I recently got an email from Beth on Facebook asking me to give her any travel tips that I’ve picked up over the years when travelling out of the country. Her daughter is about to head to London, Paris, and Rome for school–how cool is that? She wrote:
Hey, Mavis! Glad you are having such a good time on your trip and sharing it with us. Would you consider (when you get back and have time) sharing with us newbies a little advice about traveling overseas? Things like the best things to pack and what to pack in; what is allowed on airlines; where to exchange money; best place to keep valuables; etc, etc……. May daughter is going on an European trip and we don’t have a clue what to expect…help!
I thought rather than email just her back, I would post my tips, so that all of you could chime in on things you’ve picked up from travelling abroad and maybe, just maybe, my own tips will help you out if you are headed overseas.
- First off, pack light. Unless you are going to a third world country, anything out of the ordinary you need, you can purchase. Packing light will leave room for souvenirs, save you money checking your bag, and make it a heck of a lot easier schlepping your stuff from place to place.
- I always bring $100 USD {in 20’s}, just to have in case of an emergency.
- I get my local currency from the ATM machine at the airport. I typically get around $500 USD. If I need more, I just find an ATM machine while we are in town. The exchange rate from an ATM is generally the lowest available and the minimal ATM fee {$3-$5} is totally worth it and a BIG time saver.
- When my daughter and I travel we each bring 1 carry piece of luggage {with soft sides} and either a backpack or laptop bag each.
- I ALWAYS wear a money belt. I feel waaaay more secure carrying around so much cash when no one knows that I am actually carrying it, and it frees up my hands to take awesome pictures and shove my face with pastries.
- In the money belt, I only carry my passport, driver’s license, ATM card, and 2 credit cards {in case one is lost or stolen}.
- Download FREE apps on your smart phone, like Key Ring to store any other cards you might need {i.e. health insurance cards}.
- Don’t use traveler’s check they are a pain and a lot of stores actually will not take them.
- Pack snacks for the flight, but remember, you can’t pack any produce–no apple slices, carrots, etc. Think: Lara Bars or Fruit Leathers.
- Pack a refillable water bottle in your carry-on. You will have to keep it empty when you pass through security, but as soon as you get into the terminal, you can fill it. I have NEVER had a problem when I ask to fill it at one of the fast-food restaurants in the airports.
- If you are bringing electronics {laptop, kindle, iPad, smartphone, etc.} remember to get an adapter so you will be able to charge your phone.
- Opt for comfy footwear. You will walk a ton {they walk more than we do, in general, in Europe}. While shoes might make the outfit, they can also make your life miserable.
- Pack all toiletries and liquids {check with your airline for allowed amounts} in a quart sized ziplock bag. If you are carrying on all of your luggage, you will need to take it out and throw it in a bin at security–they usually want to see all liquids {including shampoo, gel, etc.}. If you are checking your bag in, a ziploc bag can limit the mess if something spills.
- If you are crossing into countries by train, make sure you familiarize yourself with each country’s entry rules and procedures. Each country has different rules for foreigners. In France and obviously England, they can/will speak English–so you can ask when you get on the train. In Italy, it is not as common for people to speak English {at least when I was there, which was YEARS ago}, so make sure to familiarize yourself ahead of time.
- When my daughter and I travel, we each bring 1 carry-on piece of luggage {with soft sides} and either a backpack or laptop bag each. I like to carry-on everything rather than check it, because it saves time and money, and it completely eliminates the possibility of lost luggage. {Make sure to check with your airline for size guidelines on carry-ons.}
I hope you daughter has a fantastic time–I am sure it will be the experience of a lifetime. Do any of you have tips for someone travelling abroad for the first time?
~Mavis
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Madam Chow says
Great tips!
I’ve been traveling overseas for over 40 years, so here are a few more tips:
1. Money belts can be cut off your body by savvy thieves. It happened to some family friends on the bus in Rome, and it happened to a fellow traveler ON THE AIRPLANE in Thailand as she was getting off the plane. Thieves know about money belts, and have adapted, so I recommend also using safety pins (several) to pin the belt and its satchel to the inside of your clothing.
2. Use multiple safety pins to pin the zippers on backpacks, purses, etc., to the fabric. This helped me from getting ripped off by a group of little street kids in Venice.
3. DO NOT TAKE ANYTHING OF SENTIMENTAL OR GREAT VALUE WITH YOU.
4. Make a copy of your passport and leave it with a family member, plus take a copy with you (keep separate from the documents in your money belt) or scan and email it to yourself.
