How to Start Traveling
Read our guide on how to start traveling the world. These essential tips will help you plan your first trip, reduce stress, and maximize your overall travel experience.
After years of creating how-to-travel guides for both beginners and seasoned travelers, we realized that we hadn't made the most essential one yet - how to start traveling.
What should be your first steps? Is traveling as intimidating as it looks?
Do you need to book a hotel in advance? Do you have a valid passport?
There are many things that you need to know before traveling for the first time.
The good news is that traveling has never been easier.
The world presents endless possibilities, and it's only up to you how you want to travel and what places you want to visit.
Whether you're planning to take a short trip to see what travel is about or quit your job and head into the unknown, you've come to the right place.
We tried to make this guide as comprehensive and easy to use as possible.
As the old saying goes, the first step is always the hardest. Let's start traveling the world!
This topic is so vast, so if you have any questions whatsoever, let us know in the comments below!
Create a Bucket List
The first step of learning how to travel is the easiest one. Create your own bucket list of destinations you always wanted to visit.
See? That's going to be manageable.
Have you always wanted to hike the iconic Annapurna Circuit, learn about the Incas at Machu Picchu, camp with the Bedouins at Wadi Rum desert, drive around New Zealand's South Island, or sail around the Galapagos Islands?
Well, we have no idea because those were some of our dream activities that we fulfilled in the past years.
You will have your own list. Probably very different from our own. If not, check our list of the best countries to Visit for Vacation.
The point is that creating your dream destination bucket list gives you a clear overview of what continents/countries/places you want to visit.
Our advice is to take it easy and slowly. The world is enormous.
Even after years of traveling, our bucket list is getting bigger and bigger.
So just make a short, simple list of those places you always dreamed of visiting but never had the opportunity to do so.
Keep it simple in the beginning.
Save Money
Traveling is cheaper than ever. That said, unless you adopt a budget travel style, you will need a considerable amount of money to be able to see new destinations.
If you're serious about the whole travel thing, make sure to save up money first.
Knowing you have an adequate budget for your next journey will make every aspect of your upcoming trip more stress-free.
Obviously, saving money for travel is not as enjoyable as traveling itself, but it's worth it.
Flight tickets are expensive, while transportation and accommodation are not cheap either.
Travel expenses can quickly add up if not managed effectively.
Remember that travel is also about indulging. You should occasionally treat yourself to an adventurous tour, fancy meal, or luxurious room and not feel guilty about it.
There are tons of great ways to save money while traveling. We follow these tips ourselves no matter where we go.
Our final advice is that you shouldn't go into debt to experience travel.
We know never say never, but this is probably one of the few exceptions. Travel is not going anywhere.
Set a Budget
You need to set your travel budget regardless of where you want to travel. Some countries are considered cheap to visit, while others are expensive.
Your budget for a trip to Nicaragua and Ireland will look completely different.
The essential travel expenses are accommodation, transportation in the destination, flight tickets, food, insurance, and visa fees.
These mandatory expenses can eat up a big chunk of your budget, but you should also have enough money for fun activities.
Do you want to go island hopping in Paraty, visit the MET museum, hike the Inca Trail, try canyoning in Jaco, or explore the foodie scene in Melaka?
The cost of activities varies greatly and will significantly impact your final budget. Many countries or destinations offer a tourism pass that saves money.
We bought Israel Pass, Jordan Pass, and New York Pass while traveling to these destinations.
These passes are ideal for tourists who want to see as many places as possible, as they save a lot of money.
Estimating how much your trip will cost is relatively easy, as you can scout the prices online ahead of your visit.
Don't forget to factor in some extra money for unexpected expenses.
Start Small
There are many great strategies to make traveling less overwhelming, especially if you're just starting out.
Travel locally, visit your friends in another state, plan a short city break, or focus on a small region rather than the whole country.
These are just basic ideas for making your traveling experience as straightforward as possible.
The first experiences are crucial as they will define your perception of travel.
Feeling anxious or fearing what happens if something goes wrong is okay.
