Global Travel Tips

Traveling can be an exhilarating experience, but it is always important to make sure you have everything in order so you don’t find yourself in a tough spot later on.  This is especially true for traveling globally.  So consider some of the following tips before you step onto your next flight or cruise.

Documentation

You will need your passport, visas, and any other required documentation for the specific country you are visiting.  In most cases, just a passport will be enough, but don’t assume that to be true for every country.  Make sure you have this documentation planned and obtained well in advance of your trip.  Likewise, many countries require that you have a least six months remaining on your passport that extends beyond your expected stay.

Money

 There are several forms of payment you can use when traveling abroad: cash, credit cards, and traveler’s checks.  It is a good idea to have all three available to you should you run out of one or have another go missing or be stolen.  Never keep all your money in one place.  You should also contact your credit card company and let them know that you will be going to a different country.  That way they don’t shut down your card when they see it suddenly being used in Beijing.

Communications

Not all cell phones are created equal.  If you don’t have any kind of international plan on your phone, you should contact your carrier to ask about one.  Otherwise, calls can get very expensive very quickly.  If you don’t want to use your cell phone, you can always purchase cards with minutes and a cheap cell phone as a temporary fix.  In addition, if there are apps you think may be beneficial for your phone, download them before you leave for your vacation.  You don’t want to wander around in a foreign country looking for a hotspot that may not even work for you.

Where are you going?

Of course, it is very important to do research on the place you intend to go.  Will it be cold?  Rainy?  Are you going to need a lot of sunscreen and a bathing suit?  Do you intend to go hiking at any point?  Fishing?  What language will the people speak there?  Knowing more about where you intend to go will help you not only plan accordingly, but may even help you get along with the locals, who can tell you about all the best places to eat and find entertainment.  Be prepared and your trip will go smoothly and you’ll have a great time!