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40 Interesting And Helpful Charts And Infographics For Every Traveler Out There
No matter how travel-savvy you think you are, taking a trip usually comes with a fair bit of chaos. Whether you’re a seasoned globetrotter who’s hit up many corners of the world or a travel novice who’s never explored beyond the comfort of your own country, something can always go wrong. No one is immune to little mishaps on the road, but if you want to improve your travel know-how, we’ve got you covered.
After all, the pleasure you get from your vacation generally depends on the amount of preparation you put into it. So our adventure-loving team here at Bored Panda has scoured the web for some of the most clever charts, maps, and infographics about traveling to help you prepare for your next journey.
From packing tips and flying tricks to tourist scams to be on the lookout for, we’ve put together this informative list to make sure you leave your home stress-free and ready to enjoy a phenomenal vacation. So take out your notebooks, get ready to pack your bag, and enjoy scrolling through these guides. Keep reading to also find our interview with travel writer and blogger from the US, Megan Starr. Upvote the ones you found most handy, and be sure to let us know what you think of them in the comments!
Psst! If you’re looking for even more insight to take your traveling to the next level, check out our earlier piece about the biggest mistakes most tourists make.
This post may include affiliate links.
Power Socket Type Guide
Just A Cool Guide
Most Popular Tourist Scams To Avoid When Traveling
I fell for the shoe shiner scheme in Istanbul. Yet somehow, I don’t mind - it wasn’t too expensive and it’s always a great starting talking point when discussing tourist experiences.
Traveling means something slightly different for everyone. For some, exploring foreign territory is an extremely fulfilling experience. It's an opportunity to visit another country, get acquainted and embrace a new culture, or simply take a much-needed break from reality and the never-ending responsibilities of everyday life. For others, however, leaving their comfort zone is filled with hesitation, stress, and fear of finding themselves in novel surroundings where they can get lost, be scammed, or even worse.
People aren’t born savvy travelers but rather build their skills throughout their years of on-the-road experience. But what if you haven’t had the chance to explore the world that much? It’s reasonable to feel overwhelmed and unsure of your abilities, but the digital world that we have at our fingertips offers an endless source of golden nuggets to arm us with knowledge before our next trip. Much like the charts and infographics you see in this list, gathering information gives us confidence and makes planning our vacation that much easier.
Different Electrical Outlets Per Countries
Denmark is among the happiest countries in the world and so are their sockets.
Backpacking Tip
The Worst (And Safest) Countries For Solo Female Travel Based On The 50 Most Visited Destinations Around The World (2019)
Megan Starr, who is originally from Virginia, US, agrees with this line of thinking. She is one of the founders of a travel blog called Megan & Aram that’s all about visiting Scandinavia, the Eastern bloc, and beyond. Living abroad for 12 years now, Megan is an avid traveler that has hit up many fascinating places on the globe and has collected quite the arsenal of handy little tricks to share with others.
"To be honest, I think charts and infographics about traveling are a fantastic resource for those who struggle with the layout of articles and blogs online," she told Bored Panda. "Human beings don't take the time to digest long-form info these days and many people don't have the time or attention span, so I think they are great."
Megan pointed out that they are also a helpful tool for adventurers who set out to explore new places. "I think these are great for people to print and use on the road," she said, adding that travelers can print out checklists, allergy charts, and other information they find useful.
Pre-Trip Checklist
This is great. But I'd say that several items on the week or two ahead list should be done at least a month ahead.
Places Where Birthright Citizenship Is Based On Land And Places Where It Is Based On Blood
In the UK (since 1983) as a rule, three different factors will help to determine your nationality as an individual: The country where you were born. The nationality of your parents (or ancestors in some cases). Your date of birth (because of rule changes). https://www.theukrules.co.uk/rules/legal/citizenship/british-nationality/index.html
Is It A Crime To Knock On A Door And Run Away?
Moreover, the travel blogger agreed that some people can feel confused with the myriads of information about different travel destinations they find online or in real life. Coming across clever visual charts that present handy advice in a clear and efficient manner can instantly teach people how to travel smarter.
