Introduction

You’re excited, you have packed your bags, made your plans, where you want to stay, what restaurants and attractions you’re gonna visit, everything is decided, and now you’re probably gonna explode with excitement.

But, if it’s your first time traveling abroad, chances are some things are going to turn your day into an exhausting and annoying one. Even if it is not your first time, these things can still spoil your mood and excitement.

Traveling is fun and exciting, but it can get exhausting and tiring if these things happen to you on your trip. The best way to not let them ruin your day is to know about them in advance and prepare for them. Some of these things are in your control, and some aren’t.

Keep on reading to know about the things that make traveling exhausting and how to deal with them.

Missed Flight

Like I said before, some problems occur because of you, and some have nothing to do with you.

Missing a flight can be one of the most expensive travel problems. And usually happens because of our own carelessness.

 When you leave for the airport, make sure to keep plenty of time in between to get through security, head to your gate, stopping to buy snacks, using the toilet, anything that might require time. Plan your route to the airport and account for traffic in peak hours.

Don’t forget to look into how big the airport is, because getting to your gate from the airport’s entrance can either take 5 minutes or 15 minutes depending upon the size of the airport.

If you still end up missing your flight due to some reason, make sure to keep your cool and not lose your temper. We know it is exhausting, but keeping your emotions in control can make all the difference. Talk to the airport staff and try to find a way out with their help. There might be later flights available, or you can get to other airports to book a flight. You will have to pay a rebooking fee, but there’s no choice if the flight is missed for good.

Jet Lag

If you ever wished you could time travel, jet lag means you just did. But it is not that fun, and It’s another infamous thing that makes travel exhausting.

Some people misattribute tiredness and travel fatigue with jet lag. But it only occurs if you travel across time zones because your natural clock is tuned to a different time zone while physically you are in another time zone.

It messes up your eating and sleeping patterns, and you end up becoming restless and tired. It is uncomfortable and can put a dent in your fun plans as well.

But it’s nothing to be worried about. It can be dealt with in a number of ways. First off, make sure you’re well-rested before leaving your home country. If you do end up getting jetlagged, try to stay active, exercise and get fresh air. Avoid alcohol because it can mess with your natural clock even more.

If you arrive at a time when you can’t exercise or go for a walk, it is best to relax, read, watch a movie, meditate, or do anything that comforts you until your body syncs with the time zone naturally.

It is best to follow a natural routine like sleeping at night and waking up in the morning to get rid of jet lag and adjust to the new time-zone sooner.

Language Barrier

The language barrier is one of the most commonly faced issues while traveling. Not being able to communicate effectively in a foreign land can leave you exasperated. It can cause you to lose time, make you angry and frustrated, and might even make you wish to go back.

The most appropriate way to deal with this problem is to prepare in advance. Once you have decided where you want to go, brush up on that place’s language. Try to learn basic things first, like common greetings and questions you might need to ask when you’re there.

An alternative to learning the language is to use the language apps available. It is best to download apps that have speech-to-text translation feature so that you can easily communicate with others, and they, with you.

Damaged or Lost Luggage

Luggage gets lost or damaged all the time, but it’s not as common as you might think. Only 1 in 150 travelers experience losing their luggage. But just in case you happen to be that one person, there are some things you should know.

Keep a carry-on backpack with you whenever you travel since they are less likely to get lost, stolen or damaged. Make sure it has all the essentials you might need. That includes your travel documents, a change of clothes, your chargers, and toiletries.

If your luggage is lost, don’t waste any time. Report it immediately and fill in any necessary forms. Don’t forget to check with the staff for any compensation for delayed luggage. Chances are, you’ll get your luggage back in a period of a few hours to a few days. Usually, the airline will bring it to you, so you do not have to worry about going to the airport to get it.

As for the damage, a little bit of it is bound to occur. Airlines won’t compensate you for the general wear and tear. But if the damage is substantial, report it immediately, and hopefully, they might compensate you. 

Lost ID/Travel Documents

Losing ID, passport or other important travel documents can be one of the most stressful experiences you have to go through, and yet, people still behave carelessly and end up losing them every now and then.

The best way to ensure that your important documents are not lost is to make extra copies and stick them in different bags. If one of your bags gets lost for any reason, at least you’ll have the copies. Before you leave, make a checklist of all the important documents and keep checking off the items as you put them in your bags.

Keeping digital copies of your documents can also come in handy if your credibility comes under question. Authorities won’t accept them, but they’ll know who you are and that you have no ulterior motives.

Even if you do end up losing such documents, file a missing ID report immediately with the local police department. Contact your embassy right after and tell them about your situation. Then you just have to wait and hope for things to get resolved quickly.

Final Word

Life is full of good and bad days. When you’re traveling, chances are you might have to face one of those bad days when everything seems to go against you. 

But if you keep these issues in mind and prepare beforehand, you’ll handle them calmly.

No matter what happens, keeping yourself calm in times of trouble can make a lot of difference.