Travel Tips for the Global Traveler

Heads up, I am not the most traveled person, but I feel I have been fortunate to be well-traveled. In this article, I just want to share some lessons learned on this amazing journey along with what I have learnt from my Wanderlust friends. Let me break it up into three parts, planning, traveling, and recovering. Although they sound equally important let me borrow an idea from real estate. The number one rule in buying a house is “location, location, location,” similarly in traveling, your emphasis should be on “planning, planning, planning.” Not to say that everything will go according to plan because I guarantee you, it rarely does, but at least you will feel the most prepared for it when “stuff happens.”

1.0 PLANNING

Anything worth doing and significant, requires planning. The more places you are visiting on a trip, the further away you will be from home, or the more language and cultural barriers you have to cross means more attention to detail in your planning, so without further a due here they are.

GENERAL ADVICE

1. Do your homework, and start well in advance. Who knows if you’ll ever visit this place again, so if you’re going to see the place, be sure to make the most of it.
2. Homework doesn’t just mean reading up on your destination. Find out what the top sites are, when are the best days to visit, what is the ideal time to visit, etc. Also, talk to as many people as possible who have been there.
3. Learn as many key phrases as you can in the local language. In many parts of the world, they do not speak English, so beyond sign language every little word you know can be of help. If you don't want to make that amount of effort, I believe that you can survive in most places with just two words in the local language, 'excuse-me", "thank you" and creative body language.
4. Weather and dressing appropriately go a long way toward defining the success of your trip. Will it be hot, cold, humid, or rainy? Should you wear a heavy jacket, windbreaker, wool cap, scarf, gloves, thin cotton, and layers? Again its a personal decision but something to think about.
5. Get Vaccinated. Although you can go to your family physician, the most comprehensive support for vaccinations that I have found comes from the travel clinic in the County that you live in. They carry all the shots, they will consult with you based on where you are going and usually they have their own pharmacy, so it is a one-stop-shop. They can also provide you medication for preventing altitiude sickness, or in case you get food poisoning/diarrhea. To find a clinic, Google the name of your county followed by "travel clinic."
6. For me, the joy of traveling is learning about new places and people, including history and culture. Take the time, to go to your library and check out books in the travel section, watch videos on Youtube, and talk to people who have familiarity with that region.
7. You can get recommendations for tours both online eg TripAdvisor, and others or you can create your own customized tour. You can take "free" walking tours, where you tip the host at the end. The choice is yours based on personal preference.
8. Make connections. That may be a little harder if you are introverted, but for me the joy of traveling isn't just about seeing places, it is about the people you meet on that journey. They could be fellow travelers and or locals. Be curious, ask questions, take selfies and create memories.
9. I have bought travel insurance and other times chose to forego it. Again it just depends on how risk-averse you are, how tight your schedule and budget is.
10. If you are traveling as a family or with friends or a group, it is natural that you won't agree on everything. Conflicts will arise, and all I can say is, to think of the bigger picture. Whether it be with a loved one or a Cab-driver, it is not worth getting into an argument or fight. Compromise and move on.
11. Besides having photos or other documents (eg COVID card) on your phone or laptop it is handy to have a cheatsheet printout of your travel itinerary not only for your reference but when talking to an Uber or cab driver etc.

LUGGAGE

1. As with most things, there is no one size that fits all. It depends if you are going to check luggage or not, are you taking luggage just to get from home to the airport to the hotel and back or are you going to be backpacking or trekking with it? Also depending on your age, how comfortable you are pulling or pushing vs carrying on your back. There are too many variables and permutations for me to give you advice but here are some important things to think about.
2. If you are doing carry-on, pick the right size roller. TSA and the airlines have various guidelines, typically it can’t be larger than 22” x 14” x 9”. A good compliment to a roller is a personal item, my preference is one of those super light backpacks that you can probably get for $10-20 and use as a daypack, as well as stow under the seat on the plane.
3. There are so many kinds of rollers hard case vs soft, push, pull, spin, color. Again it comes down to personal preference, so will leave that decision to you.
4. If you are getting a suitcase, of course, you will be checking it in. Try to attach something unique to your bag, so that when it is in baggage claim you can easily identify it.

