Getting misplaced

Some people have excellent spatial awareness, while others do not when they want to travel, but almost everyone has been lost at some point in their lives. It’s an awful sensation, your heart racing as the panic builds. You can get lost anywhere: a supermarket, an airport, a city center, or the middle of nothing.

This is one of the simpler travel concerns to avoid nowadays, thanks to current technologies. You used to require a map for each country. Almost everyone has a smartphone nowadays. Download Google Maps before you depart, and then the offline maps for the cities you’ll be visiting. The offline maps are typically between 20 and 50 megabytes.

You can browse without an internet connection using the offline map on your phone.

A word of caution, however: this is not a flawless strategy! Your plan will come crashing down if your battery dies. Although a pen and paper are old technologies, they do not require batteries. Just in case, jot down your destination.

The most crucial thing is to remain calm. Take a seat and take a few deep breaths if you can. Strangers are often friendly and helpful, so ask for directions if it’s safe to do so. You can show them the written address if you don’t understand the language (it’s not a good idea to flash your phone around).

Being robbed

Some countries are inherently riskier than others. Before you leave, make sure you check for any official advisories. It’s also a good idea to look for other travelers’ opinions on Facebook groups and other places.

However, a word of caution: don’t believe everything you read.

I would not have boarded the plane if I had heeded every piece of South American advise. Despite the fact that I’ve read hundreds of horror stories about Brazil, I lived there for over a year and had no problems.

There are numerous articles on how to keep safe while traveling, but what should you do if you are attacked?

Don’t be alarmed!

The first step is to report it to the authorities. To make a claim on your insurance, you’ll need a Crime Reference Number. If you’re traveling with World packers, your host will be familiar with the local police station and will be able to assist you with any language barriers.

After that, it’s time to deal with the emotional side of things. I grew pretty emotional after being attacked in Chile. After exiting a bar, I was assaulted, battered, and robbed. I didn’t want to leave the hostel for days thereafter, and I was distrustful of everyone on the street.

I had doubts about myself. Why am I here? What went wrong with me? Was it entirely my fault?

It wasn’t my fault in the least. I simply happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. It took me a long time to accept it, but I wasn’t to blame. It wasn’t about you. They had never heard of me before. I was merely a random traveler who had been chosen as a target. I felt a weight lift from my shoulders once I recognized that it was just business for them. That may seem insignificant, but it’s a significant emotional adjustment.

You have the right to be angry, enraged, or frustrated, but you must learn to let it go. They’re negative feelings. The vast majority of individuals on the planet are fantastic. Don’t let a few knuckleheads ruin your trip.

You misplace your phone

This may appear to be a frivolous addition to a list of travel issues. Why not invest in a camera? Laptop? Bag? Because the majority of folks do everything on their phones.In Argentina, I recently had my phone stolen. Without it, I wouldn’t be able to:

  • Determine the time
  • I’m going to top up my prepay debit card.
  • Locate the closest police station
  • I needed to notify my family that it had been taken.
  • Access to my e-tickets for trip
  • Void my contract
  • Because my translator was on the phone, I couldn’t inform anyone.

I had to use the hostel’s public computer, which resulted in a slew of security alarms for my online accounts. When logging in from a different computer, you’ll normally be asked to answer extra security questions before being offered the option of having a code texted to your phone.

When the phone is missing, this is not helpful!

Make certain you:

  • Be familiar with all of your passwords
  • Before you leave, make sure to update all of your account information and create a backup email address to receive those pesky security codes.
  • Because mobile phones are big business all over the world, this is one of the most typical travel issues. For a local, your new iPhone could be worth a year’s salary.

The approach is to employ common sense rather than flaunt it in public. Keep your valuables out of sight and, if feasible, on your person or in a safe.

Becoming ill

When you’re traveling, sickness takes various forms.

Sickness from travel

When your inner ear impulses don’t match up with your visual signals, you get motion sickness. It happens to certain people every time they go on a trip. Others only experience problems when traveling by certain modes of transportation. Buses were one of my least favorite modes of transportation. I would hold my breath because of the smell of the engine and the rocking action. Any excursion lasting more than 30 seconds was an issue.

There are a few things you can try if you don’t have any travel sickness medication. I’d start by trying to keep the stimulation to a bare minimum. I found that looking out the window at the passing buildings made me feel worse, so I decided to concentrate on the chair in front of me and my breathing.

Others, on the other hand, believe the reverse. Distract yourself from the feeling by engaging in conversation, listening to music, counting items out the window, and so on. Replace the sensory problem with a different sensory stimulus.

If you can get some fresh air and a sip of water, you should be able to relax down and focus on more positive things.

Jet lag

This is one of the more minor travel issues. While many individuals mistake jet lag for tiredness, it is a medical problem. It occurs when your natural body clock becomes out of sync as a result of traveling across time zones. Your body continues to believe it is one time, but the rest of the world is operating at a different pace.

