{"id":164918,"date":"2025-04-28T14:00:21","date_gmt":"2025-04-28T14:00:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2025\/04\/28\/my-51-best-travel-tips-become-a-master-traveler-in-2025\/"},"modified":"2025-04-28T14:00:21","modified_gmt":"2025-04-28T14:00:21","slug":"my-51-best-travel-tips-become-a-master-traveler-in-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2025\/04\/28\/my-51-best-travel-tips-become-a-master-traveler-in-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"My 51 Best Travel Tips: Become a Master Traveler in 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Most people aren\u2019t born savvy travelers. It\u2019s something that only comes with on-the-road experience. Travel savviness is a process born of missed buses, foolish behavior, cultural unawareness, and countless tiny errors. Then, one day, you begin to seamlessly move through airports and integrate yourself into new cultures like a fish to water.<\/p>\n

In the beginning, you\u2019ll make a lot of travel mistakes.But I want to help speed up the process and help you avoid my<\/em> mistakes (and I often make a lot of them<\/a>), so I put together this giant list of my best travel tips<\/a> that cover everything under the sun to help you reach your full travel ninja potential.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve learned these tips over almost twenty years of being a nomad.<\/p>\n

These tips for traveling will have you saving money, sleeping better, getting off the beaten path more, meeting locals, and just being a better traveler.<\/p>\n

So, without further ado, here are the best 61 travel tips in the world:<\/p>\n

1. Always pack a towel.<\/strong>
It\u2019s the key to successful galactic hitchhiking \u2014 and plain common sense. You never know when you will need it, whether it\u2019s at the beach, on a picnic, or just to dry off after a shower. While many hostels offer towels, you never know if they will or not, and carrying a small towel won\u2019t add that much weight to your bag.<\/p>\n

Make sure it\u2019s a lightweight, quick-drying towel since regular towels are too bulky and heavy (and they take a long time to dry). Dry Fox travel towels<\/a> are my favorite (use the code \u201cnomadicmatt\u201d for 15% off your purchase)!<\/p>\n

2. Use a small backpack\/suitcase.<\/strong>
\"Nomadic

You\u2019ll regret it later as you\u2019ll be carrying around a bunch of stuff you don\u2019t need as well as more weight on your shoulders. This article has more tips on finding the best travel backpack<\/a> for your needs.<\/p>\n

The same rule applies to suitcases. Don\u2019t take a huge suitcase because they are a pain in the butt to lug around, especially if you\u2019re traveling long term (short term, not so much). I like Level 8 suitcases. They are durable, quite spacious, nicely designed, and well-priced (luggage can be pretty damn expensive). Plus, they have a TSA lock built into the zipper. You can click here to learn more and buy one<\/a>. <\/p>\n

I also recommend packing cubes<\/a>, which are essential if you\u2019re going to be living out of a backpack for a few weeks (or months), or you just want to keep your suitcase better organized. They come in a variety of sizes, allowing you to store items big and small. They\u2019re great for making it easy to find everything in your backpack or suitcase.<\/p>\n

3. Pack light.<\/strong>
Write down a list of essentials, cut it in half, and then only pack that! Plus, since you bought a small backpack like I said above, you won\u2019t have much room for extra stuff anyways! Take half the clothes you think you will need\u2026you won\u2019t need as much as you think. It\u2019s OK to wear the same t-shirt a few days in a row.<\/p>\n

I love Unbound Merino<\/a>, as their travel clothing can be worn daily for weeks without getting smelly. They are super light and they look stylish too. I really love the material, they\u2019re comfortable, they hardly ever need a wash, and they last forever! (I wrote a review of the company here<\/a>.)<\/p>\n

But bring extra socks! You\u2019ll lose a bunch to laundry gremlins, wear and tear, and hiking so packing extra will come in handy. Take a few more than you need. Trust me on this. <\/p>\n

For a complete list of what I pack, click here to read my post<\/a>.<\/p>\n

4. Stay in hostels.<\/strong>
\"A

Here\u2019s my list of all my favorite hostels around the world<\/a> broken down by city. <\/p>\n

If you\u2019re planning on backpacking Europe<\/a>, it\u2019s worth getting HostelPass<\/a>, a card that gives you up to 20% off hostels throughout Europe. It\u2019s a great way to save money, and they\u2019re constantly adding new hostels too. I\u2019ve always wanted something like this and so I\u2019m glad it finally exists. Use code NOMADICMATT for 25% off.<\/p>\n

