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Be aware of local traffic regulations and driving habits.
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Declare “duty-free” even if purchased in “duty-free” stores.
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Know the rules governing the $800 excemption on goods brought back from abroad.
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Be aware of your surroundings. Look up and down the street before exiting a building.
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Many foreign hotels consider the basement to be Floor #1 and the ground floor is Floor #2.
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Before you travel, familiarize yourself with customs policies regarding prohibited and restricted items.
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Learn a few phrases in the local language so you can signal your need for help, the police, or a doctor.
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Use a mini-walkman sized tape recorder to capture your personal experiences of a country and its culture.
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Prohibited items may be confiscated and you may be subject to a fine if you try to bring them into the U.S.
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If you drive, make sure your driver’s license is valid and familiarize yourself with local traffic laws and patterns.
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If you’re lucky enough to be eating at a restaurant that has paper napkins, ask for a few more and take them with you
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Sometimes banks have to order the foreign currency, so check in a few weeks before you travel to give them time to help you.
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Even when you are lost, act as if you know where you are going. When possible, ask directions only from individuals in authority.
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Most foreign airports are very serious about security. Be prepared to be questioned and always answer customs’ questions honestly.
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Learn how to place a local telephone call and how to use coin telephones. Make sure you have extra tokens or coins for telephones.
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In most foreign countries, stores - including gas and grocery - close by 5:00 p.m. Be prepared for the lack of “convenience stores”.
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Check your destination country’s holidays. Usually public transportation, gas stations, and grocery stores are not open on holidays.
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If you ever notice people handing out tissue papers on the streets grab those tissue packs when you can, you’ll need them for the public toilets.
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In some foreign countries, your passport may be held by a hotel for copying or for review by the police; retrieve it at the earliest possible time.
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A small amount of local currency for immediate use to hold you over until you can make it to a currency exchange, if you’re planning foreign travel.
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Find out exactly what the surcharges are before making a telephone call from the hotel. They can sometimes be several times the actual cost of the call.
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Toothpaste can be expensive overseas. Before travelling, buy a long lasting toothbrush, and then just use the complimentry toothpaste from areoplanes and some hostels.
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Before you go overseas make a quick and easy index card with clear and simple translations and phrases, this saves a lot of time when needing to reply or ask something.
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Keep your passport with you at all times. Only relinquish it to the hotel if required by law when registering, or if required to identify yourself to local authorities.
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At many international airports, security and customs personnel will ask you questions about your luggage. Know what you’re carrying and be able to describe any electronics.
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When buying train/bus tickets, always make the effort to write down the destination, ticket type and date of travel in the native language before approaching the ticket counters.
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Make an effort to speak the language - locals will realize you’re not just interested in the tourist experience and will point out interesting places or invite you to their homes.
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By law, Customs officers have the authority to conduct enforcement examinations without a warrant, ranging from a single luggage examination up to and possibly including a personal search.
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There’s substantially less risk to your money if you spread it across 2 credit cards, traveler’s checks and a little bit of cash. If one stops working or is stolen, cancel it and go on living.
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ATM cards work in most western European countries, but not in many eastern European countries. If you attempt to use the card in a country that does not accept it, the machine will not give it back.
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Take a pack of Wet Ones (or Baby Wipes, with lanolin) with you wherever you go. They are great not only for cleaning your hands, but great for those countries when it is difficult to find a hot shower.
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When leaving the hotel, always take matches or stationery with hotel name and address on it. When you don’t speak the language, just show the cab driver either one and there won’t be any mistake as to where you are staying.
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When you visit non-English speaking countries, keep a list in your wallet of common phrases, such as Hi, Bye, Thank you, do you speak English etc, as people seem to be a lot friendlier to you when you attempt to speak their language.
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ATMs are wonderful, but in at-least one city you visit, no amount of prayer or pleading will make your card work. Having a day or two worth of currency can make a difference between an interesting story and being forced to eat and stay in the pricey and touristy places that accept only Visa.
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Take a few pictures of your country when traveling to underdeveloped countries. Many people who live in these countries never go traveling and are always curious about what other countries look like and where you come from. They can also be a useful bartering tool when the money is running low.
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Before leaving home, buy a bulk of postcards and write your name, address, email etc.. On the back, when you meet new people along your travels and want to give them your address, give them one of these. They’re less likely to loose this than a scroungy piece of paper and they’ll always remember who you are and where you’re from.
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