No trip is perfect. Ever. In all my years or travel, I haven’t been on a single trip that didn’t have something go wrong. You can read more about that in my Travel Nightmares series. It can be something as simple as I couldn’t find a restaurant I was into, or something as big as the Airbnb we booked wasn’t uninhabitable. I’ve gotten a flat tire in the middle of nowhere, been lost in very busy traffic, missed flights and museum reservations, ruined entire suitcases of clothes, ended up a block from a major riot, and so much more.
But like in life, you have to figure out a way to address the situation and move forward. Your attitude can make all the difference as you solve the problem and enjoy the rest of your vacation. You can recover from almost anything. So here are a few examples and what to do to make the most of it.
Missed your flight?
If you’re at the airport, visit the nearest same airline desk agent to ask for help. They may be able to assist you right there, or they can point you in the direction of someone who can. Speaking to a person live is usually better than calling the help center of your airline.
If it’s your fault you missed the flight or forces of nature, you will need to pay for the newly booked flight out of your own pocket. But if it’s the airline’s fault, they should cover the fare of the new flight and any additional costs you might incur like a hotel room overnight, meal vouchers, and ground transportation transfers.
Mildly stressful because you may miss out on a few hours of relaxation, but in the end, it’s not a big deal. At least you can still go.
Car troubles?
If it’s an accident or a breakdown, it’s best to stop and get out of the vehicle to assess the problem. Take a breath and consider your options.
Check to see if your or the rental car’s insurance company covers a tow truck or roadside service. Call a local repair shop to see if they can assist you or if they know someone who can.
Luckily when this happened to us, we were traveling with friends in another vehicle who helped us change the tire and followed us to a local repair shop to purchase a new one.
If it’s something less scary, like you’re simply lost in the medina of an international city where you aren’t as familiar with the road signs, try to pull off the road and regroup before continuing driving. This happened to us in Seville, Spain while trying to find our Airbnb. I had printed out and studied all of the Spanish road signs, but those one-way, narrow streets were super confusing. We ended up having a bunch of locals yelling at us in Spanish and trying to help, but we only knew derecha and izquierda (right and left respectively), and with bicyclists ramming their front tires into our back bumper, we were a little flustered. So after making a 57-point turn to get out of that particular intersection, we found a spot to pull off out of the way and regroup. We actually ended up calling our Airbnb host who was awesome enough to come to where we were parked, got in the front seat of our car, and directed us to the parking garage.
Unworkable lodging?
We’ve all been to the grubby hotel or Airbnb in a less than stellar neighborhood. Most of the time we can make it work but if you get into a place you just can’t be comfortable sleeping, don’t force it. You need a good night’s sleep to enjoy the rest of your vacation tomorrow and beyond. Sometimes the hotel can swap rooms, or Airbnb customer service can help you find something else. It may take a few minutes and it’s always a little nerve-wracking telling someone else you’re unhappy and need them to fix it for you, but it’s worth it. And that’s part of their job. Most of the time, the host or hotel would rather have you speak up so they can resolve the issue than have you write a bad review or tell your friends and family how awful it was.
I bailed on an Airbnb recently and was so glad I was able to find something else last minute rather than suffer through the bad experience.
Health issues?
Before you leave ensure you have health insurance that will cover you and your travel partners in case you get sick or injured on your trip. You may be doing adventurous things or eating strange foods not part of your normal routine so there is a higher likelihood of something going wrong. You should always bring basic medications like ibuprofen, allergy medicine, Tums, band aids, and more with you for minor things. But you should also memorize the 9-1-1 equivalent in the place you are visiting, and know how to find a pharmacy (often in Europe they are denoted by a green cross). I once had to ask for medication for some sinus gunk in Portugal and it was certainly an interesting experience. Medications in other countries are different than the States so be sure to check the dosage and instructions. And don’t be alarmed if the pills have a sweet candy-like coating on them.
The experience you booked sucked?
Sometimes the concert, museum or excursion you booked just plain stinks. That happens. Not everything can be awe-inspiring or epic. If everything is a 10 out of 10, nothing is. Reframe it in your head as a now you know. I once thought parasailing was going to be exhilarating and it was boring. Now I know that that’s not for me. We once went to a concert at Red Rocks Amphitheater and it was a major fail. If I ever go again, I’ll change how I approach the day so I can prevent the bad parts.
And for me, I always consider that now I can help you have more positive experiences because of my own struggles. With proper planning and a good attitude, travel mishaps can go from a complete disaster to just a good story to tell when you return.