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There are many websites, articles, and blogs on the internet where you can find things to do during your Holiday Travel. Most websites will provide you with more than enough information on what to do, places to see, how to act, the kinds of people you’ll meet, etc. But what about the things you should avoid? Things that will cost you money, time, and probably opportunities; what about those?

Well, today, I am going to provide you with ten things you probably didn’t know you need to avoid in order to fully enjoy your holiday, save money, and also have a good time. If you avoid these things, your chances of traveling smarter, longer, and cheaper will increase significantly. Without further ado, let’s get down to it.

1. Avoid eating near a major or popular tourist site

This is the one of thing many people do not avoid on their holiday travel. Restaurants around popular places or major tourist sites know that most of their customers aren’t going to come back. So for this reason, they sell you less for more. You’ll pay twice the price but get half the flavor. And also, since you are a tourist, there’s a high chance you won’t know anything about the local dishes. So restaurants consider themselves to be at an advantage.

However, local restaurants that aren’t close to a tourist attraction will do well to serve quality meals because they know that they’ll be majorly patronized by locals who know the difference between the flavors, taste, ingredients, and overall quality. Therefore, when you are on your holiday travel, keep it in mind that the farther a restaurant is to a tourist attraction, the higher the chances of getting a high-quality meal from them. And it’s not just about the quality, they’ll also be cheaper.

Additionally, restaurants that provide their customers with posh menus in different languages are mostly looking to trap tourists. Try to avoid them at all cost. If you are unsure about a local restaurant or you’d like to learn about their foods, service, and staff, you can check out review websites such as:

• OpenRice– Great for anyone going to Malaysia, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, or Indonesia. The website also works like Yelp.
• Yelp– Great for world travelers. You’ll find ratings and reviews about hotels, restaurants, beach houses, etc.
• Foursquare– This is another great alternative for Yelp. You can even search for nearby eateries and restaurant when you’re on their mobile app.

2- Avoid changing money at airports

If you are travel to a destination that does not accept U.S dollars, research the exchange rate prior to your departure. This allows you to know the estimate exchange rate to expect.  Also, avoid changing money at the airport especially when it’s a holiday travel because airport exchange stations usually add on additional fees and commission. Instead look for a local bank or use your ATM to get lower fees and better rates.

It is good to avoid using cash too. Always maintain the utilization of your card unless you necessarily have to use cash.

3- Don’t keep your identification in the depths of your bag

Your forms of identification, as well as boarding passes, are probably the most important documents you have when you are on your holiday travel. And because they are such important documents, it is advisable you keep them safe and hidden away from the wrong hands and minds.

Now, while you are trying to keep them safe, you also need to ensure that they are easily accessible by you. So how do you do this? What you need to do is keep them in a concealed, yet accessible spots, such as a purse interior or a zippered coat pocket. These pockets should be on the front of your coats, backpacks, or bags. Another option is getting yourself a hidden money belt, which can be quite important if you will be in crowded places on your holiday travel.

Now, why shouldn’t you keep them at the bottom of your bag? Well, simply put, you’ll be exposing too much of your stuff while rummaging through your bag looking for your I.D which might make you prone to falling in the wrong hands and minds you’ve been trying to avoid.

4- Don’t keep your documents together

When going on your holiday travel, ensure that you have at least two copies of your credit cards and identification with you. This is really crucial, especially if you’re traveling to countries or regions where they have strict rules and regulations concerning tourists. With two copies, you can store one in your wallet, makeup pouch, interior pockets or even leave one at the place that you are staying. Should you lose one, you’ll have the other one to get you by.

If you can’t keep two copies of each document at a time, you can scan your documents and send them to people or cloud storages you can easily gain access to. This way, you’ll be able to provide your I.D. and other information should you lose your belongings or get robbed.

5- Avoid being too flashy

Yes, you’re going on a holiday travel to enjoy yourself, relax, and have fun, but you can do all of these without being too flashy. The “dress to impress” mindset isn’t one that should be employed when you’re traveling.

According to an article by Forbes, the people who seem to own valuable items are the ones thieves are attracted to. From diamond earrings to high priced mobile phones to expensive jackets; anything that would make you look rich. In fact, this Forbes article also states that something as minimal as a designer shopping bag can make a pickpocket check you out.

If you must bring an expensive item with you, ensure that you conceal them. You can put them in your carry-on and ensure you are well aware of your surroundings by keeping a watchful eye.

6- Don’t forget to use  tech

No one wants to lose their belongings on a holiday travel, but still, we need to ensure that we remain ready for whatever happens. Technology is one factor that can help with this.

• Take stock of what you are carrying with a camera. With a digital photo of your belongings, it will be very easy for you to give a description of your bag and its contents when you want to file for a reimbursement claim from your Credit Card Company, airline, or travel insurance company. A photo will do a better job than a hazy memory.

• Smaller items such as keys, wallets, and purses can be easily tracked by using a locator device like Tile. Larger items, such as bags and luggage, can also be tracked as they have their own locator devices too, such as LugLoc. And to make things better, most locator devices work with smartphones as well as computers. So finding your lost items won’t be a hassle as long as you have an internet enabled device.

8- Avoid wearing thin cloths

It’s quite easy to get chilly on public transit. Wearing layers on your clothes won’t just keep you warm, you’ll also enjoy the benefits of easy packing. With layers, you’ll be saving on packing space because you’ll be able to stash small items into the extra pockets that come with them. Layers will save you space, make your luggage or bag less bulky, and make you unattractive to thieves and pickpockets.

9- Don’t travel tired

A holiday travel can be filled with so much excitement that you’ll barely sleep the day before. Try to ensure that this isn’t you. Getting a full night rest is really important as it will prevent you from driving drowsily, sluggishly moving through the airport with a constant headache, or catching a cold.

The AAA recommends that you get at least six hours of sleep before you embark on a long journey. All you need to do is ensure that you pack and make every other preparation during the day.

For those who are traveling by road and can’t do this, ensure that you get a good, designated driver to get you to where you are going to. And if it’s a flight, you can take your in-flight pillow, eye mask, and blanket with you to ensure that you remain refreshed when you land.

10- An in-flight beverage is a no-no

Caffeinated beverages, coffee, and cocktails, and other alcoholic beverages should be avoided when you’re traveling by air on your holiday travel. This is because taking these drinks at high altitudes will cause them to have a stronger effect, which may, in turn, enhance jet-lag symptoms like headaches, dizziness, mental grogginess, or fatigue. These drinks can also make you dehydrated. So what should you take? All you need is water. This is your best bet.

11- Avoid being unprepared for delays

Anything can go wrong with your trip. No one wants to get stuck in an airport, but sometimes, things just happen and you find yourself where you don’t want to be.

While situations like this can be out of your control and stressful, you will be able to deal with them if you are prepared. Packing some books, movies, and snacks with you will really help you. Another thing is having a positive mindset that at the end of the day, you’re still going to visit your loved ones or see that place you’ve always wanted to see.

12- Avoid leaving during rush hour

Most airports are less congested during sleeping hours. Early morning flights are less likely to be delayed and airports are usually unclogged during the morning and late evening. So it is best to plan your travel to leave during this time.

Although check-in may take a while for flights that are leaving very early as staffing might be minimal, you are still better off travel in the morning then afternoon because most airport and city have heavy traffic during this time.