Finally got your passport? Found time off work or school for a vacation? Looking to take that long-awaited trip to visit some friends or family? It’s finally here – your first trip outside your country. It’s natural to be excited, and a bit anxious because anything can happen – delayed flights, lost luggage, uncomfortable seating. But hey, you need to take a deep breath and plan your trip to minimize any hassles you may face. Here are some important travel tips to get you started no matter where you are going.
Familiarize yourself with your destination – Read up on your destination before you go. You don’t want any surprises when you arrive. Information on the language, food, weather, culture, and common scams are critical. Prepare yourself ahead of time by reading and asking as many questions as possible.
Plan your budget carefully – As fun and exciting as traveling can be, it often costs a pretty penny to visit your favorite destination. When planning your trip, you need to budget thoroughly and as carefully as you can, then carry a little extra just in case.
Learn a few basic local phrases – Communicating with locals is important when traveling, shopping, and doing business. You don’t want to look like a complete fish out of water. It is important to learn how to greet, count, and some key phrases to help you move around.
Exchange currency at the right outlets – You don’t want to lose your hard-earned money to scammers who may collect your cash in exchange for fake notes. To get authentic notes to spend at your destination, visit a bank or ATM and convert your money into local currency. While expensive, the most convenient and easily accessible spots to exchange money include train stations, airports, hotels, and tourist areas.
Be cautious with street food – Food poisoning in a foreign country would appear in the top three ways to ruin your trip. Be careful to eat at places that observe good hygiene in the preparation and storage of their food. While you may miss out on a delicious local delicacy, saving precious time and money on hospital visits would be a good consolation.
Research transportation options – When traveling, you would need to shop, visit friends and family and do a bit of sightseeing to enjoy local tourist attractions. Moving around can be challenging so you need to know what safe and reliable transportation options are available. You can start by checking for bus and train schedules.
Pack medicine – A first aid kit is critical, and should contain essential items like bandages, painkillers, and antibiotics. Bring a sufficient supply of your prescribed medicine and antibiotic ointment for cuts and scrapes. This may come in handy especially where you are unfamiliar with the local languages.
Let your loved ones know where you’ll be staying – When traveling, safety is a priority. Let your loved ones know the name, address, and directions to your hotel, Airbnb, or hostel. Also, write the information down on a piece of paper and carry it around with you so you can ask locals for directions in case you ever get lost and don’t have access to GPS or WiFi.