10 International Travel Tips

December 11, 2019

Planning an international trip can seem like a daunting task, especially if it’s your first time embarking on such a journey. You have to figure out what to pack, and how to pack it, and how much money to bring, which cards to bring, what to do with this, and that … and the list goes on. With so many factors to consider, the planning process can quickly become overwhelming. However, it’s not as hard as it may first seem, and our 10 international trips will be just a few keys to make your big trip a success!

MAKE A LIST

One of the best things you can do when first planning a trip is one of the most simple and straightforward—make a list! Write down all the things you know you’ll need, even if they seem obvious, and keep this list handy when packing. Such a list will save you the headache of any potential last minute packing and stress about any minor (or major) items you may be forgetting.

BOOK YOUR FLIGHT EARLY

The earlier you book your flight, the better (meaning cheaper!). This is one great way to potentially save a lot of money on your trip, freeing up funds and redirecting them from very expensive plane tickets to more fun activities for your trip. If you regularly fly with a certain airline, you can check to see if you have any reward flying miles and use them for a price decrease!

BRING A TRAVEL FIRST AID KIT

Nothing can ruin your relaxing vacation more than a cold, sore throat, or even a headache. To be prepared to deal with such ailments, pack a small first aid kit with basic medical supplies. Think aspirin, allergy medications, cough drops, bandaids, Neosporin, and any other supplies you’d like to keep handy. Not all of these may be easily accessible when traveling abroad, so pack your own before the big trip.

NOTIFY YOUR BANK BEFORE TRAVELING

Perhaps the second most unpleasant (and unplanned) event that can happen on your relaxing vacation is realizing your credit card company has put a hold on your card. To avoid this, be sure to alert your bank or credit card company about your travel plans in advance.

LET YOUR FRIENDS/FAMILY KNOW ABOUT YOUR PLANS

Especially when traveling solo, it’s important to let your friends or family—really, anyone who’s not going on the trip with you— know about your plans. Traveling can be dangerous, so keep your loved ones in the know about your whereabouts, even when traveling in a big group.

FIGURE OUT LOCAL PRICES

Sometimes, your plane tickets to a new location may be cheap, but the price you’ll be paying for meals, transportation, and entertainment may be more than what you’re ready for. If booking a hotel, use sites like Expedia, Hotels.com, and Trivago to assist you in this regard. Research what you should expect to pay, especially for important services like public transportation, so that you don’t run into any ultimately costly surprises. Sure, your credit card will take care of most monetary woes, but it’s still important to know how much you’ll be paying.

LEARN COMMON PHRASES IN THE LOCAL LANGUAGE

Before traveling to a country or region with a national language (or languages) you don’t speak, memorize some common phrases you’ll likely find yourself using. Besides greetings and simple phrases like “Please,” “Thank you,” and “I’m sorry,” consider learning how to ask for directions in the local language, too.

ASK THE LOCALS

The locals know best, so it can be a good idea to ask them about the best restaurants, parks, and hidden attractions. A travel guide is a great tool, but asking locals about the best spots to go may lead you to new places that may not have originally been in your itinerary.

BE FLEXIBLE

Even if you’re the type to meticulously plan every detail of a trip, don’t stress when something goes a little off plan. The taxi might may be late, or somebody may not be feeling well, or the weather one day may just make your plans impossible. Anything can happen, and if it does, try to stay patient and not get upset. Relax and enjoy your vacation, even when it strays off your itinerary.

TRY NEW THINGS

Finally, don’t be afraid to try new things! Since you’re a visitor to a country or region you may not have ever been to before, channel your inner adventurous spirit and see what the location has to offer. You may get to see and experience things you’d never be able to at home, and that’s the beauty of vacations: making new memories that will last a lifetime!

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Find anything you need

10 International Travel Tips

MAKE A LIST

BOOK YOUR FLIGHT EARLY

BRING A TRAVEL FIRST AID KIT

NOTIFY YOUR BANK BEFORE TRAVELING

LET YOUR FRIENDS/FAMILY KNOW ABOUT YOUR PLANS

FIGURE OUT LOCAL PRICES

LEARN COMMON PHRASES IN THE LOCAL LANGUAGE

ASK THE LOCALS

BE FLEXIBLE

TRY NEW THINGS

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