Whether you’re travelling domestically or internationally, the first time you travel is always exhilarating. But, as a first-time traveller, there are many things you need to remember to plan before you jet set off to your chosen destination. You don’t want to get off the plane to discover you can’t access your cards to pay for meals or come back to find you have expensive parking charges to pay for. 

Planning your first trip might be stressful when you try to remember everything you need to do, but we can help. Read on to learn everything you need to know about your first time travelling.

Invest In A Good Backpack

Whatever kind of journey you’re planning will benefit from a decent backpack. You want something that has plenty of room for your essentials and a change of clothes in case of emergencies, such as your bags being delayed. Additionally, it’s also a good idea to look for backpacks that don’t have easy-to-open zips, like the Wenig Anti-Theft or Ambor Anti-Theft backpacks; this way, you can be more at ease when walking around busy airports and cities as you won’t have to worry about pickpocketing as much. Furthermore, as many anti-theft backpacks were designed with backpackers in mind, some even include built-in chargers, so you can continue capturing pictures and videos of your trip without worrying about your batteries dying.

Ensure You Get Travel Insurance

If you’re travelling internationally, travel insurance is a must. Travel insurance can protect the money you’ve spent if you have to cancel your trip suddenly or if your airline is unable to provide the flight you booked. Also, it will cover you should you suffer an injury while travelling because it will pay for your medical costs as well as the price of any lost or stolen property, such as your baggage going missing or having your phone stolen while you’re out exploring.

Before You Book, Check If You Need A Visa

While you can hop on a plane and go to numerous nations with just your passport, you should first establish whether or not you require a visa for your destination before making any travel arrangements. If you arrive in a country where you need to have a visa without one on hand, you’ll probably be returned home right away. Also, you will be responsible for it because you won’t be able to use your insurance to pay back the money you lost on your trip by failing to confirm your visa requirements.

Arrange Airport Parking In Advance

The last thing you want when you get back from your trip is to find you have huge parking fees to pay for where you left your car before flying out. Instead of risking it, arrange airport parking in advance so that you know exactly how much you will be paying for storing your car while you’re away. For example, if you’re flying out of Philadelphia, you can get all the airport parking information you need by checking out Parkway Parking. 

Make Sure You Can Access Your Money Overseas

While most of us arrange to take cash when we travel, carrying too much currency without access to your bank account or credit cards can be stressful. Speak to your bank and credit card providers before you set off to let them know you’ll be travelling – this way, your cards won’t get suspended for suspicious purchases when you’re using them abroad. They will also be able to tell you if you’ll incur any charges for using the cards while away. Additionally, you should check if you can earn Airmiles on any of your cards before you go, as it will be better to use these cards to gain points for your next adventure.

Respect Other Countries’ Customs

When travelling, it’s important to remember that other countries cultures and customs will differ from home. And with this in mind, it’s crucial that you research what to expect before you set off so you can be respectful during your visit. For instance, when visiting Germany, you’ll need to arrive 5 minutes early to any social engagements with locals, or you will appear rude as they strongly value punctuality – even being a few minutes late can offend. Additionally, if you’re a smoker, you should check what the local laws are before you light a cigarette to avoid risking fines.

Learn At Least The Basics Of The Local Language

When travelling, it might be useful to have a basic command of popular terms and expressions, especially if you’re heading to more remote locations where it’s less likely that you’ll run into people who speak your native tongue. Common terms such as “please” and “thank you” and being able to ask where train stations or bus stops are or if they speak your language can make travelling in a foreign country much less stressful. The locals you interact with will also appreciate the effort you have put in to try and communicate with them, which can make your interactions more pleasant overall.

Ask Locals To Recommend Places To Visit

A guidebook or travel site can only get you so far when you’re planning your trip and what you want to visit while there. Instead of relying on what you read in a book or online, be sure to as locals for recommendations, as they know the area better than anyone. Getting off the beaten track when you’re overseas is a terrific way to experience what a country is actually like. Still, you should also remember to be careful and let your lodgings, as well as friends or family back home, know what your plans are each day.

Always Have Backup Cash Hidden Away

Being in a foreign country might be thrilling, but it can also be daunting. You might realise that you’re spending more money than you had anticipated in all the excitement, or you may become a victim of a scam or theft. To avoid running out of money, keep backup cash hidden in a different area than the rest of your money and also keep some back at the hotel in your safe. This way, if you run out of money or get pickpocketed, you will always have backup cash so you can keep enjoying yourself.