Travelling Outside Europe? Here’s What to Prepare for your Holiday

It’s a great big world out there and if you’ve got a pinch of wanderlust in your blood then you’re probably ready to see it all. As you’re counting down the days to your next big trip there are some precautions that need to be taken to ensure that you’re safe and well-prepared during your time abroad. There are obviously the boring boxes to tick off; valid visas and passports, getting all your jabs and leaving an itinerary with a friend. That aside, here are some tips we’ve picked up along the way that we know might slip your mind.

Get plugged in

This one may sound like a no brainer… but you’d be surprised how in the midst of frenzied packing, you may rock up to your gate with your now useless charger in hand. We’re not really sure why but each continent requires a different plug. Plug adaptors are easily available – just make sure you carry a couple with you to avoid trying to fit your three plug into a two plug socket – or even worse, frying your device because of high voltage!

Cash or plastic?

Firstly, make sure to familiarise yourself with your destination’s currency. Check the exchange rate, the average prices for meals and travel, as well as common payment options. If you’re going to a big city then you might be better off sticking to card payments. However some places are strictly cash only, which means that you will want to exchange some cash before you go. We can understand that carrying a large amount of cash might sound scary, so consider taking out an adequate Worldwide Travel Insurance policy.

Up in the air

Travelling outside Europe means long haul flights – and while this might sound like a great opportunity to kick back and chill (it is, don’t get us wrong!), there are a number of factors you need to take into consideration before boarding. Long haul flights are often preceded by a transfer flight, which means that your baggage might get delayed along the way. The best way to offset the inconveniences that come along with this is to pack essential items in your hand luggage.

A little bit of research will go a long way

The beauty of travelling lies in the fact that when you visit a new place, you’re exposing yourself to a completely different culture. That said, it’s really important to make sure that you’re familiar with the basics of that culture, to a) fully immerse yourself in your new environment, b) avoid the risk of offending someone, and c) stop yourself from doing something potentially illegal. It probably wouldn’t hurt to pick up on some local phrases, too.

Accidents happen

Pockets may get picked, luggage can be delayed, a nasty fall could land you in hospital, and sometimes you may sleep through your alarm and miss your flight. Accidents can happen, even when you’re abroad. One fantastic way to protect yourself, that won’t put you out of pocket, is worldwide travel insurance. Not only does travel insurance protect you from footing the bill in case something goes wrong, but it also offers great benefits in situations that are totally out of your control. Get your free travel insurance instant online quote today.

Now that you’re mentally prepared to go on your next adventure, our last piece of advice to you is – wait for it – use your common sense. Being far away from home is exciting and liberating, but that doesn’t mean that you should go off doing things you wouldn’t usually do. While worldwide travel insurance is a great safety net, it’s best to leave it for those emergency worst-case scenarios.