A lot of people love travelling to different countries because they love experiencing as many different cultures as possible. That said, there are some challenges to travelling, so below we will look at some tips to help make your global travel a lot smoother.
Have the Right Documentation
In this hyper-vigilant world, it is almost impossible to travel without the right documents. Regardless of where you are going, ensure that you have the right documentation so you are not stopped. You should:
● Research online to see which documents you will need, depending on the countries you would like to travel to
● Visit the embassies of the countries you wish to travel to, to get these documents
● Ensure that any documents you already have are up to date
There are some countries that offer entrance visas and passports. These are temporary documents offered to foreigners once they land at their destination. For these countries, you can skip visiting their embassies and just go to their immigration department when you land to get the documents you need.
Budget for Everything
Travelling can be quite expensive. It would be quite embarrassing to land in a country and realise that you do not have enough money for the things you need. Plan for:
● Transportation costs. Will you use taxis, public transportation or taxi-hailing services?
● Food and related expenses. Depending on where you go, food can be quite expensive. If you decide to stay at a serviced apartment, it is easy to cut down on food costs as you will have a kitchen where you can cook instead of going to restaurants
● Accommodation costs. Can you afford a luxury villa? Will a hotel serve you better than a serviced apartment? Can you get a temporary rental like an Airbnb?
Also, do not forget to check on airfares and other connecting costs.
Learn Simple Phrases
When travelling abroad, you will likely need some help. Some simple phrases to learn include:
● Hello, how are you?
● Please
● Thank you
When you have these phrases handy, it will be easier to get the help you need.
Understand Border Rules
If you are traveling to another country, knowing their border rules can be very helpful. Border agents are there to help control the flow of people for security reasons. They monitor travelers to make sure illegal migrants and criminals don’t find their way into a country. In an airport, a border agent will check your passport; at a road entry point, they may want to look in your trunk or campervan.
It’s not an easy job being a border agent, but it can be rewarding (and exciting) for anyone interested in a public service career. Border agents work at all entry points along the border, including ports, airports, and road checkpoints. Click here if you are interested in becoming a border service agent. You can study online for a recognized qualification.
Remember, respecting border agents and following their rules can make for a very smooth travel experience. If you fall foul of the rules, your journey could be cut short.
Pack Lightly
If you know you will be visiting lots of places that you keep your luggage small. Getting into planes and even into a taxi is easier when you pack lightly. Some of the ways to do this include:
● Getting a smaller suitcase. Humans are wired to try and fill empty spaces. Because of this, if you get a larger suitcase you will likely try to fill it up and have trouble navigating the places you will be visiting.
● Carrying just what you need. This will need a bit of planning, but it is important to carry just what you need.
Carry Everything You Need
While this might seem contradictory to the point above, you can pack lightly and still have your essentials with you. Some of the essentials might include:
● an extra pair of reading glasses or contact lenses
● a neck pillow
● all the medications you need. For this one, you might want to check with your destination country because some countries do not allow you to bring medications with you.
Plan Ahead
One of the reasons why travelling is frustrating is because a lot of people do not take the time to plan everything out. Some of the things you could do include:
● finding out the departure times of your fights and any other connecting flights. This is so that you can be at the airport with enough time to spare for security checks or any other delays there may be at the airport
● Book the hotel early. Most hotels allow online booking. You can go on their website, select the room you need, and book it all without leaving your house. Once you get to the hotel, you can tell the receptionist that you already have a room and they will direct you
● Plan your itinerary. Plan everything you will do before you leave home. This is so that you are not wandering around a new town or city looking for something to do or somewhere to go.
Get the Rest You Need
Travelling can be exhausting. Because of this, you should get at least 8 hours of sleep every night. You do not have to see everything or visit every place. Take some time off to take care of your body and you will be better for it.
Wake up Early
If you want to have all the attractions to yourself before they become crowded, wake up earlier. If you do this you can:
● avoid crowds
● get the best pictures because of the diffused early morning light
● interact with the locals before they become too busy to talk
In addition to having all the attractions to yourself, waking up early also ensures that you are safer. Dangerous people do not wake up early and tend to sleep in.
Take it Easy
It is very easy to make yourself look like a fool when travelling. Take it easy and have a laugh. Stressing yourself about the small things will ruin your trip.
Use Bag Checking Services
If you travel through a lot of airports, it could become tiring to haul all your luggage through all these places. When you check a bag:
● you let the airline take care of your bags for you
● you will have a better airport experience not constantly worrying about your things getting stolen
● you can walk around the airport, visiting the different shops and establishments there because you can navigate these places easily without your baggage bogging you down
Watch What You Eat
Changing your diet can wreak havoc on your digestive system and ruin your whole trip. When travelling abroad:
● start with familiar foods
● slowly integrate local cuisines into your diet
● be careful with unknown foods
Also, watch what you drink. It is surprising how many places do not have clean tap water. If you are not sure of the water at your destination, buy bottled water.
Work Online
While this may be counterintuitive, here is how it would work. You might want to travel for an extended period and would not like to lose your job. To avoid the stress of thinking about job security, you could work online if your employer lets you. When you do this:
● you can visit more places knowing that you are still employed
● you can relax in the knowledge that your job will be waiting for you when you get home
● you can use the money you make while on your trip to pay for the trip
Exercise Regularly
This goes hand in hand with getting enough rest. A lot of people feel stiff when travelling, especially if they are always on a plane or in the backseat of a taxi. Exercising can help loosen the body up and make you feel better. Some simple, fun exercises include:
● going for a run. This has the added advantage of letting you see more of the town or city you are visiting
● walking through a new part of town
● going for a swim
If you need more motivation, you could always carry a fitness tracker.
Always Choose the Best Seat Possible
Upgrading to a better class when flying will do wonders for your body. This is especially important for those travelling over long distances. You could use your miles or extra cash to:
● escape the middle seat
● get a little more legroom
In addition to upgrading, you could always get a window seat so you can sleep inflight. If you are the type of person who likes to walk around the plane, it would be a good idea to get an aisle seat so getting up and walking around is easier for you.
Keep an Open Mind
In your travels, you are likely to encounter different, interesting or even bizarre customs and traditions. Keeping an open mind will let you be more accepting of other peoples’ cultures and can help you meet people who can make your trip better.
If you do not understand something, it would be better to ask questions than to provide your own opinion because it may be the wrong one and can make things harder for you.
Travelling can be challenging, especially if you travel for long periods. That said, there are a few things that you can do to make your trip and experience smoother and better. The most important things are that you plan everything, be prepared for anything, be patient and do not take things too seriously. Avoid dwelling on the small things and that should make things even easier.