5. Take an extra bank card and credit card with you<\/strong>
Disasters happen and things get stolen or compromised. I once had a card duplicated and a freeze put on it. I couldn\u2019t use it for the rest of my trip. I was very happy I had a backup. You don\u2019t want to be stuck somewhere new without access to your funds. This happened to a friend once and they had to borrow money from me for weeks while they waited for their new card to arrive. Here are some helpful articles on banking:<\/p>\n

6. Make sure to use no-fee bank and credit cards.<\/strong>
Don\u2019t give banks your hard-earned money. Keep that for yourself and spend it on your travels. Get a credit card and debit card that doesn\u2019t charge a foreign transaction fee or an ATM fee. Over the course of a long trip, the few dollars they take every time will really add up! This article will tell you how to do that.<\/a><\/p>\n

7. Don\u2019t always fly direct.<\/strong>
When booking flights, sometimes it is cheaper to fly to airports close to your final destination, and then take a train, bus, or budget airline to your final destination. To use this method, find out how much it is to go directly to your destination. Then, look at prices to nearby airports. If the difference is more than $150 USD, I look to see how much it is to get from the second airport to my primary destination.<\/p>\n

My favorite flight search engine is Skyscanner<\/a>. This is my go-to website for finding cheap flights. It searches a lot of different airlines, including many of the budget carriers that larger sites miss.<\/p>\n

8. Travel by yourself at least once.<\/strong>
\"Nomadic

9. Always visit the local tourism information center.<\/strong>
This is probably one of the most underused travel tips in the world. Tourism information centers know about everything going on in town. They can point you to free activities, special events happening during your stay, and everything in between. They even offer discounts on attractions and transportation. It is their job to help you experience the destination better. They are staffed by locals who can tell you all the ins and outs of their city and where to eat or drink that aren\u2019t filled with tourists. <\/p>\n

Plus, they often offer city tourism cards that can get you into multiple attractions for one set price, saving you a lot of money if you are going to do a lot of sightseeing. <\/p>\n

10. Take free walking tours.<\/strong>
Besides being free, these tours will give you a good orientation and background of the city you are visiting. I love, love, love taking walking tours when I travel. You pass the time, you get to pepper the guide with questions, and you get to learn so much about where you are. And, in the last few years, they have exploded in popularity and now most cities around the world have one! <\/p>\n

This page here lists all my favorite walking tour companies, broken down by city.<\/a><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re looking for paid tours, Walks<\/a> is one of my favorite paid walking tour companies, offering in-depth history and cultural tours in cities around the world (especially Europe). Its small-group tours also tend to offer exclusive behind-the-scenes access you can\u2019t get elsewhere. For fellow foodies, Devour Food Tours<\/a> has all kinds of amazing food tours around Europe.<\/p>\n

You can also use Get Your Guide<\/a> to find plenty of unique day tours. <\/p>\n

11. Don\u2019t be afraid to use a map.<\/strong>
Looking like a tourist isn\u2019t as bad as getting really lost and ending up in the wrong neighborhood. Don\u2019t be afraid to use a map or ask for directions and look like a tourist. After all, you are one! <\/p>\n

12. But don\u2019t be afraid to get purposefully lost.<\/strong>
Wandering aimlessly through a new city is a good way to get to know it, get off the beaten path, and away from the tourists. You might be surprised by the hidden gems you find. I like to wander around and try to find my way without using Google Maps. Travel is the art of discovery and you never know what cool little spot you\u2019ll come across. <\/p>\n

13. Ask hostel staff for information \u2014 even when you aren\u2019t staying there.<\/strong>
Hostel staff deal with budget travelers all day, every day. They know exactly where to go for cheap meals and attractions. They also tend to be locals so they know the city very well. Ask them for all sorts of information. Even if you aren\u2019t staying in one, just pop in and ask for help. They\u2019ll usually give it.<\/p>\n

14. Sign up for flight deals.<\/strong>
When it comes to travel, your flight(s) will likely be your biggest expense. Save money by signing up for flight deal websites. You\u2019ll get epic flight deals straight to your inbox, saving you time and money. Also be sure to sign up for airline newsletters, since that is where they will announce their sales first. <\/p>\n

The best websites for finding travel deals are:<\/p>\n

15. When you go out, take only what you need. <\/strong>
Limit the amount of cash and bank cards you carry with you when you go out, so if something does happen, you can easily recover. Never take more than one credit card or ATM card with you. My rule for cash is to limit what I carry to $50 USD.<\/p>\n

