5 international travel tips that you need to know

For many of us, holiday travel is part of life.

However, an overseas trip may add a layer of stress. Reason being, it involves more time to prepare when you are already overloaded with shopping & holiday plans, year-end work projects.

Before things get too irresistible, we have compiled a list of hot tips that can help you better prepare for your trip.

1.      Money tips for international travel:

You have to call your bank and credit card companies to let them know when you will be away. If you do not do this, your bank can suspend your card for possible suspicious activity.

Check to see if you’ve a credit card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees. If you do not have one, you could consider a new card without these fees and can save more money.

Many credit card companies will mail out cards overnight at no charge, so be sure to ask about this if you are travelling within a week.

Take a credit card with a smart chip. Many countries use payment machines that only take cards with smart chips that are less susceptible to fraud.

Get money ahead of time. Although you’ll likely find an ATM when you land, it is helpful to have money on hand in the proper currency when you arrive.

2.      Passport and safety tips for international travel:

Always ensure that your passport is ready to go and that you’ve included your passport number in your airline ticketing information.

You can make copies of your passport and pack one copy in your luggage and leave one at home with someone you trust.

You can also store an electronic copy. In this way, if you lose your passport, you can fall back on the copies to prove your citizenship and can get back home more easily.

You can also enrol in the Smart Traveller Enrolment Program (STEP) through the U.S. Department of State.

If you are a U.S. citizen or national, you can enroll your trip with the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the country you are planning to visit.

This will help the embassy reach you in an emergency and you will also get important information regarding safety conditions in your destination country.

3.      Packing and airport tips for international travel:

Ideally, your luggage should not exceed the airline’s maximum weight limit. So make sure you check on this ahead of time.

This way you will not be charged extra. It is also advisable to pack one day’s worth of clothes and your medications in a carry-on bag.

You can check-in for your flight in advance and download the airline app onto your phone. When you arrive to the airport, it can save you from the hassle of finding your paper ticket.

4.       Insurance tips for international travel:

If you are travelling to visit grandma and using airline miles to pay for your flight, then you do not need travel insurance.

But if you are taking a vacation complete with hotels, tours, flights, and more, buying travel insurance is a smart move.

Reason being, certain policies will compensate you if you’ve to cancel your trip or leave early.

However, you will not be eligible for some coverage if you purchase insurance within 10 days of your departure date. There’re still other policies you can purchase up until the day before you leave.

You can call your health insurance provider to check whether medical costs are covered in your destination country or not. Many insurance companies only cover health care in the United States.

If so, you might need to consider purchasing medical insurance through a travel insurance provider.

You can pack your trip insurance policy plan information, including your company contact details and plan number.

You can also store a copy electronically and leave one at home. In this way, you can access it in case you lose the information you brought with you.

Before you leave, you can surely come up with other odds and ends to take care of like placing a mail hold & adding a roaming option to your phone plan.

5.      Get a proper Check-up and Appropriate Vaccination:

Always have a physical prior to your trip to make sure that you are healthy enough to travel abroad, and ensure that you know the health concerns of the country you are planning to visit.

Numerous worldwide travel destinations need vaccinations prior to your arrival. So make sure you know the immunizations you need and that you are immunized prior to your trip.

Conclusion:

If this is your first time travelling abroad, or if you just need a refresher here is a list of tips you should do or otherwise bring before your trip:

Security & Health

1.       Check-in with your doctor and insurance carrier

2.       Bring copies of your passport.

3.       Leave a copy of your passport.

Money:

1.       Look up the monetary conversion before you go

2.       Make sure your credit card will work in the country you’re visiting.

3.       Always have local cash

4.       Call your bank or credit card provider.

Local Research:

1.       Check the voltage of your electronics.

2.       Activate your phone’s global capabilities.

3.       Bring a charger adapter.

Luggage & packing:

1.       To check a bag or not to check bag

2.       Bring snacks.

3.       To check a bag or not to check bag

About Author:

Vision Aviation Global is a leading service provider firm in India. We offer best flight support services that are truly very valuable and genuine.

Our main objective is to offer exclusive Air Charter services for flawless operations throughout India.

We obtain landing permit and overfly permits from Civil Aviation Authorities in India within a short time frame.

15 Tips for Surviving a Long Flight- a quick look

Long flights: Do you love them or hate them? They are a necessity to get to the most distant destinations on the planet and some people love them, while others hate them.

However long flights can actually be enjoyed if you plan ahead and arm yourself with things that will help to pass the time and also help you sleep.

Now check out top 15 tips for surviving long flights:

1.      Power up:

Make sure you have all your chargers with you. In this way, you can keep your gadgets powered up throughout your flight.

