Snowbirds: The 8 Most Common Travel Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)

If you're a snowbird, you know better than anyone: some stories will make you smile for years to come, while others you'd rather forget.

Even with years of travel under your belt, a booking on the wrong date, an unexpected detour, or a tight connection can quickly remind you that no traveller is immune to missteps. 

Here are the most common mistakes even the most seasoned Snowbirds make and, more importantly, how to avoid them, thanks to anecdotes from travellers who have seen it all. Many of these seasoned travellers are also soNomad customers.

1. Blindly Trusting Your GPS

Have you ever followed your GPS without questioning it, only to find that the road was closed or not drivable at all? Gilles and Louise, who travel in Mexico in their RV, now know that technology has its limits. One day, their GPS sent them down a road that was completely unsuitable for their RV. Since then, they always take a look at the route ahead and find out about the road conditions in advance.

Snowbird tip: Before a long trip, check your route on Google Maps, compare it with a paper map, and, if possible, ask other travellers who know the area for advice.

2. Packing Too Much in Your Suitcase

According to Lucie G., you have to make an effort. She's talking about the reflex we all have to want to take everything with us “just in case.” The result: an overpacked suitcase, clothes you never wear, and often extra luggage fees at the airport.

Lucie admits that she was afraid of missing something, especially during her extended winter stay in Thailand, where she ended up wearing the same clothes the whole time.

Snowbird tip: Pack your suitcase, then remove a third of the items. Choose versatile clothes that can be worn several times and are easy to mix and match.

3. Not Managing Jet Lag Properly

When people talk about jet lag, they usually think about sleep, but your stomach also keeps its own routine. Alain B. never leaves home without a granola bar since a trip to Japan. Arriving in the evening, still on Canadian time, he was suddenly hungry at midnight, but everything was closed. Since then, he has always travelled with a small snack in his bag.

Snowbird tip: Always have a small snack, such as granola bars or nuts, in your luggage for late arrivals.

4. Going Out in Unfamiliar Neighbourhoods After Dark

Exploring a city at night may seem exciting, but it's not always a good idea. Some areas can be less safe in the evening, especially when you're unfamiliar with them. 

For Michel M., a simple evening stroll in Montpellier turned into an unexpected encounter with a lady who was far too forward. He quickly realized that a city’s vibe can change completely once the sun goes down.

Snowbird tip: Explore during the day. If you go out at night, stay in tourist areas and busy neighbourhoods, or join an organized activity.

5. Planning an Overly Ambitious Itinerary

Visiting five countries in two weeks? On paper, it may seem exciting, but in reality, it's mostly exhausting. Linda G. long believed that travelling meant checking everything off her bucket list with overloaded itineraries, days spent rushing around, and few real moments to soak up the sights. 

Whether on a road trip or an organized tour, she now recommends slowing down, as she does when she stays in Fuengirola, Spain. Otherwise, you risk exhausting yourself and being unable to truly enjoy anything.

Snowbird tip: Reduce the number of destinations so you have time to fully enjoy each one. Think “quality” rather than “quantity.”

6. Choosing a Restaurant Without Paying Attention

A menu translated into English, French, German, and Mandarin, along with a prime outdoor seating area, doesn’t guarantee a good meal. Too often, you'll end up paying too much for very average food. 

Tony P. has a golden rule when travelling in Italy: avoid restaurants where the staff don't speak the local language or that display multilingual menus with lots of photos of the dishes. This rule has allowed him to discover small trattorias where he ate like a king at a fraction of the price of “touristy” restaurants. 

Snowbird tip: Stay away from the most popular tourist areas, observe where the locals go, and favour smaller, more authentic establishments.

7. Booking a Connection That’s Too Tight... Or Too Long

Missing your flight or spending nine hours killing time at an airport is never a good idea. Mary G. has experienced both scenarios. When she books her tickets for trips to Greece, she now opts for reasonable layovers that are neither too short nor too long.

Snowbird's tip: For international flights, aim for a 2- to 3-hour layover. That's enough time to absorb a delay and not enough to get bored.

8. Travelling With People Who Don’t Have the Same Travel Style as You

When travelling, small differences can quickly become major sources of tension. Real M. tried sharing the road with another couple, thinking it would make the trip to Texas more enjoyable. The trip quickly turned sour because of differences in style, pace, and budget. After four days, he'd had enough, and they parted ways.

Snowbird tip: Discuss your budget, travel style, and expectations before setting off together. And don't be afraid to travel alone if that suits you better.

The Most Valuable Advice of All

No trip is perfect, but it's often the minor hiccups and beginner's mistakes that make for the best stories to tell. If you can avoid a few mishaps thanks to the advice of those who have been there before, so much the better!

There is one mistake that no traveller should risk making: leaving without travel insurance. Don't take that risk: get a quick quote with soNomad so you can leave with peace of mind.