When I travelled to Australia, the flight attendant woke me up at 2 a.m. with my dinner. After a night of partying, a Thai green curry at 2 a.m. sounds delicious, but not when you’re stranded on an aircraft. It was supper time for the flight crew, but my stomach was having none of it.

Jet lag can cause sleepiness or restlessness, as well as a difficulty to sleep. There are a few various methods for overcoming it. You can try to sleep it off, but this may result in you missing time at the start of your journey. I prefer to be active. Try to be as active as possible when you get at your location.

Get out there and walk a lot to get plenty of fresh air. I don’t encourage drinking alcohol because it will disrupt your body clock even more. Relax if you come in the middle of the night and are unable to walk around. Meditate, read a book, or do something else that doesn’t require much stimulation.

Bites by insects

While some bites are simply unpleasant or annoyances, others can be extremely harmful. Wrap up if you’re heading somewhere where mosquitos or other bugs are known to bite. A layer of clothing is more effective than any repellent. If you are bitten, avoid scratching. It’s easier said than done, yet failing to do so might lead to more serious issues.

From fire ants in Costa Rica to mbutu in Paraguay to mosquitoes anyplace in the world, I’m a magnet for biting insects. It’s insect party time when I step off the plane. When I get bitten, I always have a nice, non-toxic repellent on me, as well as some essential oils to relieve the itching.

It’s also crucial to understand when the insects are active. Mosquitoes vary by region, so seek local information, but most are active between dark and dawn. Avoid going out at these times if at all possible. If you are, make sure you are fully clothed or using a repellent.

If you are bitten and become ill, seek medical help right away.

Sunburn

Wear a hat even if it’s cloudy outside! Before you travel, check the weather conditions, especially the UV levels. Even if the sky is gloomy, UV levels can be harmful, and this is what causes the real harm.

Apply 30 minutes before leaving the house and then every two hours thereafter. Go crazy and do it every hour if you’re swimming or sweating. When it comes to sun cream, the adage “less is more” does not apply!

Sunburn has the potential to be really painful. After assuming I was secure on a gloomy day, I was unable to walk for two days. It felt like I’d been hit by a car, and I was in excruciating pain for the next 48 hours.

If you have access to aloe vera, take use of it. It works wonders on sunburns. If you don’t have any, keep the burn cool without directly applying ice. Better still, avoid getting sunburned! Treatment is far more painful than prevention. Sunburn is one of the travel issues with long-term consequences, so prevent it at all costs.

Poisoning from food

Food poisoning is a common travel issue that can occur at any time. Nausea, stomach pains, vomiting, and diarrhea are some of the symptoms. It can attack you within hours of eating or drinking the contaminated item if it’s bad. Anti-diarrhea medications can literally save your life.

I always bring toilet paper with me when I travel. It’s almost as crucial to me as my passport. That may sound dramatic, but I’ve been in a lot of tight spots in the past. You’ll know what I’m talking about if you have food poisoning.

I said earlier that I only use diarrhea medications as a last resort. This is your body’s technique of getting rid of the contaminant. Allow your body to cleanse itself. This may entail spending a day or two on the toilet, but at the very least you’ll be clear.

Drink plenty of water, but stay away from dairy and alcohol. Start with soups or broths and work your way back up to solid foods after you feel a little better.

Inability to communicate in the target language

This is a travel issue I’ve had for a long time.

Being unable to speak with those around you can cause a wide range of feelings, including:

  • Isolation (see below)
  • Anger
  • Frustration
  • Determination
  • Encouragement
  • Elation

You probably observed how the list went from negative to positive.

While not being able to communicate in the local language can produce a slew of bad emotions, it can also serve as a springboard for greatness.

Body language, sign language, gestures, and smiles are all examples of nonverbal communication. They’re all effective modes of communication. Use each and every one of them. If you’re terrified of learning a new language in a foreign country, don’t be hesitant to meet new people because you don’t know the language. Use these various modes of communication to break the ice.

Before you travel, learn as many languages as possible. If you put in the effort, it is an incredible form of respect that will be appreciated all over the world. It will help even if it is only a few words or phrases. You can attempt a variety of apps, manuals, and language programs.

What is the greatest approach to learn a language when on the road? Speak. It might be slow and unpleasant, or it can be hilarious. It all depends on how you approach the situation. While some languages are more difficult to learn than others, a lack of words is a simple travel problem to solve.

Isolation

Loneliness is not one of the travel issues that affects everyone, but it can be the worst problem possible when it occurs.

There is no single cause. It isn’t just a problem for folks who are depressed or emotional.

Loneliness can creep in and disrupt your journey, no matter how strong or independent you are.

It’s critical to be mindful of your emotions. A quick change in circumstances might drastically alter your perspective on travel. Things might spin out of control if you don’t confront them as soon as they begin to go wrong.

The typical explanation is being separated from loved ones for an extended period of time, but it may also be as simple as missing a birthday or having no one with whom to celebrate a memorable moment. Small things might build up to a lot of pressure on your head.

