32 Crucial Tips for Traveling to Foreign Countries

You may be used to a hyper-connected world, but not every airport or locale is up to your speed. To avoid problems, print out boarding passes, hotel, and travel information and make them easily accessible.

This site dispenses warnings about any health threats, such as typhoid, Dengue fever, and malaria, with medical remedies to counteract them and required vaccinations.

Remember to log on to the U.S. State Department’s travel website to find out about travel advisories and danger zones.

Travel aggregator sites, such as Kayak.com or Travelocity.com, offer you a way to track flight prices. You can have price alerts emailed to you with the frequency you desire. Most sites will also tell you whether the current price is high, low, or typical for the time of year you’re traveling.

Never travel without reviewing your health insurance and checking whether it covers you abroad. Some U.S. health insurance plans and Medicare do not, but you may be able to buy supplemental international health insurance. Some Medicare Advantage and Medigap plans offer emergency care overseas, and companies — such as SquareMouth, QuoteRight, and InsureMyTrip — also sell travel health insurance. As a backup, however, you should have cash in the local currency on hand to pay a doctor’s or hospital bill.

Take stock of the medicines you regularly take to see if you have enough for your trip. If not, you may need to ask your pharmacy for a travel exception to refill it early or ask your doctor to order a 60-day, for example, instead of a 30-day supply of those daily pills. Check with your insurance plan to find out what provisions it provides for such a situation.

In checked bags, the Federal Aviation Administration allows unlimited alcohol as long as the alcohol by volume is less than 24%. If the alcohol is between 24% and 70%, the FAA limits passengers to five liters. In a carry-on, you can have no more than 3.4 ounces of alcohol. Countries have their own rules for traveling with alcohol and their own limits for bringing in alcohol, so check those too.

Avoid leaving the country without an adapter and a long (at least 6 feet) power cord. This would allow you to charge your smartphone or other tech equipment by adapting to the local voltage requirements. As a precaution, email the hotel or tour group to verify the voltage used at your destination. Long power cords come in handy if you’re among many others charging a phone at a public charging station.

Proper forms of ID, depending on where you’re traveling, include: a driver’s license, a state-issued photo ID, a passport, a Department of Homeland Security trusted traveler card issued from Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI or FAST, a federally recognized tribal ID card and others. Also, when traveling abroad, generally your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of departure. Some airlines won’t let you board the plane if your passport doesn’t meet that requirement.

When you travel, consider whether being at your destination during major holidays is what you want. You may want to experience the festivities, though you’ll likely pay more and have limited choices of hotels. On the other hand, in some countries, stores and museums are closed or have different hours during holidays and even public transportation may have holiday hours. Make sure you are aware of all these.

Do not leave the U.S. without learning key phrases in the language of your destination. Learning to say hello, good morning, good evening, thank you, and you’re welcome in your host country’s language can enhance your travel experience and lead to a warmer reception. There are several free language apps, such as Duolingo, that can get you started.

Don’t change currency in the U.S. but use ATM machines and your debit card to get local cash once you arrive at the airport and later in the cities and towns, if possible.

Find out how to get from the airport to your lodging. First-world countries typically have excellent, safe public transportation from airports that run 24/7. If arriving in less-developed countries, it may be best to book transportation in advance online so that the driver is waiting for you outside baggage claim with your name on a board. Other possibilities are inquiring at the transportation desk at the arrival airport, but make sure it’s open when you land, or booking an online service like Uber.

It used to be, in Europe at least, that breakfast was included in the price of the room, but now many hotels charge for it. First, check out the breakfast in the morning to see if it’s worth the money. If it’s not enticing, you may want to try a local cafe that offers a better deal, nicer atmosphere, or both. Or if you have a busy agenda ahead, it may make sense to grab breakfast at the hotel before taking off for a day of sightseeing.

Remember to check the local weather before traveling and while on the road so you pack the right clothing and gear.

