{"id":42169,"date":"2022-09-15T18:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-09-15T10:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.you.co\/sg\/?p=42169"},"modified":"2026-03-05T15:46:15","modified_gmt":"2026-03-05T07:46:15","slug":"epic-travel-disasters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.you.co\/sg\/blog\/epic-travel-disasters\/","title":{"rendered":"Epic Travel Disasters: How To Avoid The Chaos"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Missed flights, stolen passports, and getting kicked out of Airbnbs with luggage strewn all over the lawn. We\u2019re here to spill your <\/em>tea. Here are some of your epic travel disaster stories and tips on how to possibly avoid them!<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Recently, we put out a poll on Instagram asking you, YouTroopers, to share your epic travel disaster stories with us, and you guys really came through! Traveling doesn\u2019t always go as planned and there can be plenty of bumps along the road. But it might help to know what to keep an eye out for and stay prepared. Here are some confessions we received and some tips to help you dodge the bullet. Have a read!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\ud83d\udc9c Stay Up To Date:<\/strong>
\u2013 How To Capitalise On The Japanese Yen Right Now<\/a>
\u2013 Most Memorable Moments In F1 History<\/a>
\u2013 YouTrip\u2019s Guide To Exotic Food In Australia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Wild Ones \ud83e\udd2f:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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1. \u201cI planned a trip to Bali but didn\u2019t know about the Nyepi festival and ended up spending two days locked up in my hotel room.\u201d<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Image credits: The Honeycombers<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A Balinese \u201cDay of Silence\u201d for prayers, fasting, and meditation to cleanse the island of misdoings and bad omens, the island\u2019s unique spiritual festival may not be the most ideal for tourists. Lights are switched off, transport comes to a halt, and everyone has to stay at home for 24 hours<\/strong>! You may want to check ahead on any festivals or spiritual holidays before travelling to your next holiday destination!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Epic Travel Disasters: Learn more about <\/em>Nyepi<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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2. \u201cGot stuck in Belfast when the Eyjafjallaj\u00f6kull erupted. Stowed away illegally in a hostel.\u201d<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Image credits: Encyclopedia Britannica<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This is one incident you\u2019d be glad to avoid. When the Eyjafjallaj\u00f6kull volcano erupted, the UK airspace was shut down for six days. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While Mother Nature can be unpredictable, volcanoes do have their share of predictors that can help indicate the risks of eruption. Do keep an eye out if you\u2019re visiting New Zealand, the Philippines, Indonesia, Japan, Alaska, California, Peru, or Chile! Additionally, Iceland, Italy, Guatemala, Colombia, Papua New Guinea, and Reunion also have significantly active volcanoes to look out for. It\u2019s advisable to check reports monitoring these hotbeds for a safer and stress-free travel experience. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Epic Travel Disasters: Click <\/em>here<\/strong><\/em><\/a> <\/em>to learn what else you keep an eye out for when monitoring natural disasters. \u00a0 <\/em>\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Forgetful Ones \ud83d\ude30:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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3. <\/strong>\u201cI forgot my passport the day I was supposed to return to<\/strong> Singapore after studying in the UK.\u201d <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Image credits: TripZilla<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\ud83d\ude30<\/strong>\u201cI forgot to bring my foreign currency.\u201d<\/strong>
\ud83d\ude30<\/strong>\u201cI forgot to pack my underwear!\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ever catch yourself slapping your hand across your face in exasperation due to forgetting key<\/em> travel essentials?  It\u2019s okay we understand the curse of having a goldfish’s memory span. No matter how hard I<\/em> pace around my room and recheck my luggage, I can\u2019t ever seem to shake the feeling that I\u2019ve forgotten something. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this will help! Here are some travel checklists to assist you in your packing process and make easily overlooked items a priority. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read: <\/strong>Essential Solo Travel Packing List and Tips<\/a>
Read: <\/strong>10 Carry-on Packing Tips For Travellers: Ultimate Packing Guide<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Ones Who Take YOLO To A New Level \ud83d\ude1c:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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4. \u201cTravelled without a proper itinerary.\u201d<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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\"Epic<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Image credits: Unsplash<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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If spontaneous travel is your thing, go for it! The thrill of landing in a foreign city with absolutely nothing planned is second to none. Where will you end up? What will you encounter? Imagine the exhilaration and adrenaline you\u2019d feel as you trust in nothing but your gut extinct to lead the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But if you\u2019re someone who prefers the organisation of a good day-by-day itinerary to map your travels smoothly. We have the best things to see, eat, and do around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read:<\/strong> The Ultimate 24-Hour Bali Itinerary<\/a>
Read:<\/strong> 56 Best Things To Do In Seoul: Top Attractions, Hidden Gems & Local Experiences<\/a>
Read: <\/strong>4D3N Taipei Itinerary Guide: Things To Do in Taipei (2019)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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5. \u201cDropped my phone in the Blue Lagoon.\u201d<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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\"Epic<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Image credits: Globecalls<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Our hearts literally ache at this confession. Picture all of your precious travel memories drifting away and floating to the bottom of a lagoon, with revival rates remaining bleak. Well, we\u2019re taking this chance to preach the importance of waterproof phone cases. 
If you\u2019re like most people and can\u2019t bear to part with your phones, invest in a waterproof phone case \u2014 and not just those cheap plastic ziplock bags. Enjoy your day splashing around swimming, surfing, or even diving with these affordable waterproof cases<\/a> you can find shopping at Taobao.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Epic Travel Disasters: Read more of our Taobao guides <\/em>here<\/strong><\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Suay <\/em>Ones \ud83e\udd72:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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6. \u201cMy rental car window was smashed and my parents\u2019 passports were stolen a day before flying back\u201d<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong> <\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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\"Epic<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Image credits: Pocket Car Hungary Ltd.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Coming back to a vandalised car or break-in after a fun day out is a nightmare. And while there may not be much you can do to prevent that, here are some things you can keep in mind to lower the chances of an unwelcome decorative masterpiece befalling your rental car. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, while the thought of free street parking is tempting, perhaps it may be better to consider a well-lit car park with security cameras and personnel if possible. And while that might not stop some, security footage comes in handy when filing police reports and making insurance claims. 

