The anticipation of clocking in your vacation days and packing your bags for a new adventure is absolutely unparalleled. The rush of exploring a new city, sailing across oceans and marveling at the wonders of our world is the big upside that millions of people look forward to. Travel is not all rainbows and butterflies, but the experiences you create undeniably play a large part in shaping your personality, your likes, and dislikes and broadening your knowledge of the world we live in.

Explorer Ibn Battuta once rightly said ‘Travelling leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.’

The key to your perfect little trip is to do it over and over till you get it right. Though itineraries tell you where to go and what time to wake up, it doesn’t tell you how you can make your trip more comfortable. Only you have the expertise in your comfort and the more you do something, the more you realize the tools you need to make your travel experience better. People often say practice makes perfect and it is true for travel like it is for everything else in life.

Here are some easy ways you can make your travel more comfortable than it is:

1. Wear comfortable shoes – While travel pictures on Instagram will have you yearning for the glamour of high heel shoes or sleek dress shoes, it is important to take into consideration the amount of walking that will be done. Sore feet don’t lead to smiling faces or happy souls. Comfortable shoes that let your feet breathe is an essential accessory for your travels. It lets you see a lot more in a day and can help you make the most of your itinerary. Choosing comfortable shoes depends on the location you are going to. A pair of cute flats for dinner, flip flops for the beach and sneakers for a day exploring the city is a good method of planning.

2. Get your sleep – Clocking in sleep while traveling is an important thing. Sometimes, it might not be as easy as it sounds. Lumpy, old mattresses are unfortunately way too common in budget accommodations. Bed bugs are another disastrous consequence that cannot be contained. There is no way to predetermine the mattress types used in budget accommodations. The best way to contain risks, especially while traveling on road, is to carry your own mattress in a bag. With free mattress trials from many manufacturers, you are completely eliminating any risks involved in sleeping on uncomfortable mattresses while you roam the world. Budget traveling is not about luxuries but that doesn’t have to stop you from carrying your own.

3. Choose traveler cards over cash – You might have already begun your plans for your shopping spree when you booked your tickets. Instead of carrying a wad of cash around, which is definitely not safe, a travel card will work better in your favor. You can load your travel card with multiple currencies, so you can make that impulse buy during your layovers as well. Travel cards are safer and easier to carry around. You can keep track of your spending and safeguard yourself from rate fluctuations of the currency. Your bank will have an option of travel cards and it’s as easy to obtain as a click on the bank website.

4. Spend on experiences – The first thing people often do after booking a ticket is book their accommodation. Staying in hotels is an unnecessary expense. You might barely spend a few hours in the hotel and will fork out a lot of money to do so. Alternate travel accommodations like couch surfing or Airbnb are cheaper and cozier. You can stay with a local family opening up their home to you and make the most of a culturally immersive experience. It also opens up your planned adventure for new trails. You can use the money you save on new experiences that create lasting memories.

5. Pack Less, Move More – Packing is an important part of preparing for your trip. Unfortunately, the lines between ‘packing for comfort’ and ‘packing excessively’ tend to blur and you end up carrying more than you bargained for. The key to packing is always asking yourself if you can lug it up flights of stairs. If you look at an item and wonder if it is really useful, it most probably is not. Packing the essentials allows you to move around easier and with each trip, you end up learning what your unique essentials comprise of. Packing less is not a competition or a badge of pride. It is convenience, mobility, and comfort. Packing smart means planning ahead, scaling back and lightening the load. It means focusing on experiences rather than the materials.

Preparing well reduces the stress of your travel ambitions on your body. The right gear and smart packing can help you contribute to a happy, adventurous travel experience. Travel-ready products available in the market take out the hassle of extensive checklists. Travel bloggers and influencers give you an idea of how to create an itinerary and how to toss it out when adventure beckons.

At the same time, it is important to create realistic expectations. You cannot expect polished service and quality products in budget travel. Nor can you throw tantrums while cutting back on your costs. Even luxury is not standardized across the world. Therefore, it is important to create realistic expectations from your trip based on your chosen destination. You can do this by research, knowing what you are getting for your money, gearing up and choosing to do so. This way, you can make the most of your experience.

There is no right way to travel. This is because your needs, desires, likes, dislikes, and comforts are unique to you. Only you will be able to create a customized plan that works well for you. The more you experience, the more you understand your needs better. As long as you prioritize safety, shelter, and slumber during your travels, you can create happy memories that last forever.