Top 5 Mistakes First-Time Travelers Make (and How to Avoid Them)
Felicia McMillan • July 14, 2025
Your first big trip is a milestone. The excitement, planning, and anticipation all build toward something unforgettable. But as with anything new, it is easy to get tripped up by small oversights that can turn into big problems. The good news? Most first-time travel mistakes are easy to avoid with the right preparation.
Here are five of the most common missteps new travelers make, what can go wrong, and how to keep your trip smooth, safe, and enjoyable.
1. Overpacking
Packing too much is one of the first things new travelers tend to do. It feels safer to be prepared for everything, but it usually backfires. You end up hauling around heavy luggage, paying extra baggage fees, and still forgetting the one thing you actually needed.
What can go wrong:
- Your bag might be overweight, costing you unexpected airline fees.
- Navigating public transport or cobblestone streets becomes difficult with bulky luggage.
- You will likely wear only a few favorite outfits and ignore the rest.
- Overpacking can lead to disorganization, making it hard to find what you need on the go.
How to avoid it:
- Choose versatile pieces that can be layered and worn in different combinations.
- Use packing cubes to keep your items organized and limit space.
- Bring only what you need for the weather and activities planned.
- Leave room in your bag for souvenirs or things you pick up along the way.
2. Not Researching the Destination
Flying blind into a new country can lead to awkward situations or missed opportunities. Every destination has its own cultural norms, common scams, and transportation quirks. Knowing a little ahead of time helps you travel more smoothly and respectfully.
What can go wrong:
- You may unintentionally offend locals, violate customs, or break laws that you were unaware of.
- You could overpay for transportation, food, or services simply due to lack of information.
- You might miss important local events, must-try foods, or hidden gems.
- Language barriers can make simple tasks like ordering food or asking directions difficult.
How to avoid it:
- Spend time researching your destination’s culture, etiquette, and basic language.
- Learn how people get around and what scams tourists should watch for.
- Download apps that help with currency conversion, language translation, and offline maps.
- Follow a few local travel bloggers or YouTube creators for insider advice.
3. Overloading the Itinerary
When you are excited about a new place, it is tempting to schedule every minute. But packing in too much can leave you stressed, tired, and unable to enjoy the moment. Some of the best travel memories come from the unplanned experiences that happen in between.
What can go wrong:
- You could burn out quickly and lose energy halfway through the trip.
- Rushing between attractions means less time to actually enjoy them.
- Delays or weather changes can throw off your entire schedule.
- You might miss out on spontaneous moments that could have made the trip even better.
How to avoid it:
- Choose one or two top priorities each day instead of scheduling every hour.
- Allow time to relax, explore, or stumble onto something unexpected.
- Leave open space in your itinerary for slower mornings or surprise discoveries.
- Focus on creating a meaningful experience, not just checking boxes.
4. Ignoring Travel Insurance
Travel insurance may not seem exciting, but it can save you from major problems down the road. First-time travelers often skip it to save money, but the cost of a delay, emergency, or canceled trip without coverage can be far more expensive.
What can go wrong:
- A delayed flight could cause you to miss a tour or hotel booking without a refund.
- A medical issue abroad might not be covered by your regular insurance, leaving you with huge bills.
- Lost or delayed luggage could mean replacing everything at your own expense.
- Natural disasters, strikes, or political unrest could force you to cancel or reroute your trip.
How to avoid it:
- Purchase a travel insurance policy that includes medical coverage, cancellation protection, and baggage support.
- Review the policy carefully to understand what is included.
- Save both digital and printed copies of your insurance details in case of emergencies.
- Check if your credit card offers any built-in coverage as a cardholder benefit.
5. Forgetting to Check Travel Documents
Passports, visas, and travel authorizations are the foundation of international travel. Many new travelers assume that if their passport is valid, they are good to go - but there is often more to it than that.
What can go wrong:
- Some countries require that your passport be valid for at least six months after your travel dates.
- You may need a visa even for short stays, and applying too late can result in denied boarding.
- A few countries require transit visas even if you never leave the airport during a layover.
- Others require an online registration form, health clearance, or arrival card to be completed in advance.
How to avoid it:
- Check your passport’s expiration date at least three months before your trip.
- Research visa and entry requirements for every country on your itinerary, including layovers.
- Complete any mandatory registrations like an ETA, embarkation card, or health form.
- Print and carry backup copies of all key documents, and store them separately from the originals.
Final Thoughts
Traveling for the first time is a learning experience, and it is okay to make a few mistakes along the way. By avoiding these common pitfalls, you will set yourself up for a smoother and more enjoyable trip.
Whether you are planning your first adventure or your fiftieth, I am here to help you navigate the process and create a trip you will never forget. Ready to start planning? Let’s chat!