Taking small steps helps you to become a more confident traveler.
Explore Tourist-Friendly Destinations
Not all destinations in the world are equal. Some places are tourist-friendly, while others require experience, patience, etc.
Many countries are not safe for traveling at all. Apart from the fact that popular tourist destinations are crowded at peak season, they serve as a great introduction to the world of travel.
If you're about to travel for the first time, consider choosing a destination where English is widely spoken; there is a large variety of hotels, the city has good public transport, etc.
For us, one of the most tourist-friendly countries in the world that pops immediately up in our minds is Iceland.
The roads are easy to drive, and amazing natural attractions are easily accessible from the Ring Road.
It's practically a cashless society, scams are probably non-existent, almost everyone speaks English, and the scenery is beyond words.
Sure, you will get bored here if you prefer bustling cities, theme parks, or grand museums. But you get the gist.
Create Realistic Itinerary
One of the first mistakes every starting traveler makes when planning an itinerary is that they make their itineraries overly ambitious. Remember, you can't see it all.
Visiting the U.S. has always been one of our biggest dreams.
But the country is just enormous, and there's no way you can experience it all in one go.
So, we picked some of our favorite destinations and visited Yellowstone, Grand Teton, and Mount Rainier National Park on our first visit.
It was still a fairly ambitious itinerary, but we settled on these three destinations (and a few quick stops along the way).
A few years later, we had a long stopover in New York on the way home from Mexico.
The plan was to spend the whole time (almost a week) just in the city.
You can take several great day trips from New York, but there is so much to see and do in New York that there was simply no time for that.
There is still so much we want to see in the U.S., but that will have to wait for later.
We hope to explore the West Coast next. But we will probably start with California and see how it goes from there.
I'm not sure that was the best example, as the Golden State is just huge. But that was the point.
We just narrowed down the list consisting of three states to one.
Another great example is Peru. It's a massive country, and you need to stay realistic when planning your itinerary.
You can focus just on Cusco, where you can easily spend a week (or three).
See Sacred Valley, Rainbow Mountain, Pisac Ruins, Humantay Lake, etc.
Sure, you could include Huaraz, Amazon Jungle, or Nazca Lines in your Peru itinerary, but you would need weeks, not days, to see it all.
Reserve Your Accommodation in Advance
Unless you travel in the off-season with a flexible itinerary, you will need to book your hostels and hotels in advance.
Yes, there are still places where you can book on arrival.
Winter in Calgary was pretty quiet, for instance. But as this will be your first trip, you should be prepared to avoid stressful situations.
There are tons of strategies to get the best deal on a hotel.
After years of traveling and working in the tourism industry, we can only say that the final price you pay for accommodation is impacted by so many factors that there is no general advice on this topic.
Each situation and destination is unique.
Sometimes, you save or lose a few dollars by booking early or late.
There are instances where you can score a great deal if you book well in advance or wait until the last minute.
More often, you should just book your room and don't look back.
Remember that there are places such as the Canadian Rockies where you need to book everything as early as possible.
Hotels in Banff, Jasper, and even campgrounds in the Rockies fill up extremely fast.
As this is your first trip, we recommend booking hotels as soon as you know the dates.
If you book with free cancellation, you can check and rebook later if the price drops. Usually, the price goes up close to your travel dates.
Always check cancelation policies before you book your accommodation in case you need to change your plans.
We usually search hotels on Booking.com and hostels on Hostelworld.
Join an Organized Trip
Traveling independently is one of the best ways to see the world and explore new destinations.
The feeling that you can make your own decisions is unlike any other.
However, planning everything on your own is often exhausting as it requires a lot of time and effort.
There are times and situations when hiring an experienced guide helps you ease into the world of traveling.
You will get a feel for traveling without worrying about the rest.
There were plenty of places in Mexico we visited on our own.
Day trips to Hierve el Agua or Agua Azul were terrific, but we wouldn't call them precisely first-time traveler friendly.
A tour to see these places would be much easier in both instances.
If you're traveling for the first time, don't be afraid to take a guided tour.