"Guidebooks are heavy to lug around and a simple checklist may be all one needs," she explained. "It is easy to carry and fold up in your purse or wallet and can be an incredibly useful resource! I also think having a list of important information (ingredient names in the local language, as an example) can help you take advantage of things despite the language barrier." Megan revealed she has previously used the kind of resources to detail that she has an allergy to a certain food herself, and assured us that it worked very well.
Airplane Etiquette
For Couchsurfers And Vagabonds In Europe, Here's An Interesting Map Showing Which Countries Are Most Likely To Offer You Food As A Guest In Their House
Guide To Metric System For U.S. Travelers
Hmm, okay that's confusing. In Australia a 1 cup measurement is 250ml, so now I have to make sure to check if a recipe that uses 1 cup measurements is talking about US cup or Aus cup.
When asked about other ways people can become more travel-savvy, Megan told us she personally thinks that the smartest people are the ones who are flexible. "You can read about scams and money-saving tips all day, but I think it is hard to truly get to know a place if you don't have a Plan B and expect interruptions."
"When you allow for that, you then can assess what you did wrong (or right!) for future trips and you allow yourself to understand the world a bit better," Megan continued. "As a travel blogger, I welcome 'interruptions' on the road as it helps me explain to my readers what 'could' happen, and here is how to do what I didn't do!"
Cool Little Guide I Found
Map Showing Safest To Worst Countries For LGBTQ+ Travel
For Your Next Trip: How To Order Coffee In 8 Different Languages
For example, Megan previously shared with us a few insights about tourist traps and how to make sure our care-free vacationing selves wouldn’t be taken advantage of abroad. "You will always find a lot of scams around popular tourist attractions (not necessarily tourist traps)," Megan said, adding that The Eiffel Tower, Taj Mahal, and Milan Cathedral were a few where she was bombarded with what felt like scams. "I also had a man try to pickpocket me around the metro at the Eiffel Tower — so it is not only scams to beware of, but these types of things too!"
The Best Time To Buy Plane Tickets
Travel Etiquette Tips Around The World
This Is So Useful For Road Trips
The travel blogger stressed how important it is to stay on alert and prevent finding ourselves in situations that would put a damper on our trip as well as our self-esteem. "I just swing my bag around front and am super diligent. And if someone comes up for a chat randomly, I remain skeptical (which sucks but this seems to be how it often happens)!"
The Safest And Worst Destinations For LGBT Travelers (Updated March 2021)
How To Avoid Bed Bugs While Traveling
A Backpacker's Guide To Packing
This reads like something a magazine editor threw together at the last minute to fill a page or segue to some sponsored links. Silk sheets? Really?
Traveling is one of the most enriching experiences we can have on this planet. And remember, it only becomes a headache if you let it. If you feel overwhelmed by the idea of stepping away from familiar routines and fear of embracing the unknown, Megan had a few pieces of advice to share with you.
"Plan ahead, be flexible, and mix a few of your favorite things in the mix with local cultural sites, etc. If you're a wine lover, find some local wine bars to enjoy in the evening. If you love cycling, rent a bike and see the city that way. You'll be in your comfort zone but still see a new place," she concluded.
Found This While Researching Possible Routes For A Road Trip
Calling Codes Of Asian Countries
Countries Where You Can Drink Tap Water
We drink tap water in South Africa - we even drink it right out of the hose while watering the garden!
What they mean is for visitors. In many countries the level of purity is lower so certain bacteria is in the water. If your raised with it you have an immunity but those from outside the area can get seriously sick. My dad knew a couple that got ice in a drink in Mexico in their honeymoon and ended up in the hospital.
Load More Replies...I‘m pretty sure you’re not supposed to drink tap water in Flint, Michigan.
Was wondering if anyone would say this. Glad you did!
Load More Replies...Tolerance is a factor here. Locals might drink the tap water in Brazil, but that doesn't mean you should. The sudden change of metals and microbes might give you a bad stomach for a few days. Long term you would get used to it of course. Having lived in a few countries my experience is that if there's a large, reasonably wealthy middle class - they've usually got the water sorted out!
There are a TON of places in the US where you should absolutely not drink the tap water.
