According to travel experts from the US magazine Travel & Leisure, even seasoned travelers can make mistakes. To help travelers avoid pitfalls on their next trip, these experts compiled a list of the most common errors.

Being rude

"Being rude to hotel staff", says Kelly Grumbach, a representative from the UK-based personal assistance company Quintessentially. If travelers remain patient and polite, even when facing issues with check-in or service, staff are often willing to go above and beyond to compensate them.

Many travelers easily get angry and lose control of their emotions when interacting with hotel staff during incidents. Photo: People sales

Booking non-refundable tickets and rooms

For Carmen Teresa Targa, an expert from the travel company Condado, a common beginner's mistake is booking flights or hotels without a refund policy. Targa has often handled calls from customers seeking help with refunds because they mistakenly booked rooms or tickets for the wrong dates or destinations.

Last-minute bookings should also be avoided, as many destinations are fully booked a year or several months in advance. Hotels, local guides, and transportation options also become scarce, leading to increased prices. Travelers should plan ahead to avoid such unwanted incidents.

Exchanging money at airports or hotels

Exchanging money at airports or hotels is another common mistake to avoid. Many travelers are forced to exchange currency in these locations due to a lack of other options, but exchange rates and fees are typically higher. Mo Noubani, a representative from the travel company Box International, suggests that travelers withdraw money from bank ATMs at their destination, as the exchange rates there are usually more favorable.

Traveling during peak season

Many people enjoy traveling during peak season, despite knowing they will pay more and experience larger crowds. Flight tickets are also more expensive during these times. "We always encourage travelers to consider other periods", says Daniel Saperstein, a representative of a tour operator.

Choosing flights with short layovers

Many travelers opt for short layovers, under 4 hours. Experts consider this option risky, especially during the peak summer travel season. Many insurance companies recognize this issue and have policies that refuse coverage for connecting flights under two hours. A suitable transit time should be 4 hours or more.

Self-driving abroad

Driving oneself in an unfamiliar destination, with different cultures, lifestyles, and especially when not knowing local traffic laws or speaking the local language, is also a frequent mistake. Instead, travelers should hire a local driver to avoid potential errors, save time, and prevent fines.

Not anticipating problems

Many travelers always expect a smooth trip, but unexpected events can occur, such as illness, accidents, canceled trains or boats due to weather, or closed restaurants. It is advisable to contact experienced individuals or travel agencies for support.

Many adventurous travelers enjoy visiting high-altitude places like mountains. However, not everyone fully understands the effects of oxygen deprivation or altitude sickness. Therefore, when planning a mountain climb, travelers should heed the advice of guides and tour providers.

Over-reliance on online suggestions

Many posts on personal accounts and forums may have recent publication dates, but the advice contained within can be outdated or obsolete. Mary Curry, an expert from the travel company Adventure Life Journeys, advises travelers to speak with those who have recently returned from their desired destination or frequently visit it.

Not researching the destination in advance is also a mistake to avoid. Many travelers assume India is hot year-round, unaware that winters in many Indian states can be very cold.

Many passengers pack too much for travel, while others bring too little, leading to a lack of essential items. Photo: Kayak

Poorly planned itineraries

Many travelers copy others' itineraries exactly. "Just because someone enjoyed their trip experiences doesn't mean you will too. Travel is a personal experience", says Kendra Thornton, a representative of the UK-based travel company Royal.

Overloaded itineraries, visiting too many places, should also be avoided as they can exhaust travelers due to excessive movement, preventing deep exploration of each location.

"Each destination should be visited for at least two days. What is the point of traveling if you don't take the time to truly experience it?", says Julie Jones of the travel company TopFlight Travels.

Furthermore, many travelers do not clearly define what they hope to gain from their trip, leading to wasted money and time without meaningful experiences. Instead, they should reflect on the purpose of their trip beforehand.

Incorrect packing

Inappropriate packing leads many travelers to either overpack or underpack. Some even forget their passports when heading to the airport because they focused too much on packing other items.

"Plan ahead, pack carefully, and be ready both physically and mentally", says Robert Markovich, a representative of the travel company Sofia's Travel.

Anh Minh (According to T&L)