77 Easy Travel Tips: From Real Experiences Traveling The World

We have always loved travel and had been traveling the world together for over ten years prior to us establishing Happy Irish Wanderers in October 2022.

Along the way, we encountered many problems and some serious Incidents such as jumping for our lives to avoid an out-of-control truck in Bali, escaping civil war in Sudan, and brawling in a market in Dar Es Salaam.

Those were events that were literally a case of the wrong place at the wrong time. Mistakes and incidents will happen to everyone.

However, many travel problems can easily be avoided by planning, preparing, and learning.

We are here to help with all of that and make your travel easier with our list of easy travel tips. All of which we have learned along the way and continue to make use of ourselves.

Easy Travel Tips

These are our easy travel tips based on our own knowledge and experiences while traveling the world long-term.

1. Easy Travel Tips: The Journey Begins at Home

Starting your journey on the right foot is crucial and it begins with proper preparation at home.

Being prepared, will ensure a smoother journey for yourself and make your adventure a lot easier.

• Our very first travel tip starts with the house on your back. Invest in a good backpack, not only will it last for years but the fit and comfort will save you from a sore back and cut shoulders. A good pack should include strong back and shoulder padding, multiple pockets, a small day sack that can be removed, and a built-in waterproof cover that can be folded away.
• Just as important is a daypack. This is your most important bag where you will keep all of your important belongings, cash, and documents.

• Use packing cubes for your clothes. They come in different colors/sizes and make searching for items will much easier.
• Get into the routine of packing and unpacking everything back in the same place to avoid items getting lost. Clothing or items that you do not use often go into the bottom, and essentials like your toiletry bag go on top.
• Any liquid items such as creams, shampoo, and sunscreen go into plastic bags or ziplock bags.
• Don’t pack clothes that crease easily, if you have to iron them before wearing them, you will never wear them! Dark-coloured clothing lasts a lot longer compared to white clothing. Don’t bring it if it can only be worn with one specific item.
• Do a practice run by packing everything you want to bring, Make sure to have space left over.
• Bring a laundry bag.
• Buy padlocks that fit the zipper slider and use keyrings to separate all the small keys.
• Add a keyring or a mark to your backpack so it is easily recognizable. Other attachments such as Carabineer clips are cheap, light, and small but really useful for attaching things to your backpack like runners/water bottles.

• Any excess strapping on your backpack gets taped up with duct tape, but allow a couple of inches of space. Bring the rest of the roll with you.
• If traveling as a couple, carry some of each other’s clothing in case a bag goes missing.

2. Easy Travel Tips: Learn, Research, and Plan Ahead

Your backpack is now ready to go! So let’s learn some travel tips about knowledge to make your trip as smooth and fun as possible.

• Most of our research regarding what to see and do comes from – Rough Guides which shows proposed itineraries, Atlas Obscura has a lot of hidden gems and unusual attractions. Lastly, Pinterest gives a lot of information about real experiences and off-the-beaten-track destinations from travel blogs.
• Get your phone unlocked before you set off on your adventure. Or if you want to hold onto your SIM, bring that spare phone that has been in your everything drawer for years!
• Learn basic words in the country’s language you are planning to visit such as – Hello, thank you, yes please, sorry/excuse me, yes/no, water, beer, the bill, toilet, bus station, and train station
• One of the best free tools we always use is Google Maps. Even without a local sim card, it will still show your location. Learn how to navigate so you can walk through a new city without getting lost. Google Maps is also a great app to find public transport, attractions, restaurants, and bars.
• Google Translate is another great free tool as you can download languages so you can use it offline too. Learning how to use the camera tool is really useful so you can translate menus. Simply point the camera at the menu and it translates on your screen.
• Not every country uses Uber, download other taxi apps such as Tirhal and Bolt. If you are taking a taxi, tuk-tuk, etc, make sure to agree on a price first before getting in. When traveling to a new place of accommodation you can contact the host to find out what the maximum price is you should be paying.
• Learn prices before and when in the country. In some countries, you will be overcharged just because you are a tourist. The first few days are all about learning, once you have the knowledge you shouldn’t be overpaying for anything anymore.

• Facebook and other Western apps are blocked in some countries, there’s a way around this by using a VPN. We use NORDVPN and it has been excellent, especially for watching football! You can download the app and log in to multiple devices with one account.

3. Easy Travel Tips: Essential Items

These travel tips are about products that will help make your life easier while on the road.

Most of these items can be bought online without breaking the bank, especially non-brands. If you decide to purchase non-branded items, be sure to check reviews beforehand.

• Not everyone does, but one of the most important travel tips we would highly recommend is to purchase travel insurance. We use World Nomads. Yes, they are a bit more expensive when compared to other insurance companies, but they have the best fine print and have been the number one travel insurance company for a long time for good reasons. There are many insurance companies that simply do not deliver when it comes to medical coverage, travel-related disruptions, and any items that get lost or stolen.
• If you plan to visit a lot of temples/religious sites, have something light to cover your knees/shoulders like a sarong. Some places will have free sarongs but most places charge for this or may not have anything available and you will be refused entry.

