15 Common Travel Mistakes and How to Fix Them

It’s totally normal for travelers to get anxious before a trip—even seasoned globetrotters sometimes find themselves fretting over things like overweight luggage fees, carry-on size limits, oversized toiletries, or unreliable airport Wi-Fi. While some travel hiccups are inevitable (and often part of the fun), many of the most common problems are surprisingly easy to avoid with a little planning and the right gear.

As a former travel agent and current Travel + Leisure editor, I’m always thinking about ways to prepare for trips to avoid potential pitfalls. I’ve learned firsthand how a few key accessories can make all the difference when it comes to smooth, stress-free travel. Right now, you can find some of my favorite travel gear and accessories on sale at Amazon, starting at just $8. From smarter packing solutions to gadgets that keep you connected on the go, these picks are designed to help you get from the airport to your destination as seamlessly as possible.

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Mistake: Your bag is too big for the overhead bin

Solution: Opt for a compact underseater

One of the most common questions I used to get as a travel agent was about carry-on size requirements. The truth is, many airlines have different requirements—a common one being 22 x 14 x 9 inches, but some international flights may have slightly smaller dimensions. If you’re someone who tries to avoid checking a bag at all costs, it’s best to choose a compact carry-on that you can potentially put underneath your airplane seat if the overhead bin space is filling up quickly.

This affordable Samsonite underseater has four wheels that roll smoothly like a traditional suitcase as well as top handles, so you can carry it multiple ways. At 16.5 inches tall, it’s shorter than most carry-ons, so you won’t have to worry as much about lugging around a bulky, oversized bag—and it even has a front pocket that can hold 13.3-inch laptops or smaller tablets.

Mistake: Overpacking your suitcase

Solution: Use vacuum storage bags

If you plan on traveling with a compact bag, you also have to consider how you’re going to fit all of your belongings inside, especially if you plan to do some shopping at your destination. Vacuum storage bags are an amazing packing hack, and this handy 15-pack comes with seven different sizes of bags and an electric air pump.

You can fill the storage bags with anything from bulky clothing to stuffed animals (just don’t put anything sharp in there), and then use the pump to suck out the air, compressing everything—no vacuum required. It’s amazing how much space they save, and you can even use them at home to store comforters and winter coats, too.

Mistake: Exceeding the baggage weight limit

Solution: Travel with a portable luggage scale

No one likes getting surprised with additional fees at the airport, and a luggage scale is a simple tool that you can use to weigh your suitcase at home to help you figure out what needs to be removed.

Attach the strap of this portable luggage scale to your suitcase handle, and lift it to see the weight on the screen. It’s also very compact, so you can easily take it with you to help you determine if you need to redistribute your packing list among different bags before heading home. Snag it on sale for just $8 right now.

Mistake: Packing oversized toiletries

Solution: Use a travel bottle set

When flying with liquids, gels, or aerosols, remember to make sure that each container is no larger than 3.4 ounces if you’re taking them through airport security; otherwise, you’ll be forced to throw away your precious (and expensive) skincare and toiletries. Getting a TSA-approved travel bottle set makes it easy to stay organized.

This 21-piece set comes with leakproof silicone bottles, cream jars, toothbrush covers, and even mini spatulas and a funnel to help you get your liquids inside the bottles. Best of all, the set also includes a transparent toiletry bag to keep it all together when you’re breezing through the security line.

Mistake: Losing your wallet

Solution: Use Bluetooth trackers

Losing your travel wallet can be even worse than losing your luggage, because you don’t want to be stuck abroad without any credit cards or ID. These flat Bluetooth trackers are game changers because they’re shaped perfectly to fit inside a wallet or passport holder as opposed to bulky trackers.

You can download the free app to track the device on a map, trigger a sound to see if it’s nearby, or use an SOS button to alert family or friends if you need help. Plus, if you want to use it as a luggage tracker, you can do that, too, since it comes in a set of two.

Mistake: Struggling with a bulky stroller

Solution: Swap in a compact, lightweight option

Folding strollers can make travelling so much easier for parents with young children. Instead of holding up a security line with a stroller that can’t fit through the X-ray machine, look for a collapsible, lightweight option.

The Graco Ready2Jet Compact Stroller has an autofold mechanism and even fits in most overhead bins if you want to avoid gate-checking it. Plus, it has tons of useful features like a reclining seat, a UPF 50 canopy, and a storage basket.