16. Always carry a lock.<\/strong>
Carry a small combination lock with you when you travel. They come in handy, especially when you stay in dorms. Most hostels use lockers, so budget travelers need to provide their own travel lock<\/a> to keep stuff secured. While you can usually rent or buy them at hostels, it\u2019s much cheaper just to buy one before you go. (Just don\u2019t use one with keys because if you lose the keys, you\u2019re screwed!)<\/p>\n

17. Make extra copies of your passport and important documents.<\/strong>
Don\u2019t forget to email a copy to yourself too. You never know when you might need to have some sort of documentation with you and might not want to carry your original. Additionally, if your passport gets stolen, having a copy will come in handy for your police report.<\/p>\n

18. Learn basic phrases in the native language of your destination.<\/strong>
The locals will appreciate it and it will make your interactions easier. You don\u2019t need to master the language but learning a few things like \u201cHello,\u201d \u201cGoodbye,\u201d \u201cThank you!\u201d, \u201cWhere\u2019s the bathroom?\u201d will go a long way to endearing yourself with the locals. They\u2019ll like that you tried. Here are some tips on how to learn a language<\/a>.<\/p>\n

19. Don\u2019t be ashamed to walk into a Starbucks or McDonald\u2019s.<\/strong>
Sometimes familiarity is comforting and both places have free wifi and public restrooms you can use. (Just don\u2019t eat the food at McDonald\u2019s! That shit is gross and unhealthy for you! You can get it back home!). Libraries and most modern coffee shops also have free Wi-Fi too.<\/p>\n

20. Always get behind business travelers when in security lines.<\/strong>
They move fast since they are usually in a rush and travel light. They know the drill. Line up behind them as much as possible. You\u2019ll speed through the line!<\/p>\n

21. Never get behind families in airport security.<\/strong>
They take forever. It\u2019s not their fault. They just have a lot of stuff because of the kids. Try to avoid getting in lines with lots of kids. It\u2019s going to take a while.<\/p>\n

22. When you check in to the hotel, don\u2019t be afraid to ask for an upgrade.<\/strong>
They have a lot of flexibility when it comes to assigning upgrades at check-in. It never hurts to ask. Oftentimes they can accommodate you if the hotel isn\u2019t full. Just be super nice!<\/p>\n

Note: If you stay in hotels frequently (or want to), it might be worth it to get a hotel credit card<\/a>. You can earn points on your everyday spending at home and convert those points into free stays. The best cards come with status, making upgrades more likely too!<\/p>\n

23. Lunchtime is the best time to visit historical sites.<\/strong>
Lunch time is one of the best times to visit historical sites. You\u2019ll have fewer crowds getting in your way as big tour buses, groups, and most travelers head to lunch. It\u2019s always best to visit an attraction super early, late, or when people eat. You\u2019ll have even the most popular places to yourself!<\/p>\n

24. Never eat in a touristy area or near a tourist attraction.<\/strong>
I don\u2019t eat within five blocks of a major tourist attraction or area. I simply walk in any direction and search for a place to eat when I hit five blocks. There\u2019s an invisible line at this area: tourists don\u2019t go past it. All of a sudden you notice that the crowds are gone, and that\u2019s when you want to start looking.<\/p>\n

Sure, you might find a good meal in a tourist area, but you\u2019ll find a better, cheaper meal outside it. Go where the menus aren\u2019t in multiple languages. Go to those little tiny hole in the wall places that you are unsure about. The meal might not knock your socks off each time but it will be a memorable and more local experience.<\/p>\n

Use websites like Yelp<\/a> or Google Maps<\/a> to find some delicious and popular restaurants around you.<\/p>\n

25. Locals don\u2019t eat out every night and neither should you.<\/strong>
Go grocery shopping. You can learn a lot about locals\u2019 diets by seeing the type of food they buy. Plus, it will save you a lot of money. You won\u2019t regret it. Cook your food, save money, and surprise yourself!<\/p>\n

26. Eat at expensive restaurants during lunch. <\/strong>
Most expensive restaurants offer lunch specials featuring the same food they would serve for dinner but for a fraction of the cost! That\u2019s the best time to eat out when you travel. I share more tips on how to eat cheaply around the world here.<\/a><\/p>\n

27. Pack a headlamp.<\/strong>
This is a handy tool for both backpackers and anyone looking to do any hiking or camping. If you\u2019re going to be staying in a hostel, having a headlamp<\/a> is helpful when you need to check in or out but don\u2019t want to disturb your fellow travelers by turning on the lights. They\u2019re also helpful in emergencies.<\/p>\n

