Things to remember when travelling abroad.

Travelling abroad may be a daunting task if the correct procedures aren’t followed. Some destinations have varying laws and regulations that must be followed when entering into their ports, and it could get confusing as to which laws apply to which country.

Not only can the customs and security element of a trip be confusing and overwhelming, but travelling within a foreign land may also become quite frightening and even dangerous if one does not have the right information.

Here is a list of a few of the things one should remember when planning a trip to a foreign destination:

1. Familiarize yourself with the customs and import laws of your destination. Upon entering the country, your belongings may be checked and found to be illegal or may warrant a fine. Checking with airlines relevant to the specific country will get you a list of all items not allowed in, thus, saving you time and possibly trouble before your trip even begins.

2. Make sure all accommodation and any activities you may have booked have been confirmed before arriving. When staying at a hotel, make sure your room has been confirmed to avoid being left without accommodation. If you happen to get into this situation, finding an available and affordable alternative may be a difficult task if you are not familiar with the area.

3. Always keep your passport, alternative identification, flight ticket and bank cards on you and in a safe place. These are considered to be your way in and out of your destination, and should they go missing or get stolen, the process of finding them or making alternative arrangements at your country’s embassy could be a lengthy process.

4. Make sure to find out before hand which areas and situations to avoid. Different countries around the world are notorious for high crime rates and dangerous areas. Criminals often make a habit of targeting obvious tourists as they are vulnerable and may not be aware of common criminal activity while on their trips. Contact the authorities in the relevant country beforehand and also ask around at your place of accommodation for any information pertaining to crime in their areas.

5. It may be important when travelling abroad to familiarize yourself with the customs and traditions of a country if it is notably different to your own. While it may be easy to brush any offensive behaviour off because you are a tourist, it is still important to identify and respect the customs of the people whose land you are visiting. For instance, western travellers may need to remember various signs of respect when visiting Eastern countries to avoid unpleasant looks and confrontations. Remember that things will be different, and what may seem unusual and offensive to you may be considered acceptable wherever you go. Accept local customs and you will be unlikely to land in any trouble.

6. Do not wait until you arrive at your destination to try to exchange all of your cash for local currency. Either do this while still in your own country to make sure that the kiosk or bank that you make use of actually accepts your currency. Or alternatively, make use of your ATM card to hold all of your money, and when you arrive, either find information on which banks will give you the best rate, or simply use the ATM card as the source of all your money throughout the trip. This will also help keep your money secure behind your card and PIN number.