7 of the Best Travel Tips for the Novice Nomad

Updated: October 31, 2020

I quit my job and traveled around the world as a backpacker this past year, and I learned tons of travel tips. I discovered the best ways to SAVE TIME, SAVE MONEY, and TRAVEL SAFELY. There are numerous articles on the internet that offer travel advice for low-budget adventurers. But, as a finance and accounting consultant / geek in my previous life, I am particularly adept at performing pricing comparisons and finding the optimal way to save time and money. Below, I have compiled a list of the 7 BEST TRAVEL TIPS FOR THE NOVICE NOMAD, that you will not find on your typical travel blog.

1. Before traveling to a new city, download the map of the city on both your Google phone app and Maps.Me phone app.

With the city downloaded on Google maps, you will be able to find directions to your hostel without access to data or WiFi. Maps.Me is an impressive app that is the most preferred mobile map app for many of the travelers I meet on the road. It is a must-have app for the lesser traversed walking and hiking trails. One con of the app is that it drains the battery on your phone extremely quickly.

2. Buy a new SIM card as soon as you arrive at your destination’s airport.

I have traveled without a data plan, solely relying on WiFi at hostels or cafes, but I have realized that having a data plan not only provides you peace of mind, just in case you lose your way but, more importantly, it is critical to be able to get in touch with new travel friends. Mobile data plans in foreign countries are significantly cheaper than in the States. In many countries, for example, Chile, Argentina, Thailand, and Vietnam, I purchased individual SIM cards for, on average, approximately 6 USD for 3 GB of data over 30 days. In Europe and the UK, it is possible to purchase a new SIM card that will work in the UK and nearly all European countries. European SIM cards are a bit pricier, and will set you back approximately 30 USD for 30 days.

3. Use a Debit card with no foreign transaction fees.

Get cash at ATMs using a card that refunds the transaction fee. Set up a Fidelity Cash Management Account. A Fidelity Cash Management Account takes only 15 minutes to set up. The account charges no annual fees, and ATM fees are reimbursed by Fidelity. ATM transaction fees can be exorbitant; in Argentina it cost over 7 USD to withdraw money from the ATM! Over the past 10 months, I have saved over 400 USD by using my Fidelity debit card to withdraw cash from ATMs. Fidelity should pay me a commission for all of the new accounts I have helped fellow travelers create. It is a no-brainer! I’m not sure if you are able to set up a Fidelity account if you do not have an address in the states.

3. The best accommodation reservation sites and phone apps are Hostelworld.com, Booking.com, Agoda.com (in Asia), and AirBnB.

Download them all, use them all, love them all.

5. Pack hard currency. US Dollars or Euros is preferable.

I like to have 250 USD stashed away and it has come in handy on numerous occasions. Certain countries are more than happy to take USD, for example Argentina with its 50+% annual inflation rate. Some countries even use USD as their core currency, for example Cambodia. I also recommend carrying a few blank checks.

6. Pack copies of passport and credit card.

Keep 2+ colored hard copy photos of your passport, and 1 hard copy of your credit card(s) and debit card. Additionally, keep copies of everything on your computer, saved to the cloud. Also, I recommend carrying 2+standard passport appropriate colored photos, 2 inches by 2 inches. (These will prove surprisingly useful for visas or rail passes).

7. Don’t leave home without these 5 travel items, TRUST ME:

• Head lamp
• Full sized microfiber towel
• Portable charger battery bank
• Lock. Choose a cable lock, for flexibility, that uses a combination, not a key that could get misplaced. You will need a lock for hostel lockers. (I use the below lock, click the below picture for Amazon link).
• Buff. A buff neck guard will protect your face from the wind, sand, dust, and sun. I recommend a Buff guard that has ultra violet protection or a merino wool Buff guard. (I use the below Buff, click the below picture for Amazon link).

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