It doesn’t matter if you are going on your first trip abroad because if you experience one or two headaches, then this can easily ruin your trip. The good news is that if you plan ahead, it is very easy for you to avoid some of the most common disasters that most people experience. If you want to find out more, then simply look below.
Overpacking
It can be very tempting for you to bring outfits for every occasion possible, but at the end of the day, this can make it difficult for you to take your luggage from one location to the next. You may even get stuck with extortionate baggage fees if you exceed the weight limit. This is the last thing that you need but there are steps that you can take to avoid this. You can pack your bag as you would, and then take out 50% of your clothes. You know that you probably won’t wear all of them anyway and you really don’t have to sacrifice your style. For example, you can buy clothes when you are there, or you can wash some clothes by using a local service. This is the best way for you to ensure that you get the best result out of your experience in general.
Not Checking your Phone
It is very important to know what your plan covers, for your cell phone. This will help you to avoid any big data fees and it will also stop you from being stuck with charges you did not expect. If you suspect that you are not covered, then turn off your data as soon as you arrive at your destination. You can do this before you get off the plane and you can then connect to a local WIFi point as soon as you can. If you know that you are going to be abroad for quite some time, then think about buying a plan or an international SIM card once you are there.
Not Leaving Enough Time Between Flights
Flight conditions can be incredibly unpredictable. If you happen to see that your flight gets delayed, then you may be forced to rush right through an airport you are just not familiar with. Even then you are not likely to make it on time if you are not able to get through security fast enough. It is a very good idea for you to book with a safe buffer of time in-between each flight if possible. If you are going through Heathrow then it is wise to have a two-hour layover because you will have to go through the security section again, to get from one of your flights to another. This adds a substantial amount of time to your journey, so keep this in mind if you can.
Not Getting Local Currency
As soon as you leave the airport, you have to make sure that you get some local currency. Taking out money when you are at the airport ATM will give you a much better exchange rate and you will also be able to get everything you need when you are there. It is wise for you to take out some extra money if possible as this will safeguard you against any possible emergencies. It is wise for you to try and use your credit card where possible as well. Visiting local markets is a must if you are a new traveler as it will give you a good idea of what the country is actually like. These don’t tend to accept credit cards, so having a cash reserve is good.
Not Telling your Banking Provider
Credit card companies tend to flag foreign transactions, so if you are using a credit card to fund your travels, then you need to make sure that you tell the provider about your trip as soon as possible. Make sure that they know way ahead of time and find out whether or not they are going to charge you a foreign transaction fee too.
Not Taking Out Travel Insurance
Travel insurance tends to cover your cancellation fees as well. If you cannot make your trip or if you feel as though you cannot go on your business trip as planned, then this will protect you. Some plans will even cover you for things like emergency medical cover too, so make sure that you keep this in mind if you can. If you have not had your claim paid out in the past, then there are insurance claim attorneys who can help you out.
Not Checking your Visa
If you get turned away at one of the many foreign checkpoints that you come across then you may find that this is a time-consuming, expensive and frustrating process. There are many sites out there that will list all of the visa requirements for you when you travel abroad so you don’t have to worry about not being able to find the information you need.
Trying to do Too Much
If you try and cram too much into your vacation at once, then you may find that this limits the general opportunities that you have. You may find that you are too busy to find hidden gems on your trip or that you don’t have time to seek tips from locals. If you want to stop this from being an issue, then you simply need to give yourself enough time to relax and then unwind. This will help you to make the most out of what every destination has to offer you.
Not Tracking Reservations
It is an unnecessary hassle for you to rummage through all of your bags. You might also not have access to some kind of printer if you do need another copy. If possible, you need to keep your travel itinerary in a pocket or a bag. You also need to have some kind of electronic copy on your phone too. If you can do this, then you will soon find that you can stay much safer and that you are also able to make your vacation less stressful too.
