The Knowledgeable Nomad - 10 Tips For Simplifying International Travel
- Written by News Feature Team
Travel is a weird and wonderful way to broaden your understanding of the world around you. From exploring the intricate architecture of Barcelona, to wandering the beautiful outback of Australia, those of us who are lucky enough to have experienced other countries will hold memories that last a lifetime.
Even at times when I have found myself trapped in hotel rooms for business trips, looking out onto a foreign landscape is a truly fascinating sight. With that said, there are many things that can go wrong in international travel. That’s why we’ve put together a brief list of great tips to ensure your adventure goes off without a hitch!
Passport Preparation
While you may think that your passport is still valid, that little expiry date can be quite deceiving depending on where you are looking to go. While countries like America will allow you to use your passport up until the very last day, others won’t be so forgiving.
There are many companies that will not allow you to travel if your passport has less than 6 months left before expiration. So, to avoid any unnecessary stress, try to renew your passport around 9 months before it expires.
Financial Frustrations
When stepping out of your comfort zone, one of the main concerns for most travellers is whether or not you have enough money to comfortably survive. Luckily, you have a variety of options in this regard. Travel loan providers, such as Latitude Finance, are an excellent choice for those looking to get a little extra financial security for their trip.
It’s also important to make sure that you save more than you plan to spend. Things go wrong, bags go misplaced, wallets get lost; you can’t always have full control over everything that happens within your trip. What you can control is how prepared you are for these things when they arise.
Fraudulent Findings
Most banks have an excellent system where, if your card is used by someone outside of your country, they will indefinitely put a pause on your card to avoid fraudulent spending. Unfortunately, for those that find themselves stuck without their credit card in a foreign place, this isn’t exactly the easiest situation to be in.
That’s why it’s important to notify your credit card company of where you will be going prior to your departure. Be aware of layovers and places you will be travelling through, as a sandwich near Singapore airport between flights could be problematic for your future finances.
Maps Are Your Friend
While I am usually quite good with direction, all of this can quickly go out the window the moment I find myself in a new city. Especially when travelling in places where you are unfamiliar with the language, getting lost can be a terrifying event without enough prior preparation.
With that said, the age of smartphones has given the less directionally-gifted of us a fantastic tool in the form of Google Maps. To ensure that you are fully prepared and protected, make sure that you have access to mobile data when necessary. Although it may never come up, having the option to whip out your map is sure to provide some peace of mind.
Travelling is one of the best things you can possibly experience, and if you put the right level of preparation in, everything will (almost) certainly go without a hitch! Happy travels!