How to Avoid Problems While Traveling

Over 2,500 years ago, the Greek poet Homer wrote The Odyssey. Homer’s epic poem tells how a king overcame travel problems caused by monsters, storms, and other hazards. Modern travel problems are usually caused by crowded airports, street crime, unruly travelers, and traffic delays. Below are tips for avoiding travel problems and resources to help overcome them.

Tips

• Adapters – Bring a gadget bag with adapters and chargers for smartphones and other devices.
• Baggage – Put a tracking device and contact information inside your bags and add distinguishing marks on the exterior.
• Budget – Set aside money for emergencies, entertainment, hotels, meals, tours, and transportation.
• Currency – Purchase foreign currency before departure, and research ATM networks in advance.
• Distractions – Avoid distracting calls, notifications, and texts, especially in public areas.
• Flights – Arrive early, enroll in flight notifications, and remain in the boarding areas.
• Health – Wash hands, wear compression socks, and use hand sanitizer while in transit.
• Insurance – Purchase insurance to cover canceled flights, health emergencies, lost luggage, theft, etc.
• Packing – Check size/weight restrictions, prepare a packing list, and use a carry-on for important items.
• Planning – Prepare a daily itinerary with activities and addresses; share it with a family member or friend.
• Reviews – Compare travel reviews in blogs, books, and websites.
• Security – Dress simply, hide cash, and stay alert to avoid pickpockets and purse snatchers.
• Tagging - Attach a durable luggage tag on the outside of the suitcases and carry-ons; include your name, phone number, and email address.

Conclusion

Travel apps and websites make modern travel easier than ancient times, but problems can still arise. Use the tips and resources presented in this article to solve travel problems and have an enjoyable trip. Be resourceful like Homer’s epic traveler to solve problems you encounter along the way.

Apps

• Flighty (alerts, delays, predictions)
• Smart Traveler (travel warnings)
• Wanderlog (travel planning)

Articles

• Avoiding Travel Problems, The Points Guy, Jul. 3, 2024.
• How to Travel Through Airports Like a Pro, Wired, Mar. 18, 2025.
• Strategies You Can Use When Your Flight is Canceled or Delayed, The Points Guy, Dec. 21, 2023.
• Ways to Make This Summer’s Travel Less Bad, Nerd Wallet, Aug. 12, 2024.

Books

• How to Win at Travel, Simon & Schuster, Feb. 4, 2025.
• Pocket Butler’s Guide to Travel, Random House, Oct. 2, 2025
• Senior Travel Guide, Independent, May 29, 2024.

Forms

• Baggage ID (Doc Templates)
• Itinerary (Template Lab)
• Travel Budget (Template Archive)

Newsletters

• Conde Nast
• The Points Guy
• Wall Street Journal

Websites

• IATA Travel Centre (travel regulations)
  State Department (international travel information)
  Savvy Traveler (travel guidance)