Secondly, ensure that you bring your valuables everywhere. <\/em>Or, make sure it\u2019s locked in the trunk of your car, out of view and out of reach. Habits to pick up include snapping a photo of your parked rental car in good condition every time you leave it unattended in case you ever need to file insurance claims and report the incident to the rental car company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Epic Travel Disasters: What to do if you lose your <\/em>passport<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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7. \u201cGot kicked out of the Airbnb with my things strewn on the lawn.\u201d<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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\"Epic<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Image credits: Skift<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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We don\u2019t know the full story of what happened here but there are only a few reasons as to why it’s acceptable to get kicked out of an Airbnb. That consists of violating house rules, participating in dangerous or harmful behaviour, throwing parties, or guests overstaying their booking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although it certainly is rare for guests to get kicked out of their Airbnbs, the establishment has stated that they\u2019re always ready to rebook guests and follow up with them. However, Airbnb can\u2019t force hosts to further accommodate guests if they don\u2019t want to or for any other reason.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Epic Travel Disasters: Read up on <\/em>Airbnb\u2019s FAQ guides<\/em><\/strong><\/a> <\/em>to stay informed<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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8. \u201cMy husband lost his YouTrip card in London. Thank god for the lock function! Someone tried to use it.\u201d<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Amazing quick thinking! If you wish to temporarily lock your card, head to the YouTrip app. Under \u201cCard\u201d, toggle to the left to lock your card in case of emergencies. If you wish to permanently close your card, activate the Kill Switch<\/a> option <\/strong>by contacting YouTrip at +65 69049334<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Epic Travel Disasters: What to do if you’ve <\/strong>lost your YouTrip card<\/strong><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Ones Who Really<\/em> Need To Double-Check Their Flights <\/strong>\u2708\ufe0f:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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9. \u201cI was checking in for my return flight from Korea and was told by the staff that my actual flight was the day before\u2026<\/strong><\/strong>“<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Image credits:<\/i> <\/i>Park Sleep Flight<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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 \u2708\ufe0f<\/a><\/strong> \u201cWe missed our flight home from Tokyo and stayed overnight at Narita Airport<\/strong> where most of the stores were closed and it was dark\u2026\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2708\ufe0f<\/a> \u201cMissed our flight back from Singapore to KL because we were too busy buying Famous Amos.\u201d <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Time to start adding your flights to your Google Calendars! But hey, these things happen to everyone (me included). Better safe than sorry! Amidst all the panic and chaos, here are some things you can do when you\u2019ve missed your flight. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did you know that some airlines possess an unofficial \u201cFlat Tire Rule\u201d that allows passengers to rebook their flights without penalty? You can try your luck by calling the airline before your flight departs to inform them that you won\u2019t be making your flight. This enables them to rebook you quickly and board standby passengers. However, this varies from airline to airline. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Or fly standby on the next flight! After all, there\u2019s no telling, you might not be the only one missing your flight that day. Get yourself a standby ticket and get onto the waitlist! Many airlines will let you standby for a later flight for free if you\u2019ve missed the previous flight. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Last but not least, booking a budget airline might just be your last alternative. It might not be the comfiest flight experience, but at least you won\u2019t be stuck in an airport overseas!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Epic Travel Disasters: What to do if you’ve missed your flight<\/a> <\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What Else Can You Do To Avoid Falling Prey To These Epic Travel Disasters? <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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When travelling, always expect the best but be prepared to plan for the worst! It\u2019s ideal to get yourself a substantial travel insurance policy that is best suited to your needs. Jet-set on your travels with ease with HLAS COVIDSafe Travel Protect360 Enhanced Plans<\/a> with YouTrip and enjoy savings of up to 65%! Read up more on the nitty-gritty of HL Assurance X YouTrip Travel Insurance here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you don\u2019t have a YouTrip card yet, sign up now and be sure to check out our YouTrip Perks<\/a> page for exclusive offers and promotions too! For more great tips and articles like this, join our Telegram(@YouTripSG)<\/a> and subscribe to our free weekly newsletter here<\/a> or down below! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And while you’re at it, why not join the conversation with thousands of #YouTroopers in our very own Community Telegram Group @YouTripSquad<\/a>? Get tips and tricks to everything YouTrip including exclusive invites to exciting events and experiences, & be part of the #YouTripSquad! \ud83d\udc9c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Related Articles<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

HLAS Travel Insurance On YouTrip: Enjoy Big Savings Of Up To 65% Now<\/a>
Essential Solo Travel Packing List and Tips<\/a>
Budget Holiday Plans Gone Wrong<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"YouTrip<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Did someone say chaos? <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":75,"featured_media":42177,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[622,8119,624],"tags":[39464,39129,39465,39466],"class_list":["post-42169","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-product-community","category-guides-tips","category-travel","tag-epic-travel-disasters","tag-travel","tag-travel-disaster-stories","tag-travel-tips"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.you.co\/sg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42169","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.you.co\/sg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.you.co\/sg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.you.co\/sg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/75"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.you.co\/sg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=42169"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.you.co\/sg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42169\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.you.co\/sg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/42177"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.you.co\/sg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=42169"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.you.co\/sg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=42169"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.you.co\/sg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=42169"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}