Does the thought of preparing for a trip abroad overwhelm you? Read below for some tips of what I do when I get ready for a trip to somewhere new.
As I sit here thinking about my next journey, which is coming up very soon, I thought no time was more appropriate to share how I prepare for a trip abroad. By abroad, I mean outside of the United States, as that's where I live, but I think a lot of these tips and ideas are universal.
Where do you want to go?
Of course, the first thing you need to figure out is WHERE you want to go. If you're like me, you have a bucket list of places you've been dreaming about visiting for years. But how do I decide where to go and when? One of my first "secrets" is that I avoid traveling with the masses, which for those of us based in the U.S. is the summer months of June, July, and August. Now, that's not to say I NEVER travel in the summer, as there have been many trips in those summer months; but I definitely prefer the shoulder seasons of April/May and September/October. Except for when I go to places where the seasons are opposite, like Australia and NewZealand. Recently, several of my last trips have been planned around something else, whether it be a yoga retreat or a group tour. Both of which help with the planning aspect. Yes, I don't always travel solo; I have mixed it up a bit in the last few years which has broadened my overall travel experiences.
Once you've settled on a place and a time of year, it's all about the research. If this trip includes multiple cities or countries, how much time will you spend in each? How will you get from one place to another? How much do you want to spend on hotels? Where is the best place to stay in each place for you to have access to what you want to see and do. When you travel solo, you're in charge of all these decisions, which to me is one of the benefits of solo travel. But, on the flip side it does take a lot of research and planning.
Is the Travel Guide Book Obsolete?
I say no. I'm still a legit hard or paper bound book kind of girl. I spend plenty of time on my computer, iPad, or iPhone that taking a break to actually read a real book is still priceless. The same goes with when I do my travel research. Lonely Planet has been my favorite travel guide for ages, though I learned years ago to borrow them from the library rather than buy them new! If I really want to tote them along with me, several Lonely Planet guides (not all) are offered on Kindle through Amazon Prime for free to download in their entirety. So, you might get lucky like I have in finding the one for the place you are visiting to take along with you via your mobile device. Lonely Planet also has more information on their website as well as travel forums and various articles about places all around the world.
That's not to say I don't rely heavily on travel sites as well. Nearly every destination I have visited has their own local tourism site which can be a great source of information and links for things, to do, places to see and local restaurants. These are always suggestions, of course, as I've gotten some fabulous recommendations for local places to eat or drink once I've arrived from fellow tourists, like the amazing wine bar a few blocks from my hotel in Athens that was suggested by fellow guests at the hotel I was staying at during breakfast that morning. Of course there are the big sites like TripAdvisor, Viator, and Expedia, to name a few, which I have used for years to research hotels, guided tours and various things to do in destinations around the world. The reviews can be overwhelming at times; especially when searching for that perfect hotel in a city you don't know, but the filters can be helpful when sifting through both the types of hotel and amenities that you want/need as well as reviews from similar travelers (I.e. solo, business vs leisure etc.). Trip Advisor has been my go-to for years, but always remember that reviews are based on the writer's experience which may be different from your own. As they say, take everything with a grain of salt!
Currency woes?
