Travel Tips

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Travel can be educational, relaxing, and, most of all, fun. It can also sometimes be confusing, especially if you have never traveled before, never flown, or never traveled overseas. Documentation requirements, obtaining a passport, health and inoculation requirements, and which countries require visitors to obtain a visa can be tricky and generally necessitate some advanced planning.


Travel Documents

A valid US passport is an American traveler’s best travel document. Although Canada, Mexico, and many Caribbean islands have traditionally only required American visitors carry proof of citizenship (an original or certified copy of a birth certificate accompanied by a picture ID), all of that is changing. By the end of 2007, most countries will require that you have a valid passport. To get a US passport, citizens must apply to a US passport agency with a completed application, payment, two passport photos, and proof of citizenship. New passport applications take between four to six weeks to process. A quicker turnaround is available at an additional fee.

Money, Money, Money

Different currencies and different exchange rates as well as tipping, taxi fares, and restaurant service charges can all be confusing to travelers.

Most overseas travelers have, at least once, made a costly error by over tipping or miscalculating a purchase’s price. Conversely, it’s equally possible to pass up a great bargain by misfiguring the sales price.

It’s always a good idea to take a small amount of local currency with you when you travel overseas. That way, you will be sure to have cab fare when you arrive, even if the banks and exchange counters are closed. The best currency exchange rates, however, are generally found in the currency’s home country. Reserve large transactions for a bank or other exchange outlet. Check the exchange rate carefully, as these vary widely.


Staying Safe

Increasing your safety when you travel only requires that you follow basic rules of common sense. Walking alone at night is rarely a good idea, even in the best neighborhoods. Flashing money and credit cards around is equally foolhardy and draws attention to the fact that you are carrying a significant amount of cash. Hotel safety, too, is largely a matter of common sense. Don’t advertise your room number at the front desk or in the hotel’s lounge. Women traveling alone are wise to check their prospective hotel’s privacy policy before checking in. Hotels with numberless passcards are generally more secure. Ask, too, about hotel security personnel.


Other Travel Tips

When traveling overseas, learning a few words and phrases of the native language goes a long way to forging a bond with the people with whom you interact. Being able to say, “Please” and “Thank you” in the native tongue shows a willingness to try to communicate and, almost always, will yield a positive response. Packing light is advisable for any destination. A good rule is to never pack more than you can carry yourself. Porters, especially overseas, may be difficult to find, and train travel becomes near to impossible when lugging numerous suitcases.

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