12 Things to Do When Traveling

Howdy, traveler! Are you getting ready to hit the road and want to make sure you’re doing everything right? I feel you! That’s why I put together this list of things to do when traveling.

I thought of everything practical I did over the last 15 years of active travels and laid it out in this easy-to-follow read so you too can start traveling like a pro!

From proper research of your destination to ways to immerse with the locals, this article has 12 easy tips sorted into 2 categories (before and during travel) to plant a solid base for all types of travel!

I also included some free travel apps and services you can use to make your life easier! So let’s jump in already!

Essential things to do before you travel

Planning your trip properly can have a massive impact on the overall experience! Booking the plane ticket and accommodation without any further research can make your trip go from great to horrible in seconds.

That’s why you want to make sure to follow the 5 tips below:

1. Plan smart and book ahead

Alright, this one includes more than just 1 tip, but they all have a common point: book everything you can in advance!

1.1 Flights and accommodation

Of course, the first thing to book in advance is the flight.

You can use flight aggregators like Skyscanner to check for the best prices! Air travel is becoming more expensive year after year (I can tell by watching my wallet getting thinner every time I book a new ticket). I definitely recommend using a third-party service like Skyscanner to get matched with the fastest and most affordable flight. Plus, it’s completely free to use!

Once you book the flight, head to Booking.com for the best accommodation deals! They now work with hotels, hostels, and even vacation rentals worldwide and are my go-to choice for booking stays for my travels.

By the way, here at Miss Tourist, we have worked hard to earn Booking’s trust, and they were so nice to offer a 4% discount on future bookings for all our readers! You, too, can reap the benefits! Read this article to find out how.

1.2 Museum and transportation passes

If you’re going to a touristy place with many major attractions, they’ll almost certainly have the option to pre-book a ticket or get a skip-the-line pass. Whether it’s the Louvre in Paris or Burj Khalifa in Dubai, you don’t want to spend hours in line when you can just come, scan your ticket, and start exploring!

Many cities have a city pass (here are examples of the Istanbul and New York ones) that offers free access to museums and major attractions.

Also, note that most places provide a separate pass for public transport. For example, if you’re going to Paris, you can use the Paris Visite pass for public transport and the Paris Museum Pass for museum hopping.

I suggest googling “[city name] museum pass” or “[city name] transportation pass for tourists” to see what options are available for your destination!

2. Check for public holidays & weather

Here are 2 things that aren’t usually the first to come to mind when planning a trip, but they can literally make or break your stay.

2.1 Public holidays

Different countries have different practices during public holidays, and I’ve seen some major disturbances in many countries I visited.

For example, I once couldn’t find a taxi, and there were major public transport delays to get from the airport to the center of Thessaloniki (Greece) because it was a public holiday.

And then in Israel, they have multiple holidays throughout the year where the whole country basically shuts down (on Yom Kippur, not even airports operate!).

So, regardless of your destination, it’s worth checking whether there are any public holidays during your visit and researching how they may affect your commute, working hours, and life there in general.

2.2 Weather

As for the weather, I literally had to postpone a major Southeast Asia trip because we found out last minute that there’d be insane rain there (apparently, we planned to visit during the monsoon season). Thank goodness I checked!

Since you’re going to spend a lot of money on a trip, you better make sure you’ll have nice weather there! And in case it rains a bit, make sure to get water-proof clothing so you can stay comfy!

3. Research how to get around

The next must-do step before you travel is to research how you’ll get from one place to another.

If you plan to stay only in one city, check what public transport is available and, preferably, book a hotel near a bus or subway stop.

I once made the mistake of booking a cheap hotel in Vienna that turned out to be outside of the city center and 15 minutes on foot from the nearest bus stop. Plus, it was the peak of summer, and I instantly regretted not spending the 20 extra dollars on that hotel in the city center! Sometimes, your well-being and limited time don’t have a price tag!

For city hopping or just exploring around a country, I suggest double-checking inter-city connections. You’ll get an insight into whether it makes more sense to rent a car or you can use trains or buses to get to other places.

4. Install the right travel apps

I’m not gonna lie, I’ve been traveling for over a decade and I thought I was up to date with the most useful travel apps until I recently wrote an article on them.

