Planning an international trip? Smart travelers know that avoiding a few common pitfalls can make the difference between a dream vacation and a travel nightmare. Based on decades of experience leading small group tours across Europe and beyond, The Traveling Professor shares insider tips to help you travel smarter, safer, and with less stress.

1. Not Booking Airfare Directly with the Airline

While third-party sites like Expedia, Orbitz, and Travelocity may offer tempting deals, buying your airfare from a third-party provider can create problems if anything goes wrong.

If your flight is canceled, delayed, or if you need to make a change or request a refund, the airline may refer you back to the company where you bought the ticket. That adds a layer of bureaucracy that slows everything down.

Pro Tip:
Airline perks like upgrades, preferred seating, and early boarding are often not available when booking through third-party sites. To protect yourself and keep things simple, always book airfare directly through the airline’s website.

2. Checking Luggage Instead of Packing Light

Lost luggage can ruin a trip—especially if you're taking a cruise or moving from place to place quickly. Imagine arriving in Athens for your island-hopping cruise, only to find your bags are stuck in New York. By the time they arrive, you're already two islands ahead.

Avoid disaster:
Travel light and stick to carry-on luggage only. You'll breeze through airports, avoid baggage fees, and keep everything with you at all times.

Need help packing? Check out:
What The Professor Packs for a 66-Day Trip to Europe

3. Skipping Travel Health and Evacuation Insurance

Many travelers wrongly assume their health insurance covers them overseas. In reality, most domestic plans offer limited or no coverage abroad, and Medicare doesn’t cover you at all outside the U.S.

A sudden illness or accident overseas could require a medical evacuation—an emergency flight home that could cost over $100,000 out of pocket.

Smart move:
Invest in a basic travel insurance policy that includes emergency medical and evacuation coverage. Annual policies can cost less than $200 and offer peace of mind for the entire year.

4. Not Being Flexible with Travel Plans

Unexpected delays and changes are part of travel. Flights get canceled, attractions may close, and weather disruptions happen.

Travelers who go with the flow tend to have better experiences. For example, on one of our Edinburgh tours, several activities were canceled after Queen Elizabeth II passed away. Rather than see it as a setback, we embraced the moment and witnessed a historic event as the Queen lay in rest.

Lesson:
Always have a backup plan, stay open-minded, and treat the unexpected as part of the adventure.

5. Relying on Airlines to Take Care of You

In the age of mass delays and cancellations, travelers can't afford to sit back and wait for airlines to come to the rescue. If you’re stranded overnight, don’t wait in line hoping for a voucher—book your own hotel and find a meal right away.

Be proactive:
Take control of your travel logistics. A solid travel insurance plan will often reimburse you for hotel stays and meals due to delays.

Final Thoughts

A little preparation goes a long way. Book your flights directly, pack light, protect yourself with travel insurance, stay flexible, and take charge of your journey when plans go off-track.

Ready to explore the world with confidence?
Join one of our expert-led small group tours and travel smarter with The Traveling Professor.