Alternatively, you can carry extra batteries or an external charging device in case your plane is not having electrical outlets. Tip: Keep your chargers organized with a portable carrying case.

2.      Load up your devices:

Before you board your flight, make sure that your devices i.e. Smartphone, tablet, laptop, and e-reader are loaded up with music, games, movies, books and the airline’s app.

3.      Pack a pillow (and a blanket):

There’re tons of different pillows on the market. Find out which one works for you and go with it.  Also, all airlines do not offer blankets. So you have to bring your own or at least a cosy sweater.

4.      Wear comfortable clothes:

The temperature on a plane is rarely comfortable for everyone. You might be freezing, while the person a few rows away find it too warm.

You just never know, so it is best to be prepared. Wear comfortable clothes on a long flight and pack some layers so that you can adjust as the temperature changes inside the plane.

Pack some comfortable socks, too, but do not go into the bathroom in just your sock feet. Put your shoes on.

5.      Sleeping pills:

The key to surviving a long flight is being able to get some shut-eye. I personally do not take any kind of pills (including melatonin) since I want to be fully aware in case of an emergency.

But I know many people who swear by them. Usually, the drug of choice is Ambien however you could consult your doctor first before taking anything. Also test it out before getting on the plane.

6.      Don’t forget your eye mask:

Eye masks will help you create a perfect sleeping environment by blocking out all the light. Instead of using the cheap, scratchy eye masks, you can bring your own fluffy one.

7.      Bring earplugs:

Bringing earplugs is self-explanatory and is important for a good night’s sleep. If you forget them chances are that the flight attendant will have an extra pair.

8.      Noise-cancellation headphones and soft music:

If there is a screaming baby near you or people speaking loudly, earplugs will not necessarily going to do the trick.

In that case, wear your noise-cancellation headphones or ear buds and play soft music, an audio book or meditation music helps you a lot.

9.      Pack anti-bacterial wipes:

We all know that planes are dirty and germy. You can minimize your risk of picking up and spreading germs by using anti-bacterial wipes to wipe down your seat belt, seat back tray, arm rests etc.

A somewhat sanitized area should help you relax and rest a little bit easier, especially on a long flight.

10.  Bring games and something to read:

If you’re travelling with someone, bring a deck of cards or some portable games. My favourite game is Travel Scrabble.

But you better bring the Scrabble Dictionary for challenges or can use the in-flight Wifi to check the dictionary online. To pass the time everyone needs something good to read.

11.  Bring snacks/water:

On a long flight, you can eat and drink according to your own schedule, not the flight crew’s so pack some snacks and bring water.

At some major U.S. airports, taxi time can be up to an hour and once you’re in the air, it is usually forty minutes before the crew brings out the food and drinks.

12.  Choose your seat wisely:

If you plan to sleep for most of the flight, the best seat available is next to a window so you have something to lean against.

You do not have to worry about your seatmates waking you so they can use the loo. But if you think you will face any disturbance, get an aisle seat so that you can get up and easily stretch your legs.

13.  Buckle up:

If you are planning to sleep, make sure your fastened seat belt is visible over your clothing or blanket.

That’s way; the flight attendants won’t disturb you when they do their safety checks if the seat belt sign goes on.

14.  Bring sleep assistants:

Bring a device that works for you like the First Class Sleeper. It provides neck and lumbar support and can make a long flight more comfortable.

Also try the Travel Rest Pillow, which attaches to the seat back of a plane and gives more support to your head and neck.

15.  Be nice:

Last but definitely not least: Be nice. You are all on this long flight together. So be pleasant to everyone, right from the gate agents to your fellow passengers.

Put on a smile and bring three boxes of chocolates i.e. for the gate agents, for the flight attendants and for yourself.

Conclusion:

Being trapped in an airborne metal tube for hours will take a toll on even the most frequent flyer. But long haul travel would not have to be an uncomfortable experience.

These helpful tricks will make economy feel like first class:

1.       Choose your food carefully

2.       Stay hydrated

3.       Keep your alcohol intake to a minimum

4.       Bring a neck pillow

5.       Bring noise cancelling headphones or earplugs

6.       Bring an eye mask

7.       Wear compression socks

8.       Charge all of your devices and bring an extra power pack

About Author:  

Vision Aviation Global is a most reputed air charter service provider firm in India. We offer best air charter services India that are truly very valuable and cost effective.

Vision Aviation Global  cater to the growing demand for air charted services, bespoke airline ground, and a range of corporate aviation services for non scheduled air travel within Delhi, India.