5. When in Rome . . ., as the saying goes! That means that you should have appropriate attire for the places that you want to visit. When I visited India, for example, I wore a long travel skirt (almost to my ankles) and short sleeved shirts. Because of that, I was allowed into certain places of worship. In other holy places, you may be required to cover your head. Bottom line: dress modestly.
6. Speaking of which, if you are going to be traveling to a third world country and plan on visiting temples and shrines, carry an extra pair of socks with you. There were many places that didn’t allow us to enter with shoes on, but they did allow all sorts of animals to enter and poop everywhere. I had to take off my shoes, but I kept my socks on, and when I left, I would just put on a clean pair of socks.
Madam Chow says
One more tip:
My in-laws came back from an Eastern European trip last year, and if I recall correctly, it was in Hungary that there were not ATMs in the airport! They had to go to a kiosk and pay a high premium to exchange money. At any rate, something to keep in mind if you go outside Western Europe.
Margery says
I think you need to come and visit our Girl Scout troop, to bad we are in NY. We are trying to teach a troop of girls on how to pack light for a 2 week trip to London this summer. It’s going to be fun.
Rosaleen says
Tips for traveling abroad… Some are good for traveling, period. Airlines charge more for luggage than in by-gone times, plus cars and their trunks are getting smaller. Bring clothing that is interchangeable so fewer pieces=more looks. Also think layers and hand-washable in hotel sinks. If you have just a shower stall and the world’s tiniest sink, you might consider washing out the waste basket to use as a clothes washing basin. A couple of inflatable hangars seem like luxury items and take up some luggage space, but a lot of hotels’ hangars don’t have hooks for the shower rod. Also, the inflated hangar seems to help clothes dry faster. Consider picking up 2-3 pairs of quick-dry panties and other garments. Camping stores should have these items for as much of less than “travel” stores and be easier to locate. The good panties are breathable, dry quickly, and usually have an anti-microbial treatment. You can also find them on-line and maybe at a discount at EMS.com, REI.com, and SierraTradingPost.com, among other suppliers. I used to carry silk clothing for pajamas, camp, and town wear while backpacking. These are incredibly light, pack small, and dry fairly quickly. Unfortunately, my thrift shop sources for these have pretty much dried up. Some really cheap, thin, and light clothing sold through a catalog for street wear but that look more like pajamas may be my next travel jammies. I still think in terms of “modesty” around others for pj’s, etc., from my camping/backpacking days. We ever knew with whom we’d be sharing space.
Mavis just posted a recipe for homemade fabric refresher. Consider bringing a small empty spray bottle. Add a little baking soda, and maybe some essential oil or a tiny bit of a fabric softener sheet for fragrance, if you wish. Carrying liquid softener may not be worth it, but a dry sheet can help your luggage and clothing smell better, rubbed across clothing can help hold down static, and a tiny bit soaked in that spray bottle may help with clothing or shoe odors. Dry stuff doesn’t count in the 3-3-3 zip bag for liquids. (Yea!) Look for tiny bottles and containers for items that you can’t live without. Amazon should have some or repurpose eye drop and other found bottles (Beano!) you may have. Some of the cottage vendors for backpackers also sell tiny, lightweight bottles and jars.
Depending on where one travels, consider carrying a “feminine urinary device” that allows relief while standing when sanitation is less than ideal. GoGirl, Shewee, and Freshette are a few that are available. A backpacking friend discovered that a large coffee can lid held folded taco-style works well for her. Practice at home in your shower first with any of these.
If you are interested and have trouble finding items, E-mail me for help.
Rosaleen
Dale says
Madam Chow is right. Have a copy of your passport with you. Also if you have a reservation at a hotel at your destination place the address and dates you will be there in your check bags. I always e-mail a copy of all my important documents to myself to include shot records. visa, passport. Driver’s license, and itinerary. If traveling with a lot of electronics that won’t fit in your carry on. Many airports offer a shrink wrap service for your check bags. I highly recommend this as it keeps honest people honest. Lastly make sure to leave a copy of your itinerary with a friend or family member.
Madam Chow says
Oh, here’s another one close to my heart that has saved me MANY times: toilet paper. Take a roll and squash it flat and keep it with you, personally, not back in the hotel room. Toilet facilities in the rest of the world are definitely not what they are in the US, and you should not expect to find TP.
Also take a small supply of things like Imodium, Nyquil, benadryl, etc.
Dale says
When it comes to perscription drugs. Make sure they are in the origional bottle with your name on them. Many countries especially the middle east have a 0 tollerance for drugs and have no sense of humor
Julie says
Check allllllll import restrictions. A few places I’m going in Africa consider antihistamines a hard drug and travelers have been charged with our equivalent of trafficking.