Obviously, jumping straight into the world of travel and traveling on your own speeds up the learning process.
Make a Backup Plan
One of the best things about traveling is the memories that will stay with you forever and the stories you can share with others later.
As most travelers will tell you, the best stories are those where not everything went according to plan.
The most bumpy roads are those you remember the most. Still, having a backup plan is not something you should underestimate.
We had to wait several days before hiking the Milford Track due to heavy rain and possible flooding.
We had to shorten our journey around Jordan and cancel our trip to Israel due to the pandemic.
That was especially juicy as we had to arrange everything from a parking lot before departing to Wadi Rum.
There were many other instances where we had to change our travel plans abruptly.
The point is that not everything goes according to your plan, so having a backup plan is essential for every traveler.
Solo Travel
Probably the scariest part of the whole 'how to start traveling' thing is the concept of traveling solo.
There are several ways to make solo travel less intimidating and more enjoyable.
If you travel solo, know that many destinations are perfect for solo travelers.
Cities are always a great choice, as they have a wide range of accommodations, great transportation, museums, restaurants, bars, guided tours, etc.
Plus, connecting with fellow travelers in Tel Aviv is usually much easier than in the Atacama Desert.
Also, consider staying in hostels as often as you can.
Hostels are generally the cheapest accommodation in each destination, and you can save a lot of money by staying at them.
However, the main reason why hostels are great is that they're filled with same-minded travelers.
Pretty much every hostel offers planned activities that provide the easiest way to meet new friends.
Another great way to socialize is to take guided tours.
Free walking guided tours in Bogota or Medellin were a great introduction to these incredible cities and an occasion where you could easily meet other travelers.
Get a Passport
You probably don't have a passport if you've never left your home country. Well, if you're serious about traveling, you will need one.
It's true that you can visit some countries just with your ID in your pocket.
As Europeans, we can travel freely around the majority of Europe with just a national identification card.
A day trip to Dresden or Vienna from Prague has never been easier. But that's not the point.
The point is that a passport is an official travel document that will allow you to visit almost any country in the world (at least if you have a powerful passport).
Traveling is often a spontaneous decision.
The standard process of issuing a passport usually takes several weeks (not including mailing time).
There are ways to get your passport fast, but only in certain situations. And it costs more.
Another thing that comes to our mind is that you might already have a passport but never used it.
In this case, always make sure to check your expiration date.
The passport must usually be valid for at least six months (many European countries follow the three-month rule).
Check Visa and Vaccination Requirements
Some countries require a visa for entry. Therefore, you need to check the visa requirements every time you travel.
You will often need to obtain a visa in advance, though some countries issue them on arrival.
Upon arrival, we obtained our visa when we crossed the borders from Peru to Bolivia.
On the other hand, we had to arrange visas to Australia in advance.
Don't forget that you often need to start the process well in advance before you travel, as issuing visas often takes several weeks.
ESTA was another interesting example of a travel document we needed to obtain before one of our trips.
Technically, ESTA is not a visa but an Electronic System for Travel Authorization.
The application costs about $20 and must be submitted 72 hours before boarding.
Another important thing is that you will often need travel vaccines, as routine ones do not cover many diseases.
Once again, you will need to plan ahead. For example, we were required to get a yellow fever shot before our journey to Colombia a few years back.
Get Insurance
Always get travel insurance no matter where you go or how long you will be gone. Always.
No matter how short your trip will be. The thing is that the insurance you have in your home country doesn't cover you abroad.
And yes, we know that travel insurance is an expense.
But planning for the worst-case scenario will save you considerably more.
Even all those years back when we started traveling together, we never left a country without one.
Good travel insurance covers the risks of travel, such as sickness, injury, loss of baggage, non-refundable travel costs, theft, etc.
Remember that you need to be covered for all activities you plan to undertake during travel.
Always check what it covers before you purchase it.
Standard travel insurance won't be enough if you plan to go skiing in Zermatt, cross the Thorong La Pass, or join an adventurous tour in Semuc Champey.
