Whether you are an avid traveller or going on your first international travel, there are a lot of things that you must take care of before boarding the flight. Regardless of whether you are going for a business trip or a leisure, there are quite a few steps that you can take to ease your stay abroad. Let us take a look at some of these travel tips:
1. Give yourself enough time to recover from jet-lag
Your body takes about seven days to get used to a new time zone. For instance, if you are travelling to London from Singapore, your body and brain will probably take a few days to get used to the new place. Some tips to recover from a jet-lag include sleeping as per the new zone and drinking plenty of water.
2. Carry medicines with you
You must always carry a few medicines, especially for headaches and indigestion. When you go to a new destination, the weather might not suit you if it is totally different from where you have boarded. You do not want to run around looking for a drug store in unfamiliar territories.
3. Inform the Embassy about your visit
If you are visiting a strife-torn country, you must inform your country’s Embassy about the duration of your stay in the country. This will make it simpler for your countrymen to get in touch with you and take you to a secure location in case any unexpected situation such as a riot or war occurs.
4. Use your credit cards cleverly
When you are on international travel, a credit card is like a double-edged sword. You may have to pay additional foreign transaction fee for all your transactions, but you can also earn higher miles, rewards points or cashback. For example, most air miles credit cards offer more miles for overseas payments, which can help accelerate your miles accumulation rate, thereby making that next vacation cheaper. Some Visa Infinite Cards also offer higher cashback on overseas or foreign currency spends. So make sure you’re carrying the right credit card with you when travelling to another country. It is always a good idea to compare credit cards before you apply for one.
5. Book your tickets in advance
You are likely to get discounts on your tickets if you book your travel tickets in advance. It is always better to have a room ready on the day of your arrival. Even if you do not make a plan for the remaining days of your stay, it is better to book a place to rest immediately after you reach a new destination.
6. Initiate your mobile phone’s international capabilities
There is normally a charge to be paid when you activate your mobile phone’s international capabilities, but it is normally less than roaming charges. However, you should not forget to change the settings on your phone to avoid international data roaming. Several business travellers have a separate data and international calling plan, making it easy for them to receive and take calls. However, infrequent travellers often forget to buy a plan.
7. Carry a universal power plug
Different countries have their own electronic pin standards and voltages. Some use square prongs while others have round prongs. So, if you wish to use your electronic devices, make sure you have a universal portable power plug when you plan your international travel.
8. Make a rough estimate of how much local cash you will need
The easiest way to get cash is normally an ATM, but many banks across the world charge a large sum for using an out-of-network ATM. You can take out a big sum at the airport ATM to avoid paying the fee multiple times, but it is not prudent to carry large amounts of cash. Also, you may end up with too much foreign currency when your trip is over.
It is quite normal to get excited about your first international travel opportunity, but travelling is a good opportunity to learn to handle yourself during an emergency. Try to enjoy connecting with new people from different cultures. Think of the place as the most amazing and all being well, your trip will be one that you will remember for a long time.