I started working on this travel guide years ago. After a computer crash, I lost some of my information. Although I use this information for myself, it was originally created to have the best “ding thread†of all time. However, given the dramatic decrease of posters, I decided to tame down the post. If well received, I’ll keep it maintained.
This travel guide comes directly from my personal experience of traveling “overseasâ€. While this guide can be applied to domestic travel, it is designed for foreign travel. Every time I travel, I learn something new.
Phase I: Planning:
Your entire trip relies on your ability to plan. You can never start too early. There are important factors to consider when planning for a trip.
Passport/Visa: Unless you’re traveling to a landlocked country or possibly a cruise, you will more than likely be required to have a passport. Your passport alone will not grant you access to every country. Each country has their own entry rules that depend directly to the nation’s passport that you have. Many times, US citizens tend to travel to Europe and get the false impression that you can enter in any country if they show up with a passport. You will need a visa along with a passport.
There are two types of visas. You have visa on arrival (a stamp that you get at the airport, usually good for 30 to 90 days) and visas that you have to apply for. The application process depends on the country. Some countries allow you to apply online, while others require you to apply in person to the nearest consulate and or embassy. Given those locations are generally regional, that is something that has to be planned for. If you have to go to an embassy or consulate, there might be waits greater than 4 weeks. This is another reason why you don’t want to wait.
When you apply for your visa, take note of the rules. Some visas are multiple entry, while others might be a single entry. Some countries may have additional restrictions such as recent travels from other countries or a time requirement before you can visit again. All of this information can be found on travel.state.gov
Weather: Do not expect the weather to be the same where you are going. Some countries are hot all year around, while some countries' winter may coincide with out summer. Fall and winter tend to be the best times to travel for ticket prices, especially if you are going to a tropical place. You don’t want to plan a trip to a place during a raining season.
Exact Dates: If you are planning to travel for a special occasion that is happening on a specific date, i.e., a wedding, it is in your best interest to give yourself a buffer. Stuff happens and the last thing that you would want to happen is to pay for a ticket to miss the event.
Health Restrictions: Previously touched on this, but there are some restrictions on entering countries after recent visits to other countries for health reasons. They usually consist of parts of South America, but will change during a health scare, i.e., Zika, SARS, etc. You can usually still enter, but you may have to go through additional unnecessary screening.
Security: Do not tell everyone that you are going on a trip. Wait until you return before you start populating your Facebook. You become a target for theft once everyone knows that you are gone.
Notify your bank of the countries that you will be visiting to avoid your card not working due to fraud alert.
Stop your physical mail for the time that you are gone.
Money:
Your plane tickets and hotel reservations will be the majority of your budget. If you are able to minimize the costs in one or both of these areas, you will have more money for spending.
It’s in your best interest to travel with *some* cash upon arrival, as credit cards might not be used wherever you land, i.e., with a taxi.
When you arrive to your location, it’s always better to pay with local currency. Vendors will always try to get more out of you with conversion rates.
Conversion rates change everyday and are not standard. ATMs will charge you at a higher rate. Your best bet is to exchange money at a teller. The more at once, the better.
For security purposes, it’s best to not walk around with a lot of money. Keep the bulk secured in your room and walk around with minimum money, jewelry or anything that may give off the thought that you have wealth.
Communications:
Ensure that your phone is unlocked (meaning it can accept foreign SIM cards). This is free. You can either call you service provider or youtube it.
Make sure that you turn off background data to avoid having apps downloading in the background with international charges.
VoIP is your friend. Make sure that you have a VoIP app, i.e., Skype, Kakao, in order to stay in touch without costing money. You have to make sure that your key contacts have the app as well.
There are international packages, if you prefer, but are usually not worth it. You should not be charged for incoming calls if you do not answer them. So, once you receive a missed phone call, call back via your VoIP. However, you will be charged for incoming text messages.
Technology:
Foreign IPs: Downloading software that allows you to hide/change your IP will maximize your ability to surf the web. Many websites prevent foreign IP addresses from streaming their content. Also, your favorite international page (Yahoo, CNN, etc.) is not the same in other countries. If you prefer to see US news, highlights, etc (in English), changing your IP will allow it. Furthermore, some countries, flat out block some websites.
Voltage: Take note of the voltage of the things that you are bringing. The US is different in the sense that if your technology isn’t dual voltage, it will more than likely die on you after plugging it up. It is important to note that there is a huge difference between an adapter (piece that allows you to plug your item in the wall) and an actual voltage converter. Using the former without the latter will toast your equipment.
