How to make a trip economical and comfortable: 30 tips from the avid traveler

Matthew Karsten has been traveling the world for eight years. His life changed when he went on tour from Miami to Guatemala. During this time, he gathered a lot of useful tips, which he shared in a blog. Vagabond Expert.

Фото: Depositphotos

1. Patience is very important.
Do not lose balance because of things that you can not control. Life is too short to get angry and annoyed. Are you late for the bus? Don't worry, there will be another one. Just take a deep breath and remind yourself that it could be worse.

2. Wake up early
Get up at dawn, then you can see the sights without meeting crowds of tourists. This is also a great time for good photos thanks to diffused light. Also early in the morning the safest walk around the city.

3. Treat yourself with humor
You will definitely look stupid when visiting new places. Instead of being embarrassed, laugh at yourself. Do not be afraid to "spoil everything" and do not take life too seriously.

4. Do not forget extra cash
Cash is the most important thing when traveling. Leave some cash in your belongings (backpack, pockets, etc.), this can help in emergency situations. If you lose your wallet, or you cannot use an ATM, then you will be very happy that you prudently left the cash. Cash can be stored in socks, shoes, a backpack, sewn into the lining of the bag.

5. Meet local
Try to get to know the locals. Basic phrases in English are known all over the world. Sign language can also help you understand each other. Familiarity with local enrich you no less than visiting the sights.

6. Take a scarf with you
The scarf is a very useful accessory when traveling. It can be used to protect from the sun, instead of towels or sleep masks and much more.

7. Watch your daily life
If you want to feel the pulse of the city, then spend a few hours sitting in a park or on a busy street, just watching the daily life unfolding in front of you. Pay attention to what surrounds you - smells, colors, sounds. This is a kind of meditation - you will see things that have not been noticed before.

8. Copy all data
When a laptop was stolen from me in Panama, I lost all the important documents and photos. Additional data copying saved me. Always back up your passport, visa, driver's license, birth certificate, health insurance card, important phone numbers so that they are always available in case of an emergency.

9. Take lots of pictures
Perhaps you see these places and these people for the first and last time in your life. Photos will help you to remember these events forever. Do not worry about what you look like a "tourist." Good photos are a great souvenir. They are free and easy to share with others.

10. There is always a way
Nothing is impossible. If you encounter problems when planning a trip, then do not give up. You just haven't found the best solution yet or haven't met the right person. Remember, perseverance always brings results.

11. Smile and say hello
Having trouble with the locals? Do people seem unfriendly? Perhaps the reason is in your body language. One of my best tips is to always hold eye contact and smile. If you smiled back, say hello in the local language. This is the fastest way to make new friends.

12. Allow yourself to spend some money.
I am a big fan of budget trips, it allows you to travel longer and see much more exciting places, and not spend hard-earned money on things that you really do not need. You can travel to many places for as little as $ 50 per day. But sometimes you can afford to spend a little money and make the trip more pleasant. For example, book a room in a good hotel for a few days or dine in a famous restaurant.

13. Look at things wider
Do not judge the lives of other people if it is different from your own. Listen to opinions you disagree with. Learn to empathize and put yourself in the shoes of another person. Be prepared to accept new things, ask questions and listen to the answers.

14. Try Couchsurfing
Couchsurfing is a large online community of travelers who rent rooms to strangers for free. If you really want to learn more about local customs, then this is a great opportunity. It is also a good way to save on housing.

15. Volunteering
During the trip, you can take part in volunteer programs. This is a great way to get a new experience, learn more about the country and people, and make new friends.

16. Bring earplugs
Ear plugs are number one on the list of things to travel. They are great help to drown out unpleasant sounds: crying babies, drunken cries, dogs barking, snoring neighbors.

17. Do not be afraid
The world is not as dangerous as the media makes it out to be. Use common sense and everything will be fine. Most people are friendly and trustworthy.

18. Intentionally getting lost
If you want to see the real city, then you should get lost in it. Just walk around the city, not knowing the exact direction. You will definitely find interesting places. Write down the name of your hotel, and if you cannot return, you can always call a taxi and get to the hotel. Do not be afraid to get into an unfavorable area. Usually, you will have time to warn about this local residents.

19. Eat local food
Try the local food. Ask the locals to recommend something to you, or buy food in ordinary street vans. During my journey, I was poisoned only twice. So do not be afraid to eat new food.

20. Speak more often Yes
Be impulsive and agree if someone invites you to meet with your family or go to a place you didn’t know about before. It is unexpected and unplanned situations that turn the journey into the best life stories.

21. Slow down
Please do not try to squeeze 6 countries for 6 weeks of travel. All good things happen when you spend time studying. If you hurry, you are unlikely to find out something that is not in your guidebook. Spend more time in fewer places and you will get maximum enjoyment.

22. Take notes
When I started traveling, I did not keep a travel journal; now I regret it. I lost information about new people I met, forgot interesting conversations and feelings from my new experience. If you ever want to write about your trip, this data will be very useful.

23. Get out of your comfort zone.
Challenge yourself to try things that you don’t or are afraid of. The faster you do this, the faster the fear will disappear. Afraid to talk to strangers? Talk to a few. Are you afraid of strange food? Eat the strangest thing you will find. This is a new experience that is acquired during travel.

24. Do not plan too much
When people ask me how many days you need to spend in a particular city, then I get lost. I have no idea what you might like or who you will meet. I thought that I would spend 1-2 weeks in Nicaragua, but in the end I lived on 4 for a month. I advise you to choose a starting point, 1-2 required and an ending point, and let the Universe decide everything else.

25. Pack as few things as possible.
My first backpack was on 70 liters, now I'm taking a backpack on 38 liters with me. We all go through this when we take with us a lot of things that we end up not needing to travel.

26. Listen to podcasts
Podcasts are a great thing. I never thought that I would look forward to the 10-hour bus ride, but thanks to the podcasts I do it. Time flies by when you listen to some kind of show, music or interview.

27. Treat your body well
It is very important for the journey that the body is in good shape. Keep fit - sleep enough time, eat well, exercise.

28. Keep in touch
Do not forget to call your family and friends from time to time. Send postcards. Traveling is not lonely, but most contacts are fleeting. Keep a strong connection with the people who know you best.

29. Get off the beaten path
Look for interesting and unusual places that are not in the guidebooks. A lot of the most amazing things happened to me where it’s hard to get.

30. Do not forget about insurance
No one thinks that he is sick or injured while traveling or is robbed. I definitely did not plan to get a fever in Dengue or give away my laptop to thieves, but thanks to insurance, I won’t have to worry about large medical bills or stolen things.

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