28. Carry a basic first-aid kit.<\/strong>
Accidents happen, so be prepared. I always take band-aids, antibacterial cream, and ointments for minor cuts and scrapes. You never know when you\u2019re going to need it and you can\u2019t always get it when you travel.<\/p>\n

You can either assemble a first aid kit yourself (here are some tips for doing so<\/a>), or purchase a pre-made kit online<\/a>.<\/p>\n

29. Don\u2019t believe the cheap flight myths.<\/strong>
Don\u2019t drive yourself too crazy trying to get the absolute cheapest fare. There are a lot of myths online about how to find cheap flights, but there is no magic bullet or one secret ninja trick. It\u2019s not cheaper to book on a particular day of the week or if you search in an incognito window. To learn how to actually<\/em> find a cheap flight, check out these two posts I wrote:<\/p>\n

My favorite company for finding cheap flights is Skyscanner<\/a>. I start all my searches there. <\/p>\n

30. Use technology to meet locals.<\/strong>
These websites will help you get an insider\u2019s perspective on your destination by connecting you with locals in the places you visit. The sharing economy has changed the way people travel allowing you to meet locals, get off the tourist travel, and save mega money! It\u2019s a triple win \u2014 and I use these resources all the time when I travel.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s an article on how to use the sharing economy (and what websites to use)<\/a> when you travel.<\/p>\n

31. Be open to strangers.<\/strong>
Not everyone bites. Say hi to people on the road. Turn strangers into friends. Remember they are just like you! They want to live a happy, full life and have hopes and dreams too! You never know. You just might make some lifelong friends.<\/p>\n

32. But keep your guard up.<\/strong>
Some people do bite, so keep a healthy level of suspicion. You don\u2019t want to fall for any travel scams or get yourself into uncomfortable situations. Be open but cautious. Here is a list of travel scams to avoid.<\/a><\/p>\n

33. Avoid taxis.<\/strong>
They are always a budget buster. Never, ever take a taxi unless you absolutely have too!<\/p>\n

34. Take a reusable water bottle through airport security and fill it up at your gate.<\/strong>
Single-use plastics are common in a lot of countries around the world. They\u2019re also polluting our oceans and destroying the environment. Drink from the tap when you can \u2014 you\u2019ll save money and help the environment. If you\u2019re going somewhere where you can\u2019t drink the water, be sure to get a water bottle with a filter. I love Lifestraw<\/a>.<\/p>\n

35. Take pictures of your luggage and clothes.<\/strong>
If your bag gets lost, this will help identify it more easily and speed up the process of having your travel insurance reimburse you.<\/p>\n

36. Carry emergency cash.<\/strong>
Because emergencies happen, like that time in Romania<\/a> when I couldn\u2019t find an ATM and needed money for the bus to the hostel. I usually try to keep around $200 USD in emergency cash in case something happens!<\/p>\n

37. Get vaccinated.<\/strong>
Because falling prey to an illness in a foreign country is not fun \u2014 and many countries require you to get vaccinated in order to visit them. So regardless of your opinion on the subject, you just might have to.<\/p>\n

Here is an article on how to stay healthy on the road.<\/a><\/p>\n

38. Learn to haggle.<\/strong>
Haggling is a fun, playful way of not getting charged the foreigner price. It\u2019s the art of negotiating and one that will help you throughout all of life, not just at the market. Just don\u2019t argue over pennies \u2014 it\u2019s not worth it!<\/p>\n

39. Use points and miles for free travel.<\/strong>
\"A

Here are some articles to help you get started with using points and miles:<\/p>\n

40. Eat street food!<\/strong>
If you skip the street food, you miss out on culture. Don\u2019t be scared. If you\u2019re nervous, look for places where kids are eating. If it\u2019s safe for them, it\u2019s safe for you.<\/p>\n

41. Get travel insurance.<\/strong>
Travel insurance is the most important thing to get that you never want to use. If something goes wrong, you don\u2019t want to be out thousands of dollars in bills. Travel insurance will be there if you get robbed, flights get canceled, you get sick or injured, or have to be sent home. It\u2019s comprehensive and, for just a few dollars a day, one of the best investments you can get for a trip.<\/p>\n

You may think you\u2019re superman\/woman but so did my friend who broke her arm, didn\u2019t have insurance, and had to pay thousands out of pocket. Insurance was there when I had to replace my camera and when I popped an eardrum scuba diving! Get it! Here are some tips on how to find the best travel insurance.<\/a><\/p>\n

My favorite companies are:<\/p>\n