No Emergency Fund (or one that’s too small):
I will never forget the evening I got off a tram in Budapest. My lens fell and cracked. I was devastated! As a new traveler, I had not set aside the funds to immediately buy new camera gear. It was a lesson that would stick with me!
Travel is full of surprises—and not all of them are good. Whether it’s a missed flight, lost bag, or sudden illness, having a solid emergency stash gives you peace of mind (and options). Personally, I usually do a 20-30% buffer (minimum) when it comes to my trip costs. I would suggest a higher or more tailored amount depending on the remoteness of the location / destinations.
Generally speaking – for example, if my total trip (hotel, transportation, attractions) costs $1500, I will ensure at least $300 additional for emergencies. However, if my goal was to photograph lemurs in Madagascar, I would bring an additional $500+ or so in the event of camera gear issues or unexpected health concerns.
Tunnel Vision on Flights & Hotels: Are you only checking one site or app for travel information?
When I first started traveling, I often would book the first flights I could find. I would not budge on my travel dates or my destinations; I absolutely had to go to Greece on exactly August 15! Yet, you know what I learned?
You could be missing better deals or more convenient routes! Compare across platforms and stay flexible—you might discover cheaper flights, better times, or hidden gems of places to stay. I recommend sites like Skyscanner, Rio2Go, and Bookings to get a bird’s-eye view of costs.
Checklist Syndrome: It’s tempting to cram every sight into your itinerary just to “check it off.”
Initially, I found the rigid structure of highly detailed days to be comforting. What could go wrong? I knew I had to be at the pier for a river cruise at 9:30 AM and then onto tea at 11:30 AM1 The catch? You miss a lot of charm and (arguably) even some self-discovery by sticking to an overly rigid plan. While I am still breaking this travel mold, I find it useful to share this:
Rushing from one attraction to the next can suck the soul out of your trip. Slow down, savor the moments, and leave room for spontaneous adventures. Granted, with limited PTO for most travelers, this can be a delicate balance, but try to average 2-3 days per city as a minimum – it will be worth it!
✨ Travel smarter, not harder.
Stampchaser Photography 