Recently updated on October 4th, 2022 at 11:51 am
Have you ever sprinted for the elevator, only to have a kind stranger hold the door for you? Ever been short a few dollars and had someone save you with their spare change? Or maybe you remember a time when someone simply smiled at you on the street? These are the random acts of kindness that lift our whole mood and make us remember there is kindness all around. To celebrate Random Acts of Kindness Day on 17 February, why not pay it forward the next time you travel? You’ll bring smiles and feel-good vibes everywhere you go. From taking someone’s photo, to helping someone with their luggage, or reassuring parents on a plane, here are 27 random acts of kindness you can do on your next Trafalgar trip.
Carry out an act of kindness, with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you.
Diana, Princess of Wales
1. Give away your spare change
Have you ever been caught out just a few dollars short? Whether it’s at the laundromat, or at the vending machine – if you see someone struggling for cash, be the first to offer your spare change! If you’re feeling extra kind, you could even leave some coins at the laundromat or vending machine for the next person. They’ll feel like it’s their lucky day!
RELATED CONTENT: 27 quotes about kindness to make your heart a little warmer
2. Donate supplies
Pack something extra to donate on your trip. You could donate clothes you no longer need to second-hand shops, old towels and bedding to animal shelters, or books and writing supplies to schools and orphanages. You can talk to our friendly team about donating supplies at some of our Make Travel Matter experiences, like our visit to the Shangilia Children’s Home, a centre for street and orphaned children in Nairobi, Kenya.
GET INSPIRED BY: Costa Rica Eco Adventure
3. Tip generously and thank your servers and staff
When you travel with Trafalgar, you’re sure to meet dozens of fantastic servers and staff members from hotels, restaurant staff, and customer service staff, to cleaning crew, travel directors and drivers. Be sure to thank them for their hard work and tip generously!
4. Take someone’s photo for them
We’ve all seen the couples struggling to snap a nice photo, or the families who have to choose one person to not be in the photo so they can take the picture, or the solo traveller relying on selfies. Next time you see someone struggling to take a pic, offer to take it for them. They’ll treasure those photos forever.
5. Learn people’s names
If you’re wondering how to be kind for free, learning names is so easy and makes people feel noticed and appreciated. From your driver and Travel Director to your fellow travellers, or the people you meet along the way, everyone will appreciate this random act of kindness.
RELATED CONTENT: Why Portugal is considered the friendliest country in the world (plus 9 more of the world’s kindest countries)
6. Pick up litter
It’s easy to walk past rubbish on a beach or a forest trail and think it’s not your problem. But sparing a moment to pick up litter is one of the best random acts of kindness you can do for the earth, the community, and future generations.
7. Keep a spare umbrella around
When travelling, it’s always kind to bring something extra – whether it’s an umbrella, rain poncho, hat, sunscreen, or bandaids – and freely lend them out to anyone who needs it on the trip.
8. Think before you speak
Travelling will open your eyes to a whole world of different beliefs and customs. If you find yourself disagreeing with someone about something, take a few moments to pause, breathe and think before responding. This will help calm the situation and prevent you from saying something hurtful.
RELATED CONTENT: 9 ways to ensure you’re a culturally sensitive traveller
9. Fold someone’s clothes
Have you ever opened up a dryer to put your wet laundry in there and found clothes already in there? Next time, don’t just throw them in a bunch on top of the dryer. Take a moment to do a random act of kindness and neatly fold them for the owner.
10. Help others with their luggage
If you see someone struggling with their luggage, offer to help! They’re sure to be very grateful and you might even make a new friend.
11. Choose a Trafalgar trip with a Make Travel Matter Experience
Trafalgar’s Make Travel Matter (MTM) Experiences are conscious travel experiences available on almost all of Trafalgar’s land tours. Our MTM Experiences are carefully chosen to encourage the greatest social or environmental benefit for the communities they visit. From visiting the rhinos at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya to meeting the talented women of Iraq Al-Amir in Jordan, you can be assured that your MTM experience is having a positive impact.
RELATED CONTENT: 9 incredible Make Travel Matter Experiences you can enjoy with Trafalgar
12. Reassure a parent on a plane
No one likes listening to a screaming baby on an airplane. But babies are usually crying because their ears are in pain from the changing air pressure. Remember, every parent is doing their best and are probably already stressed and frazzled… They don’t need extra judgement from strangers. So next time it happens, tell them they’re doing a great job. It’ll mean a lot to them and they might even be able to relax (which helps baby relax too).