• Bring a Shemagh or shawl/scarf if going to hot desert destinations. Don’t forget to bring a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen as well. The last one can be expensive to buy when abroad.
• If you are visiting many countries, a multi-country travel adapter is a must-have. These adapters also have dual USB ports so you can charge multiple devices at the same time.
• A battery pack is a great investment if you are planning long journeys on a bus or train. When buying a battery pack make sure to buy one less than 27,00mAh because anything above that number will not be allowed on an airplane. Always put your power bank in your carry-on luggage, because power banks are banned from going in your checked luggage.
• Use a dry bag to prevent any damage to your belongings due to accidental exposure to water.
• Some hot countries, especially in Africa and the Middle East, can get very cold at night! Avoid bringing a hoodie, which will take up a lot of space in your backpack. Instead, invest in a snugpak, or similar, there are many nonbrand ones on Amazon. These are easy to pack away in the handy stuff bag that comes with the jacket and don’t take up much space.
• Other places that can get quite cold are long-distance buses. We are talking about freezing cold because the drivers blast the AC up to the max. So again, make sure to bring warm clothing.
• Have a tiny first aid kit. Don’t go overboard, and bring an entire hospital with you. Basic items are all you need such as – painkillers, diarrhea tablets, and motilium tablets. Every country will have these available, but if you have an upset stomach the last thing you will want is to leave your room! Also, don’t forget the nail clippers!
• The best way of getting a selfie is with a Bluetooth tripod/selfie stick. Obviously do not use it in busy cities!

• While not essential, having a good head torch can be very useful when traveling, particularly in countries where power outages are common.
• Bring a Chrome Cast with you to screen your phone onto the TV. You might not have English channels in your accommodation
• Always have a pen and a spare one! When filling out visa forms 99% of the time there will be none available. A small notebook is always handy as well.
• This travel tip has proven to be quite helpful and appreciated during our travels. Consider bringing small gifts from your home country to give to those who have helped you as a token of your gratitude. Postcards from your country/city are an excellent option as they don’t take up much space, add no extra weight, and are easy to keep. This simple act of kindness will go a long way in building strong relationships with your new friends.

4. Easy Travel Tips: Good Housekeeping

When we talk about good housekeeping travel tips, we are talking about your own personal habits, not literally about how well-cleaned your hotel room is……

• If you are visiting a new country and you are on a budget, then there is no point in going to places where hotels are going to cost you a fortune. Booking.com can show you a rough plan for you to plan your itinerary. Simply type in the name of the country and filter down to your daily hotel budget. Next, go into the Booking.com map and it will show you all the places within your budget.

• You have just scored a great deal on a hotel. But have you checked where it is located? No point in staying there if it is miles away from the nightlife, the beach, or the historical attraction you are planning on visiting. If you stay in a far away location, you may end up spending more money on things like taxis.
• Write down the address of your accommodation in case your phone runs out of battery.

• Pack your bag the night before, especially if you are getting up in the early hours!
• Many hotels will allow you to leave your bag there for a few days. Don’t go lugging your backpack to a place you will be staying on a short break if you are coming back in the same direction.
• Have the same routine every time you check out, this is where you are most likely to leave something behind. Look underneath the bed, check the bathroom for any toiletries, and make sure to unplug your multi-country travel adapter.
• Get into the routine of charging your devices after you have used them.
• Allow rest days. If you are packing as much as possible within a time frame you are going to be burnt out.

• Don’t go paying extra money for a fancy hotel room if you are not going to be spending a lot of time there because you are out exploring and seeing attractions. Pay higher prices for comfortable rooms on the days you are resting and relaxing!
• Get up for that sunrise, it will be worth it!
• Slow travel is cheap travel is long-term travel!

5. Easy Travel Tips: Cash, Documents & Safe Habits

The three most important things you will possess on your travels are – your ATM card, cash, and your passport.

• Know the value of the currency you will be using. For example; 100 South African Rand equates to roughly 5 Euros.
• When crossing a border into a new country make sure to have enough cash on you to purchase a visa, not every border crossing will have an ATM.
• There are many foreign exchange traders at border crossings, but the exchange rate may not be the best. Only use this opportunity if you are on a long bus trip and want to buy food or water along the way. Maybe you will need a taxi at the end of the bus journey, but at least you will have some local currency to get you to your hotel. From your hotel, you can find an ATM.
• If you are planning on exchanging currency, then calculate in advance on XE.com how much you should be getting roughly to avoid being scammed. Take a screenshot so you don’t forget and in case you have no internet.
• Apply for a travel ATM card from your bank to avoid any extra fees when withdrawing cash. Have at least two cards.