First, set aside ample time to pack. Then lay out everything you want to take, separate them by outfits, and finally edit the items down to what you really need.

There are many discount codes that can be found for flights, hotels, restaurants, and other travel-related expenses. You can save lots of money if you’re willing to put in the time and scour the internet for deals.

Do not leave without an extra pair of glasses and a copy of your latest prescription. Glasses can break anywhere, but if it happens on vacation, it’s comforting to know that you have both a backup pair of glasses and prescription sunglasses. Make sure your prescription is available online by emailing yourself a copy. That way, if you need to order a new pair while away, it is easier for the optician to duplicate your prescription.

This can only cause you trouble, such as possibly getting you thrown off a flight, arrested, or held for questioning.

The same goes for baggy clothes, flowing skirts, or excessive jewelry. In general, avoid wearing items that will slow down your time getting through airport security or arouse suspicion.

If accommodations are unsatisfactory, call the desk to request a resolution. The problem could stem from partying neighbors, a loud leaky faucet, or a TV on the fritz. If the desk clerk isn’t responsive, ask to speak with the manager. A good hotel will resolve the problem right away, even if that means you move to another room. If the hotel doesn’t come up with a suitable solution, then check out as soon as possible and move to another.

In more traditional countries or situations, such as visiting religious monuments, avoid wearing tank tops, shorts, and possibly offensive T-shirts. In some places, women will have additional dress restrictions or demands, and to enjoy a stress-free holiday, it’s best to conform to these rules. Among the best advice is to dress like a local, if possible, also to keep you from being targeted as a “rich tourist.”

Do not leave without a list of what you’re taking, and take photos of your bags and clothes. For car rentals, take photos of the car inside and out before driving it off the lot. If your belongings get lost or there’s a dispute about the car’s condition, photos may speed up retrieval or protect you from paying extra for damages.

When traveling, in Europe especially, you can order a satisfying lunchtime meal, which is the locals’ main meal, for between 30% and 40% less than what you would pay for the same food at dinnertime.

For those with food allergies, avoid eating local foods unless you are certain that they won’t cause a reaction. You can consult with the chef and hotelier and carry chef cards that outline the foods you’re allergic to in the language of the countries you’re visiting, which are available from the Food Allergy Research & Education. Bring nonperishable food from your own country, as the same brand in another locale may be made with different ingredients. Also, bring several copies of your Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Emergency Care Plan, which is a personalized treatment for a person with allergies.

He or she knows the best spots and how to avoid crowds. A guide can translate and help cut through red tape, be your chauffeur, and provide protection.

Remember to notify your bank and credit card companies online or by phone if you are traveling so they don’t shut off transactions in unfamiliar places.

Do not forget to degerm your hotel room and seats on planes, trains, and buses. To do so, bring disinfectant wipes, disposable plastic gloves, alcohol, and perhaps even a surgical mask. You may get looks from your fellow passengers, but who cares if you’re less likely to get sick.

Do not bring items forbidden by the Transportation Security Administration onboard an airplane. Check the long list of items you can and cannot bring in your checked luggage and carry-on bags. For example, aerosol insecticide is allowed in checked luggage, with some exceptions, but not in carry-ons. Peanut butter can go in your checked bag, but it’s limited up to 3.4 ounces in a carry-on. And if you want to pack tents, the TSA recommends you check with the airline first.

Avoid using luggage locks that aren’t TSA-approved to limit damage to your bags and belongings and to keep everything secure. These locks can be opened with a master key that TSA agents have. If an agent needs to open your bag with another type of lock, you run the risk of having your lock or zippers broken.

After a long flight, waiting in line is one of the last things you want to do. One option is to get Global Entry, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection program that facilitates faster clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers when they arrive in the U.S. At airports that offer the service, passengers may use automated kiosks instead of waiting to see a customs agent.

This will keep you from getting to customs and getting to your destination faster.