Travelling should be a fun & a fulfilling experience. However, too often do travelers run into common issues that can easily be avoided. If it’s your first or fiftieth time out exploring the big, wide world, there’s always a chance you could fall the victim.

Here are five of the most common issues travelers face, and how to avoid or remedy them should you need to.

Stay Vigilant & Careful

It sounds like a broad tip, but it’s still very important to remember – staying vigilant is crucial when traveling, especially depending on where you are in the world. With many tourists falling victim to things such as theft, scams and potential violence in rare cases, it’s vital to stay safe and sensible during your trip.

When it comes to scams, as mentioned, you may want to try your hand at a spot of haggling. It’s the most effective way of reducing the potential costs, saving you from forking out a fortune – market vendors are the most common offenders, hiking up their prices should they realize you’re a tourist who may not know any better.

Keep An Eye On Your Belongings

Whatever you do, don’t leave your things unattended on your travels. Too often do travelers suffer the nightmare of lost luggage, and as highlighted by TINZ, claims aren’t always as straightforward as you may hope.

If it wasn’t your fault and you couldn’t have prevented the loss of your things, you have sturdier grounds for a successful claim. However, should it be a result of your own negligence – leaving things in plain sight for anyone to see and effectively steal is a common occurrence – you’re much less likely to win any case. Just stay cautious and don’t flaunt any valuables, and you’ll be much less likely to have any issues.

Respect & Appreciate The Culture

One mistake travelers make – often without realizing – is being ignorant of the culture surrounding them. It’s prevalent in almost every way, from the cultural practices of the architecture, and even in the food. It’s just up to you to recognize and appreciate it.

Some places will actually punish you if you insult or ignore the importance of their culture. Thailand, for example, sees any slander of the Royal Family as a criminal offense, even if you are a tourist – a local recently made some negative Facebook posts which led to a 35-year prison sentence. Be careful and respectful.

Budget Yourself Wisely

Don’t run yourself dry before the end of your trip. If you’re not good with managing your money – and give into temptation easily – it may be worth setting yourself a daily budget to stick to. Take into account everything from the necessities, such as accommodation and transport, to the “wants” such as activities and gifts – it all adds up.

Perhaps consider other ways to keep your money under control, too. A prepaid travel card is often a good idea overlooked by tourists – it allows you to load a strict amount upon it whilst locking in an exchange rate that won’t be affected by any future fluctuations. Be sure to shop around for the best rates, and don’t leave it too late.

Have A Rough Itinerary

Although spontaneity is key when traveling, it’s equally as necessary to have a plan of what you want to do and when. It’s always disappointing to realize you don’t have enough time to fulfill your desires, so make sure you’re sensible with your planning and organized with your timing.

So long as you follow this tip as well as the rest of the above, you’ll be in for a safe and fun travel experience. Don’t hold back – so long as you’re ready, it’ll be an unforgettable trip.

Do you have any more tried and tested tips to avoid common issues whilst traveling? Be sure to let us know in the comments below.