10 Tips Before You Travel Abroad

Before you travel please remind the below tips, the good travel is a result of good planning, for sure you need to check your passport and the expire dates and apply for any necessary visas, the following 10 tips before you travel abroad will help make your next international getaway a success.

1. Don’t get into unmarked cabs at the airport

Unless it’s the only option, it’s more likely to be a scam than a deal. One friend paid $100 to a guy in an unmarked black cab, because she didn’t know any better. This was in New York, where she could have grabbed a yellow cab, an Uber, or the AirTrain to the subway.

While it’s not impossible to get scammed or mistreated in a licensed cab or rideshare, it’s less likely, and you’ll at least have some recourse.

2. Look for student and senior discounts

Plus discounts for the military, locals, EU
citizens, or any class of visitor into which you fall. Google around and you
can find unadvertised discounts at museums and other attractions.

Some of these discounts are more fundable than
others. Disney World is famous for finding any excuse to give you a pin to
wear, which will prompt its workers and costumed characters to give you some
special treatment.

3. Eat in the residential areas

When in doubt, get outside the tourist areas for dinner. This varies wildly! If you know exactly where you’re going in Times Square, then by all means, enjoy the several excellent restaurants in the area. But in general, especially if you want to get away from big chains, head to a neighborhood where people actually live.

While suburbs and small towns might not have restaurants next to people’s homes, cities do. (Thanks to Jägs for this one.)

And if you do eat in a busier area, skip the places that pay someone to stand outside asking you to come in. It’s not a big red flag, but it’s usually a point against it. If you want to get really picky, get off the main avenues and only eat at side-street restaurants.

This isn’t snobbery; it’s a way to find a restaurant that has to earn its keep with good food and experience instead of easy foot traffic.

4.Cook your own meals

Or stay in a place with a kitchenette, like an
Airbnb, and buy groceries and cook. This is especially smart for long stays and
group or family trips, where restaurant meals get expensive, and in expensive
cities or places with mediocre restaurants. It was a common tip for Reykjavík and Disney World.

5. Research the local holidays

Once my wife and I got stuck in Madrid, because we didn’t realize that a national holiday meant all the trains out of town would fill up early.

Don’t make our dumb mistake! Look up national and local holidays, big parades, and even religious calendars. Some places take Easter, Christmas, Ramadan, or Passover much more seriously than others.

Some cities host giant annual conventions or conferences; you wouldn’t want to get stuck in the middle of SxSW if you just wanted a calm weekend in Austin. And different cities have different customs about which businesses close on a holiday or a weekend.

Be prepared for closures, crowds, or both. Check with your hotel or rental host, and with any restaurants you’re booking in advance.

6. Research the local scams

American cities usually don’t have pickpockets, so it can take some adjustment when traveling to the European cities that do.

Think about how you carry your stuff. Do a quick search for what scams or petty crimes are common at your destination.

Do people offer to take your photo and then demand payment? Do scammers all tell the same story about buying a bus ticket? You don’t need to be scared of the locals—just a little savvy.

7. Talk to the locals

Most people, in most cities, are good and kind and nice to visitors. Some of us are extra nice because we resent our city’s reputation for unfriendliness and we want to prove it wrong.

And the rest of us are easily disarmed if you’re just friendlly and you don’t act entitled to our time. People are proud to recommend their favorite bar or restaurant if you just ask politely.

Research the Culture,
Traditions, & Daily Life

Before jetting off, take some time to educate yourself on the culture, traditions, and daily lifestyle of your destination. This will deepen your appreciation of the experience and guide your behaviour so that you don't offend or disrespect natives.

Also, try to get a sense of the general pace of life, whether it is more relaxed or faster paced and what some of the daily life looks like for residents. When I was in Rome, for example, I learned about apertivo, which involved going for a drink and light snacks in the evening at a restaurant or bar, and then a stroll before having a late dinner (by our standards).

Find out where residents like to eat and drink, then respectfully check the spots out for you. Hopefully you'll end up surrounded by locals who can give you more tips for making the most of your time in their area. If possible, familiarize yourself with some of the native language(s) so that it'll be easier to get to know locals.

Avoid Events & Places
That Mostly Cater to Tourists

A lot of the highly recommended activities aren't actually the ones locals spend their time on. In fact, in those touristy areas, the only locals you'll interact with will be working! Trying to break down that barrier can be made easier by finding people in the setting in which they're most relaxed, like a local bar or other hangout.

When I was living in Kyoto, I went to an onsen with a group of students from a nearby university.

Because they were familiar with the area, they knew which one to go to that would be free of gawky tourists, which lead to a much more authentic and deep experience for me.

Connect with People Who Can
Be Your Behind-the-Scenes Guides

The easiest way to find experiences like the onsen I went to is to establish connections with locals who are willing to be your guides. If cultural exchange programs aren't an option for you, like they were for me, consider using apps and sites to help, like Vayable or Like A Local. If you've got an iPhone, try out asknative, which aims to get answers to your questions from—surprise—natives. If language barrier proves to be an issue, try using your mobile device to break it down.

While many people are delighted to freely share advice with you so that you can experience their country from an authentic perspective, do be wary of scams.

Stay in an Area Where the
Locals Live

Use sites like Airbnb or HomeAway to rent locals' homes. That way, you can surround yourself with residents as they go about their daily lives and hopefully experience some of it yourself.

If you get a great host, they'll leave you recommendations of places to go or are willing to show you themselves.

Another great and inexpensive way to meet locals is to earn your lodging through work. I know someone who recently did this in Japan, and during breaks in the workday his host took him out on a small sailboat to dive for shellfish to eat.

This opportunity to experience a resident's daily routine isn't something that is commonly offered to tourists, by essentially living with a resident, you can get this kind of access to local life.

Remember that this is about skipping the tourist traps and building relationships with locals who are willing to give you a glimpse into the life of the area's citizens.

Arm yourself with knowledge beforehand so you can be respectful and able to communicate, steer clear of events and spots where tourists congregate, and keep an open mind.

8. Use your credit card’s concierge

One of the more obscure advantages of a good credit card is a concierge who can recommend and book restaurants. And while you’re at it, let the company know you’ll be traveling, so they don’t flag your card, and check whether your card will work at your destination.

Do you have a chip and PIN? Is there a transaction fee? God this stuff gives me a headache, let’s just book dinner.

9. Ship your clothes home

If you plan to buy a ton of stuff on your trip, then pack a flat rate prepaid shipping box in your luggage (with your clothes inside). Near the end of your trip, ship your clothes home separately.

Now you have room in your luggage for all your souvenirs and duty-free goods. (Thanks to Tofkit for this.)

10. Book it yesterday

Your vacation is in just two years and you haven’t already bought tickets!? Things really do fill up faster than you think. If you don’t have to pay hefty deposits, book as early as possible.

But you can always watch for cancellations too. If you’re worried about a cancellation window, many places will let you push your reservation forward without a penalty, then cancel without a penalty right after.

Sometimes even on the same phone call. It’s stupid, but sometimes it works.

10 tips By: Nick Douglas