PHONES

1. The way I understand it (and I am definitely not an expert), there are two top-level choices you can make when it comes to phones and international travel. You can go down the SIM route or you can talk to your service provider, and ensure that you will have coverage in the countries you will be visiting. If it is a multi-country tour, I prefer the latter as it is one less thing to do at each destination airport.
2. If you are going the SIM route, most of the major US carriers (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile) should work, for the most part, although they may be slow in some places, and based on the local carrier you will see your data eg switch down to 3G. In most International airports you can buy a prepaid local SIM for faster data. You can download Google Maps, and Google Translate for the language you need on the phones. I have an iPhone with T-Mobile service, and the more recent iPhones have something called Dual SIM. You can change your T-Mobile SIM to eSIM, and then put a new SIM in the same phone. This enables you to use one phone with two SIMs – one TMobile, and one local. Most local SIMs are fairly inexpensive – eg $10 for 25GB of data.
3. If you have an older phone it may still require you to physically remove your SIM card and replace it with another. If you are an Android user, apologies I don’t know much if anything in that space, you are welcome to add any advice in the Comment section.
4. With a new SIM or even if your service provider will get you coverage in a new country, you may have issues with a new phone number. That doesn’t matter if you are using eg your Uber App but might cause issues for friends who may not recognize your number. I find using WhatsApp for me (or if you prefer FB Messenger) a good way to communicate with family and friends.
5. Keep your phone as fully charged as you can, and have a backup battery pack. When you use GPS or are watching video on Tiktok or playing games etc. it consumes battery power much more quickly. It is not a nice feeling when you are in a new city, it’s nighttime, your phone is about to die, and you are not able to get Uber or get your Maps/GPS App running to walk to your destination. Bottom line, whenever you get a chance recharge.

MONEY

1. Take two debit cards and two credit cards with you and keep them in separate places. The former is useful to get cash at ATMs, the latter is to pay at places that take plastic, hotels, good restaurants, etc. Why two, because they can get lost or stolen.
2. Take enough cash with you, so that if your ATM card was lost or stolen, you can still get by. If you are taking say $500, take 2*$100, 22*$20, 4*$10, 3*$5, and 5*$1, or something to that effect. You are more likely to use the smaller currency in everyday transactions and the larger bills for backup.
3. How much money to convert at the airport is a tough number to identify. Yes, credit cards are accepted nearly everywhere in most countries, but you need to have some local currency with you for small shops, coin-operated machines, and other businesses that do not accept plastic. You want enough money to cover your stay, but not too much so you have to try and convert it back to $s on your return. In most places, it is relatively easy to find currency exchange stores and ATMs so you can always get more money as you need it.
4. For your total travel budget, allow for a contingency of 25%, as your budget will probably be off.
5. Split your money and credit/debit cards so they are not a single point of failure. Take photos of the cards, so you have their numbers just in case you have a mishap.
6. Although thefts can happen in hotels etc. they are more likely to happen on the street. My preference is to carry just enough for the day and leave the rest (including your passport) in the safe at the hotel or just to hide it in your belongings at the hotel.

WHAT TO TAKE WITH YOU

1. The obvious ones are clothes. If you are going to be traveling light, and not checking luggage, then here are some things to consider. Instead of taking your best clothes with you, take the ones that are still good but you are more likely to donate. Especially if you are going to a developing country, you will find plenty of opportunities to wear and then donate eg T-shirts and the like. That will free up space for gifts and souvenirs you want to bring back. I don't understand the physics of it, but rolling clothes take up less space than folding.
2. Just in case, take extra socks and underwear. Wear shoes that are super-comfortable (and already broken into). Pick colors that go with everything (black, white etc.)
3. If you are very particular about shampoos and conditioners, take travel-sized portions with you. If not, use the ones they provide in most hotels.
4. Put small portions of your favorite snacks in Zip-loc bags and take them with you. You will be surprised at the time you have a craving for them.
5. Check the weather forecast, and try to dress in layers. If it's going to rain, you will need a jacket. If it's cold take layers with you eg a sweatshirt, etc. so you can adjust based on how you feel at the time. For the flight, it's best to have either a jacket or sweatshirt, as once the engines are turned on, and the A/C is working it usually gets pretty cold.
6. Take any prescription medications with you (and make sure you have a little extra in case of any delays), along with over-the-counter ones, eg Tylenol/Advil, Tums, Pepto Bismol (in case you eat something bad), Dramamine (if you get motion sickness)
7. Carrying a first aid kit could be cumbersome, instead put in a Ziploc bag some bandages, antibiotic cream, and anything else you think may be useful).
8. Take a pack of plastic cutlery with you, trust me it comes in handy.
9. Take wipes, sanitizer, extra face masks as precautions for COVID and other diseases.
10. Make a copy of your passport and keep it along with your other printouts of travel details, flights, hotels, etc. Put them all in a plastic A4-sized see-through sleeve that you can buy at stationery stores. Also, take a photo of your passport and email it to yourself and your loved ones.
11. Depending on which part of the world you are going, it is useful to have a small bag of adapters for various electrical outlets. Also, make sure you have your phone charger and cable.
12. A light reusable water bottle can come in handy.