Safe to drink tap water in USA is debatable. For example, Flint, Michigan. There are municipalities where tap water is better compared to neighboring municipality in same state. My city provides best clean tap water, 32 miles out in another city my cousins can’t use their tap water for drinking. Painting whole USA as safe for drinking tap water is dishonest especially because travelers will naturally have their guards down in western countries compared to eastern countries.
Totally agree. I’m fine drinking my tap water in my city, but I would NOT drink tap water in any rural area in my state since it is often well water that has a ton of softener or other chemicals in it and it often it smells disgusting. Think rotten eggs/sulphuric. Most places in the US, I’ve been fine with tap water unless specifically told not to, or if it is heavily chlorinated.
Load More Replies...Bosnia&Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, Macedonia... perfectly drinkable and perfectly safe. Also, tasty!
It's just prejudice. America is the best (even though there are literally regions with lead pipes and most americans don't drink tap water) while Balkans and eastern Europe is almost third world to them. 🙄 Btw, I'm going for a holiday in Montenegro, Bosnia & Hercegovina in a few days and can't wait! 😊
Load More Replies...Uhm, South African here. I live off tap water. I'd say, it's best to ask before drinking. In most places, the water is perfectly safe and tastes gooood.
I lived in Pretoria for three months. Never had an issue with the tap water. When i had to go to the northern rural areas, I would bring bottled water with me. Same was true when living in Kampala, Nairobi, Adis Ababa, etc. Most cities have their water sorted. I did get a stomach bug in Cairo though. Not sure it was water.
Load More Replies...why are only some countries mentioned by name? this looks like Europe is unsafe except those few countries which is not true!!!
I drank tap water (as the local do) in Benin, Togo, Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco and Namibia with no issues as well as in Chile, Argentina, Peru, Turkey, etc. What the hell is this chart ???
meanwhile, many US cities have lead pipes and most Americans drink only bottled because they don't trust the tap anyway. but yet the whole country is "safe" in this map while other are probably unjustly slandered (I find it hard to believe that all of Africa and Asia have unsafe water, wth). I wonder who made the map. :/
Load More Replies...This is horsehshit, tapwater in south africa is amongst the best in the world (https://www.news24.com/news24/Green/News/SAs-drinking-water-world-class-20130404)
this is super insulting. COMING FROM THE SAME COUNTRY WHICH CONTAINS Flint,Michigan. Go jump. You can drink our tap water just fine.
First thing is I don't agree with the graphic, but I guarantee your country has places that you probably shouldn't drink the tap water also. The US isn't the only one.
Load More Replies...Most born to their native countries can drink their own country's tap water. It's traveling to different countries that creates issues. To be fair though if you bring iodine to help purify the water then you should be okay. Just be cautious and don't drink from a water source that doesn't look or smell safe.
I could just imagine! :D I want to visit there one day I think :)
Load More Replies...My sis has being living in the US for 14 years I think, while in my country (Perú) she used to drink tap water. Now when she comes home she can't, she might have explosive diarrhea. We mess with her saying she has lost her super-inmunity
Unfortunately the tap water in the US tastes awful because of the Chlorine.
I'm from united states and the tap water here is horrible if I'm honest it literally smells like someone died in the water and taste like it too plus a friend of mine got extremely sick after drinking from the tap water all because he was like "Oh come on stop being a baby it can't be that bad"
Must be the area you are from. The water was perfect where I grew up.
Load More Replies...Depends where you are in the u.s. you definitely can't in flint but even many states in the south, people buy bottle water to drink since the water on tap makes your stomach hurt
Italy isn't always drinkable tap! For example in Milan it it, but in Sardegna is not!
I have been in Sardinia a lot of times and I have always drank tap water without problems. Why do you say that?
Load More Replies...The US depends on area. I can drink my tap water, but when I visit my grandma I can't drink her tap water.
The proper wording for this is: if you are from US, GB commonwealth counties, Japan, or schengen counties, you MAY want avoid tap water. Otherwise it reads those people who live on those countries should not drink water
Hmm I have a boil water notice every week where I live in Tx.. and before someone gets all smartassy I am in the middle of the state. So No Where Near the border..
