10 Things to Consider Before Travelling Overseas
You’ve booked your flight, packed your bags, and made your travel arrangements. Now it’s time to relax and take a break from the daily grind. But wait! Is that really all there is? When it comes to planning your trip, I’m sure you have a lot on your mind. So much that you barely have time to breathe. Besides, it’s easy to get lost in this sea of information, options, and choices. Therefore, you should start by focusing the essentials and prioritising the important things to carry because we often stress ourselves out over unnecessary things. Before you jump on the plane, have a quick look at our list of 10 things to consider before travelling overseas.
Make Copies of All Important Documents
When you’re travelling out of the country, it’s important to make copies of all of your important documents. This way, if anything happens to your original documents, you won’t end up being questioned by authorities. It is also a good idea to leave a copy of these documents with someone you trust, so they can send them to you if necessary.
The most important document you need to make a copy of is your passport, as it is the hardest to replace. You never know the neighbourhood as there are snatchers and pickpockets all across the globe. So, in case of an emergency, your passport copy will help ensure you have documentation to prove where you’re from and who you are until you apply for a new one.
Never Exceed Beyond Your Visa Limitations
Always know your visa requirements well in advance. This way, you can save yourself from being denied entry at the border, being unable to board a flight, or having to turn back and go home. Just because your passport is up to date doesn’t necessarily mean you have a visa that allows you access to all the places you want to visit. It’s always smart to cross-check all the limitations before you book a flight because a little thing like not having the right documents can ruin your vacation plans. To find out all the information needed about visa requirements of any destination before travelling, you can visit their embassy in your country or check their website.
Know the Baggage Fees of Different Airlines
Out of all other travel essentials that you must have while boarding a flight abroad, the checking baggage fee is pivotal. You can avoid the fee of baggage only if you have earned elite status or picked up an airline that doesn’t charge any fee in the first place.
However, as a rule of thumb, you should take care of the charges for baggage before actually flying. Baggage fees vary greatly, and each airline has its own offers. For instance, there are few airlines that would allow you to carry only one piece of luggage for free. If you want to pay less, a tip is to carry lightweight luggage, certainly of a smaller size. Go through the size, weight, and other essential requirements the airline asks you about baggage fees.
Buy SIM Cards That Work Overseas
We all have smartphones and social media presence. However, not all SIMs work seamlessly for certain areas due to coverage issues. But when you are flying abroad, getting a SIM card that works internationally as well is not only a need but also recommended for your safety. A SIM card that is valid for overseas travelling is a relief for those introverts. International SIMs, roaming SIMs, or travel SIM Card, pick up anyone that is best suited.
For travelling to a country where you have nobody to accompany you, a high-speed working network comes as a rescue. Instead of wandering local markets in an alien place, always purchase a SIM card that is compatible with the country you are heading towards.
Never Use Your Native Credit Card Overseas
Another tip you should never overlook when travelling abroad is to use a credit card. It goes without saying that when you land in some country, you don’t have its currency at the moment, right? So what most people opt for is the credit card, which makes sense as well.
But the fact is the standard credit card (usually) hikes up the hidden charges to it. Mainly it includes cash withdrawal fees, interest charges, foreign currency transaction fees, etc. On top of that, if you withdraw from an ATM, it adds up to 3% to the actual price. So what’s the solution? Simply go for the prepaid Forex card and keep your worries at bay!
Initiate International Roaming for Your Phone
Travelling and exploring an unknown place is fun as long as you have interaction with your friends and family. If you are travelling alone, setting up international roaming on your cellphone is an essential thing to consider.
Basically, International Mobile Roaming is a service for your ease that instantly lets you keep going with all the important mobile usability that includes receiving or making receive voice calls and text messages, browsing the internet, and sending and receiving emails when you’re overseas. International roaming on the phone gives you the privilege to have smooth connectivity and interactions the way you had in your homeland!
Keep your Baggage Lightweight
Travelling light is an overheard statement, and it is true as well. For air travelling, your lightweight baggage and luggage always bring the best results, be it a fee, carrying around or holding in hands. Before packing stuff, you should know how to pack your clothes wisely to save space; for instance, you don’t have to pick up shoes for every occasion.
Only pick up essentials like medicine, clothes according to the weather, and other things which you cannot do otherwise. Another perk of light packing is you don’t have to pay more for airport trolleys. If your own stuff is creating annoyance, the point of travelling dies instantly.
Get a Travel Insurance
Booking a seat and travelling abroad is way different than you’d travel locally by bus. Although you have a plan and a destination to arrive at, there are chances to face mishaps. There is no need to worry if you’ve opted for travel insurance. Travel insurance is a service that is aimed to protect against risks and financial losses which are bound to happen for many. This is the safety measure that you, as a wise person, should approach.
Get Vaccinated
If you’re seriously ill, it is prohibited to fly, especially to a foreign country. However, keeping the current pandemic situation in mind, it is now recommended that you should always get your vaccination done prior to stepping into the plane. Getting vaccinated is equally important for you and your kids or other family members.
Not only for Covid-19, but you should also take vaccination for all the major illnesses that your doctor suggests you. Stay healthy and keep your circle healthy too.
Learn a Little Native Language
If you are travelling to a country that differs from your native language, you really need to learn a few phrases. In fact, if you don’t have plans for overseas travelling, we’d suggest you master the commonly spoken phrases, directions and other day-to-day speaking sentences that later turn out to be ‚helpful‘. Luckily, there are plenty of apps combined with online assistance for learning new languages, which makes things highly easy. So before you land in a country where you are ‚totally new‘, it is important to download some useful travelling apps.
Talking about apps, one of the most sought-after names is Babbel and Duolingo. However, searching online would definitely let you know even more options. But if you have to fly on an immediate basis, knowing a few phrases like „excuse me“ and „thank you“, questions and directions really come to the rescue.
Conclusion
Everything has its prerequisites, but travelling has a lot. In this post, we have highlighted those rescuing points that really mean a lot for fresh travellers. However, if you are used to travelling, is it still important to take a thorough note of each point so that you never have to face the flip side of overseas flying! A pro tip for being safe abroad is to be interactive with your friends and family in your hometown.
