Rick Steves Shares His Essential Travel Mistakes to Dodge — Plus His Top Travel Tip

Rick Steves never checks luggage when he travels — and he passionately advises fellow adventurers to follow suit.

“Traveling light is more crucial than ever,” he remarked. “Whether it’s two weeks or two months, for anyone, in any season, a carry-on is all you need.”

Steves is renowned for his bestselling European guidebooks, the tour company Rick Steves’ Europe, and his public television travel series. As an expert international traveler, Steves excels at sidestepping common travel pitfalls like lost baggage, overbooked eateries, and overcrowded attractions.

While some travel hiccups are unavoidable, Steves emphasizes the importance of flexibility, which lies at the heart of his travel philosophy. In a recent interview with Dinogo, he offered valuable tips to tackle common travel challenges and ease trip-related anxiety.

Travel Light and Avoid Tight Connections

Aside from the occasional need for hiking poles, Steves firmly believes travelers should limit themselves to a carry-on bag. Each year, Rick Steves’ Europe hosts 30,000 guests on small-group tours, with all participants restricted to just a carry-on — no checked bags allowed. 

“By avoiding checked baggage, you significantly reduce the chances of getting caught up in the airport chaos throughout Europe,” Steves remarked.

Carry-on bags are less prone to theft, loss, or damage, and Steves appreciates how they enhance flexibility — allowing you to change flights without the hassle of leaving your entire wardrobe behind. Additionally, he suggests that if space is a concern, packing cubes are a great investment for organizing and compressing clothes in a compact bag.

“You have to adapt to whatever comes your way,” Steves stated.

Steves advocates for scheduling ample time for airline connections, particularly for international journeys. For example, U.S. travelers heading to countries within the European Schengen Zone must go through passport control upon arriving in their first Schengen country. Therefore, if your final stop is Greece with a layover in Germany, ensure the connection allows enough time for potential long immigration queues.

Secure Your Essential Reservations, Then Go With the Flow

Steves anticipates that 2023 will be a bustling travel year, with guidebook sales currently on par with the peak levels of 2019, which was the company’s most successful year. With events like King Charles' coronation in London this May and the Paris Olympics next year, he advises travelers to brace for inevitable crowds.

“It's essential for people to acknowledge that Europe will be quite crowded,” he noted.

Travelers who fail to plan ahead often find themselves stuck in long lines, wasting precious time waiting outside museums instead of enjoying their time inside. Steves suggests using a guidebook, such as his own, which has been updated following the pandemic to reflect changes in reservation systems and hours.

“More than ever, visitors are flocking to the same iconic sites,” he observed. “Museums are striving to manage their crowds.”

A significant shift, he pointed out, is that many attractions now require online reservations to help regulate large crowds — a practice that began during the pandemic and has continued to minimize lengthy queues. In his updated guidebooks, Steves ensures that each chapter includes a sidebar outlining what visitors should arrange in advance.

For example, Steves noted that well-prepared travelers heading to Amsterdam only need to secure four bookings in advance: the Anne Frank House, the Van Gogh Museum, the Rijksmuseum, and a reservation at one popular restaurant for a special dinner.

“The other side of the coin is that everything else can be spontaneous. You don’t need reservations for all the additional activities,” he explained. “If an unexpected opportunity arises, always say 'yes.'”

Once you have your essential reservations set, the rest of your journey can easily fall into place, according to Steves. Don’t stress about booking dinner every night — instead, explore a street filled with local restaurants and choose a tasty, less touristy option.

“We tend to over-plan these days,” he remarked. “This can strip away some of the joy of travel, which comes from allowing things to unfold in unexpected ways.”

Steer Clear of Overcrowded Areas

Steves has observed that many travelers now turn to social media for recommendations — and this trend has its drawbacks. He noted that when everyone congregates in the same locations for the same photo, it leads to overcrowding, making it difficult to fully enjoy the experience. 

“There could be another spot that’s just as amazing, perhaps 90 percent as good, but without the crowds, just a short walk away,” he pointed out.

Rather than depending on Tripadvisor or Instagram, Steves encourages travelers to immerse themselves in the local culture for a more enjoyable and less stressful experience.

“I don’t get too hung up on what’s ranked No. 1,” he explained. “No. 1 simply means the company that's considered the best in the system. Instead, we focus on finding those charming mom-and-pop spots, these passion projects, these unique experiences — that’s what sets my books and tours apart.”

One of the most crucial pieces of advice Steves offered is that travelers often place undue pressure on themselves to tick off the top museums, historic landmarks, restaurants, and shops from every ‘best of’ list. This pressure can result in trip anxiety and a sense of urgency to visit places solely because they are well-known.

His top recommendation? “Assume you will have the chance to return,” he advised. “Never feel compelled to see everything in one trip, because it’s simply impossible.”