What are the most important things to do before your first overseas travel?
Going overseas for the first time is hugely exciting – and also a little bit scary. There’s so much that you have never experienced before. Going to another country, immersing yourself into another culture, having a different language spoken around you, and even flying on a plane might be totally new for you. Here are seven things to do before you travel so that you’re totally prepared.
Get your prep done early
There are lots of things you need to have in place before your travel. These include your booking for your transport and accommodation, your passport, any visas you may need, and perhaps medical checks such as vaccinations. Don’t leave these to the last minute, as you will be surprised at how long some of these steps can take. You don’t want to be unable to travel because something didn’t fall into place.
Understand your destination
Reading up about your destination will help you to understand what you need to pack, what you can expect to do there, and how much money to take. Will it be cold or hot weather? Is it likely to rain? Will it be busy at this time of year? How much is the average meal in a restaurant? What are the most popular attractions, and how much does it cost to get in? This will help you plan your budget and fill your suitcase effectively.
Build your budget
It’s easy to get excited about travelling for the first time and forget to really work out how much a holiday will cost you. Your transport and accommodation might already be booked, but the price you will see there is not everything you need to pay! Figure out if you need to pay fees on your arrival, such as extra taxes. You should then also work out how much you have to spend per day and how much of that will go on food, attractions, and so on.
Save some costs
You can also save costs, and plan ahead, using the sharing economy. This will allow you to book things ahead of time at a lower cost. From accommodation, to transport, to parking spaces, to tour guides, there are many things you can access through the sharing economy that will make your travel a lot easier and cheaper.
Pick up some lingo
If the place you are going to has a native language other than English, you should consider learning some key phrases. These could be as simple as knowing how to say hello, that you don’t speak the language, and thank you. It will get you a little further when you’re at a loss for what to say.
Safety first
Visiting a tourist attraction often brings some safety concerns with it, as there may be some unscrupulous elements who can see that you’re an easy target. Make sure you aren’t one! Don’t carry all your money with you, hide it in different places in your accommodation instead of just one place, keep valuables close at hand, and watch out for potential scams or tricks.
Know the rules
Finally, before you travel, do a brush-up on the law of the country where you are travelling. You can often find specific advice for travellers going from your country to your destination, so it’s easy to research. Check for medication or goods that can’t be imported, and unusual cultural laws.
Once all of your planning is done, you can just sit back and enjoy the trip. It will be a great experience, and even better with these tips to help!
Author BIO
Emma Lewis is a loving mother, a devoted wife and a part of the team supporting Spacer – a company helping you find storage space whenever you need it. Emma is also a staunch supporter of the sharing economy and often mentions its benefits.