Festive seasons are usually marked with lots of travelling. Airports, car parks and railway stations are filled with people eager to travel. There are many travel tips for travellers. But here are the top 5 tips every traveller should know.
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Plan Your Trip in Advance
If you intend to take a flight, book ahead. Tickets are sold cheaper months in advance. If you are travelling by rail or road, choose your departure point and make plans to arrive there early. Write out all the things you need to pack for your trip before you pack so you forget nothing important. Plan what you intend to wear and how to mix and match them. Make duplicate copies of your documents, digital and physical. That way if an accident occurs or you lose your originals, you can always have a backup. Also, carry a hard drive and have a cloud storage device to back up all your photos. Don’t wait till the last minute to decide the details of your trip.
Be Flexible with Your Itinerary
Speaking of details for your trip, do not pack too many activities within a short period. Create time to rest and catch your breath in your travel plan. Jet lag can be hard on your body. But beyond the need for rest, leave room for spontaneous rendezvous. Someone might just mention a spot or hangout you would want to be a part of and having room for anything can help you accommodate that plan. Leaving room for unplanned events might just be the opportunity to create the best moments in your travel plan.
Pack an Emergency Kit
You never know when you might need a first aid kit. Even if you do not have an injury, you may have allergies or need meds for diarrhoea. A first aid kit also allows you to pack medicines not readily found at the destination you are travelling to. E.g. people who come into Nigeria with a medical subscription may have trouble finding their brand of medication in a local store in Nigeria. So it’s best to travel with your drugs in a first aid kit. Last but not least are items of importance like spare batteries, flashlights, etc. They come in handy if you get to a town too late to book a hotel and need to spend the night in your car.
Stay Safety Conscious
If you are driving, obey traffic rules. Don’t drive if you are tipsy or have taken alcohol a few hours before. Read the road signs. Use seat belts. Travel cashless if you can. Even if you are travelling in a public transport, stay alert. Mind what you eat to avoid unnecessary bathroom breaks along lonely roads. Keep loved ones aware of your progress during the trip. Also, keep a list of numbers that can be called in event of any emergency. Not only the numbers of your friends and family but of security or government parastatals. If you are flying, get travel insurance to protect your luggage.
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Travel within Your Budget
Travelling gets expensive when tourists go out on a limb to see luxurious places. But it doesn’t have to be. When you save towards an annual vacation or sign up with tour operators who offer payments in instalment, you can afford luxury destinations. But if spending over half a million naira on a trip outside Nigeria isn’t your idea of within budget, try domestic tourism. There are lots of places within the country that are great to explore. From caves to forests, game reserves to beach resorts, adventure to cultural tourism, you name it; we have it all in Nigeria. Choose one within your budget and travel there.
We wish you lots of fun as you enjoy your Christmas and New Year celebrations. Remember to stay safe on all your travels now and in the New Year.
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