Some credit cards automatically include basic travel insurance that protects you and your family members.
Always check what your credit card travel insurance covers.
If you want more comprehensive coverage, get a quote from World Nomads or SafetyWing.
Both companies provide travel insurance for all types of travelers.
Get Quality Gear
Getting a quality geat for your next trip is important, but there has to be some balance and sense in the process.
For starters, we must establish that having quality gear is crucial to a stress-free trip. Believe us.
If you decide to go camping in Iceland or hiking around Annapurnas, you will need quality gear.
Whether it's a comfortable backpack, sturdy hiking boots, or a rainproof jacket, these items can make or break your trip.
The best part about quality gear is that it lasts. Even after 10+ years, we still have the trusty down sleeping bags and camping gear we purchased before our WHS trip to New Zealand.
Remember that quality doesn't mean expensive. With the increasing popularity of outdoor activities, tons of budget-oriented brands on the market offer great value for what you pay.
Don't overdo it, though. You might be tempted to get every travel gadget from Amazon you see.
Travel Light
Before traveling for the first time, you will need to create a packing list.
More often than not, we see both newbies and seasoned travelers still carrying enormous backpacks.
Traveling light is a game-changer.
Some travelers will realize this after a trip or two, while others will realize it after several years. Some still carry their 15kg+ to this day.
The most apparent place you can observe this phenomenon is at the airport.
No matter whether you're leaving for a backpacking trip to Patagonia or a New Zealand road trip, you don't need to bring your entire home with you.
The sooner you adopt the hand luggage only philosophy, the better your overall travel experience will be. Trust us on this.
If you forget or need something, there's almost always a way to replace it.
The thing about the modern world is that there are stores with almost all the essential items you might need everywhere, even in remote areas.
Many tourist destinations offer rental equipment, so you should also consider this option.
A word of warning, though. This doesn't mean you don't bring sturdy hiking boots for long-distance Tongariro Northern Circuit or day hikes in Banff National Park.
Always come equipped with proper footwear and attire.
We're not denying that balancing out what you need and what you can leave behind is the hard part. But the extra effort is really worth it.
Learn About the Destination
Every country has different customs, traditions, and etiquette. Try to learn at least the most basic ones before traveling to a new destination.
Coming from Europe, the tipping culture in the U.S. is perplexing (to put it mildly).
While tipping is pretty common in Europe as well, it's perfectly acceptable not to leave a tip.
The difference is that it's appreciated but not basically 'mandatory.'
Then you have tipping in Japan, which is often considered impolite and rude.
Dress codes are important in many countries, and it's essential to be respectful of the local dress standards.
There are very different expectations of how tourists should dress when visiting Temple Mountain, the Western Wall, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
All three of Jerusalem's top attractions are located within a short walk from each other, yet each has a different dress code.
You should also learn a few essential words and phrases in the local language.
Knowing how to say hello, thank you, or order your food can make a difference in the first contact with locals.
There is much more to this topic, as every country is unique.
Doing your homework doesn't take much time, and it's a great way to avoid faux pas or misunderstandings when visiting new destinations.
Avoid Common Travel Mistakes
Millions of people start traveling each year. You're guaranteed to face situations you've never experienced, no matter where you go.
You're not the first nor last who will make some blunders along the way. It's inevitable. But many travel mistakes are avoidable.
Take scams, for example. Vietnam was one of the most diverse and beautiful countries we've ever visited.
But there were a lot of scams. Scams on a scale we have never experienced before
Whether we visited the imperial city of Hue, the foodie heaven of Hoi An, or the beach destination of Mui Ne, we were constantly targeted by scammers.
Most scams were already described online, so we knew what to expect in each destination.
Being prepared saved us a lot of unpleasant surprises and, consequently, money.
That's just the tip of the iceberg, though.
Some of the most common travel mistakes include not booking ahead, overpacking, high expectations, ignoring travel warnings, etc.
As you can see, we could carry on for hours. The thing is that you can't avoid all travel mistakes.
That's not simply possible.