I'll admit years ago when I first started traveling internationally, whenever we'd reach a new country (long before the Euro was born), getting the local currency was always fun. Often, it's more colorful than U.S. currency which sometimes made it feel like we had "play money." There's always the question of whether you bring U.S. dollars to exchange when you arrive at one of those currency exchanges at the airport OR do you get the currency from your bank before you leave? What about credit cards? Here's the plan that I've followed for years:
COLD HARD CASH: I learned early on that the best way to get local currency is to head straight for the ATM in the country you're visiting when you land. There are normally ATM's located in the baggage claim in the airport, though these are not often attached to a bank and carry a higher fee. And if they eat your card, you're likely out of luck in getting it back. Before I leave I google the closest bank to my hotel and head there once I've gotten to the hotel. I take out as much as I think I'll need for the length of my trip, to limit my need for getting more cash every few days while I'm out exploring. I bring a very limited amount of U.S. cash (maybe $50-60) with me just in case I get in a jam and need to exchange cash. To date I haven't needed it; it's never a bad thing to return home from a trip with unspent cash, right? I do not normally rely on exchanging U.S. currency as you'll pay fees and often lose more money doing so than you would paying the nominal fees using your debit card. Keep in mind that since the pandemic, many places have gone cashless, so you'll likely only need a minimal amount of cash if you're comfortable and able to pay by other means. CREDIT CARDS: Always, always, always notify your credit and debit cards before you travel. Most allow you to do so online and will ask the names of the countries you'll be visiting. Don't forget about the layovers your might have, even the domestic ones and list those places as well; you never know when you might need to purchase something in your layover airport. I also extend the notification a day or two past my intended return date just in case I get stuck. While I normally bring two credit cards in addition to my debit card, I plan to only use one, the second is just for back up. I use a card that has no international transaction fees, there are several out there. If you don't know what the fees are for international transactions, give your credit card company a call before you go. Another safeguard I put in place a few years ago was changing the notifications so that my credit card company will notify me of any international or online transactions via email. This allows me to keep track of what I've charged in U.S. dollars while I'm abroad.
Always make copies of all your credit cards, passport and any other important cards you plan to take with you. I carry only what I think I'll need and leave the rest at home. Before you travel, leave at least one copy at home and take at least one copy with you- I take two and hide them in two different parts of my carry-on bags. Staying Connected
In the age of complete connectivity, you'll most likely be taking your smart phone with you when you travel to stay connected. As Wi-Fi is more prevalent around the world, the ability to stay connected is at lot easier than it used to be. Back during that first solo trip to London in 2007, I was still using a flip phone and relied on a shared computer in the lobby of my hotel to send a few emails home every other day or so. Things have definitely changed in the last decade.
Many carriers offer international plans whether they be unlimited usage for a day at a time; or a set amount of data, texts and voice calls for a set amount per month. It'll depend on your carrier as to what options you have. If you plan to explore your carrier's options, the best advice I can give you is to think about how much you'll plan to use your phone and for what when you do not have access to Wi-Fi. This will help you determine the best plan. If you have a phone that is "unlocked," like I do; you also have the option to purchase a prepaid SIM card when you get to your location. These can range in price but often provide more than enough data and minutes than you'll need often for cheaper than your carrier's international plan. I did this during a three-week trip to Australia and NewZealand a few years ago and it was super simple and convenient. For any of these options, just remember to turn your phone on "airplane mode" and Wi-Fi on to save whatever data you have! More recently, e-Sim cards are readily available and a cheaper way to use your phone abroad. Airalo is one I've used successfully for a few international trips and saved a lot of money!
When I travel solo, even for short trips abroad, I always make sure I sign up for the minimum international plan with my carrier simply for safety and for those moments that I might "get lost" since I've become so dependent on GoogleMaps. Have I needed the amount of data that it provides? Not always, and in recent years I've found myself wanting to "disconnect" more while I'm out and about sightseeing. Sure, I use my phone as my camera, but I am being a little more conscious about taking in everything in the new place I'm exploring rather than spending time checking social media! If you are a picture taker like I am, make sure you pack a camera with spare batteries/photo cards. I was thankful for that several years ago when my iPhone died an early death four days into my 12-day trip around Switzerland, Austria and Germany.
Enroll in STEP
I learned about the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program when I was visiting with friends who work for the U.S. Department of State several years ago. The program is a free service allowing travelers to enroll their trip with the nearest embassy or consulate. It's simple to sign up and allows you to enter the details of your trip, where you'll be staying and your emergency contacts. They will also send you any alerts for your location before or during your trip so you're aware. It allows the U.S. Embassy to contact you in the event of an emergency. It takes less than 10 minutes to enroll- check it out!
So, there's some of my tips to get your started. I have plenty more, but I have a trip to pack for! Comment below with your favorite travel planning tips!
“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only a page." -Saint Augustine
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