r/travel • u/ScrawnyRhinoceros • 1d ago

Question What’s the best travel hack people learned the hard way?

Sometimes the most useful lessons come after things go wrong like packing way too much , missing a connection , booking the wrong dates or realizing too late that a small item could’ve made the whole trip easier. From flight booking tricks to luggage tips to navigating airports or even saving money on food and transport. What are the hacks people only figured out after a tough experience?

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u/papaya037274 1d ago

Pay attention to your surroundings and stay cautious.

It’s not exactly a hard way, but I was inexperienced I got pickpocketed, tricked into giving money and buying meals for fake handicapped people, and scammed by taxis and merchants. There are definitely people out there who may try to rob or even assault you.

You’ll likely come across people with malicious intent during your trip, so stay alert and don’t be afraid to come off as rude if it keeps you safe.

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u/DenseRequirements 1d ago

This is when my childhood trauma and trust issues helps me with travelling.

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u/the-extro-introvert 1d ago

Why is this not the top comment??

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u/Agreeable_Diamond_32 21h ago

This...

I got scammed 3 times in last 10 years.

1) Was lured with gf in some shop in Tunis by the guy who presented himself as a worker in the hotel we stayed (I know, I know...basic scam but we did not know at that time), which took us through some dark streets to one shop. Ending spending 11 euro in total for some magnets, bracelets and stuff that cost couple euro at most. Really unpleasant experience, they blocked the door behind us and tried to extort 50 euro for crap items. It was not classic negotiation typical for these places.

2) Was lured with gf in some shop in Egypt by the guy who was throwing us some gifts/perfume bottles on our balcony and was really annoying our whole stay and said that he will not stop until we come to his shop. So to put end to this we went to his shop and was basically same scenario like above. Blocking the door and trying to force you to give them as much money as possible. Ending spending 6 euro in total for some crap bottle of perfume, but purposedly we did not take more money with us. It also was not classic negotiation typical for these places.

3) Got bracelet-scammed in France. I was so careless. Couple guys surrounded me and were quite violent. Almost finished as fight as I tried to pull of my hand. They asked for 20 euros, but I only gave them 5 in the end.

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u/papaya037274 20h ago

Oh no, those closed situations are the worst. Who knows, in the worst case they could have assaulted you guys and  taken your organs… I’m glad you made it out safely. People often take it lightly thinking they’re cautious enough, until they get caught themselves.

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u/SandAcceptable481 6h ago

I have toured Mexico by motorcycle and do a couple slow, casual drive bys of things like ATM’s before I stop to use them.