Travel Issues Every Traveller Faces and How to Overcome Them

Everyone wants to have a perfect vacation since, by the majority of people, it happens just once a year for just a week or two. No wonder that it mustn’t be spoilt by some unpleasant circumstances. However, there are a lot of problems every traveller faces sooner or later. In this article, we tell you about those issues and inform you how to avoid them or how to handle them if they have already occurred.

Delayed/cancelled flight

Prevention: Make sure the flight you book is refundable and insured. Have a backup plan in case you have to change a destination.

Solution: Address the customer service desk and decide whether you’d rather cancel your trip or take the next available flight. If your flight is cancelled, you will automatically be booked for the next flight, but you can refuse. However, keep in mind that your flight may be nonrefundable.

Lost luggage or documents

Prevention: Label all your bags properly, indicating your name and home address. Carry copies of all the travel documents, or use a documents app you trust.

Solution: Refer to the lost baggage service desk, which is usually next to the baggage claim. There, you should get a refund for delayed baggage. If your request is declined, check your insurance for a backup. In case you lose your documents, contact your country’s local embassy. An appointment will be scheduled to replace them.

Hectic itinerary

Prevention: When making an itinerary, include some time off the schedule, as well as time for rest. If you skip between the landmarks too fast, you will likely forget the places depicted in the photographs very soon.

Solution: If you understand you won’t manage to fulfil everything you have planned, don’t be upset. Pick the places you would like to visit first of all or the ones that would be most convenient to visit during your current vacation and save the rest for your next trip. If you really like the place you’re at, it’s great to have a reason to come back, isn’t it?

Being robbed

Prevention: Don’t wear or display expensive jewellery, electronics, or cash, not to attract pickpockets’ attention. Wear a bum bag on the front and divide the valuables between different pockets; you can give some of them to your travel partner(s). Putting your valuables in zip and/or front pockets is preferable. In the case of documents, it is sometimes possible to leave the original in the hotel room and carry a copy. If you have a wallet, remove all the unnecessary cards so that it does not look full.

Solution: If you have already been robbed, return to a safe place as quickly as possible. In most cases, burglars don’t want to cause you harm, aiming just at your belongings, so don’t give them reasons to hurt you by trying to keep your things. If you still have your phone, contact credit card companies and ask them to tie up your accounts. If your phone is stolen, try to get online elsewhere and find your phone’s location with the help of some apps, like Find My Device by Google. This also enables you to lock your phone or erase the data it contains.

Time zone change

Prevention: If you happen to forget the time change, you may miss your flight or be late for a check-in or other scheduled events. To prevent this, check the time zone at every destination you are going to visit. A website https://everytimezone.com/ can help you with that.

Not knowing the local language

Prevention: Download a language-learning app, such as Duolingo or Google Translate (plus a destination’s language) and spend some time learning essential phrases.

Solution: If you are stuck somewhere where no one speaks or understands English, try to find the most touristy place. English is usually spoken by the staff of hotels, restaurants, and souvenir shops. You may try to find some expats or digital nomads living in the place you stay at and ask them to be your guides. Alternatively, use the aforementioned Google Translate as your helper; provided you download all the necessary languages in advance, it works even without an Internet connection.

Overpriced shopping or dining close to tourist attractions

Prevention: Do pre-holiday research on the places in your chosen destinations to find the necessary options next to your places of interest while avoiding overpricing.

Solution: Talk to locals to find out where they usually shop or eat—the prices there are likely to be much lower. If you rent accommodation via Airbnb or a similar platform, ask your host. Sometimes, hosts even provide their guests with to-do lists and/or insight tips.

Jet lag

Prevention: If you can, try to adapt your schedule for a future shift at least a week before the departure. For example, go to bed an hour earlier every day of the week. It is important that you have a good night’s sleep, at least in the last two days before the flight. You may also try to take melatonin, which is prescribed for sleep disorders. Pack earplugs and/or an eye mask to help you sleep on a plane. Stay hydrated and avoid sugar and alcohol before and during the flight.

Solution: Overcome the urge to nap upon arrival because this won’t help your organism acclimate to the current time. Instead, go out and spend some time in the sun, go for a swim, or have a snack (preferably with much fibre). Avoid doing anything stressful, like navigating through public transport maps or the busiest city streets. Go to bed at your usual time and have a good night’s sleep.

Much/heavy luggage

Prevention: Begin by choosing a bag of the right size, as a bigger one will urge you to stuff it with more things. Collect all the stuff you think you need during your trip and remove half of it. This exercise helps you see what you really need and what you can do without. Select clothes that are suitable for multiple occasions and easily matched.

Unexpected weather

Prevention: Check the weather forecast daily for a week before the trip. Make corresponding adjustments to your itinerary and to your luggage. If the weather promises to be rainy, consider replacing beach recreation with museum exploration, decreasing the number of light clothes, and adding an umbrella or a raincoat. Besides, you can book just a few nights at a chosen hotel if you feel you may need to relocate.

Solution: Talk to the staff of the hotel where you stay and ask them to relocate you to a sister hotel. If it’s impossible, find ways to entertain yourself indoors — attend a tasting session, learn some local craft, enjoy spa procedures, or spend time at the closed pool. Lastly, consult the locals about what they do when bad weather happens.

Summing up, travelling might be associated with a number of issues. Following our advice will avoid the most common problems. Luckily, you won’t have to worry about accommodation during the trip since hotelin.com has you covered! This young hotel price aggregator hotelin.com enables you to find your perfect stay quickly and easily. Look through prices collected from various booking platforms and customise your search using a wide array of filters. Have a pleasant and safe journey!