• Whilst you are applying, make sure to inform your bank of the countries you are traveling to. This way you will prevent your card from getting blocked.
• Don’t take out your atm card when there is no need. As a personal rule, we only take out cash on the way home.
• Find out which banks that don’t charge any fees for withdrawals. We’ve found some banks that charge as much as 15 Euros per withdrawal, which can add up to a significant amount of money wasted.
• In some countries such as Thailand, the cash comes out first, followed by your ATM card. Don’t walk away with just your cash…..speaking from experience!
• If your card does get swallowed by the machine, all is not lost. Take a photo of the ATM number and contact the bank. They will be able to retrieve your card although this may take a few days.
• Keep your ATM cards and cash separate in safe places. After you have used your ATM card, put it back in its designated safe spot, especially if you have a large amount of cash. Being lazy about it and leaving it on a table could result in losing your card/cash.
• Track your spending using a Budget App such as TravelSpend.
• Ask about prices in case there is no menu. Some places also add a cover charge. That ice cream you bought for the kids can end up quite expensive!
• Bring spare cash which is only to be used in case of an emergency!
• Make a copy of your passport, visa, driver’s license, Yellow Fever, etc, and email it to yourself. Put that email in a specific folder.
• Some countries require two hard copies and two passport photos when applying for a visa in person. Have these in advance to avoid paying high prices at the border.

6. Easy Travel Tips: Discovering New Destinations

Going to new countries can be overwhelming. But is that not one of the main reasons we travel?

• 12-hour stopovers can be a great way of seeing a new city. The first times we explored Dubai and Singapore were on long stopovers. Just make sure you allow yourself plenty of time to get back to the airport.

• Know the local customs of the country you are visiting. For example, in Thailand the Royal family is highly regarded, do not speak foul of them or you may end up in a Thai prison! Another example is in India, a shake of a head would be considered a no in Western countries, but in India, that action means yes!
• Accept that it is not always possible to see everything you want to do on your trip
• Prioritize what you want to do/see and enjoy it. Just because something is famous/popular or what “everyone does here” doesn’t mean you have to endure if it’s not something you’re actually interested in.
• Feel free to explore and get lost on purpose in new cities. The best way we discover new cities is to walk around for hours without a tour guide. Learn the local life for yourself and find many hidden gems that are not on Google Maps or on any website.
• Always have emergency toilet paper and hand sanitizer with you. Just because it’s a fancy “western-looking” shopping center doesn’t mean there will be toilet paper when you are standing over a squat toilet!
• Try new and local foods, especially street food. Some of the tastiest and cheapest food we ever tasted is delicious street food. You can discover new flavors and cuisines by eating what the locals eat.

• Pay for food first before you sit down and enjoy your meal, this way you will avoid being scammed or overcharged.
• In many countries Haggling is part of the local culture and can be a fun experience. Have a price in your mind that you are willing to pay. If the seller starts with a very high price give a counteroffer of a very low price and show that you know the art of haggling!
• Don’t be shamed into buying something you don’t want. Often the seller will try and put pressure on you with sad stories for you to buy something.
• Be open-minded and respectful. What might seem strange to you may be a normal custom in another country. We have seen lots of “crazy stuff” all over the world. Sometimes the locals may think you have crazy habits!
• Be flexible and spontaneous. Don’t plan every minute of your trip. Leave some room for surprises and opportunities that may come your way.

• Booking.com – For the best prices on hotels.
• TopCashBack Use this app to get an additional % off the above website.
• GetYourGuide – For the best tour to suit you.
• Discovercars – Discovercars is the best website to compare all car rental companies.
• WorldNomads – The best insurance company with the best fine print of all travel insurance companies. It is the number one choice for a reason.

7. Easy Travel Tips: Your Personal Conduct

When traveling, your behavior and actions are key. One of the best parts of our travels is spending time with locals and forming lasting friendships with them, some of whom we still keep in touch with today.

• No matter what country you are in, there is a universal sign that everyone knows, a friendly and welcoming signal – A Smile. Even if the person you are talking to is rude as fxxk, smile and kill them with kindness! Smiling and laughing are also good for your health!
• Don’t be afraid to start a conversation with a stranger. If that annoying person is trying to sell you something and won’t give up, ask them an interesting question – Where are you from? Suddenly it’s not about the selling anymore, but the person.
• Share a laugh with the person next to you on local transport, there are many ways to start a chat. The easiest of them all – How are you?!
• Ask permission for photos first before you start snapping photographs right in their face. How would you feel if a stranger started doing it to you?

• Trust your gut instinct, if it doesn’t feel right it probably isn’t. There will be people who see dollar signs when they see you. If a stranger comes up to you wanting to be your best friend he is probably looking for a “donation” or that you “promote” them. Don’t be afraid and say no in a firm but courteous manner.
• But in saying that, not everyone is out to scam you! The majority of people are good honest decent humans. Sometimes that stranger who initiated the conversation may just want to have a chat with you!
• Things will go wrong – and it’s ok! No matter how prepared you are, something will not go according to plan. You are on an adventure that will change your life and way of thinking. The best remedy is to embrace and enjoy the ride!

We hope these easy travel tips assist you in planning your long-term travel! For advice on saving money before and during your trip, please refer to the related posts provided below.

We would love to hear your thoughts. Please feel free to leave us a message below or contact us through our socials!

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