Elena says
Take a small supply of antihistamines, pain relievers, and other over the counter medications as well as sanitary items. Looking back, watching my brother in law try to explain tampon to the man at the pharmacy in Venice was hilarious.
Fee- says
Great tips here! I live in Europe, and I have to share some of mine. It’s not the same if you are travelling to Finland, Ukraine, Britain or France. Every country is really different and has very different customs. Use google, read articles and ask people who has traveled to that country. Eat local foods, go to local shops, museums, parks.. I’ve met so many american tourists who only eat in McDonalds..
Madam Chow commented on european toilets.. And I’m offended! That point is right if you travel to eastern Europe, but here in Scandinavia toilets are better than yours in the US 😀
Madam Chow says
No offense intended! Looking forward to a trip to Scandinavia!
Alvada Owen says
I save the small sample bottles of shampoo and other items from hotels and refill them as needed They are small and can be put in ziplock bags and stuffed in shoes,etc.And always ask the doctor to refill meds with extra meds in case you get stranded or delayed due to travel delays.
Beth says
Wow! Thanks for all of the tips, y’all! I truly appreciate all of this help and Mavis, I can’t believe how quickly you could put all of this together. These tips will help her out immensely, I know, and I will share them with the others going on the trip as well. 🙂 🙂 🙂
Melinda says
Me me me! I’d like to add my two cents.
Don’t be surprised if you have to pay to use a toilet overseas. I’ve done it in Italy, Bosnia, and Austria, and Austria’s were super clean, so I didn’t mind spending a Euro. Some toilets are holes in the ground – porcelain holes, but holes nonetheless. It’s ok. I would bring some luggage locks with you so you can lock things up while you’re out and about in the room (safes aren’t that big when you can find them). Also, a lot of hotels will actually keep your passport once you check in. The first time this happened to me in Italy, I demanded it back, but after having lived abroad, I realized it’s easy to have it stolen while you’re out, so I leave it in the hotel room now when I travel (locked in my suitcase).
My husband and I took a group of students to Austria, Bosnia and Croatia last year for a month, and this year, I’m implementing a few different things: I have traded his cotton t-shirts for the breathable meshy travel shirts and underwear to reduce weight and space. I have soap so I can wash things in the sink (will take a sink stopper). I bought a clothesline that I can install in my hostel and hotel rooms. Pack what you think you need, then take half. You seriously do not need as much clothing as you think you will.
If you like it dark and quiet, bring ear plugs and a sleep mask. They worked wonders for me, and when my husband lived abroad across from a night club, the ear plugs came in handy.
I actually expect to use the ATM more this year – in Vienna, many restaurants did not take Visa or Mastercard or any credit card, so I had to use cash, and I didn’t expect that.
The water bottle is important, so don’t forget it.
If you are traveling on an airliner between countries, most follow the 1 bag onto the plane rule, not like here in the US where you get a bag and a personal item as your carry-on. A luggage scale might come in handy on the road. One of our students last year had one and it really helped everyone not go over the weight limit.
Take a reusable shopping bag like Baggu. In Austria, you either brought your own or bought one of theirs at the store. There were no plastic bags. It also comes in handy should you need to tote your clothes to a laundromat.
If you can, learn some of the customs of the places you’ll be going to. Learn a few words. People are really appreciative if you try saying something in their language. A lot of people think that we’re all loud talking heads who are brash and ignorant of the rest of the world and think that the only thing that matters is the US. Be gracious, courteous and respectful. Traveling abroad is an awesome responsibility. Remember to go with the flow. Our airport in Florence actually closed down and we were there at 4:45, about 45 minutes before it opened! It’s all a grand experience.
Jay says
Keep purses/backpacks close to you or wear in front of you when in crowded areas like public transport and pedestrian crossings. Use a small TSA luggage lock for your backpack zippers. Mini packs of tissue for tissue or as someone else mentioned TP. Quick dry clothes for on the road washing (shirt, pants, socks, undies) and a clothesline available at camping stores or REI. When you get to the hotel, pick up a business card or write down the lodging address/number so each person in your party has one. This is especially important if you don’t speak the language and you should get lost. You can show this to a cab driver or someone, who can hopefully get you back to your lodging.
