Generic Travel Tips

We’ve recently had a large number of friends and family go travelling abroad.  A common theme I found was some of the advice we imparted before they left the country.  Today it occurred to me that I should lay down the advice on the blog here, so I can share our experiences and tips with you.

Preparing to Travel

Sometimes the outcome of your trip can be determined by how prepared you have been.  You’d be surprised how much difference a few hours of research can make to your overall enjoyment when travelling, and these days with information so easy to obtain (via the Internet) there’s hardly an excuse for not making some cursory investigations.

• Get an idea what the local gratuities (if any) apply to meals and services
• Be familiar with local customs – especially dress code (it’ll help you pack, amongst other things)
• Determine if you need an entry visa for any countries you visit
• I’ve found this can be a little tricky to do for some countries, best bet is to find the country’s embassy in your country for information.
• Ensure you give yourself enough time to have a visa processed, if one is required (can take from a week to a month)
• Determine the local currency and figure out the exchange rate to a currency you are familiar with (helps you avoid getting ripped off)
• Download or print maps of city destinations
• Guide books in your local language
• Get an idea what you can and cannot (customs, quarantine and import restrictions) bring into the countries you decide to visit
• Check the expected climate and temperatures (so you can pack accordingly)
• Travel insurance.  If you can’t afford it, you probably shouldn’t travel.  (unsure? Google.  There are plenty of horror stories, avoid the risk and put your mind at ease)
• Make sure you study your insurance and make sure it covers you appropriately
• Especially ensure it covers you for any emergency medical procedures!
• Use sites like http://www.TripAdvisor.com to get feedback and reviews from fellow travellers
• Remember though that their comments are subjective, use your own judgement
• Use the Internet to get the best prices on hotels and flights
• Sometimes the best price can be obtained directly from an airline via their website
• If your credit card or debit card has a chip, ensure you have a PIN set on it
• in some countries (due to fraud) they will require the use of a chip when making card purchases
• Ensure you send your itinerary to friends and family
• In case of an emergency, someone should be able to contact you
• It’s important that people know where you are supposed to be, so they can alert authorities if you don’t make regular contact

Packing

Sometimes you find yourself travelling too light; sometimes too heavy.  The best bet is to determine what kind of holiday you are going on (adventure, relaxation, cruise, backpacking) and go from there.  There are some obvious items which I believe are a safe bet to include in your belongings.

• Medicines (you can also get a note from your doctor giving an inventory of your medication – this can be helpful in some circumstances)
• Passport
• Sturdy shoes (adventure and sightseeing)
• Suncream/sunblock
• Maps and guidebooks
• Bathing suit/book(s) – relaxation holiday
• Appropriate clothes
• Hat
• Cold and Flu medication (you never know  when you might fall sick)
• Ensure you pack your own bag, and know exactly what is inside it
• Avoid leaving your luggage unattended, or with people you don’t know very well
• International roaming set up on your mobile (if you intend to take a phone) or you could try and pick up a local SIM card at your destination

In Transit

Once you have your tickets booked, and you are on your way to the airport, there’s still a lot that can go wrong.  Keeping your wits about you is especially important at the airport (arriving and departing) and making sure you complete the required documentation properly.  Take care with your belongings, and be prepared for long queues, inefficient airport staff and expensive prices (airports tend to be some of the most expensive places min the world to get a decent cup of coffee, or a book.. or a magazine).

• Wear loose, comfortable clothing on the flight (it’s not a fashion show)
• Especially valid on long haul flights!
• Avoid wearing unnecessary metal (including the soles of your shoes)
• This helps you get through security a little easier
• Have your documents ready when you need them
• Carry only what you need on the flight in your carry on (books, laptop, snacks)
• Try to carry water with you if possible (so you can rehydrate on the flight at will)
• Try to avoid eating anything too exotic when you are transiting through an airport (on a stop over)
• The last thing you want to do is get sick on your way to your destination
• We tend to err on the side of fast food when we’re in transit, as it is usually more of a “known quality” (if dubious)
• Be wary of people luring you into taxis when you reach your destination
• Use caution, and try to find the “official” taxi rank, or use alternatives like trains or buses
• Tie something unique or colourful to your bag(s) so you can uniquely identify them
• Try to observe air travel etiquette (a separate future article, I’ll write later)

Arriving at your destination

Be cautious and try to be as alert as possible, people in some countries like to prey on jetlagged or unprepared tourists who have just walked off a long flight.  If in doubt, try to book accommodation close to the airport so that you can get there quickly, check in and get some rest as soon as possible.

• Try to blend in
• It’s generally more fun not to be treated like a tourist
• Don’t ignore local customs
• A fast way to land in hot water, even unintentionally
• Obey the laws of the country you are visiting
• Ignorance is no excuse, research the laws of a destination or consult your country’s foreign affairs if in doubt
• Treat people with a modicum of respect (you are a guest in their country)
• As bad as it sounds, avoid giving change to beggars – it just encourages the practice
• Try to avoid eating or drinking if you can’t trust the quality or source
• Avoid becoming isolated, never go off with people you don’t know well
• In many countries haggling is a way of life when buying things, and you should certainly partake
• Do remember it is rather bad form to haggle over less than US 0.50c if you come from a wealthy country
• Sometimes if you think the price is reasonable already, vendors might throw in some extra items
• Try to carry only what you need in terms of money or expensive items like jewellery.  Especially when travelling in impoverished or poorer countries.
• You may not need to necessarily carry your passport with you at all times, you your judgement
• Use your hotel safe (if one is provided)
• Be respectful when visiting popular tourist sites or religious areas (i.e. don’t litter, avoid swearing)
• Sometimes buying a souvenir book/guide will give you better photos, don’t sweat it if you don’t see everything
• Carry a water flask or bottle, refill where possible (it’ll save you money and keep you hydrated)
• Remember to eat and drink – you need energy, and dining is part of the travel experience
• Don’t be too embarrassed to try to speak the local language
• Sometimes you’ll get credit for trying
• Don’t assume everyone speaks the same language as you
• Speaking more slowly can sometimes help
• Speaking more loudly, yelling or losing your composure rarely helps
• Be wary of “free” items – there’s usually a catch

Preparing to come home

Again, be as prepared as you can as you head to the airport (or alternative).  Ensure your bags are packed as best you can – if you think you’ll be over your baggage weight limit, it is strongly advisable to find a post office and try and send heavy items which aren’t worth much back via sea mail (avoid paying excess at the airport).

• If possible, try to have someone meet your at the airport when you return
• If you have a long return flight (or many connections) consider an overnight stay somewhere on the way back to limit your fatigue
• Remember: it’s not a race, take plenty of rest and use caution and try to avoid the urge to rush home

Above all, remember to have fun.  There’s no point travelling if you come back more stressed and unhappy than when you left home.  A few preparation steps can be the difference between a memorable or horrible holiday abroad. 

Take care and send me an email when you get back from your travels!