Adviсes • 29 May, 2025
Travel like a pro: tips from experienced travelers
Travel brings delightful emotions and vivid impressions, but sometimes it can be expensive, complicated, and stressful. No one wants to look at photos from a long-awaited vacation and recall the troubles and mishaps that could’ve been avoided. So how can you make a trip unforgettable, safe, and pleasant? How do you avoid extra costs and unforeseen situations? Popular travel bloggers share their insights.
Jaloliddin Mirzayev
Instagram: @sayohatv
Telegram: @sayohatv
Don't rush to conquer the world – start with neighboring countries where the language and culture are similar to yours. Greater mutual understanding will help avoid confusion and unpleasant incidents.
Don’t hesitate to use travel agencies when booking airline tickets – especially early on, it’s easy to fall for scams or overpay for flights. Observe, explore your options, look for real reviews, and when in doubt, a travel agency can be a smart choice.
Familiarize yourself in advance with the countries and cities you plan to visit. Create a detailed itinerary for the number of days you intend to spend on vacation. When possible, book tickets to museums and entertainment venues online ahead of time. This will save you time and prevent the frustration of sold-out tickets.
Before your trip, make sure you’re in good health. Bring any necessary medication with you on the plane and prepare a basic first-aid kit. Even if you’re sure you won’t need it, someone else might—and in this case, being cautious is wise.
If you have cold or nasal symptoms, use a spray to ease breathing before the flight. As the plane climbs, pressure changes can cause blocked sinuses to result in severe pain in the head, ears, and eyes. It's not a pleasant experience. When shopping abroad, get yourself a small handheld scale with a 30–40 kg weight limit. It’ll help you avoid excess baggage fees at the airport. For example, while many hotels in the UAE provide scales, not all do, so better come prepared. Before the trip, buy two medium rolls of stretch wrap. Put one inside your suitcase and use the other to wrap your luggage at home. Leave a note under the wrap to help identify your baggage quickly at the airport. After the trip, use the second roll you packed to wrap your bag again, avoiding extra airport charges for packaging. Check the electrical voltage and plug type in the country you’re visiting. Purchase the appropriate adapters from your local hardware store in advance. I recommend using digital bank cards rather than carrying cash. It’s safer, more convenient, and faster. Abroad, you can withdraw local currency from almost any ATM using a Visa or MasterCard. Travel insurance is never a waste. Some people skip health insurance to save money, but if you run into health issues in another country, you could face huge expenses. Umid Gafurov Instagram: @gafurovumid YouTube: Umid Gafurov It’s best to start packing a week before the trip to avoid forgetting anything important, especially for parents. Rushing increases the chance of missing essentials, which can lead to serious inconvenience. Prepare complete outfits for your child ahead of time—one for each day of the trip, plus an extra just in case. Avoid bringing a large stroller. Travel versions are sturdier, lighter, and fold to carry-on size, which is a huge advantage. If your child is under two, it’s not mandatory to buy a seat for them – but holding a baby on your lap for hours isn’t fun. Think in advance about whether you’ll both be comfortable in one seat. For longer trips, consider purchasing a separate seat. A helpful trick: book two adult seats and leave the one in the middle empty. Often, if the flight isn't full, middle seats remain vacant. Your child can use it – for free. Pack a change of clothes and a minimal hygiene kit for your child in your carry-on. It’s useful in case of delays or spills. Don’t forget entertainment: books, coloring books, and small toys help pass the time. For older children, bring a tablet preloaded with movies or games. Stock up on snacks and drinks. Light bites, fruits, nuts, and water will keep hunger and thirst at bay without the need for purchases on the go. Think about safety: always carry your child’s medical records and necessary medications. It’s also a good idea to have a bracelet with emergency contact info in case your child gets lost. Plan your route with the child’s needs in mind. Frequent rest stops, playground visits, and child-friendly attractions make travel more enjoyable and less tiring. Be prepared for changes in the schedule. Traveling with kids requires flexibility – fatigue, mood, or health can easily affect your plans. Jamshid Sunnatov Instagram: @sun__james Instagram: @travelhubuz Most tourists book tours from hotel guides because it’s convenient and seems like the logical thing to do—if everyone does it, it must be good. But from personal experience, those tours are often three times more expensive. You can find small street shops selling tours directly and without steep markups, which makes it significantly cheaper. The same principle applies to local guides who work independently near hotels or tourist sites. People often choose hotels based on star ratings and price, assuming that six stars and high prices guarantee quality. But it’s not that simple. I recommend choosing hotels based on Booking.com ratings, which are based on real reviews. Here’s how it works: sometimes lower-star hotels outperform luxury ones in cleanliness, food quality, location, and other aspects—all of which are visible on the Booking.com website or app.
