If you are a beginning traveler, you are probably feeling anxious and overwhelmed. You may be spending a lot of time trying to learn all you can about traveling, your destination, and what could go wrong. This is especially true for first-time international travelers. What if your flights are canceled? How do you get around in the town you are visiting? If you are traveling in Europe, does EU261 compensation apply to your flight? Will you know how to dress and what to do in a different culture or area?
Sometimes, the more you read and research, the more you find to worry about. Try to learn the things you will need to know without focusing on what could go wrong. Here are the main things you should learn about and know before taking your first trip.
Research Well
Research your destination before you go. This will help you understand the local customs, culture, and any potential safety concerns. Learn to understand what is expected of visitors, and practice new-to-you customs like bowing, shaking hands, or kissing, so they don’t feel so awkward. Respect local customs and traditions. This includes things like dress codes, religious practices, and social norms. Make sure you are prepared to dress appropriately for the area you are visiting, and that you wear clothing considered modest and unobtrusive. Find out the tipping customs at your destination and have the necessary change or money with you before you arrive at your hotel or restaurant.
Stay Safe
Use common sense when it comes to personal safety. Don’t leave your drinks unattended; try to avoid walking alone at night in unfamiliar areas. Be aware of your surroundings at all times. Keep an eye on your belongings and be cautious in unfamiliar areas. If you’re lost or need assistance, don’t hesitate to ask locals or hotel staff for help. They can often provide valuable information and advice. But be careful of who you trust- if someone offers to give you a ride or take you to an unfamiliar area rather than simply giving you directions, be cautious.
Also, stay safe when eating and drinking. Avoid tap water, ice, and raw or undercooked foods in areas where sanitation may be questionable. Ask trusted locals, such as your hotel staff, what places are best for eating safely and what areas to avoid.
Don’t Overpack
When you are traveling, you should try to pack light. Try to bring only the essentials and leave room in your suitcase for souvenirs. Use a backpack or carry-on-sized suitcase as your main luggage. This will make it easier to maneuver through airports and on public transportation. It will also save money, as you won’t need to pay for checked baggage or oversized luggage fees. When you arrive at your destination, you won’t need to visit the baggage carousel and wait for your luggage. Remember, you can often purchase common items at your destination for less money than it costs to bring them with you.
Keep Track of Important Documents
Make copies of important documents, such as your passport, driver’s license, and travel insurance policy. Keep one copy with you, and leave another copy with a trusted friend or family member at home. Keep these items in your carry-on: never put them in checked baggage. When you are traveling between tours, attractions, and activities, make sure you have your identification with you at all times. If you do misplace your documents, notify the authorities right away as there may be a delay in getting them replaced.
Pay in Local Currency
Have local currency on hand for your purchases. While many shops and restaurants will accept other currencies, not all will. The last thing you want is to have a meal at a restaurant and find out you don’t have enough cash to cover the cost.
Even in those stores and locations that do accept foreign currency, you will likely pay much higher exchange fees than if you get your money exchanged at a bank or similar location. You will also feel safer with the necessary money on hand for expenses and emergencies.
Pay Attention to Your Budget
It’s easy to get carried away when you’re on vacation, but it’s important to stick to your budget to avoid overspending. Make sure you keep track of your budget as you go along. It can be easy to get confused about how much you are spending when you are exchanging money or using a currency that is strange to you. Even if you aren’t using foreign currency, traveling expenses add up quickly and many people justify overspending because they are on vacation. That is fine, but if you find yourself spending more than you expected day after day, it will add up to a large amount quickly. Always keep a portion of your budget set aside that will only be used in case of emergency.
Check Your Phone Plan
Make sure you check your phone plan for roaming fees, how many roaming minutes you have available, and where the plan will work. You also want to verify that your phone will have service in the area you are traveling to. If your roaming plan is too expensive or you may not have reliable service, consider getting a per-minute travel phone strictly for calling. You can still bring your smartphone along to use when you have Wi-Fi available for social media, maps, and other uses.
Call Your Credit Card Company
Credit card companies automatically deny any charges that look suspicious, and one of the triggers can be purchases made in locations other than your normal areas of work and travel. If you are planning to travel somewhere new, to a different county, or simply aren’t sure about your company’s fraud alert policy, make sure you give them a call before leaving. Let them know the area that you will be traveling in and the dates you will be there. You can ask them to reinstate the protection policy once you return home.
Learn the Language
Learn some basic phrases in the local language. Even a little bit of effort can go a long way in showing respect for the culture and making locals more willing to help you. You probably won’t have time to learn to speak the language fluently, but you should learn to speak basic phrases as well as possible. You should learn how to ask for directions, ask for food, say hello and thank you, and other basic phrases. If you want to learn as much of the language as possible in a short time frame, consider taking a class that is focused on travel language learning. Also, install a translation app on your phone so you will be able to communicate beyond basic phrases when needed.