With the advent of cheaper tickets, budget traveling, holiday packages, and everything in between, traveling has become easier than ever before. Once you do your Express Test, the world is your oyster.
If you are an aspiring world traveler, there are some things you need to remember before you step foot on a plane. Read on to find out what you need to remember and what you need while traveling.
Documents
The very first thing any traveler needs is the proper paperwork. You will need a passport, but the list of required paperwork often extends far beyond that. If you are planning on traveling to multiple countries, make sure you know what paperwork you need for each visit.
You will most likely need a visa, but it is essential to get the correct visa. If you are traveling for an extended period and plan on working, traveling on a holiday visa will get you into a lot of trouble with the authorities.
Some countries offer working holiday visas, which allow you to work for a certain amount of time or pay. The point is, do not leave your home country before having the correct visas.
Visas aren’t the only documents you may need; you might have to prove you are TB-free, for example. Know, far in advance, all the paperwork and things you have to verify before you leave.
Bookings
While Wanderlust and seeing where the wind takes you may sound romantic, traveling without booking a hotel, transport, or even some activities, is the quickest way to ruin your holiday and leave you stranded.
While you don’t have to book every single thing you want to do, booking where you are going to stay, and booking essential transport should be the top priority. Even if you book a hotel for two or three days but you’re staying for longer, at least you have a plan in place.
It is a huge mistake to land in a new country; you don’t know anyone, don’t have a ton of money on you, and now you have to find somewhere to stay. Booking also applies to some activities as well.
Pack what You Need
Packing for a holiday is relatively easy. You pack warm clothes, cool clothes if it is hot, toiletries, etc. Remember to check your baggage limit for the airline you are traveling on; some airlines hit you hard with a baggage fee if you are over their weight limit.
If you are planning on backpacking, you have to pack differently. Backpacking is about traveling light with just the essentials; as you will always be on the move, you won’t be at any one place for long either.
Also, remember you will be buying things while you are on holiday. Mementoes, maybe some clothes, shoes, whatever it may be. Under-pack your bag to leave room for all the things you will buy. You don’t want to be forced to leave them at the airport because your bags are too heavy.
Money
You are going to need money when traveling, in particular, cash. Having cash available allows you to buy a snack, pay for a taxi, etc. It also depends where you are going; a country like Thailand has many markets and street food vendors, with almost all of them only accepting cash.
You also need to ensure that your money is accessible. Double-check that you can use your bank cards overseas and even have a credit card available for emergencies. Some people don’t like the idea of using a credit card on holiday as it can get out of hand, but it is one of the best backup plans you can have.
One mistake many travelers make is just running out of money. Traveling can be expensive; even if you plan correctly, there could still be an unseen expense or an emergency that requires a lot of money. Make sure you have it available.
Travel Safety
Travel insurance is the best way to protect yourself and your belongings when traveling. Once again, you never know what is going to happen. You can travel for six months without a problem, or go for a week and end up in hospital on your first night.
Never carry your original travel documents, such as your visa, passport, etc., on you. Carry copies in your backpack or handbag, and leave the originals back at the hotel. If you want to be extra safe, leave copies somewhere hidden in your hotel room and remember to take them with you when you leave.
This becomes even more important when traveling to a country where English or your home language isn’t their first language. Travel documents are universal, and you won’t need to communicate much when you present your documents.
Know What You Want to Do
Researching the activities, restaurants, shops, etc., that are available around you allows you to plan your finances and days better. As mentioned already, hidden expenses are a budget killer, so if there are specific activities you want to do, know how much they cost and when they are available.
This might be trickier if you are on the move all the time, but having a rough idea of restaurant prices, transport prices, and whatnot will help you far more than you think.
Remote Work
Finally, remote working. Some people travel because they can earn on the road and just keep the holiday going. If this is something you want to do, it is essential to have the remote work lined up before leaving.
Working remotely is brilliant, but a lot of people know this. There is a lot of competition and thinking you can find a remote job with a snap of your fingers just won’t be true. Have your remote work organized beforehand.
On the other hand, if you are already working online or have an online business, ensure you stay at places that allow you to work. Going somewhere off the beaten track can be exciting, but you jeopardize your employment and income if you can’t access your work.