SAFETY and EMERGENCIES

1. To avoid worrying family it is good to let them know your plans. If you are going to a single destination or two, forward your flight and hotel details to immediate family or specific friends. If you are going on a multi-city tour, create a day-by-day itinerary, in eg Google Sheets/Docs with details of flights, hotels, and any emergency contacts and share it with your loved ones. This becomes a great reference for you and your family.
2. I recommend, leaving early and arriving at your destination early. No matter how prepared you are things can and do get delayed or wrong, and there is nothing worse than being in a new place, it is dark, and you are trying to get to your hotel, etc.
3. Nothing will ruin your vacation faster than having some of your possessions stolen. Watch out for scams, pickpockets, and people approaching you asking for something. Be extra vigilant when there are large crowds, say on the Metro. Keep your hand say eg in your pocket with your wallet or for women on your handbag.
4. For women wear your purse around your body rather than over your shoulder. For men, keep your wallet in a front (not side) pocket.
5. Always trust your instincts. If it doesn't feel right, or someone makes you uncomfortable it is probably wrong, get your self away from them. Avoid unnecessary risks.
6. There is safety in numbers so it's always better to be traveling as a group than solo. Crime and especially violent crime may not happen to everyone, but it can happen to anyone anytime, male or female. So what to do? I don't know the exact source but it is from a travel Podcast. In it, they recommend going to a rental car place and asking them to open up a map, and for them to highlight three areas. 1. Where can you go anytime, 2. Where can you only go in the daytime, 3. Where should you never go? It doesn't have to be a car rental place, the idea is to find out from someone who knows the city the go and no-go areas.
7. The general advice is don't flash your phone, wallet, watch, bling, etc. wrt phones as we use them as a GPS it becomes a little more challenging as we are so dependent on them. I don't have any suggestions for that but would love to hear your thoughts on any best practices.
8. When you walk, walk confidently. Criminals look for easy prey.
9. Say a little prayer before you leave for a place and also give gratitude after you get there.
10. Ride-share (eg Uber) vs Hiring a driver, vs Renting a Car. There are so many variables in this, depending on how many people are traveling, how far, and how many stops you are going to be making, there isn't a simple formula. I am a little risk averse, so avoid renting cars. If I am going to a developing country, I don't want to have to deal with the possibility of something going wrong, eg theft, accident, breakdown, and the fact that I don't speak the local language, so I prefer not to rent a car. I usually start with ride-share, and if I find a driver, that speaks English and seems trustworthy, I ask them if they would be open to eg doing a day trip and what their rate would be. If you do hire a driver, and especially if you are traveling solo, it is good to take pics of the car and license plate and share them with your family. With Uber eg you can share your ride with a loved one, so they know you safely got to your destination. As always the choice is yours, travel safely.

2.0 TRAVELING

1. To Check in or not, that is the question. If you have expensive content or don't want the risk of losing your luggage or you are on a short trip, it is better to carry it on.
2. When you put your carry-on roller in the overhead compartments, please be considerate to fellow passengers and help the flight crew by placing it "vertically" so that the top handle is facing you. That way they can fit in more rollers. Also if it is a full flight, then putting your personal item under the seat in front of you helps everyone.
3. If you want to sleep (and or get a view) window side seats are better on flights. If you want to get up more frequently and stretch or go to the bathroom, without asking for permission from your neighbor-passengers, stick to the aisle side. The front of the plane experiences less turbulence, so if your get motion sickness stick to seats that are in front of the wings.
4. Getting seats closer to the front also helps you to disembark faster, and in turn get through immigration and customs.
5. Get Global Entry if you travel frequently it will save you time on your return to the United States.
6. In the US the general guidelines to get to the airport are one hour for domestic and two hours for international flights. In developing countries you may want to allow two hours for domestic and tthree hours for international flights.
7. Regarding biology breaks, it is best to use the bathroom before getting on a flight, train, bus or boat. Although planes have restrooms if there is a lot of turbulence, and the "fasten seatbelt sign stays on after takeoff" you do not know when you will get a chance to go. The other reason is regardless of if it is a plane or train etc, the constant motion makes it a juggling act to use the bathroom.
8. Try to spend most of your local currency in the destination country. However, you will still end up with notes and coins. You can keep some as souveneirs and the rest you can donate, to various non-profits and UN agencies at the airport.

3.0 RECOVERING

1. Now that your trip is over what are some important things to take care of?
2. A lot of things accumulate when you are gone. The mail, bills, newspapers. Make it a priority to go through them and clear them out.
3. Go through your credit card transactions and make sure nothing dubious is on there from your travels. It doesn’t need to be precise just do a visual scan.
4. Download (or upload to the Cloud) your photos/videos. You will typically end up taking way more content and duplicate shots than you will ever need. Be disciplined to keep only the best and delete the rest.
5. Create memories by either putting a photobook together or eg on an iPhone you can create albums and use the "Play memory video" or create a "Slideshow" then save and share with family and friends.

No matter how well you plan and how organized you are, not everything will proceed smoothly. Accept this, be patient, and don’t sweat the small stuff. Keep these tips in mind, march forth with a positive attitude, understand that not everything is going to go perfectly, and you will be off to a great start.

I want to credit several tips to the "Road Warrior", Athar Siddiqui, and the one related to phones to the “Knight of the road”, Razi Mohiuddin, and summary advice from Globetrotter Nasir Moinuddin, "travel light, eat local food, mingle with locals, and savor the beauty in every culture.?

That's it folks, safe travels and Bon Voyage!

“Traveling—it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.” Ibn Battuta