Tap water in Scotland tastes exactly the same as bottled water - I wouldn't, however, drink tap water the further south you go - we have soft water but in a lot of England it's hard water, which tastes horrible - my skin absolutely hates it too, i end up with such dry skin after a few days in a hard water area
I drink the tap water in Rio de Janeiro when i go back for visits. That's crazy. I also always drank trap water in Mexico when i lived there. And for Africa, i drank the water unless told not to. I had to go to a lot of rural areas with untreated well water. And in USA they have lead in so much plumbing. They were the last country to ban it from homes and schools. So be careful of the tap water there.
Huh? That's first time I hear this. All my polish and Poland-based friends drink tap water. Maybe it's just some regions? Most of the people I know are from Warsaw.
Load More Replies...I get angry with people who live in cities in South Africa where we have safe drinking water from our taps; yes there are certain places where the water is not safe but the majority of South Africa is safe and they buy bottled water 🧐🤦🏻♀️🤬🤦🏻♀️
There’s a lot of places in the US that you can’t drink the tap water. There’s either too much chlorine in it or minerals that make it smell like sulfur or chemicals. You just have to find out if it’s drinkable when you get to wherever you’re going.
The idea of not being able to drink tap water is utterly alien to me. I can barely wrap my head around it. It's like living without electricity. Maybe that's privilege talking, but that is how my experiences have colored my perception. If I didn't have another adult there to remind me that I'm going to get cholera or parasitic worms, I'd suck tap water directly out of the faucet of whatever sink I first saw while thirsty, pretty much anywhere.
I've drank tap water in Argentina with no ill affect. Perhaps it depends on specific parts of a country...
We drink tap water in Brazil but whether or not it's a good idea really depends on city and even day. Some days tap water is straight up brown with dirt. But the thing is many people don't have a choice as buying water isn't cheap.
How many people don't understand they're reading a travel article? Keep your filthy water out of my gut.
The Eurovelo Is A Net Of Cycleways With More Than 70000 Kilometres Of Extension Which Crosses The Whole European Continent
The Eurovelo is made by 15 routes that go through 42 counties, making traveling Europe by bike not only possible but quite easy as well.
How To Fly Like A Pro
Travel Packing Do's And Don'ts
The Essential Travel Guide To Rome
LOL cars WILL stop if they see you! We're not going to tranform you in a human pancake on purpose! Just look both ways before crossing and don't jump suddenly into a busy road and you're safe ahahahaha
Traveling To The US From European Countries (Visa Requirement And Refusal Rate)
east and south european people get refused more often than russians, i.e. those from a literal enemy state of western countries? ok. I'm czech, I's gladly pass on going to the US but this offends me.
Which Side Of The Road Should You Drive On In Each Country?
Packing A Backpack
A Guide To Off Season Travel In Countries Around The World
Actually for Australia it depends on where you travel, for example it is best to visit the Northern Territory during May to Oct as that is the dry season.
Canadian Travel Advisory Country Safety Ratings
High decree of caution for France ? I know we have a reputation of being rude, but come on...
How To Fold A Suit Jacket For Travel
Gay Travel Index Across The EU And The US. The Index Takes Into Account Matters Like Law, Rights, And Locals' Friendliness Toward The LGBTQ+ Community
yeah they need to split usa into two countries: america and dumbfuckistan.
Useful Business Travel Apps
Travel Safe, From Start To Finish
The Essential Travel Guide To Paris
The food recommendation is a bit sad. Imagine going to a place with such a rich and sophisticated cuisine and eating mostly sandwiches? Nothing against croque monsieur, I could have it every day... but if I had limited time in Paris/France in general, I'd want to try out more fancy dishes.
An American's Guide To European Capitals Pronunciation
Regions Considered Safe To Travel To By The French Ministry Of Foreign Affairs
I love charts and graphs (I even mentioned it in my bio), but these were just boring... Especially the dozens of posts on power sockets
This was a tad bit racist. Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, and Nepal and many others all have drinkable water and are mostly safe to travel to, and yet the data says otherwise. However, many of the “Safest” countries aren’t safe at all, but I feel that they were ranked that way because they were a European country. I’m taking this post with a grain of salt.
