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Traveling the world is the most memorable and exciting activity where we can try new things, gain new experiences and get new emotions. However, despite all the positive sides of travel, there are always some common travel problems on the way which can destroy our trip entirely if we do not take action to avoid them once they happen.

If we can be better prepared for traveling, we can make it much easier and less stressful, and many travel problems can be avoided or minimized. That’s why I’ve created this list of the biggest and most common travel problems most travelers face and their best solutions.

The Best Solutions to 9 Common and Biggest Travel Problems

1. Getting Sick

We can get sick everywhere and anytime, unfortunately, but it is much worse if it happens when we travel. Therefore, to evade these travel problems related to sickness or minimize the chances, at least follow these SIMPLE TIPS:

To avoid getting food poisoning on the plane, do not eat fish or food you never tried before (if you have a sensitive stomach, that might be a big problem).
You are getting altitude sickness. Drinking plenty of water and taking particular medication with you if you plan to climb high and get used to the environment first is very helpful. You shouldn’t have any shortness of breath, nausea, or tiredness. In case you got it, stop climbing and get back to the lower level until you feel better. In rare cases, you will have to look for medical help.
Wash your hands ALL THE TIME. Especially in some rural places, there can be some sanitarian issues.
If you have problems with veins, wear compression stockings and walk on the plane during your flight to get some exercise.
If you go to hot and tropical places, ensure you have the most effective insect repellent. In addition, wear a hat, covered clothes (when possible), sunglasses, and sunscreen to avoid sunburn.
To avoid substantial medical bills, always get travel insurance. There are many companies and plans, and you can get as cheap as $5 for your trip. Most of the affordable plans cover major cases and can be very useful if there is an emergency.
To avoid or minimize jet lag when flying internationally, try to fly in the evening from your destination and do not sleep during the day once you will arrive.

2. Cultural Shock

Some places are so different from the places we get used to. It can be their traditions, culture, people habits, or food.

SOLUTION: To avoid cultural shock, do all the research about the new country upfront. I constantly research the rules of the country or other vital information to avoid being fined or getting into an embarrassing situation. That helps :).

3. Getting Lost

Does that sound familiar? :). Have you ever heard about this common travel problem, or did it happen to you? It can happen to everybody in a foreign place, even if you have never gotten lost. It can happen for many reasons: not working internet, google maps, or little people’s ability to speak English.

SOLUTION: To avoid this travel problem, ensure you have a screenshot with all the necessary info/directions/addresses on your phone and a portable mobile charger.

Uber is not always available at the destination you are going to, which means you won’t be able to use the app all the time. Research what sharing app they are using so you can download it earlier.

And, of course, try not to panic. I understand that when you are lost, it is impossible (I’ve been there too), but people are usually beneficial. Even if you have problems finding directions or something else, they will try to help you if you ask.

4. Lost or Delayed Baggage

At first, it sounds awful if your baggage doesn’t arrive at your destination once you land. However, it can be an advantage for you at the same time :).

Once you know that your baggage is delayed (it usually happens between international flights if your layover between destinations was too short) or lost, stay calm and proceed to the agent’s desk with your concern.

SOLUTION: For compensation, you can file a claim with an airline agency, insurance, or credit card company (if you bought tickets through them). Quite free money :).

It happened to me once that my baggage was delayed for a day or two, and I got some compensation from the airline for the inconvenience it caused me.

BONUS TIPS:

To protect your baggage from scratches or any other damage, wrap it up yourself with plastic wrap at home to save money instead of doing it at the airport (Important: make sure you check with the airline/airport first if they accept self-wrapping. Some places do not).
Put the address/name tag on your luggage. So in the order it gets lost, it has your information.
Please do not put the primary necessities in your luggage; instead, have them in your carry-on. So you have them with you when needed.

5. Missing Your Flight

Missing a flight is the biggest annoying travel problem, which can happen to anybody and cause a lot of trouble.

SOLUTION: To avoid such a situation, ensure you arrive at the airport early. I usually arrive at the airport 2 hours ahead of my domestic flight and 2.5-3 hours if I fly internationally. Better early than late, right ?!.

If you get into a situation where you miss your flight, stay calm. If it were your fault, the airline would be less likely to provide you with a new flight for free, but sometimes they can offer you a standby option for the next flight. Airlines typically have this policy if you arrive no more than two hours late. Don’t hesitate to talk to the agent to know your best options.

You might also be interested in learning more about common airport problems and solutions!

6. Overbooked Flight

Sometimes the flight can be overbooked, and airport authorities might tell you you have no seat. Did it ever happen to you? That is not the best news we want to hear, right? They do it because they need to sell all the tickets, and some people do not show up occasionally; they sell more tickets than they are supposed to.

That doesn’t sound very good, but think about it from a different perspective.

SOLUTION: Your best option is to wait until the seats get open, or if you are not in a hurry and can take another flight, do it, as the airline is going to offer you compensation for that plus a free ticket for the next flight if you volunteer to give up your current seat. It doesn’t sound bad at all!

To avoid this situation, always check in as early as possible (it’s not a 100% guarantee, but it can make a difference).

7. You Forgot to Buy a Travel Adapter

I got into a situation when I arrived in Singapore and couldn’t charge my phone because the adapter I had was unsuitable for its country.

SOLUTION: To make sure you are not making the same mistake, do your research upfront about what kind of voltage is there and what adapter you need to avoid such an issue and buy it, so you will have the right one once you arrive. If you don’t have it, ask your accommodation place if they offer to rent or buy it. Some places do.

I found this International adapters guide helpful article you might want to check out.

8. Bad Accommodation

I am sure you triple-checked your hotel online?! Everything was good, but the reality didn’t meet your expectations once you arrived. For example, your room and shower were dirty, there was a bad smell, or you didn’t get the view you requested.

Did this happen to you?

Once I wasn’t happy with my room and asked for an upgrade because of the poor room conditions. It worked fine for me.

SOLUTION: If you have booked your accommodation with a third party, contact them first to resolve this travel problem. If it was Airbnb, they could assist you with finding a new place or getting a refund. If you booked a hostel or hotel yourself and don’t like your room for any reason, do not be afraid to ask the staff of the hotel/hostel for an upgrade. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS AND SPEAK UP!

9. Paying For a Carry-on

Some airlines have strict rules about what you can bring as a carry-on. A good example is Frontier airlines. They only allow a small purse inside the plane, which in most cases is not enough and can cost a lot of money to pay after.

12 TIPS ON HOW TO TRAVEL CHEAP

SOLUTION: Always check on the airline website the approved dimensions for a carry-on bag to bring on board to avoid extra charges. Pack as lightly as possible to make sure you can fit all you need in one bag.

Final Thoughts

Traveling nowadays has become so much easier than before. The reason is that we have so many resources available now and know a lot of tricks from the travel experts which help us on our travel journey.

Unfortunately, traveling has never been stress-free and without common annoying travel problems, but knowing the best solutions for resolving the biggest travel problems makes it more enjoyable and less stressful. I’ve been using these tips myself, and since then, my travel has been 99% better in difficult situations. I hope my article about the 9 most common travel problems and how to avoid them will help you on your journey.

Happy travel!

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