best traveller, I leave everything to him to organise, he is so good at it

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  • Some great tips. My tip would be having a broad understanding of the cities layout and transportation options so that once you get off the plane you at least have some idea how to get around!

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  • Thanks for the great advice.

    Reply

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