Travel Tips

Hi there!  I came across a pretty good list of international travel tips while searching the internet this month. Here’s a selection of the tips. Some of them I’ve covered before (but always good reminders!) and for the full list check out the Travel Zoo website here.

Security & Health

• Register with your embassy. If there’s a problem in the country, this will make it easier for your government to contact you and get you to safety.
• Check-in with your doctor and insurance carrier. Double check and make sure that you have all of the proper vaccinations and that you have renewed all essential prescriptions. Also, ask you medical insurance provider if your policy applies overseas for emergencies. If it doesn’t, and you want to add extra coverage, consider supplemental insurance.

Money

• Go to a bank or ATM in the country you’re visiting. The conversion centers in the airport or around the city tend to be huge rip-offs. You won’t get charged as many fees at the ATM or the bank, and the conversion will be exact (In Asia, local money exchange usually does no charge commissions). 
• Always have local cash. Not every place takes credit cards. Especially important places like trains or buses.
• Check the country’s entrance/exit fees. Some countries require travelers to pay in order to enter or leave the country. These fees are not included in the price of your airline ticket, and can range from $25 to $200.

Local Research

• Download apps before you travel. Avoid downloading charges from your wireless carrier and get your apps before you leave.
• Research events going on while you’re there. This will help you make sure that you’re not missing be events going on in the city. Fun things like festivals, ceremonies and natural events. Also be sure to research as a few national dishes to try. You don’t want to leave the country without experiencing what its known for.

Electronics

• Bring a charger adapter. Countries have different size plugs and voltage. So if you want to use your iPod, make sure you can charge it.
• Check the voltage of your electronics. From my own experience I know that nothing is worse than having an adapter and still not being able to use a blow-dryer or a straightener because the voltage isn’t high enough for that country.

Luggage & packing

• Pack an extra set of clothes in your carry-on bag. Don’t be one of those travelers decked out in J’adore Paris apparel because the airline lost your luggage and you have nothing else to wear.
• To check a bag or not to check bag. Each airline has its own set of guidelines as to how many bags can be checked or carried on for free. Make sure to look up what your airline’s rules are to avoid any incremental fees.

Have a great trip!
(Source:  ISE Cards Travel Tips)