If you’re an international traveler, it can be stressful to visit a country where you don’t speak the language and don’t know your way around. Travelers’ Bible
However, if you plan ahead, find transportation in advance, and use these tips and tricks to avoid getting lost and paying too much, your trip will go smoothly and be that much more enjoyable.
This travel guide is designed to help you make the most of your trip while avoiding common pitfalls that cause stress during travel!
A travel guide for international travelers: tips and tricks for a stress-free trip
10 International Destinations to visit
How to Enjoy a Trip Like A Pro
How to get access to internet
The internet is necessary to almost all things today, especially when you’re traveling. However, it can be difficult to find reliable internet access abroad. So how do you get access?
It’s actually pretty simple if you know where to look! In many hotels, you’ll have free wifi at your disposal; however, most business hotels do not offer free wifi because they want you to pay per minute.
What you need to know about currency exchange rates
The currency exchange rate represents how much one currency is worth in relation to another. If, for example, $1 US is worth 0.73 euros, that means you’d have to spend $1.36 to buy €1 of euro—you’d be paying more than what it’s worth because of foreign transaction fees.
Currency exchange rates can fluctuate daily; if you’re taking cash on your trip, check current currency exchange rates before you go so you can do some shopping around if necessary—and then switch to credit cards while abroad to avoid extra fees.
Keeping your documents safe while traveling overseas
If you’re planning on traveling overseas, you need to be sure that your documents are safe. One of the easiest ways to keep your documents from being lost or stolen is by keeping them on your person at all times. By doing so, it will limit access to your important information in case someone tries to commit identity theft while you’re away.
Also consider using photocopies of important documents instead of carrying around originals. This can help if something happens during transit, since copies take up less space than original pieces of identification.
Finally, always carry contact information with you in case your passport is lost or stolen during travel; without it, there’s no way for officials to contact you if they find it!
Bringing your prescription medication with you on your travels
It’s important to bring your prescription medication with you on your travels. If you get in an accident or suffer from an allergic reaction, it may be difficult to get quick access to your meds while you’re traveling.
Make sure you’ve written down all of your meds and their generic names as well as their doses so that you can give them to a doctor or paramedic if necessary.
Navigating airport security can be stressful for first time flyers
You have to remember to remove your jacket, any large jewelry or even electronics from your carry on bag; you might be rushed because of tight connections, etc.
To make matters worse, each airport has different security rules, so it’s important to know what’s in store at every stop. This is especially true if you plan on traveling internationally because security protocols can change significantly based on your departure location.
The good news is that there are plenty of resources available for anyone trying to prepare for their first international flight.
Choosing the right credit card for your travels
When it comes to your credit card, make sure you choose one that has no foreign transaction fees. This way, you won’t have to pay extra money every time you make a purchase abroad. You should also consider getting a rewards card if you plan on making a lot of purchases while traveling; many cards offer points or miles for each dollar spent, which can add up quickly over time.
Finally, if you plan on renting cars or booking flights online, look into getting an EMV chip card; these cards are more secure than traditional magnetic strip cards and will allow you to use your credit card at most terminals overseas.
Beware of scams in touristy areas
Always be aware of scam artists. They are very common in touristy areas, so be sure to keep your valuables close and out of sight at all times. Although most people around you will probably be honest, there’s no guarantee that they’re not trying to swindle you out of your money.
The most important thing is to trust your instincts—if someone seems shady or overzealous, chances are they are! If you sense something isn’t right, keep walking, even if it means missing out on your must-see attraction of the day.
The goal here is to stay safe while having fun; cutting yourself off from visiting one part of town won’t change that—it will just cost you time on your vacation.
No matter how early you book, check the weather forecast before leaving home.
Weather is unpredictable, but your flight could be delayed or cancelled due to storms. It’s best to arrive at least an hour before your flight leaves, just in case you experience delays.
If you’re flying to another country, do some research on what kind of weather to expect during that time period—then make sure your luggage can stand up to it!
Different cultures around the world have different standards of customer service.
I’ve stayed in hotels all over the world and no matter where I’ve traveled, there is one thing that always stands out – how does customer service differ from country to country? There are many subtle differences in customer service that you may not have considered before.
In many countries around Asia, for example, if you want to change your sheets or towels during your stay at a hotel, they will charge you an arm and a leg to do so.
So what can you do? Some of these things may seem like no big deal, but some of them could make or break your experience abroad. Read on below to find out what they are!
If you are traveling somewhere new, bring an offline map app.
Internet connectivity can be spotty when you’re traveling. While Google Maps is great, it’s not always reliable.
If you are going to an area that is unfamiliar to you, we recommend downloading an offline map app onto your phone (for example, OsmAnd Offline Maps) so that you can have access to maps and directions no matter where you are!