When people think of travel, they often have thoughts of all the wonderful things they expect to happen. Suppose it’s a beach vacation; travelers think of sunny beaches and warm waters. If it’s a winter vacation, many will think about the snow and the incredible snow activities. However, for many, vacation expectations can be disappointing and frustrating. These expectations are because social media often only shows picturesque and positive vacation experiences. Therefore, it’s best always to have an open mind when traveling and expect the unexpected. Here are a few things that could go wrong despite all your best-made travel plans.
Missed flights.
Even though travelers may have booked their flights in advance and know the time guidelines for getting to the airport before a flight, many still miss their flights. Reasons from waking up too late, confusing am times with pm times, long TSA lines, or leaving items at home are common. It’s always best to prepare and do prechecks the day before departure to ensure none of these scenarios is a factor for your travel plans.
Expired passport.
Many people do not have a passport, but many of those who do, have passports that have been expired or are very close to being expired. International travel requires having at least six months validity. Many travelers take the time to plan and pay for their trip then get to the airport with an expired passport. An expired passport is a traveler’s self-inflicted wound; all related expenses are at the traveler’s cost. If you plan to travel internationally, check your passport’s expiration date before booking your flight.
Getting sick.
Getting sick is probably one of the most common realities of traveling. Most often, travelers get sick from consuming contaminated food or water. However, many often get overexposed to the sun and get sunburnt or are bitten by insects. Travel, in general, puts us more at risk for sickness as we most often travel to places with persons we are not familiar with. Traveling by air puts us in close contact with people we don’t know, and the airplanes’ recirculated air makes encountering germs more possible. If you plan to travel, take precautions like staying hydrated and getting enough sleep. In addition, traveling with some medicines to combat minor sicknesses is highly recommended.
Lost items.
When traveling, it’s not uncommon to lose personal items. Items such as passports, mobile phones, losing your wallet or purse, losing luggage, and forgetting to pack certain items are common occurrences for many travelers. Often, we are so caught up in our new surroundings that we forget our belongings. It’s best to be organized when you travel. Use packing lists if you must and keep copies of your important documents like passports, credit cards, and reservations. If you lose your electronics or wallet, you can more easily make reports if you have more than one way to access your information.
I hope you never experience the unexpected when you travel, but I want to make sure you are prepared if you do. Have you ever experienced any of these scenarios? If so, how did you handle it? Please let me know in the comment section below.