But each mistake brings a valuable lesson, and it's up to you if you learn from it.
Be Skeptical
Okay, this might sound a bit harsh, but there is no way around it.
The phrase friendly locals is one of the most repeated phrases in the travel industry.
The problem is that those are not the only people you will meet abroad.
In fact, some travel destinations are notoriously known for locals taking advantage of tourists.
Believe us, the people will know you're not a local. Your hotel is not closed, no matter how convincing your taxi driver sounds.
Prices at your gift shop are really not the lowest in the entire city.
Everything is not closed apart from this tuk-tuk tour to jewelry.
It's cool that you know Petr Cech and Ahoj (former football goalkeeper and Hi in the Czech language), but we all know we should be wary of overly friendly strangers.
Travel is about being open to new experiences, but you should also use common sense.
The rule of thumb is to be skeptical no matter who you meet.
It could be the kindest stranger in the world. It could be an unpleasant/expensive experience.
Another important thing you should learn is to say 'No.' Be polite but firm.
Carry More than One Credit Card
While you don't technically need a credit card for traveling, having one will greatly help you.
Credit cards are often required to rent a car or even check into a hotel in certain countries.
For instance, we didn't bring a credit card for our Wild Atlantic Way road trip, and the only way they allowed us to rent a car on the spot was to get the most expensive insurance.
Credit cards also have great benefits that save money, so pick the one that suits your preferences the most.
There are several reasons you should carry more than one credit card with you when traveling.
The first thing that came to our mind is that it's always good to have a backup in case you lose it or get robbed. Therefore, always keep them separate!
When an ATM swallowed our card in Kathmandu, knowing we had extra in a worse-case scenario eased our minds.
By the way, we always let our card issuer know where and when we travel.
A few years back, one of our cards was blocked for suspicious activity in Rio de Janeiro after we took a taxi from the hotel to Christ the Redeemer.
Getting back to the hotel by public transport and calling our bank to unblock the card was a hassle.
Lastly, we need to mention that there are still countries and destinations where cash is still a king.
Lower Your Expectations
If you're just starting with travel, lowering your expectations is probably the best advice we can give you.
In the age of social media, travel blogs, short reels, etc., traveling can be viewed as a life-changing experience.
To some degree, it's true. But most often, it's just a travel experience.
If you go to Paris, the chance that you will decide to stay there, learn French, or meet your soulmate is much slimmer than that you will include crepes in your diet.
All jokes aside, we picked the capital city of France intentionally.
Paris Syndrome, a form of culture shock often experienced by tourists who realize that Paris is not as amazing as they thought it would be, was named after this city.
Another big misconception about traveling perpetuated by social media is that it's always easy and fun.
It's not. In fact, the 'fun part' is just a tiny fraction of the whole experience.
To give you an example, traveling long-term around South America was an incredible adventure.
But it was also incredibly challenging, both physically and mentally.
The constant traveling, overnight buses, lack of physical exercise, and healthy diet were really tiring.
Sure, photos of places such as Laguna 69 or Kuelap Ruins will leave you speechless. What you don't see from the pictures is that exhaustingly long and uncomfortable bus ride to get there and back.
While traveling can be incredibly rewarding, be prepared that the reality is not often as glamorous as depicted.
Get a Local SIM Card
Technology has become an essential part of modern-day travel.
Your phone is technically the only electronic device you should bring for your trip.
Most travelers rely on their phones to navigate the area, take photos, manage reservations, store travel documents, watch Netflix, call home, etc.
A phone is one of the items we never leave home without.
Simply put, bringing your cell phone is the best way to stay connected abroad.
In this case, we recommend buying a prepaid SIM card to make your life much easier.
Once you arrive at your destination, you can purchase a local prepaid SIM card at the airport, kiosks, phone stores, etc.
As our phone supports eSIM, we use this option whenever possible.
The main advantage is that you can quickly get it online, whether from the comfort of your home or the departure hall at the airport.
Just remember that you should activate eSIM before your travel as it usually needs internet access for the activation process.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
