Practical Travel Tips
Travel Tips
Travel is all about experiences, good food and the people you meet — everything else you learn on the road. Below are tips that apply almost anywhere, from a weekend getaway to a longer trip.
How this page can help
- Jump to the section that’s useful right now.
- Each section has a quick compass and short notes.
- If you’re planning a longer walk (e.g. the Camino), check the extra notes too.
Pick a topic
Packing & preparation
Less luggage, more peace. What I always pack and what I stopped carrying.
Costs & budget
Real costs, savings tricks, and where it’s not worth cutting corners.
Transport & getting around
Local transport, rentals, tickets, and tips that make travel easier.
Food & local habits
How I find great flavors without overcomplicating it.
Safety & common sense
What helped me.
My travel mistakes
Quick summaries of mistakes that cost me time, energy, or money.
Packing & preparation
The most peace on the road comes from the most boring decisions: what you actually need — and what you don’t.
Quick compass
- Weight is a tax on every minute. On longer walks, even grams add up.
- Rotation beats stockpiling. Two dry shirts + regular laundry often beats half a wardrobe.
- Gear is good when it works for you. Not the other way around.
Camino note
I got my backpack down to about ~7 kg, which is close to the commonly recommended weight of roughly 10% of body weight. On long-distance walking, that’s still not “light”.
What I usually pack for shorter trips
- ✓ 3 t-shirts and 1 warmer layer (jacket/hoodie) for cooler mornings
- ✓ underwear and quality socks: quality over quantity
- ✓ a mini first-aid kit with plasters, disinfectant, a needle, and an elastic bandage
- ✓ “minimum hygiene” in travel sizes
- ✓ documents + a physical copy stored safely
- ✓ a water bottle and at least 1 magnesium sachet per day
What I stopped carrying
- Too many “backup items” — they’re just unnecessary weight.
- Large towels I usually didn’t even use.
- Too much electronics: every extra device is one more worry.
Preparing your body (not just the plan)
If you’re going on a longer walking trip, the most underrated training is: walking with your backpack. The first time my shoulders really “spoke up”, I realized I could have trained more with real weight.
Mini tip
Before you leave, do 2–3 test walks: 60–90 minutes with realistic weight. If something annoys you at home, it’ll be worse on the road.
Costs & budget
A budget can be freedom or a constraint. The goal isn’t “cheapest at all costs”, but being able to help yourself when even Plan C fails.
On longer trips you can often balance things day-by-day — one day you simply spend less.
Quick compass
- Don’t cut corners on health and sleep. Bad sleep and exhaustion can get expensive.
- Have a Plan B for payments. Cards aren’t guaranteed — always carry some cash.
- Fees are the “silent cost”. ATMs, currency exchange, extras… they add up.
Camino note
In a hostel near Gijón they only accepted cash, so I had to limp to an ATM and watch out for bank fees.
Where it’s worth saving
- Transport: the best combo is usually train, bus and walking.
- Food: slightly hidden areas of a city are often cheaper and better. Ask a local, or check if there’s a place with cuisine from your region.
- Activities: pick 2 “top” things — the rest can be city vibe and green spaces (often free).
Where it’s not worth it
- Accident/travel insurance if you’re going far or doing active travel.
- Footwear for longer hikes.
- One proper hot meal a day — “saving” here can backfire fast.
Mini tip
Add a 10–15% buffer for “unexpected events”: delays, taxis, surprise nights, pharmacy runs.
Transport & getting around
The most “invisible” stress point: you think the transport exists — and then it doesn’t. And the clock is ticking.
Quick compass
- Don’t blindly trust an app. Check the board, official sites, or ask at the tourist info office.
- Have a backup. If the bus doesn’t come: train, taxi, partial stage, or change your overnight stop.
- Reservations are great — but can become handcuffs. Cancellations can cost money. Leave yourself room for reality.
Camino note
I’ve had two apps “guarantee” a bus arrival — and it still didn’t show up, or didn’t stop where it was supposed to. Public transport isn’t always a given.
When things go wrong: the 5-minute protocol
- Stop. Take a sip of water, then reassess.
- Check the “official truth”. Board/timetable/official website (if it exists) — not just an app.
- Tourist info is often the fastest compass. Use it.
- Set smaller goals. “Just to the top of this hill / that road / that town” beats “how far do I still have to go…”
Mini tip
If plans change suddenly (often), check: do you have any active reservations?
I once changed direction and forgot to cancel, then had to chase the consequences.
Food & local habits
If you want to truly know a place, try a local specialty. Not everything — but at least something authentic.
Quick compass
- At least once in your life, try it. But also ask yourself if a long wait is worth it.
- Locals are a strong signal. If locals eat there, it’s usually a good sign.
- Check the worst reviews too. Reading 3–5 of the lowest ratings often reveals issues before you commit.
Camino note
While walking the Camino, I ate best where there wasn’t tourist crowding: simple places, local guests, and short menus were a reliable sign of quality and fair prices.
How I find the right flavors
- A market, or small places a bit away from the main promenade.
- Daily set menu (often the best value).
- Ask: “Where would you eat if you had one free evening?”
- Don’t chase perfection. Chase the experience.
Mini tip
At fast-food spots, choose ingredients or meals that don’t spoil quickly.
Safety & common sense
Safety matters. It’s a routine of small decisions that keeps your head clear for the experience.
Quick compass
- Health first. If your body says “rest”, that’s clear information.
- Language can be a barrier in healthcare. A translator app isn’t a luxury — sometimes it’s necessary.
- Don’t overcomplicate valuables. Fewer items = fewer worries.
- Listen to your sixth sense. Instinct is usually not wrong.
Camino note
When I had inflammation issues (tendonitis), the advice was clear: an anti-inflammatory painkiller, cooling, and rest. The hardest part was accepting it.
My basic safety routine
- ✓ photo of documents and an offline copy (phone + email)
- ✓ insurance and assistance phone number
- ✓ a small neck pouch
- ✓ “money spread out” in at least three places
Abroad, you quickly learn that English isn’t always a given — even where you’d expect it.
A translator app saved me in a local hospital.
Mini tip
If your legs feel heavy, cool them with cold water and rest for 10–20 minutes with your legs raised above your heart. It can work a small miracle.
My travel mistakes
Mistakes are the best teacher. Even better if you read about them and avoid them.
1) Trusting the plan too much
When things get complicated, flexibility and smaller goals save you.
2) Forgetting to cancel a reservation
You change direction, your head is elsewhere, and the booking stays. Then you chase logistics and time. Since then, my rule is: every plan change means immediate booking adjustments.
3) Not training enough with a backpack
It doesn’t sound like much, but it adds up over time. Your shoulders will tell you. You’ll be thankful for more regular multi-hour walks with your pack.
4) Public transport
It’s coming… and doesn’t stop. Or it doesn’t exist at all. Since then: always a second source and a Plan B.
5) Cash is still king sometimes
When a card doesn’t help, cash saves you. Just check whether there is an ATM with a lower fee nearby or a better exchange office.
6) Listening to your body
The hardest part is slowing down when you’re motivated and have a goal. But overuse injuries are real, and rest is something you cannot ignore.