International travel requires a bit more preparation than the average trip. If the goal is to have a great time, there are some things you should do to help keep you and your valuables safe. Execute the following before you go.
Exchange Your Money Correctly
Exchanging your money for foreign currency in the United States will likely come with unwanted fees. If you’re wanting a bit of money on you for when you get to your destination, exchange a small amount. Do the majority of your money exchange in the airport upon arrival. There will be kiosks available to help you complete this task.
Check Passport Rules
It’s important to look up passport rules before you go. An article written by Beth Marcinko for clark.com elaborates by saying, “Research your destination country’s rules related to passport expiration. Some countries require that you have six months remaining on your passport from the time you’re scheduled to depart. Be sure to double check your passport before you book. If you need to renew your passport before your vacation, do it as soon as possible so that you aren’t cutting it close as your trip approaches.”
Keep Your Valuables Safe
While traveling internationally, keep your important items/ documents on your person at all times. They should be in a secure location. A fanny pack under your shirt or a plastic pouch you can hang around your neck will come in handy. Find something that works for you so you can protect things like credit cards, passports, money, and other important documents.
International Phone Plans
Before your trip, start researching international phone plans. Most phone carriers have an option to add on international coverage for an additional fee. However, there are some carriers that already include it in all of their plans. Reach out to your phone carrier to see what your options look like.
Choose Transportation
Decide what you’ll be doing for transportation when you get to your destination. Are you renting a car? Ride sharing? Taking public transportation? No matter what you choose, it’s a good idea to start researching routes, costs, and other pertinent information. This will help you avoid confusion when taking public transport or driving yourself. It will also help you avoid being taken advantage of. If a driver tries to run up your fair by taking you the long way, they’ll be unsuccessful because you’ll already be familiar with the routes you need to travel.
Check Baggage Restrictions
Imagine going to the airport only to find out your bag is too heavy or too large. It’s possible you’d have to pay enormous fees or maybe you’d be forced to make some tough decisions about what to leave behind. Either way, this type of situation is completely avoidable. The airline you fly with will have their baggage size and restrictions posted on their website. Double check your luggage fits within these parameters before you start packing.
Use these tips to make international travel easier!