If you’ve ever found yourself stuck in a slow-moving security line or trapped in a long customs queue after an international flight, you’ve probably thought there has to be a better way to travel. The truth is, there is. TSA PreCheck, CLEAR, Global Entry, and Mobile Passport Control are trusted traveler programs that make your airport experience smoother, faster, and less stressful. Whether you travel a few times a year or you're constantly on the go, there is an option that can make your trip feel more like a breeze and less like a marathon. Here’s what each one does, how they work, what the process feels like, how to get them for free using the right credit card - and how they apply to kids. 1. TSA PreCheck: Faster, Easier Security What You’ll Experience: With TSA PreCheck, you use a designated security line that moves faster than the standard one. You keep your shoes, belt, and light jacket on. You also leave your laptop and liquids inside your bag. The process feels quicker and much more relaxed, especially during busy times. How to Get It: Apply online and schedule a 10-minute in-person appointment that includes fingerprinting and a background check. Cost is $78 for a five-year membership. Best For: Travelers who mostly fly within the U.S. and want a less stressful security experience. For Kids: Children 12 and under can use the TSA PreCheck line for free when traveling with a parent or guardian who has PreCheck. No separate enrollment is needed unless they are 13 or older. 2. CLEAR: Skip the ID Line Entirely What You’ll Experience: CLEAR lets you bypass the TSA ID checkpoint. You head to a CLEAR kiosk, scan your fingerprints or eyes, and a staff member walks you straight to security screening. If you have TSA PreCheck, you’ll go to that line. If not, you’ll use the standard screening, but without waiting in the ID check line. How to Get It: Sign up online or at the airport and complete a quick biometric scan. Cost is $189 per year, with frequent flyer and credit card discounts available. Best For: Travelers who fly often and want the fastest entry to security. For Kids: Children under 18 can use CLEAR for free when accompanied by a parent or guardian who is a CLEAR member. No separate registration or biometric scan is needed for minors. 3. Global Entry: Speed Through Customs After International Trips What You’ll Experience: Instead of waiting in long customs lines when you return to the U.S., you go straight to a Global Entry kiosk. You scan your passport and fingerprints, answer a few quick questions, and walk through. Most people are done in just a few minutes. Global Entry also includes TSA PreCheck for domestic travel. How to Get It: Apply online through the CBP website, receive conditional approval, and attend an in-person interview. Cost is $100 for a five-year membership. Best For: International travelers who want to skip customs lines and benefit from TSA PreCheck. For Kids: Every traveler, regardless of age, must have their own Global Entry membership. That includes infants and toddlers. Each child must go through the application and interview process with a parent or guardian. 4. Mobile Passport Control: A Free, Fast Customs Shortcut What You’ll Experience: After landing in the U.S., open the Mobile Passport app, fill out your customs info on your phone, and head to the MPC lane. These lines are usually much shorter than the regular customs queue. Show your QR code and passport to the agent and move on. It’s fast, easy, and free. How to Get It: Download the Mobile Passport app, create a profile, and use it when you arrive in the U.S. Free to use, with a paid version that adds features like document storage. Best For: Occasional international travelers who want a faster reentry without paying for Global Entry. For Kids: Families can use one Mobile Passport account for multiple travelers. You can add children to your profile and submit a group customs form, which makes the process even easier for families. Which One Should You Choose? Combining programs can offer the smoothest experience. For example, using CLEAR to speed through ID checks and TSA PreCheck for a faster screening line gives you a seamless security routine. If you travel abroad, Global Entry will save you time when you come home, and it automatically includes PreCheck.
When we think about travel, it’s easy to focus on the big things: the iconic landmarks, bucket-list destinations, and once-in-a-lifetime adventures. But often, it’s the small, unexpected moments that leave the biggest impact. These are the experiences that linger long after the bags are unpacked and the souvenirs are stored away. As someone who cares deeply about meaningful and intentional travel, I’ve learned that it’s not just about where you go. It’s about how you engage with each moment along the way. Here are some of the smaller, quieter experiences that can transform an ordinary trip into something unforgettable. A Genuine Connection with Locals It might start with asking for directions or complimenting someone’s shop, and suddenly you’re in a real conversation. These small connections remind us that travel is about people. When you take the time to listen, ask questions, or simply smile, you’re creating a shared human moment. Whether it lasts two minutes or an hour, it’s the kind of connection that makes the world feel smaller and warmer.
I’ll admit it - I used to be a cruise snob. The idea of floating around on a massive ship with thousands of people didn’t exactly scream “transformative travel” to me. I thought cruises were all about buffets, crowded pools, and quick stops at touristy ports. But then I took my first cruise and let me tell you, it completely changed my perspective. Cruises can be intentional, meaningful, and even transformative. And in my case, it became something even more: a way for a large group of my family to travel together affordably, without the usual stress of planning every detail. We didn’t have to worry about hotels or meals. Instead, we focused on what mattered most - spending quality time together and creating shared adventures. Here’s how cruises can shift from surface-level getaways to deeply rewarding journeys:
Intentional travel is a mindful and purpose-driven way to explore the world, focused on quality over quantity. Rather than racing through packed itineraries and tourist checklists, intentional travel encourages slowing down, tuning into your motivations, and creating enriching, personal experiences.
