8 Things to Know Before Traveling Abroad
While living in Charlottesville, Virginia for over two years, I worked at WorldStrides - an educational travel company that runs international study abroad programs for universities across the globe. Although I have not traveled extensively overseas, I learned a lot of tips and tricks to help the inexperienced traveler have a smooth and amazing experience in their chosen country of travel.
Most of these may be common sense to the well-seasoned traveler, but for those who are just stepping into the world of travel, don't forget these 8 things to know before you head out.
You can really start a trip on the wrong foot by missing your flight and having to be rerouted, taking any available flight and any available seat to get you to your final destination. Travel professionals recommend arriving at the airport two (2) hours in advance for domestic flights and three (3) hours in advance for international flights. This gives your schedule a buffer if you get stuck in long security lines, or if last minute gate changes occur forcing you to rush to the other end of the airport. Depending on how large the airport is, this could be a time consuming inconvenience.
2. Understand All Baggage Policies Throughout Your Trip
Make sure you understand your airlines baggage policy and associated fees and especially how they may differ from any intra-program transportation policies. Although your international flight may allow two checked bags, a carry-on, and a personal item, your cross-country train may only allow one bag total. Understanding the different policies will help better set your expectations of how much you can realistically take with you (and bring home).
3. Ship Souvenirs Home
Speaking of souvenirs, check with the local shipping companies as shipping home souvenirs may be less expensive than trying to pack them into your limited baggage space adding weight to the limit you may already be toying the line with.
4. Keep Your Passport Safe
Check with your hotels in advance to see if the rooms are equipped with locked safes. If so, keep your passport locked in the safe at all times and, instead, carry copies of your passport with you while traveling around the city. You never want to travel with your actual passport (if you don't need to) in order to avoid it being stolen.
5. Travel with Embassy/Consulate Information
Take contact information (address and phone number) with you for the US embassy/consulate for each city you plan to stay in. If your passport is stolen, or you have another emergency, then you have quick access to finding and getting to the embassy/consulate the moment you need it.
6. Travel with Small Amount of Cash
Never carry all of your cash on you at one time. And keep the cash you do carry on you in your front pockets so it cannot be easily stolen. You can often get more cash at ATMs (depending on your country of travel) if you end up needing more.
7. Set up a Phone Plan
Figure out a phone plan so you are able to call back to the states in the event of an emergency. Many cell phone carriers offer international plans for a fee. You can also get a SIM card when you arrive in-country that will allow you to call back home.
8. Take Hotel Information in Native Language
If you are traveling to a country whose native language you are not familiar with, it can be helpful to take a document with contact information for each hotel you are staying at written out in the native language. If you find yourself taking a taxi or Uber and the driver does not speak English, you can simply show him the hotel's address in his own language.
And have fun!
Where are your travels taking you?
Where are your travels taking you?
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