Mistake: Being bored on long flights

Solution: Invest in noise-canceling headphones

I’ve had clients who get flight anxiety and avoid taking long flights because they have trouble falling asleep on planes or they just can’t handle the boredom. Noise-canceling headphones can help tune out distractions, from crying babies to the roar of a plane engine, to help lull you to sleep or focus on an in-flight movie, music, or podcasts.

These reliable Sony headphones have a 30-hour battery life to keep them working through any long-haul flight, as well as touch controls so you can instantly pause if you need to ask the flight attendant for snacks. They also come with a carrying case to keep them protected in your carry-on or personal item bag.

Mistake: Having an unreliable Wi-Fi connection

Solution: Invest in a mobile hotspot

Whether you need to stay connected on a flight or get work done in a hotel room, avoid spotty internet by bringing your own Wi-Fi with a portable hotspot. The Simo Solis uses a network of over 300 carriers in more than 140 countries to give you high-speed internet without a SIM card. It comes with 1GB of data per month for the entire lifespan of the device, and you can purchase additional data if needed. You can also connect up to 10 different devices to the hotspot at once, so couples or families can share it.

Mistake: Not being able to charge your devices abroad

Solution: Pack a universal travel adapter

Don’t be “that” person who forgets to pack a travel adapter and can’t charge any of their devices in another country. Not every country has wall sockets that accommodate the same type of plugs as the U.S., but this universal travel adapter comes with different types of plugs built in, making it compatible with most countries around the world (except India and South Africa). It also has five USB ports, making it easy to charge phones, laptops, and other devices without the prongs.

Mistake: Letting your guard down as a solo traveler

Solution: Install a portable door lock

Solo travelers can give themselves peace of mind by adding an extra layer of protection to a hotel room with the Acemining Portable Door Lock. For only $12, you can attach the door stopper to any hotel room door that opens inwardly to prevent people from opening it from the outside if they’re trying to break in. It’s easy to set up, and it even prevents people who have a key from entering, so it could be useful for Airbnbs as well to keep out unannounced visitors. At 46 percent off, it’s a small price to pay to help you feel safer on vacation.

Mistake: Worrying about theft

Solution: Use an anti-theft bag

Since safety is always top of mind, anti-theft backpacks are a great way to protect your gear while on the go. This versatile travel bag from Baggallini is packed with anti-theft features, including locking zippers, an RFID-protected passport pocket, hidden pockets, and slashproof straps. The lightweight bag also has a 16-inch laptop sleeve and expandable side pockets for water bottles. To top it all off, it’s water-resistant, so it’ll stand up to everyday wear.

Mistake: Wearing wrinkled clothing

Solution: Pack a portable steamer

A question that often came up when helping people book trips was whether the hotel had an iron. There’s no need to sift through the fine print when you can bring your own travel steamer to keep your clothing wrinkle-free. I own this compact steamer, which weighs just 1.6 pounds and helps remove wrinkles and creases from different types of fabrics, including silk, lace, cotton, linen, nylon, denim, wool, and more.

Mistake: Using a hair dryer with the wrong voltage

Solution: Bring a dual-voltage device

Air-drying your hair is not for everyone, especially those of us with frizzy hair, but you’ll have to make sure you pack a hair dryer that will work in different countries. Not all hair dryers feature automatic voltage converters, so don’t make the mistake of plugging in a hair dryer abroad with mismatched voltage because not only can you ruin your device, but you can even start a fire in your hotel.

This portable hair dryer—which is also 41 percent off—weighs as little as 1 pound, has a foldable design that makes it more packable, and features a dual voltage range of 120-240V (just make sure to adjust it to the correct voltage before use).

Mistake: Being unprepared for unruly weather

Solution: Bring a packable rain jacket—just in case

When it rains, it pours, but you don’t have to let unruly weather ruin your vacation, as long as you’re prepared for it. The Outdoor Ventures Packable Rain Jacket comes with a carrying pouch, making it easy to travel with since it barely takes up any space. It’s breathable enough to wear in warm weather since it’s lined with mesh and has air vents at the armpits. With multiple pockets, including a chest pocket and an interior pocket, it’s easy to go hands-free, unlike an umbrella. It also comes in more than a dozen colors, some of which are on sale.

Mistake: Getting sunburned

Solution: Lather up with sunscreen

Though I’m an advocate of wearing sunscreen no matter where you are, some travelers forget that the sun’s rays are more powerful at the equator, meaning you can get sunburned more easily in some destinations. I use the Vacation brand all the time, and I love that you can get this travel-sized sunscreen for 20 percent off (or save 36 percent on a three-pack), so you can it with you wherever you go.

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