Flight Tickets:
Purchasing Tickets: When you purchase your tickets, the date and day chosen are factors. Play around with different sites with different departure and arrival dates for the best price. There are other tricks that are online to help you find the cheapest ticket
Airline Alliances: Back in the day, all of the airlines competed against each other, now they join alliances. Join the alliances for the points. Even if you have no desire to ever fly that airline again or use the points, those points, at a minimum, *can* give you special treatment at the gate. For example, you may be boarded sooner, which guarantees you overhead bin room.
Return Tickets: Most countries will not allow you to enter as a foreigner without a return ticket of some sort. So, if you plan on “country hopping†from one country to another, you should have a ticket that has you leaving the country within the time of your visa. Else, they will deny your entry.
Layovers: When you purchase a flight, you are actually paying for each leg of the flight. This is important for many reasons. 1. If you miss a leg of your flight, your entire flight might be cancelled. It is imperative that you notify the airline that you are still flying if you are able to get another leg of the flight. 2. The layover is default to 45 to 120 mins, but you can request the layover to be 2 days if your layover is another desired country. The price *should* be the same, but depending on how the tickets are being purchased, there might be an additional charge.
When looking at the layover, take your physical limitations into consideration. If your luck is like mine, your connecting flight will always be on the opposite side of the airport. If you only have 45 mins to get there, that is something to consider. If your connecting flight involves you going through customs and immigration (entering a new country), you will need ensure that you have at least two hours.
Itinerary: Print out your itinerary. Some times the airline that you booked is not the airline that you will fly, due to the alliances. If you bring your itinerary, any confusion can easily be resolved.
Infants: Make sure that you clarify with the airlines on the rules with infants. All infants need to be on a ticket, even if there is no cost.
Phase II: Execution
Packing: PACK LIGHT! The more stuff that you bring, the harder it will be to move around. If you’re staying in one spot the entire time, then it might not be that big of a deal. However, moving around with tons of luggage can be difficult and expensive. If you are able to manage with only carry-on bags, you are able to change flights at any time. If you have checked in luggage, you are bound to your luggage.
Furthermore, your weight is not unlimited. The more weight you have, the more likely you might have to pay extra. Given that you are likely to buy souvenirs which add more weight upon returning. Customs are not the same for every country. Just because you were allowed to fly with a particular gel in one country, doesn’t mean you can in another country.
Flying: A common joke that I’ve validated is that the poorer the country, the better the airline. US airlines have historically been at the bottom in my experiences. Other airlines give you full meals in 2 hour flights.
What you wear will make a difference in your comfort levels while flying. If you are easy to get cold, you should always bring a jacket, long sleeve, etc. When you first enter the plane, it will probably be hot, but it’ll get cold once it takes off. This tends to be true with other public transportation as well.
Comfort should be your key when flying. The less things that you wear that you will have to remove when going through security, the better. If you are on a long flight, 12+ hours, you will probably be sticky and nasty when you land. I would avoid trying to look “pretty†on the plane. Dress light and change accordingly during the flight.
It's in your best interest to have your hygiene kit with you, so you can freshen up during the flight.
Flying with infants: Don’t put off traveling just because you have an infant. Flying with infants will allow you to board planes first. They are free and you get a lot of positive attention. You can request for strollers at some airports. There are also “baby aisles’ where you can request for crib and baby food.
Transportation: Unless you live in certain parts of the US, you are probably not used to *good* public transportation.
Taxis: Taxis tend to be the most expensive way around. From my experience, any one who seeks for a ride is probably over charging. In a number of countries (especially Asian countries), there are unofficial “taxis†that are more cost effective. These include scooters, bikes, unmarked cars, etc. These are not suggested for security reasons, but they are effective.
Bus: I’ve encountered two different types of busses. You have the city bus, that only goes around the city and the long distance buses. These can vary from your generic bus to a luxury bus. Overnight bus and train trips provide a way out of paying for a hotel.
Train: (More to follow)
Metro: (More to follow)
Rent-a-car: I just reserved my first rent-a-car in a foreign country, but the price to rent a car for a week is cheaper than one round trip ticket (plane or train) to a neighboring country. The rental car may be a good option if you are traveling a lot. You can also rent car seats and GPS systems.
Hotels: (More to follow)
Edited, Aug 3rd 2016 10:07pm by Almalieque