Travel for Beginners

Travel can feel overwhelming for beginners, especially when planning a trip, but it doesn’t have to be. All the travel lovers, journalists, and creators you see online were all beginners at one point.

I remember the first time I left the country by myself. I was going to study abroad in Spain for a summer during college. To say I was scared and excited at the same time would be an understatement.

It took me a bit to adjust to the culture shock and language barrier, but once I embraced the experience, it became one of the best ever.

And I would not be the person I am today if I didn’t push myself out of my comfort zone and go on that adventure.

Now, I want to help you travel, no matter how much experience you have, to help you see the world, understand new cultures, and learn about yourself along the way.

To help you out, I have a bunch of guides for travel beginners below. These guides will help you go on group trips, travel cheaper and longer, and ensure you are prepared for every trip.

Travel is an incredible way to expand your horizons, gain new experiences, and create lasting memories. It allows you to step out of your comfort zone, immerse yourself in different cultures, and discover the beauty and diversity of our world.

Travel doesn’t have to be overwhelming, even for beginners. With the right mindset, resources, and preparation, you can confidently embark on your next journey. The resources below will help you prepare for your next trip, regardless of your destination.

Disclosure:

Some links on this page are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you click the link or make a purchase through the link. This is at no extra cost to you. This compensation may impact how and where links are placed on this site.

Group Trips For New Travelers

Traveling for the first time can be both exhilarating and nerve-wracking. But with the proper guidance and knowledge, you can embark on your journey with confidence. Starting with group trips is a great way to get your feet wet and build your confidence.

A company or person plans these trips; you just need to show up and have fun. They include activities, accommodations, transportation, meals, and more. Having all this planned out for you can make it easier for you to enjoy a trip and explore all the destination has to offer.

One of my favorite group travel companies is EF Ultimate Break, which helps people between 18 and 35 travel the world. Or, you can travel with EF Go Ahead Tours, which offers group trips for people of any age.

Here are some travel guides to help beginners get started with EF Ultimate Break:

EF Ultimate Break FAQs and Discounts

New Year’s with EF Ultimate Break

EF Ultimate Break Reviews:

• Oktoberfest – LOVED
• Egypt & Jordan: Pyramids to Petra – LOVED
• Highlights of Japan – LOVED
• Costa Rica Adventure (New Year’s in Costa Rica) – LOVED
• Iceland: The Golden Circle & Ring Road
• Belize: Rainforests, Reefs, & Ruins
• Sicily & Malta Getaway
• South Korea Spotlight
• Grand Tour of Turkey – Not good
• Thailand Island Paradise – coming SOON
• Peru & Machu Picchu Adventure – coming SOON
• New Year’s Trips with EF Ultimate Break

And save money every year during the EF Ultimate Break Black Friday sale

Not between 18 and 35? Book with EF Go Ahead Tours, Ultimate Break’s sister company.

Here are some destinations you can travel to with EF Go Ahead Tours:

• Alaska
• Croatia
• Cuba
• Egypt
• India
• Ireland and Scotland
• London, Paris & Rome

Hacks for Traveling Cheaper and Longer

Daily Drop: Daily Drop is a daily newsletter created by Kara and Nate that sends you the latest travel deals and offers. Sign up for Daily Drop to learn about travel hacking, hotel and airline status, and more.

Daily Drop Pro: A cheap flight alert service, points and miles search tool, and travel community, by Kara and Nate. I like Daily Drop Pro because you can customize what deals you get based on your price range, destinations, fare class, and more.

Want to learn more about how they compare? Check out my full Daily Drop vs. Daily Drop Pro comparison

Hostels

I love staying in hostels when I travel, especially when I’m solo. Not only are they good for my travel budget, but they help me make friends and find cool things to do.

Here are some guides to help you get started with hostels:

• Amenities in Hostels
• Benefits of Staying in Hostels
• Hostel Safety for Solo Female Travelers
• Hostel Age Limits
• Lockers in Hostels
• Laundry in Hostels
• Packing List for Hostels
• Private Rooms in Hostels
• Toiletries in hostels
• What are hostels like?

Hostelworld has over 36,000 hostels in 170+ countries, and it’s my go-to for finding a fun and clean place to stay no matter where I travel.

• Adventure Instagram captions
• Biking Instagram captions
• Bucket list Instagram captions
• Camping Instagram captions
• Hiking Instagram captions
• Inspirational Instagram captions
• Mountain Instagram captions

• Flying alone for the first time
• Solo travel tips for introverts

Travel Essentials

Travel Insurance (and why you need it): I never leave home without travel insurance. It gives me coverage in case of unexpected medical costs, travel delays, and lost luggage, no matter where I am.

Travel Resources: I have a whole page of my top travel websites and apps. I couldn’t plan a trip without them; many even help me create content and keep my data safe when traveling abroad.

HostelPass: Traveling to Europe soon? With HostelPass, you can save up to 40% on hostels, tours, and experiences in 15+ countries across Europe. Plus, the discounts are good for a whole year for just $29.99.

(See also: Are there age limits in hostels?)

My Travel Must-Haves – Coming Soon 🙂

Airbnb Packing List: If you’re staying in an Airbnb or Vrbo, there are some specific items you should pack for a good stay.

Packing Tips for International Travel: Learn how to efficiently pack for an international trip

Are packing cubes worth it? Decide if you should use them or if they will be in your way.

Things to do on a long flight: How to stay sane and entertained.

Airport safety tips: Tips for getting through security and staying safe once you’re in the airport terminal.

Travel Book and TV Show Reviews

Ten Years a Nomad by Matthew Kepnes

Get Ready to Travel!

The guides above cover a wide range of topics for travel beginners.

If you still feel overwhelmed or have questions, comment below or DM me on Instagram. I’m happy to help or point you in the right direction.

You can also let me know if you have a request for a specific topic.

Here are some of the top sites I use when planning my trips:

• SafetyWing for travel insurance
• Flytographer for professional photoshoots all over the world
• Daily Drop Pro for miles and points bookings (learn more in my guide)
• Booking.com for a huge variety of hotels, vacation rentals, flights, and more
• HostelWorld for the best hostels around the world
• Vrbo for vacation homes and rentals
• Going and Thrifty Traveler for cheap flight alerts
• Amazon for travel and packing must-haves
• Priority Pass for airport lounge access