One of the worst things that can happen on an international trip is you show up and find out you’re unprepared for the millions of issues that can come up at any time. You’ll be confused and anxious, in an area you’re not familiar with, and surrounded by people you don’t know and who probably don’t speak the same language as you. So here are 5 of my best international travel tips you need to know before your next trip abroad so you can be prepared for some of the biggest problems that may come up.
1. Put AirTags in your luggage and bags
Between flights getting canceled and redirected to bags being mishandled, there are so many reasons your checked luggage might not arrive with you on time at your final destination.
Apple AirTags have been a lifesaver for me so I know airlines don’t misplace my bags and I don’t lose out on hundreds or thousands of dollars worth of my belongings since I can actively track where my luggage is.
AirTags also help with providing peace of mind since you can check your phone to see if your checked luggage is in the same location as you are between connecting flights or if you can expect it to come down at the baggage drop.
If your bags are mishandled and sent to a different location or otherwise misplaced, you can track where your bag is. The AirTags are precise enough to tell you where in the airport your luggage is too which can help locate if your bags were moved to storage, are at the baggage carousel, or are still on a plane.
You can also put AirTags in bags you bring around when you’re exploring new areas in case you accidentally leave one of them lying around or somebody tries to steal one of your bags.
2. Make sure your luggage isn’t overweight before you get to the airport.
Airlines can be strict when it comes to the weight of your check-in and carry-on luggage and you can expect an overweight bag fee or not even be able to check your bag if your luggage is too heavy. Some airports have luggage weighing stations, but it can be stressful and embarrassing to re-arrange all your stuff on the airport floor.
One of my best travel tips is to get a portable travel scale so you never have to worry about your bags being too heavy! A portable travel scale is so important to make sure your luggage is within weight policy so make sure you bring one on your next trip!
Different airlines have different weight policies and you’ll probably get gifts and souvenirs, so the travel scale will help you throughout your trip.
Make sure to get a luggage scale that can measure in pounds and kg if you travel, or expect to travel, through the U.S. like the luggage scale that I use before all of my flights here!
One of my best packing tips for international travel, which also helps with making sure your luggage isn’t overweight, is to get compression packing cubes to organize your clothes and maximize your luggage space.
Compression packing cubes give you more space in your luggage which provides more flexibility to split the weight into your luggage so none of your bags are overweight.
3. Make photocopies of your passport before you fly out!
One of the scariest issues you can run into while traveling abroad is having your passport get lost, damaged, or stolen since you’ll be stranded there until you get a replacement.
That’s why it’s so important that you make photocopies of your passport before you leave!
If you lose access to your passport while traveling internationally, having a photocopy will make it much easier and can help expedite getting a replacement or emergency passport with your country’s embassy so you aren’t stranded in a different country.
You won’t be able to use the photocopy of your passport to travel between countries, but you might still be able to use the photocopy for things like getting a tax refund at stores or checking into hotels (not guaranteed though!).
Instead of risking losing your actual passport while exploring, you can store your passport in a safe place where you’re staying and take the photocopy with you instead unless you expect you’ll need it.
4. Protect Your Passport and Debit/Credit Cards from Thieves!
Aside from outright stealing your stuff, did you know that thieves can scan and steal your debit/credit card and passport information just by brushing a scanner up against you? This is because most cards and passports have an RFID chip that allows them to have contactless capabilities.
In crowded areas like popular tourist spots or rush hour on public transportation, it can be impossible to not be shoulder-to-shoulder with hundreds of other people throughout the day.
This is why you should get an RFID-blocking wallet, bag, and passport cover to prevent thieves from scanning your cards or passport! RFID-blocking accessories prevent thieves from scanning your credit cards or passports by disrupting the radio waves from their devices so that they aren’t able to connect with them.
Check out my favorite RFID-blocking wallets and bags from Pacsafe here!
The Pacsafe passport cover linked above is RFID-protected and also has a slot for your COVID-vaccine card and other contactless cards it can protect! We also use their wallets and bags when we travel to protect our credit and debit cards!
5. Get an eSIM from Holafly so you can access the internet abroad!
Unless you have an international data plan, you won’t be able to access the internet on your mobile devices without a new SIM card. You don’t want to leave the airport just to find out that you’re lost and there isn’t wifi or internet nearby you can use to find where to go.
I’ve found that the easiest and most convenient way to get an international data plan for my devices is by getting an eSIM from Holafly!
An eSIM is a digital SIM card that allows you to connect to a data network without needing a physical chip. This way you won’t have to worry about losing your original physical sim card for when you go back home!
With Holafly, you can buy an eSIM that you can use in over 200 countries, with 152 destinations having unlimited plans. You can even buy regional eSIM plans that work in 7 different regions like Europe or North America that can be used in multiple countries. You can also store multiple eSIMs which is great if you expect to travel back and forth between countries. Packages are available from 1 to 90 days which is great for short and extended trips!
All Holafly eSIM packages for Europe and North America come with unlimited data, which is so helpful since you don’t have to worry about running out!
The plans even allow you to share the network with other devices!
Check out Holafly’s eSIMs through my link here
I don’t want to scare you away from traveling internationally as I’ve made some of my best memories traveling to different destinations around the world. I just want you to be aware of the risks, and I hope these tips can also help you make amazing memories while staying safe so your trip can go smoothly!
