There are so many places to visit in this world and we are so excited for you that you are about to visit different places and explore the world. No matter how much ever you have traveled in your own country there is something equally exciting and terrifying about going for your first overseas trip. Going to a place that is new, different, and foreign is endlessly interesting but can be a bit confusing and scary. But it is not mandatory! Follow these important international traveling tips to ensure smooth sailing.
You must have gone on business trips but during a business trip, you will not get much time to travel as you will be busy with your work and attending meetings. Regardless of what type of trip you are planning, there are various steps that you must take to ease the journey. Here are some popular international traveling tips for stress-free traveling.
List of International Traveling Tips
Make sure you get your passport in advance- The most important of all the international traveling tips for first-time travelers is to ensure you get your passport beforehand. Avoid any kind of unnecessary stress by applying for a passport well before your scheduled departure date. Do not book a flight or make any kind of arrangements that cannot be changed until you have your passport. Some of the international flights may demand you to enter your passport number while booking or at the time of online check-in, so it is better to keep it ready before you plan anything.
Once you get your passport, make both digital and paper copies of the identification page. Give one copy to your parents to keep safe and keep another one in your wallet. Take a photo of the documents and keep them safe on your phone. If possible, keep a quality digital copy on your Google docs. Once you get your visa stamp, click a picture of that as well.
You will require your passport more often than you might imagine. Not only in flights, but many hotels also demand a scanned copy of your passport’s identification page. So, do not get surprised then, it is quite common. Some of the hotels may even take your passport and keep it with them during your stay as security to ensure you pay accommodation charges. An important tip to keep in mind is you should never keep your passport in an easy-to-access pocket of your bag. The best place to keep your passport safe is a locket at a hostel.
Decide where to go for your first international trip- It is another one on the list of international travel tips. Perhaps you have been dreaming for a long time about seeing elephants in Thailand or visiting the pyramids in Egypt. Maybe you do not know where to go exactly, but you know you need to go. If you are confused by all the beautiful places you can visit as now you have a passport then, it may be difficult to choose which place to visit while going on the first international trip.
Here are some important things to ask yourself as you narrow down a literal world of options:
- Do you want to go far away from your own country or stay nearby? On your first trip, it is better to go somewhere near and then move further once you get comfortable being an international traveler.
- Do you speak a foreign language? Or are you comfortable traveling to a place where you do not speak the language? You may get disturbed if you will not be able to communicate.
Once you think about these questions, hopefully, you will be able to narrow down your options to one or two places, based on how much time you have allocated for your first international trip.
Carry enough money- The common way to get cash is an ATM, but many banks charge high fees for using an ATM that is out of network. So, it is always better to withdraw a large amount of money at the airport ATM so that you need to pay the fee just once, but it is advised not to carry a huge amount of money. Also, you risk having too much money left over once your trip ends.
Stay safe with these International Traveling Tips- Your first international trip may seem to be scary, but it is almost always scarier in your mind than it will be when you start to travel. Usually, there are two things about which most of the travelers are scared. These are petty theft and pickpockets. To avoid becoming a victim, you must keep an eye on your belongings. A cross-body bag may not look fashionable or may not go with your attire, but they are the best to avoid pickpockets. Do not carry a backpack on one shoulder or leave your bag on the ground and the chair. If you are concerned, theft-proof wallets or money belts are good choices.
Ensure your credit cards will work wherever you are going- European banks switched almost nearly to the more secure chip-and-PIN technology, and fewer businesses overseas are accepting the outdated magnetic-strip cards.
Save money by comparing accommodating & transportation options- Most of the international trips need you to fly there, but for getting around your decided destination, consider other options like trains or buses. Usually, bus rides are the most cost-efficient and eco-friendly mode of transportation and provide you the chance to rake in the chat and vistas with locals. Have a look at your options before booking your accommodations. While hotels are a good option, never forget to research guesthouses, hostels, and various travel options. This will give you the chance to connect with other locals and travelers. Boutique hostels are becoming quite common and are at times equipped with much nicer amenities compared to budget hotels.
Purchase a small suitcase/backpack- There is an advantage of always carrying a small backpack. If you have a small suitcase or backpack, you will pack light and will not carry too much luggage. We, humans tend to fill the space so, if you pack light but have lots of extra space in your bag, you will end up thinking that well, I can take more things as I have enough space left, and then regret it later.
Take an additional bank card or credit card with you- A list of international traveling tips is incomplete without mentioning about money and credit cards. Yes, you can experience shortage of money any time. Disasters may happen. It is always good to have a backup in case you lose a card. You do not want to get stuck in a new place where you do not have enough money. To avoid such situations, always carry an extra credit card.
Learn basic phrases in the local language of the place where you are traveling- The locals will love to see you talking in the local language. Not only this, but it will also make communication much easier. There is no need to master the language but learning a few phrases like “Goodbye”, “Hello” “Thank you”, “Where’s the washroom? Will help you out while traveling. The locals will feel happy to see your effort.
Carry a basic first-aid kit- You never know when accidents can happen. So, always carry a basic first-aid kit that will have band-aids, ointments, and antibacterial cream for scrapes and minor cuts. You never know when you will feel the need and you cannot always get these things handy when you are traveling.
These are some of the important international traveling tips that must be followed by you for a safe and enjoyable trip. The best thing about these international traveling tips is that these are easy and simple to follow.