You get the most out of a trip if you know a couple of things before you hit the ground in a new country – duh. Don’t get me wrong, my favourite trips are the ones with the least planning and greatest spontaneity. I like travelling without a guidebook and having to ask people who I should do, and I love being on the road and not quite knowing where I’ll end up at the end of the day. But just to prevent yourself feeling like a idiot while you figure out the lay of the land, it’s handy to know a few things that can get you started and help you along the way.

While being able to sail or lead a group rock climbing might help win some friends and make the trip a touch more interesting, here are the five key things I think you should know before starting off your adventure:

1. Current exchange rate and what some simple goods (cheap meal, t-shirt, bottle of water, etc) should cost.
2. How to say at least a few key things – like hello, goodbye, please, and thank you – in the local language
3. Popular local scams. From the steps of Sacre Coeur in Paris to the Royal Palace in Bangkok, I’ve had scammers try their moves on me, and being aware of the popular local tricks helped me avoid them.
4. Visa policies for neighbouring countries. You never know where the road may take you, so it’s good to be ready.
5. The cheapest way to get to and from the airport (or train station). You could end up paying tons for a taxi into town, or wait a little while for a cheap bus. Choice is yours.

Other than that, I say let curiosity fuelled by polite ignorance be your guide.

When I was backpacking as a kid, my dad told me that when looking for a place to take a poo or eat lunch, always consider the view first. With this in mind, I decided this was a good spot for lunch. Click the picture to see the larger version.