10 Things you should never do while travelling abroad

Common Mistakes: 10 Things you should never do while travelling abroad

Dione Chen

02 Aug 2016

1/10
Don’t eat near a major tourist site
Chances are, the food served in a touristy area is going to be expensive and inauthentic, because restaurants know they don't have to impress tourists who are going to leave the country soon anyway. Local food that is worth its value is usually located further off, so do your research and check out where the locals rave about before you decide on a place to eat.
2/10
Don’t change money at the airport
The money changer at the airport usually offers the worst exchange rates that will set you back a couple of hundred dollars if you're changing a substantial amount of money. You'd be better off exchanging cash in town where the competition is higher and where you'll have more rates to choose from.
3/10
Don’t skip travel insurance
Cliché as it sounds, you'll never know what might happen. Travel insurance is not expensive, but the consequences of an accident are, if you're not insured. The application process only takes minutes, so choose the smarter way of travelling and get yourself covered.
4/10
Don’t take taxis
As far as possible, try to use public transport when travelling since you'll get the full local experience if you do so. Taxis are often overpriced, and a much easier way of getting cheated if you don't know your exact route, so try to skip it unless it's really late or you have a few people to share the cost with.
5/10
Don’t book your trip too early
Contrary to popular belief, flights don't cost less the earlier you book them. Airlines usually only reduce their prices 3-4 months before the flight, so wait for a while if you want the best deals. You'll save a lot more money for shopping and expenses during your trip itself if you do this.
6/10
Don’t dress inappropriately
Every country has its own dress code, so make sure you look suited for the occasion or you'll stand out blatantly as a tourist if you don't follow the rules. If you show too much skin in an Islamic country, you'll probably get frowned upon for disrespecting Islam as a religion, so do take note of these things before you pack your luggage.
7/10
Don’t compromise on your safety
As a first-time tourist, we strongly advise you not to walk alone in the streets at night, unless you're completely sure the vicinity is safe. Never take chances if you're not fully confident of your safety. Bring someone along with you if you have to go out at night - it can't be that hard, can it?
8/10
Don’t carry large amounts of cash
A tourist's full wallet is a huge target for pickpockets. Once they see you take out your wallet that's filled with cash, you'll probably be their first aim. And, if you store your cash all in one place, it is much easier for you to lose everything all in one go. Carry small amounts of cash needed for your daily expenses, or store your money in different places on your body or in your bag to prevent theft occurrences.
9/10
Don’t joke about illegal items
Talking about bombs or drugs can get you confined at the airport for hours, even if you are just joking or mentioning them in passing. Be wise and don't talk about things that could get you in trouble, to speed up the immigration process and get you safely back home.
10/10
Don’t try to see everything
It is much more fulfilling to visit fewer sites in detail, than try to do everything on your itinerary or buckeet list but miss out on fully enjoying the sights and sounds of these places because you're too busy snapping photos and moving on to your next destination. If you want to visit more attractions, plan for a longer trip instead of a cramped itinerary.

As a traveller, there are certain things you would want to avoid doing in order to travel cheaper and smarter.

When we plan for a trip, the things we do in preparation for the big day include researching where to go to see the top attractions and where to go to get the best taste of local food. We rarely think about the things we should not be doing, since we’re probably too preoccupied with the excitement of going overseas and experiencing a whole new country.

There are certain traditions significant to each particular country that we strongly advise you to take note of before you board that plane. In addition, there are many common traveller mistakes that can be applied to all kinds of overseas travel which you need to know of now, before you make any more embarrassing blunders that will empty your wallet faster than you know it. Head up to our gallery to read about these big no-nos before it’s too late.

Dione Chen

Photos: Getty Images

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