When we’re traveling it’s easy to think about what we should do, and it’s rare for us to consider the things we shouldn’t. Especially when it comes to technology, which can go so right when we use it to our advantage, or so wrong when we don’t.
Here are some of the top travel mistakes that you’ll want to avoid if you’re traveling this year:
Forgetting to Charge
We all know that dead batteries can be a real bummer in our day to day lives, but this problem is much worse when we’re traveling. There really is no such things as bringing too much power while you’re traveling, so don’t forget to bring your wall charger, an extra charger to go into your USB port, a multi-outlet plug and a portable charger. If you’re going to be in a different country, you’ll also need an adapter, and it’s best to choose one that has a built in surge protector.
Taking one pair of headphones
Let’s face it, when you’re traveling your headphones are likely to break at the least convenient moment- like when you’re on a plane or train with a crying baby or snoring seat-mate. There’s nothing worse than when one side will only work if you bend the wire a certain way, or quits all together- leaving you with just one side working. It’s a good idea to either invest in some sturdy, noise-cancelling headphones, a pair of wireless ones that are less likely to break, or take an extra pair just in case.
Filling your Storage Space
So you’re in front of the Eiffel Tower and about to take a photo, but your phone suddenly tells you that you’re out of room, leaving you frantically deleting photos from the day before. There are now tiny memory cards that plug into your tablet or smartphone and can give you more than 250 mb of memory- the perfect way to increase the storage capacity on your phone and give you a way to backup your memories.
Forgetting to App-Up
Forgetting to download the many awesome travel apps available is a rookie mistake. Filo is a great option if you want to find and connect to Wi-Fi approad, Loungebuddy is awesome for getting passes for airport lounges, Moovit is great to help you find public transport directions, and Google Maps is a must for finding hotels.
Forgetting to notify your bank
Most of us use a debit or credit card while traveling, and if you forget to call your bank and let them know you’re going overseas, it’s likely that they’ll think that your card has been stolen or is being used for fraudulent transactions and place a hold on it. Not only is it embarrassing to get your card declined, but this could leave you with no money while overseas. Be sure to call your bank before you leave and let them know you’ll be traveling.