I found an app called Wanderlog with tons of useful features, but for me, a personal highlight is the option to forward all important emails with flight details, hotel reservations, train tickets, and other attachments to the app.

Basically, you get all your travel data in a single, well-organized place! So useful when you’re planning a trip with many stops! I no longer have to scroll through my emails to find that Booking.com reservation or to check the flight number. It’s all just 2 taps away, neatly stored in Wanderlog!

I also recommend researching the most commonly used commute planning and transport apps in your destination. Some examples include:

• Google Maps – used for GPS route planning, hotel research, restaurant reviews, and more; can be used offline
• Moovit – real-time public transport alerts and route planning
• Maps.me – offline map functionality ideal for those who plan to walk a lot in their destination
• Waze – community-based navigation app if you’re driving, great for finding parking spots
• Uber – the most widely used ride-hailing app

Also, with currency conversion apps like Xe, you can check currency values in a second, even without internet access! Super useful for traveling abroad!

In fact, I have a whole article dedicated to the best travel apps, you can check it out below:

5. Get an eSIM (for international travel)

Being able to buy an eSIM before arriving at a destination has literally revolutionized my travels. I love being able to text my loved ones that I’ve landed safely the moment the plane hits the ground! I can also schedule all rides and get the information I need for border control right away.

The even bigger perk of having an eSIM over a regular local SIM is that you won’t get scammed for deals at the airport, and you don’t have to wait until you reach the city to get a fairly priced plan.

Airalo is my top choice for eSIM plans! They have flexible packages (think from 1 GB up to 20+ GB for 7 days) for most countries worldwide. Oh, and I absolutely LOVE their multi-country deals! They have regional eSIM packages for Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and other places, so you can buy a single eSIM and use it in all countries of one region! How cool is that?

Things to do during travel

Now, let’s skip to the actual fun part! These are the next 7 tips you should do every time you travel for a memorable experience:

6. Engage with the locals

Some destinations are so much better when you get to explore them with locals! And I say some because, let’s face it, you can visit Paris all by yourself because it’s all so touristy and flashy.

But even in cities like Paris, you’ll feel differently if you meet a local who can tell you about their daily life or experience in the city!

If you’re traveling to a country that speaks a foreign language, I strongly recommend learning some phrases in the new language. The locals will love the gesture, and it’ll be an immediate conversation starter!

Other great ways to experience local life include taking public transportation, visiting local markets, and connecting with locals using apps like Meetup for exploring events and meeting people or Couchsurfing for staying with a local.

7. Explore the main attractions + those off the beaten path

All right, so no one wants to visit New York without seeing the Statue of Liberty or climbing the Empire State Building, right? But let’s face it, a city’s much more than its iconic landmarks.

I have to say I’m guilty of being born and living most of my life in the hometown of Constantine the Great (one of the greatest Roman Emperors, the first one to convert to Christianity) without ever visiting the remains of a villa where he used to live. This is one of the main tourist attractions of my hometown, Nis!

And then my trip to Tbilisi, Georgia, will remain forever engraved in my memory, not only because I got to climb Mtatsminda Hill, which is a top attraction for tourists. But because of the old neighborhoods we passed to get there, I also got to see the captivating, colorful cafés lining the cobblestone streets uphill, and the cutest kittens that kept jumping out of the bushes.

I guess what I want to say is that visiting the attractions is just one side of getting to know a city. Much more is hidden under the surface when you explore the hidden spots, take the path less traveled, and visit the favorite venues of the locals (not only those of tourists).

8. Take photos but remain present

I feel like I don’t even have to say this today since everyone is on their phones all the time, but take plenty of photos and videos on your travels! Capturing a moment and replaying it anytime later in life will be precious!

Just make sure to experience a new place with your eyes as well, not only through a camera lens! Being present will deepen your experience there, and it’s a magnificent chance for personal growth! After all, the emotions you feel at the spot while you experience the local culture will create everlasting memories as well.

9. Watch the city wake up and go to sleep

There’s something magical about sunrise and sunset in a city. Okay, most of us are still counting sheep during the sunrise, but if you want a really special experience, try to wake up early and walk the streets, boulevards, and markets to experience the city’s daily rhythm kick-off.

