12 Vacation Travel Tips

It goes without saying that going on vacation can be very exciting and relaxing, whether you’re going with friends, family, or all by yourself! However, there are countless ways for you to make your vacation even better, some of which people don’t usually think of ahead of time. By following some useful advice and doing a bit of research, you can ensure that you have a calming and smooth trip.

So, with that in mind, here are some useful tips to keep in mind while planning and traveling to your next vacation destination.

This one should go without saying, but you might be surprised by just how many people forget to budget their spending money. It’s smart to consider how much you’ll need to spend on things from food and souvenirs to potential emergency funds. If you haven’t taken the time to sit down and figure this one out, be sure to do so now, before embarking on your trip. Speaking of money…

Besides plane tickets, your place to stay is likely one of the biggest expenses you’ll incur while traveling. Luckily, the days of calling the local hotels to find the best deal is no more. The internet is now the obvious choice for researching your next overnight destination, but there are now many options besides local hotels and motels. Short-term vacation rentals can be found in almost any travel destination in the world. Vacation rental sites like Airbnb allow you to live like a local, often with better amenities, and for cheaper than the average hotel room.

If you’re staying in your country, this tends to be a lot easier. You probably understand the subway or bus routes, or maybe you just grabbed a rental car. Trying to make your way around Hong Kong for the first time might be a bit more difficult though. Transportation is an important aspect of traveling, just like your budget. Do a little research before landing or embarking out for the day, this will help with your schedule and your stress. What good is a stressful vacation, right?

If you’re going on vacation, chances are you’re doing so in the hopes of having some fun, relaxing, and making great memories. Now, if all you want is to spend time in your hotel room or lie down by the side of the pool, then that obviously makes this easier. However, if there’s a long to-do list you have for this trip, consider ranking them in order of how important they are to you, so you have time to get as much of them done as possible if unexpected changes to your schedule occur. Speaking of time…

Of course, it’s always good to plan your day in advance, and determine what you want to do and at what times. However, you should always leave out some blocks of your day – even if it’s just an hour or two – in case there are delays (i.e., transportation-related, etc.) that cause you to be late to your desired destinations. The more such time you leave in your schedule, the more likely it is you’ll be able to not stress potentially about not being able to do everything you want to do on your trip.

It’s hard to imagine a situation where you’re enjoying your vacation if something happens where the clothes you’re wearing get wet or dirty. Let’s say you’re going to be out of town for five days, hypothetically. If that’s the case, pack at least eight pairs into your suitcase to bring with you. You never know what could happen, whether it’s bad weather or stepping or falling in something unfortunate, that could cause you to need a change of clothes, throughout your trip.

Yet another thing that should go without saying but seems to be a mistake that some tourists make rather often. You might already have in mind a certain vacation rental to stay in, certain restaurants to eat at, etc., and that’s perfectly okay. However, by doing a simple Google search, you might be able to find a better quality and lower cost option that other tourists recommend.
If your vacation rental homeowner is using PMBO, you’ll have access to the Local Host hospitality app. The app has helpful information from past renters and locals, including directions and restaurant recommendations. So don’t be totally married to your plans. Keep an open mind and see what other options are out there.

Whether it’s to take pictures or to call or text, there’s a strong likelihood that you’ll have and need your phone with you throughout your travels. However, depending on where you are traveling, it might be hard to come by places to plug in a regular phone charger while you’re out and about. Finding a portable battery – now sold in most stores where chargers are sold – for your phone shouldn’t be too difficult. You certainly don’t want to miss out on documenting your travels because of a dead battery.

Let’s say you’re in your hotel room, and it’s late at night, or you’re nearing the end of your trip and might be nearing the end of your trip’s budget. Or maybe you’re on the plane or train, and nothing is appealing on the menu. Naturally, there’s a chance you still might get famished before you get home. So, come prepared! If there’s any room in your suitcase or backpack, be sure to come prepared with any edible items that can fit. Your stomach will thank you!

Hypothetical emergency situations aren’t pleasant to think about, but it’s necessary. Whether it’s a flight cancellation, a lost wallet, a storm that leaves you stranded, or anything in between, it is always nice to have extra cash or an extra credit/debit card on hand. So plan ahead, in case the unthinkable happens. On a related note, speaking of nightmare scenarios…

As I stated above, it’s always nice to have your phone on hand always, but most of us know just how easily phones can break. If that happens on vacation, you still may need a means of communication. For example, if you don’t have a friend or relative with you, you might also want to make sure you have your laptop, so you can at least send an email.

Amid all the planning, it’s easy to become stressed and forget what vacations are all about: Getting a long-awaited escape for the anxieties that often comes with everyday life, even if it’s just for a couple of days. While tips like the ones suggested here are still worth keeping in mind, don’t ever let any of this distract you from the fact that this is your time to enjoy yourself, and be free from your daily grind. Although we recommend keeping your phone charged and with you, don’t hesitate to turn it off from time-to-time and really dive into your vacation.