Eight common travel mistakes to avoid in 2026

An estimated two in five (42%) Brits have plans to go abroad this year - which is around 29 million people - but many of us will unintentionally make simple mistakes in our planning, at the airport, or while we’re away that can cost us not only in precious time but also money. And of course, mistakes can lead to extra hassle and stress too, which is something to avoid on a hard-earned holiday!

From unexpected airline fees to hidden mobile charges, these common errors - many of which even seasoned travellers make – can be easily avoided, if you know about them! By planning ahead and staying aware of common pitfalls, you can save money, protect your belongings and make the most of your trip.

Jane Bolton, one of our Travel Experts has shared eight examples of common travel mistakes and how to dodge them in 2025.

1. Not reading the fine print with car hire agreements

Car hire or rental contracts often include huge excess charges - sometimes over £1,000 for minor damage. But how many of us really look through all the fine print when we book? It’s understandable that cost, pick up location and vehicle preference availability are usually the main things influencing what car or van we book, and where we book it from.

And we may think we’re protecting ourselves from big excess charges by paying for a damage waiver ‘extra’ at the rental desk, but this bolt-on can be really expensive and still not offer all the coverage you need if the worst were to happen.

The best approach is to read the policy thoroughly when you book, and if you’re potentially at risk of a big excess cost due to damage, then invest in a separate policy for this in advance of your trip, for a fraction of the price. Take all your documentation with you when you travel too, so you have phone numbers and policy details to hand if you need them.

If you aren’t planning on driving much then you could save yourself even more hassle by opting for a pre-booked transfer service

2. Forgetting to check in online in advance, or putting the wrong names down

More budget airlines like Ryanair charge passengers for checking in at the airport or printing boarding passes. With this in mind, you should always aim to check in online and download or print your boarding pass before you leave to avoid unnecessary fees. Forgetting this is easily done, but can end up costing you a pretty penny, so it’s worth setting a reminder in your phone for when check-in opens.

Ensure the checked in passenger names match up with names on passports too (using your married surname to check in when your passport is still set up with your maiden name is a common mistake made). Getting this wrong is not only stressful, but there is often a big cost associated with changing a name once your boarding pass has been issued. A final double check before you hit ‘submit’ could save you a lot of bother down the line.

3. Paying extra to sit together when you might not need to

Airlines often try to upsell seat selection, but some will still seat people from the same booking together if space allows.

Check their policy before paying extra and check in as early as possible to improve your chances of being put together.

For short journeys you may be perfectly happy to be sat apart to save yourself some money.

Usually you still have the option to change your seat up until a few hours before boarding, for a cost. Again, if you do this, you’ll need to check in again and download or print a new version of your boarding pass before you arrive at the airport.

4. Doing all your packing last-minute

Leaving packing until the night before a trip is something many of us do, especially if we’re waiting for washing to dry.

However, this approach often means that vital things are forgotten, and you end up having to buy ‘emergency’ items at the airport or the destination, which can be costly.

Some airlines, like easyJet, have strict cabin baggage rules, and if an item, such as a helmet, doesn’t fit within the permitted dimensions, passengers may be required to pay extra charges.

Writing yourself a list and ticking off items as they actually go into your bag is always a good technique, and super simple. If you can, split up the list into items you ‘keep’ together – so tech, underwear, toiletries etc. This will make it easier to grab items and ensure nothing gets missed.

Always check airline baggage policies beforehand, particularly for oversized or unusual items, as rules vary between carriers. Using packing cubes can also help keep things organised, fit more in your case, and help you separate clean and dirty clothes while you’re away, reducing the need for excess washing on your return.

5. Not keeping track of valuables at airport security

When you get to security, you typically have to empty your pockets, take jackets and belts off, put technology including smart watches and phones in a tray, and sometimes even pop your shoes in a separate tray too.

Even if you manage to get through the checks smoothly, that’s a lot to remember to pick up, especially when it’s busy and there are lots of people waiting around.

Trying to group together items and keep items in your hand luggage (as much as possible) is a good first step. While some items will need to be taken out, putting your passport, keys, wallet, items of jewellery and even belts and jackets into your bag can help minimise the number of things you have to remember to collect.

Keeping an eye on all the trays with your items in is step two – as things can disappear to one side for further scanning or even by being picked up by another passenger (intentionally or by accident).

Next, once you’ve collected your trays. Try to move all items into one and move yourself and your tray to one side – there are usually tables waiting – to give yourself a bit of time to do checks and get sorted. You should double check all items are there, put jackets etc back on, items back in bags, and only exit the security hall when you’re confident you’ve got everything and you’re able to easily move around without any risk of items being dropped.

6. Not being aware of mobile roaming costs in advance

Many of us don’t realise that receiving calls abroad can be just as expensive as making them. Some locations charge a lot to send texts too or connect to the internet, and some apps use the internet without you even knowing.

The best approach is to check your network’s international charges before you go, so you can plan for this.

Some networks offer bolt-on plans you can pay for in advance to reduce the cost.

You may want to put some apps into a ‘deep sleep’ too.

Typically, using Wi-Fi-based calling apps like WhatsApp can help you avoid surprise bills too, but only if you’ve got the phone settings right. You need to ensure roaming and using mobile data isn’t automatically running on arrival, and you’ve disabled settings that would switch this on if Wi-Fi wasn’t available.

7. Using unsecured public Wi-Fi networks

So, you’ve decided to try and only use Wi-Fi while you’re away, to avoid incurring extra costs. But how safe is this?

Well, unfortunately features like AirDrop (on iPhones) and automatic Wi-Fi connections can make your phone vulnerable to hackers in public places. So you do need to be careful.

Using a VPN can offer you extra protection, and hotel networks or private accommodation networks with password security are usually safe too. Open networks where you only need to accept terms and conditions and hit ‘connect’ can be risky though, so avoid these where possible.

8. Overplanning your trip, and not leaving room for spontaneity

A jampacked itinerary for a trip away – especially if it’s somewhere you’ve never been before - might seem like a good idea, but it can leave you with no time to explore hidden gems or unexpected recommendations from locals.

You may also find that lots of pre-booked trips are more expensive than those taken on the day, so only pre-book those you really want to do, and allow a bit of flexibility for the others.

Pre-booking ski lessons or ski school passes is usually a good financial decision, but trips to landmarks can often be booked more ad hoc.

Even if you love to have an agenda, pencil in time for unexpected excursions, using weather forecasts to influence this. Using a platform like Get Your Guide can be a great way to find and book activities last minute while still ensuring they’re reputable and well reviewed.

If you know the weather is likely to be poor one day, and you’ve set half a day aside for something unexpected, then ask your accommodation provider or locals (in cafes, restaurants and tourist information centres) for their advice on good indoor options.

Be open minded too. A historic landmark or museum may not usually be your cup of tea, but if everyone is recommending it because of the amazing view or because there is a great café there then it may be well worth a go!

Our summary

While all of these things may seem super simple, it’s so easy to forget at least one. Setting yourself reminders, writing lists, and giving yourself time to do checks will save you hassle and money.

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