10 mistakes to avoid when going on holiday

In this article, I'm going to share with you 10 mistakes you should definitely avoid when going on holiday!

As an avid traveller, I have had some unforgettable holidays, but also quite a few major mishaps! I have also met quite a few people who have had worse experiences than me! Here are a few of them, in the hope that they will help you avoid making the same mistakes!

Mistake 1: Taking a flight with a stopover and too little time to connect

When you buy your plane tickets, check whether it is a direct flight or if you will have one (or even two) connections. If so, try to allow at least two hours between each flight. An hour and a half is very tight, and an hour is mission impossible – you are sure to miss your connection!

Also check whether you will need to collect your luggage or whether it will be checked through to your final destination, and whether you will need to change terminals or even airports!

💡For example, Bangkok has two airports: one (BKK) mainly for international and scheduled flights, and the other (DMK) mainly for local and low-cost flights. So if you arrive on an Air France flight and depart on Air Asia, don't do what we did! Allow three hours for your connection to be on the safe side in case your first flight arrives late or there is traffic on the way to the other airport!

Mistake 2: Arriving at the airport at the last minute

Don't feel like spending the day at the airport waiting for your flight? I understand... But here's a little tip: arrive at the airport at least 2½ to 3 hours in advance!

💡As usual, my friends arrived at the airport just 1 hour before their flight... They even had time to check in their luggage... But by the time they queued up at customs at Roissy CDG, took the shuttle inside Terminal 2E and went through hand luggage screening... They arrived 5 minutes after the aircraft doors had closed! And since it was their fault, they had to buy another ticket at full price!

The moral of the story? Arrive three hours early, take it from me! Better to lose three hours than £1,000 worth of plane tickets!

Mistake 3: Forgetting to check the expiry date of your passport

💡Yes, indeed! Recently, a friend had to cancel her flight the day before because she realised at the last minute that her passport had expired two months ago... What a shame!

So, you don't travel often? Make sure you check the expiry date on your passport or identity card! And be careful, some countries require your passport to be valid for six months after your travel date, and others require you to have two blank pages in your passport, so check that too!

Mistake 4: Forgetting to check whether a visa is required

Since Covid, entry formalities for countries are changing even faster! Just because you travelled there without a visa six months ago doesn't mean that's still the case!

💡We got caught out with Cape Verde, convinced that we didn't need a visa! As a result, I was really stressed the day before departure when I realised that we did need one (electronic) and I spent the night trying to fill in online forms for the country's entry formalities on a website that kept crashing!

So don't do what I did, and check as soon as you book your tickets, and double-check a week before you leave to see if anything has changed! And a word of advice: always consult the official websites of the countries or embassies or "traveldoc.aero". For help, visit: https://voyagepaschersurmesure.com/documents-necessaires-pour-voyager-visas

Mistake 5: Keeping your identity card with your passport and not making photocopies

💡My passport and ID card were stolen in Zanzibar! The result: a huge hassle getting back to France!

So here's some advice: always make paper photocopies of your passports, identity cards and visas (keep them in a different place from your passport), bring an extra passport photo just in case, and email yourself a photo of your documents before you leave! That way, if they get stolen, you'll still be able to prove your identity more easily!

Mistake 6: Not informing your bank that you are travelling abroad

💡My credit card was blocked in the Dominican Republic by my bank because they suspected fraud! And of course, it happened on a Sunday (it wouldn't be funny otherwise), so my bank was unavailable, and I had to wait until Monday to resolve the situation! I can't tell you how much of a nightmare it is when you're on the other side of the world and can't hire a car, pay for your hotel or buy groceries without a credit card...

So let your bank know before you leave where you're going and for how long!

Mistake 7: Not checking the weight of your luggage before arriving at the airport

Who hasn't fallen for this? So always check your baggage allowance (hold and cabin) and weigh your bags before you leave, while you're still at home, to avoid any surprises at the check-in counter!

And if you're sure you're going to exceed the weight limit, consider paying for excess baggage in advance online, as it's often cheaper than paying at the airport!

Mistake 8: Not checking the electrical sockets used in the country

And yes, plugs vary from country to country!

💡I forgot to check the type of plugs used in Thailand... As a result, when we arrived at the hotel, we instinctively looked for a plug to charge our mobile phones and... We'll be without mobile phones tonight! We'll go and buy an adapter tomorrow!

So don't forget, check beforehand and bring an adapter if necessary!

Mistake 9: Not carrying cash with you

Arriving in the middle of the night in a foreign country and not finding a cash machine at the airport (or finding one that is out of order) happens very often! So if you don't want to spend the night running around looking for an ATM, always carry some cash with you (euros or dollars are accepted almost everywhere), and always exchange some money as soon as you arrive (even if it's not the cheapest place), it will save you a lot of trouble!

Mistake 10: Buying a designer handbag or jewellery

💡And yes, like many others, I had my belongings stolen while on holiday!

It happens very quickly in the street at night! Thieves quickly spot tourists, especially those who have just arrived! So if you avoid taking your best bag or clothes with a very visible brand name with you, you will already attract less attention!

As for jewellery, opt for inexpensive costume jewellery and avoid bringing your gold or pearl necklaces and bracelets on holiday! At least you'll be sure to find them when you get back!