I am now four weeks into my epic 6-month travel adventure. I’ve already picked up so many lessons about how to travel smart that I wish I could tell myself a month ago.
Oh well – I’m telling you now, and I’ll certainly apply these lessons in the future!
1. Whenever possible, fly on a Tuesday
Tuesdays are consistently the cheapest day to book flights. I assume this is because they’re inconvenient for most people.
But, if you have control over your schedule like I do, and don’t need to fly over the weekend, don’t! You will save so much money by flying on days no one else wants to.
2. Book your flights before your places to stay
I made the mistake of booking my Airbnb‘s and other places to stay before buying all of my flights, because I assumed they’d be most important to snag first.
This was before I learned the Tuesday rule, and I ended up scheduling my reservations in ways that forced me to fly over the weekend… even though cheaper flights were available during the week!
Even if you do have to fly on popular days, or over the weekend, it’s worth checking flight prices first. For example, I saved about $100 recently by flying on a Sunday instead of a Saturday. Fortunately, I was able to adjust the check-in date for my Airbnb accordingly. I’m still crossing my fingers that I’ll be able to do the same for a major flight later in the year.
3. Use Couch Surfing
I’m an Airbnb junkie, if you can’t already tell. I love the low prices you can find, and the authentic experiences and connections you can have with your hosts.
When I heard about CouchSurfing.com, a community of travelers and hosts that open up their homes for free, I was both intrigued and a little skeptical. There’s something about that phrase – “staying in a stranger’s home for free” – that weirds me out a little, especially as a young, solo, female traveler.
As I’ve learned, though, Couch Surfing is pretty popular in Europe, and it has a complex community and culture that is altogether different from Airbnb. So, I gave it a try.
Obviously, you have to be smart when it comes to meeting people on Couch Surfing. Check out people’s reviews and references, stick to “verified” hosts, and trust your gut. I definitely wouldn’t stay with just anyone on the site.
But if you’re charmed by the idea of casually hanging out with fellow, likeminded travelers, and don’t mind the cost-saving (read: literally free) authenticity of crashing in a stranger’s spare bedroom or actual couch, then I do recommend the experience. It’s pretty cool!
A tip: Don’t try to book a stay on Couch Surfing months in advance. You’re coordinating with other travelers who don’t always know if they’ll be in the country months in advance. Last minute requests are often the name of the game with this community.
4. Prepare for culture shock
This is especially true if you’re traveling to a new country. Culture shock affects everyone differently, so pick and choose how much of the following advice will be useful for you. But here’s what I learned from my own experiences.
When I first landed in Oslo, my mind locked into survival mode. I was barely able to think beyond the necessities like food, sleep, and a vague feeling of “safety” for four straight days. I wasn’t in any danger, but because everything felt different and unfamiliar, it caused a switch in my brain where all I could do was operate on those ancient instincts.
Afterwards, I realized I could have made that transition easier for myself by following a simple rule:
During the first week in a new country, it’s best to provide yourself as many comforts and familiarities as possible. This can include food you’re used to eating or normal bedtime/morning routines. This way, your brain has something dependable to latch onto, and it can more quickly adjust and get functionally comfortable.
The first week (or at least the first few days) in a foreign environment is not the time to try crazy new things yet, not when literally everything around you is crazy and new. After the initial wave of culture shock has faded to manageable levels, then you can start branching out, exploring, and getting adventurous, without feeling overwhelmed and absent-minded.
Wait until you feel grounded again – until you feel like yourself. Then, you’ll be able to experience adventures more thoroughly, consciously, and confidently.
5. Make sure to eat in the first week
This is closely related to the last lesson, but it goes a bit more broadly than culture shock.
During my first week in Oslo, I didn’t eat as much or as well as I normally do. And it wasn’t for lack of trying! But I have certain ruts and routines when it comes to my cooking and eating-out habits, and those broke apart when I arrived in a new country.
For example, the grocery stores were organized a bit differently than I was used to, most of the food labels were in Norwegian, and many of the brands I rely on were not available. Also, I was working in a new kitchen that didn’t have all the condiments and seasonings I was accustomed to having on hand. The restaurants in Oslo are generally expensive, so I wanted to avoid them as much as possible.
Also, I couldn’t resist my curiosity when I encountered uniquely Norwegian foods at the grocery store. I bought some things I didn’t like; I cooked a meal without the right seasonings; and when I wanted to go the grocery store again on a Sunday to replenish my fridge, I learned that most businesses in Norway are closed on Sundays!
By the second week, I was fully adjusted and eating plenty of food. But I’ve learned that next time, I’ll make an intentional effort to familiarize myself with grocery store systems right away, establish what options I have for cooking, and probably hold off on buying that weird-looking fish cake thing until I know for sure I have enough reliable food to eat.
6. If in question, take off your shoes
In the U.S., rules about wearing shoes inside tend to vary from household to household. In my own home, I’ve always been lax about taking off my shoes at the door, especially if I know they’re not too dirty and I’m walking on hardwood floors.
Because it wasn’t an engrained habit, I made the mistake of waltzing right into my first host’s home with my shoes still on – and her mom was almost horrified.
“We don’t wear shoes inside, EVER,” she said. She was trying to be nice, but there was still this tone to her voice like I’d committed a terrible crime.
I quickly apologized and corrected myself. As it turns out, Norwegians are pretty fastidious about taking off your shoes before you come inside. And there are plenty of cultures in the world where this is the case.
If you’re not used to taking off your shoes at the door, it’s good to get into the mental habit of doing it anyway, especially in a culture you’re not fully familiar with. Respect goes a long way, and this is one of those small gestures that can be disrespectful if ignored. At the very least: Ask the rules when you first approach the door.
7. Get a travel guide
Before I went to Oslo, I bought a pocket book with traveling tips for Oslo. I purchased the book on a whim, not because I thought I’d need it, but because I had a coupon for Barnes & Noble and I’ll take any excuse to spend money there. (Long live Barnes & Noble!!)
The book, however, has turned out to be invaluable! It saves me a lot of time and effort. If I’m ever wondering, “Hmm, what’s a good, cheap place to get coffee in such-and-such a region of the city?”, I just open the book, glance at the maps and descriptions, and can quickly and easily plan a small outing or a big day trip.
Sure, I could Google the same questions and get similar results, but there’s something so satisfying and simplifying about having all that specialized, filtered information physically in your hands.
The book also has a pull-out map, which I’ve used to circle places I want to visit, then check them off once I have. Again, I could use Google Maps to find things, but it just isn’t the same as having a map tailored specially for travelers that you can feel with your hands and mark up with a pen.
Looking forward
I’m sure I’ll only learn more lessons in the five months of traveling that still await me! Maybe I’ll write more blog posts like this. Or maybe I’ll write a whole book about it… hmm. We’ll see what the future holds!
Photo credit: © Brianna da Silva 2018, Central Norway