I was surprised to learn that most of Tel Aviv and Tbilisi, two of the cities I got to visit or live in recently, actually tend to sleep in. Most of the stores and cafés open after 10 AM or even at noon! This is so different from my home city in Serbia, where you’ll find locals in cafés and stores from as early as 7:30 AM!

For me, early morning and early evening are perfect times for connecting with a place, feeling at peace, and, after all, seeing its essence apart from the typical tourist experiences!

10. Eat like the locals do

My absolute favorite thing to do every time I travel is to eat in local restaurants! It’s great for so many reasons: food is usually tastier, you get to experience real local life, and most of the time, the prices are much lower!

It took us several visits to Istanbul and Antalya (Turkey’s largest seaside resort town) to learn to differentiate between tourist vs. local places. And I can proudly say we never got back to eating in tourist spots, ever!

But how can you tell which restaurant is a tourist scam and which isn’t? Here are some things to be aware of:

• If a restaurant is in a high-traffic area (famous landmarks, bus or train stations), it’s likely aimed at tourists. Authentic restaurants are hidden in residential areas.
• If the menu has a mix of all types of international foods with pictures of every dish and translations in multiple languages, it’s almost guaranteed to be a tourist trap. Authentic restaurants will specialize in regional dishes and have limited translations.
• If the place is filled with tourists (recognizable by outfit, accessories, language), and looks like its decoration is overdone, it’s most likely a tourist scam.
• If the place shows other signs like overly attentive waiters, has mixed reviews online, or doesn’t show prices, it’s likely to be a tourist scam.

Ultimately, choosing your restaurants wisely can make a huge difference in how you’ll feel about your destination! So taking the time to research ahead is more than worth it.

11. Sign up for tours

Joining tours is a great way to deepen your experience in a new place! Whether it’s a free walking tour of Rome, a whale-watching tour in San Diego, or a bar-hopping late-night tour of Barcelona, these experiences make any trip more unique and memorable!

I love tours because they are led by locals or certified tour guides! They’ll take you to places you’d either not think of visiting on your own or allow you to engage in unique activities that are normally not available to the public.

I have a few great websites to recommend where you can find tours of all types:

• Guruwalk – free tours around the world organized by locals (you usually give a tip to the guide, but no need to pay beforehand)
• GetYourGuide – the most popular tour platform in the world
• Viator – an alternative to GetYourGuide, worth checking for price differences and tour variety

12. Keep a travel journal

Last, but not least, try to keep a travel journal of your adventures! I know what you may be thinking: I’m too lazy for it, I don’t want to spend my precious time abroad writing, I’ll just take photos instead…but also hear the benefits:

• Unique souvenirs: Every visitor can take a photo of the pyramids in Giza, but not everyone has the same experience there. By jotting down how you got there, what you saw, what the weather was like, or how being there made you feel, you create a unique connection with a place and get to capture your own experience there in a written form!
• Better memory: Jotting down your daily experiences actually reinforces memory, and you will have an easier time remembering your trip in detail even years later.
• Practical documenting tool: Ever since I saw a group of tourists in one Jerusalem museum where everyone had notepads and pencils, I never looked at museum visits the same. Sure, you can read about a place on Wikipedia. But by actually being there and learning about its history from the very spot it took place is just immersion on another level! Your own notes with names, numbers, and interesting facts are a unique way of bringing back information from that place.
• Legacy: Finally, and possibly my favorite reason for travel journaling, is being able to one day share it all with my kids or grandkids. Imagine reading about travel adventures from 50 years ago from another part of the world, written by your very grandma or grandpa, how cool would that be? You can give your future generations that thrill!

Plus, keeping a journal today is much easier and faster than before! You don’t even have to do it the old-school pen-and-paper way. You can use the voice-to-text tool available on most phones or just quickly type down short notes that you can expand on later as you have more time.

FAQs on things to do every time you travel

Final thoughts on the things to do every time you travel

That’s it, dear reader! This is about everything I had in store for you regarding what to do every time you travel! From booking in advance to checking for the weather to travel journaling, the tips above will help your trip run smoothly and make everlasting memories!

Everything I shared with you today was my attempt to help you travel wisely and be fully present in your new destination. Hopefully, I achieved my goal!

What are some things you always do when traveling, and what is something you want to start doing after reading my article? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Travel wise and far,

Darija

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