You could be tempted to cancel your trip and return to your prior life if it reaches a particular point. Traveling requires you to move outside of your comfort zone, which can be daunting without adequate positive reinforcement.

If it doesn’t work, contact the World packers customer service team. They’re all seasoned travelers who know what it’s like to travel. They’ve all been through similar travel issues and can provide assurance and support. You’re never alone when you travel with World packers experiences.

Money is running out

This might be a big issue that you should avoid at all costs.

However, unexpected events do occur. Things break, expenses are unexpected, plans alter, and emergencies occur. It’s impossible to plan for every contingency.

Before going on a trip, do some study on the country you’ll be visiting. You’ll need a notion of the general cost of living in order to effectively budget.

Save as much as you can, and keep an emergency fund separate from your regular savings. A credit card or a savings account can be used. It should have enough money in it to cover a return flight in the event of an emergency and the need to return home.

Traveling can be costly, so learn how to save money while you’re away. It’s also a good idea to consider earning money while you’re away.

It can rapidly go unless you have a large sum of money set aside or have perfected the art of budget travel. The World packers Academy contains a lot of useful information on how to generate money while traveling.

Check out our travel hacking advice if you’re on a tight budget.

Not being able to catch a flight

It all depends on whether it was your fault or the airline’s.

If it’s your fault, there’s not much you can do about it. This is one of the travel concerns that has an easy remedy 99 percent of the time. Always arrive in a timely manner. Check the rescheduling rules for your ticket if you think there’s a chance you won’t make it. If you miss your flight due to your own mistake, it’s time to grovel.

If you caused the problem, airlines are under no duty to assist you.

If you missed the flight due to circumstances beyond your control, you now have options.

Different countries have their own set of regulations. Speak with the airline employees and be calm and rational once more. Some airlines can compensate you with a free hotel stay or an upgrade. It is entirely dependent on the circumstances.

I missed a flight connection in Panama and received a complimentary stay at a 5-Star Hilton Hotel. Although it was just for 5 hours, it was a pleasant surprise.

It’s not the end of the world if you miss your flight. Take that as a valuable travel lesson.

Baggage that hasn’t arrived

This is one of those aggravating unexpected travel issues. You check your bags, get your boarding card, relax and enjoy your flight, only to discover that your bags have not arrived with you.

This occurred to me, and it was a complete disaster! Fortunately, everything happened on the way back, so I could just go home and wait for the baggage. Three days later, they finally did. It’s a different story if it happens on the way out.

“On average, airlines lose roughly two bags for every 1,000 customers,” according to Air faire Watchdog. “This includes luggage that are temporarily misplaced.”

That’s an alarmingly high figure. Certain airlines are better than others, so do your homework before booking. It’s still possible to be the unlucky one despite all of the study. There’s no way to know what will happen.

You can’t anticipate the future, but you can prepare for it.

In your carry-on luggage, pack a change of clothes. I also have my toiletry bag with me at all times. I’ll have something to change into and a method to freshen up if my huge rucksack gets missing.

It’s a huge pain, but you’ll get through it.

If your luggage does not arrive, speak with the airline crew to find out what to do. You could have to call them, or they might call you.

Some airlines will transport forgotten luggage to your accommodation, while others may need you to pick it up yourself. Before you leave the airport, double-check that you understand the procedure, that they have your information, and that you have theirs.

Breaking up with a partner is number ten on the list.

The dissolution of relationships is a common travel issue. As previously stated, travel forces you to step outside of your comfort zone. This can result in anxiety and frustration. When traveling with a companion, this can be amplified.

Disagreements happen with everyone, whether it’s a girlfriend, boyfriend, best friend, or family member. When you’re always in each other’s pockets, there are more chances for arguments to arise.

The excitement of planning a trip is amazing. It’s a great time to prepare, look at images, build bucket lists, and fantasize about the incredible adventures to come, no matter who you’re travelling with. When you find hidden personality traits and alternative methods to problem-solving, the truth can be quite different.

My advice when traveling with a partner is to be open and honest, but don’t put your happiness in jeopardy.

Talk about it if you truly want to do something or go somewhere and the other person doesn’t. The most common cause of relationship breakup is a lack of communication.

It may not work for all travel companions, but don’t be scared to split up and reunite after a few days, weeks, or months. That brief respite could be just what you need to reignite the flame. I urge ruthless honesty to romantic couples. When a problem emerges, talk about it right away. Allow nothing to fester.

For additional information on taking your relationship on the road, read my guide to pair travel.

That brings us to the end of my list of the most common travel issues and how to avoid them.

There is a solution to every difficulty. If you travel long enough, you’ll see all ten of these things and more. Does this imply that you should avoid traveling in order to avoid these issues? Certainly not!

The advantages of travel vastly exceed the disadvantages. You’ll be more prepared to manage anything life throws at you, whether on the road or at home, once you’ve experienced these experiences.

You will become stronger, more resourceful, and more resilient as a result of these ‘issues.’

Best wishes on your journey!