Catherine Foster says
To get REALLY specific, I pack my ziplock bags of toiletries (and you can have more than one. I usually have three and it’s been fine) in the outside pockets of my carry-on bag. They’re easy to whip out at security. Rolling your clothes keeps the wrinkles down. And another thing to keep down is your voice. A quieter voice will open doors. If you have time to read the Culture Shock books about the countries you’re visiting, they may explain things that seem incomprehensible. Have a great time!
Jessica J says
I travel with my husband and 2 year old and we do not check bags if we can help it, so space in our carry-ons is a premium. Rolling clothes makes the most of your space and if done carefully will keep clothes wrinkle free. Keep clothes organized and rolled by putting them in a ziplock, not just loose in your bag. The ziplocks also make it easy to find one thing without having the entire contents of your suitcase spilling out. While traveling everything stays waterproof and unpacking at your destination is a breeze! Plus ziplocks are always useful at your destination. They actually make suitcase organizing bags for this reason (amazon reviews are awesome) but ziplocks do the job for a lot less money. Happy traveling!
Carita says
Rick Steve’s has an awesome website with tons of information on packing, safety, using electronics overseas, managing money transactions, etc. Well worth the time to peruse.
Mavis Butterfield says
We first got the travel bug by watching Ricks shows on PBS!! 🙂
Lynne says
Awesome tips! I agree with all the advice already shared, but have a few additional thoughts. I like to arrive with enough local currency to get me to my hotel and through that first day, in case there is any issue with finding a place to get or change money. It might be really early when you land, or there is a long line at the ATM. I also always research options to get from the airport into town on arrival. I know I’ll be tired and worried about that, so I like to work it out in advance. Check out local travel options, because sometimes you can get a better deal on line in advance if you plan to use trams or subways. If Groupon is available wherever you are going, sign up a few weeks ahead of your travel. While I love spontaneity when I travel, it’s also good to have a few plans or reservations in place, especially if you can get a good deal on something you would like to do.
rachel says
I’ve traveled quite a bit to Europe and Asia. I’ve always copied my passport, registered with the embassies in the countries I’ll be in (in case of natural disaster or political issues, the embassies then know who to look for to help you get out of the country) and I’ve always made sure my bank new I’d be out of the country so when I started pulling out cash from ATMs in different places, they didn’t stop my card. Even though I’ve done this, while backpacking Europe, they still stopped my ATM card in Germany in case of it being stolen and I had to resort to credit cards the rest of the trip. They got an earful when I returned and when I went to China, I never once had a problem using my ATM card all over the country. So giving them the head’s up – maybe twice – is a good idea too.
I’ve washed lots of clothes at night in bathroom sinks and let them air dry while I sleep – the Tide single-use packets are really great.
heather says
Great tips! Whenever I have travelled overseas I have been able to exchange money at the front desk of my hotel.
Janice says
I usually scan my passport and any other important documents then email them to myself and family members. That way if they ever go missing I can easily access them and I don’t have loose printed copies hanging around for others to see. Also, I’m going to Africa for my fourth volunteer experience this October and am currently looking into accessing the airport lounge in Dar es Salaam. It seems to be a much more comfortable and safe way to spend a long layover than trying to find a quiet corner of the airport and a less than comfortable seat . The $20 or so dollars I think will be well spent as there are usually perks, including food, drink and sometimes showers available. After 27 hours of travel time this girl will be more than ready for a shower!
Mavis says
Love that passport tip idea!
sherry in Sumner says
I have started getting my foreign money from the bank before I travel overseas. It saves the ATM fees and you can put the bulk of it in your money belt before you even leave the States. I would advise travelers to take advantage of this.
Mavis says
Good tip!
Liz says
Wow! Such a lot of helpful advice. I am going to Vietnam and Cambodia in late August for 3 weeks, any advice? What about vaccinations? or needs for stomach issues? We are going on a river cruise, not freelancing, so I imagine that makes a difference.
Thanks for any suggestions.
Mavis says
Hmmm. I’ve never been either place so I’m not sure I’d have much advice except to soak up every second (obviously!)!
Carol says
You can check on a US government website to see what vaccinations, etc., are required for the country you are visiting. Also, your M.D. should have access to that information.
Carol says
I think all the tips are great! Just a thought on washing your clothes out in a hotel sink and hanging them to dry. This might be frowned upon by the hotel/pension, although it is a very American tourist thing to do. When traveling in Europe, I’ve been told not to do this by people who clean the rooms and been directed to the nearest laundromat. Going to the laundromat in another country is an experience in itself! When in Rome… As some of you have said above–best to be courteous and respectful of the norms of other countries.
Mavis says
Oh, I’ve never thought to ask. I’ll have to check next time!