Indian here. We prefer boiling water. Outsiders will find it tough. But water is not bad. Safe is as safe you keep yourself. Of course, travelling in India as a single person esp. woman can be dicey. I have seen many foreigners esp. from Europe or America can be too trusting. No idea why.
Load More Replies...stopped reading half way, got too angry about how blatantly racist the "information" is without even a glimmer of shame. So to summarise: gays and women are welcome in south africa, and our tap water is safe to drink, we have had gay marriage since 2007. If you are ANY person however you must not go out at night alone or walk streets alone as there are lots of poor people who might think you have money. This is commonsense logic in a country where lots of people are desperate! Honestly these maps just perpetuate the racist myth of africa is a dark continent full of scary people . I hate it. Just keep away from slums, this is commonly understood world-wide. You will not get raped or murdered or drink poisoned tap water here: https://nelsonmandelasquare.co.za/ ... yes, we have hotels, aircon, wifi, cars, roads, skyscrapers, electricity. We do not have lions wandering in the streets, we do not live in mud huts, and you are not going to be put in a pot and eaten by a cannibal. Stop being such racists. Thanks.
Racism and nationalism are two different things, not sure if you were aware of that. Like I think Cleveland is a c**p hole, and it is full of white people (yes I know Cleveland is a state, just giving a s**t comparison.
Load More Replies...The LGBTQ travel areas in USA are off by a lot. Most of the south east USA (Bible belt) will be very opinionated to the negative end. Just about anywhere else is mixed opinion and it depends what area you are in when it comes to individual states (larger cities are usually more open, but it doesn't mean smaller cities are dangerous). Pacific West is most commonly known as the friendliest area, but North Atlantic is also good.
No mention, unless I missed it, of male and female underwear with zip pockets for cash, credit cards etc when travelling.
I love charts and graphs (I even mentioned it in my bio), but these were just boring... Especially the dozens of posts on power sockets
This was a tad bit racist. Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, and Nepal and many others all have drinkable water and are mostly safe to travel to, and yet the data says otherwise. However, many of the “Safest” countries aren’t safe at all, but I feel that they were ranked that way because they were a European country. I’m taking this post with a grain of salt.
Indian here. We prefer boiling water. Outsiders will find it tough. But water is not bad. Safe is as safe you keep yourself. Of course, travelling in India as a single person esp. woman can be dicey. I have seen many foreigners esp. from Europe or America can be too trusting. No idea why.
Load More Replies...stopped reading half way, got too angry about how blatantly racist the "information" is without even a glimmer of shame. So to summarise: gays and women are welcome in south africa, and our tap water is safe to drink, we have had gay marriage since 2007. If you are ANY person however you must not go out at night alone or walk streets alone as there are lots of poor people who might think you have money. This is commonsense logic in a country where lots of people are desperate! Honestly these maps just perpetuate the racist myth of africa is a dark continent full of scary people . I hate it. Just keep away from slums, this is commonly understood world-wide. You will not get raped or murdered or drink poisoned tap water here: https://nelsonmandelasquare.co.za/ ... yes, we have hotels, aircon, wifi, cars, roads, skyscrapers, electricity. We do not have lions wandering in the streets, we do not live in mud huts, and you are not going to be put in a pot and eaten by a cannibal. Stop being such racists. Thanks.
Racism and nationalism are two different things, not sure if you were aware of that. Like I think Cleveland is a c**p hole, and it is full of white people (yes I know Cleveland is a state, just giving a s**t comparison.
Load More Replies...The LGBTQ travel areas in USA are off by a lot. Most of the south east USA (Bible belt) will be very opinionated to the negative end. Just about anywhere else is mixed opinion and it depends what area you are in when it comes to individual states (larger cities are usually more open, but it doesn't mean smaller cities are dangerous). Pacific West is most commonly known as the friendliest area, but North Atlantic is also good.
No mention, unless I missed it, of male and female underwear with zip pockets for cash, credit cards etc when travelling.