13. Help someone less fortunate
Not everyone can afford to go on holiday, and next time you travel, you’ll probably run into someone having it tough. Take some time to offer them a meal or some cash, or even just have a chat. A little kindness goes a long way.
14. Buy and eat local
You can support local businesses when you travel by purchasing locally made crafts and locally grown produce. Support the farmer’s markets, the craft stalls, and the little neighbourhood cafes and restaurants. You’ll really get to the heart of your destination and you’ll help small businesses keep running.
RELATED CONTENT: 6 ways you will directly support local people and communities when you travel Latin America with Trafalgar
15. Learn a few phrases in your destination’s language
It’s such a little random act of kindness, but when you take the time to learn and speak someone’s language, it’s highly appreciated. You’ll also find it easier to connect with the locals. Start with the basics like ‘hello’, ‘please’, ‘sorry’ and ‘thank you’, then work your way up to some phrases like “How are you?” and “Have a wonderful day”.
16. Offer the benefit of the doubt
Always assume that people mean the best until you are shown otherwise. Don’t be cynical – practice empathy on your travels and give the gift of the benefit of the doubt.
RELATED CONTENT: Going local: The people you’ll support when you travel Australia and New Zealand with Trafalgar
17. Clean up after yourself
Restaurant and hotel staff are often overworked and underappreciated. Next time, clear your own table at the restaurant or cafe. You could even leave a note of thanks for the staff.
18. Give feedback and reviews
Did you have a fantastic tour guide? Did you love your hotel or visit an excellent restaurant? Why not share your experience and leave an online review. Online reviews are so important to many businesses and taking a few minutes out of your day to send a message of praise will be highly appreciated.
RELATED CONTENT: 7 incredible ways you support local people and communities when you travel to Africa with Trafalgar
19. Plant a tree
Some random acts of kindness are good for you, good for the environment, and good for future generations. When you travel with Trafalgar, we have several Make Travel Matter experiences where you can get involved in conservation and tree planting.
In Cairns, Australia, you can take part in the Rainforest Restoration project and help plant trees to restore the rainforest to its former glory.
GET INSPIRED BY: Contrasts of Australia and New Zealand
In Tasmania, you can join volunteers to pot native plants at the not-for-profit Understory Nursery, which encourages locals to plant natives in their gardens to support the local habitat.
GET INSPIRED BY: Perfect Tasmania
20. Tell your best travel tips to others
When you meet other travellers, don’t keep all your travel secrets to yourself. Let them know about that great little restaurant you stumbled upon or that hidden beach with the amazing sunset. You’ll probably get some great tips in return too.
21. Listen
One of the most subtle, but impactful random acts of kindness is to actively listen. Whenever you’re speaking to someone on your Trafalgar trip, extend them the courtesy of truly listening without letting your mind wander. You can also do your best to make sure people feel included in group conversations. It could mean more to someone than you know.
RELATED CONTENT: 10 of our favourite Trafalgar guest stories from 2021
22. Share your photos
If you take great photos, why not send your best ones to an organisation such as a national park so they can use them on their website or social media pages. It’s a great way for them to promote themselves to future travellers.
23. Pay it forward
Next time you’re travelling, pay for the lunch or coffee of the person standing behind you in line. It doesn’t have to cost much but you’ll surely make their day. It’s nice to know there are kind strangers out there doing random acts of kindness… And who knows, someone might pay it forward to you one day.
24. Hold the elevator door open for someone
Some random acts of kindness only take a few extra seconds and this is one of them. Holding a door open for someone could really help them if they’re in a rush.
25. Buy a round
Hitting the town with your new travel friends? Why not buy a round of drinks? It’ll put everyone in a good mood and it might inspire someone to do something kind for someone else.
RELATED CONTENT: 8 locals you’ll connect with when you travel to Europe with Trafalgar
26. Talk to the person travelling alone
Whether you sit down with them for a chat or invite them to dinner, it’s always kind to talk to someone who’s on their own. They’ll really appreciate you making the effort to start a conversation. Sharing random acts of kindness is also a great way to get out of your comfort zone and meet new people.
27. Be kind to yourself
Your random acts of kindness should not only extend to others. It is also important to show kindness to yourself. Learn to practice some good self-care habits for your own sake.
What kinds of random acts of kindness ideas do you like to do when you travel? Let us know in the comments below!