When it comes to traveling, being prepared may be the key for having an amazing trip. It is important to do your research for the destination, and know where you are going, but also, have some things on mind, so you could be more prepared, and take off the stress off your shoulders.
In this blog post, we will refer to several points that we think may significantly improve your travel experience. We are presenting you some tips&tricks for traveling in general, some of which we learned through our trips.
1. Maps
For sure you don’t want to get lost in a city you are visiting for the first time. But, not only that, you will need some instructions to get around it and get a glimpse of how far something is and plan your day. That’s why you should always be prepared with a map on your phone.
Offline maps
Only weighing a dozen of MBs, the size of 5-10 photos in your mobile phone which you have taken by mistake, offline maps are a great source for moving around almost every developed city in the world.
Google Maps offer downloading a certain area in the world which later on you can use offline. When arriving at the destination you would only need to enable your GPS and wander around the city.
As an alternative to Google Maps, we recommend Mapy.cz. Always make sure to have both of the offline maps from this applications.
Mark up your favorite places
A cool feature offered by Google Maps is highlighting the added places on the map. By simply making a new list and adding the places you want to visit on your trip, you could then easily make a plan for how to travel around the city and make a plan, which places to visit in one day, make a plan for the second day, or use it according to your time.
2. Data
Mobile data is valuable when you are outside your country for sure. Whether for staying in touch with your loved ones, posting a picture on Instagram, making a call, using maps, or whatever else you need.
Data plans abroad could be expensive for your budget, so you might want to explore other options.
A list of free WiFi’s could be of great help to you. WiFi Map is an app for sharing Wi-Fi information, where people from all over the world voluntarily contribute and update WiFi info, to help each other quickly find free internet access. The app currently has over 120 million active Wi-Fi's.
The application has paid version which could get you access to all the regions in the world for offline use, but alternatively, you could download a region for 3 days by watching several ads.
By enabling GPS and walking around your destination, you could check some of the public places where the Wi-Fi password is shared, and then you can easily establish a connection.
eSIM
If it's hard for you to manage and find some SIM deals in a foreign country and data plans, you could alternatively take a look at some of the eSIM options. eSIM is a form of programmable SIM card that is embedded directly into a device. Simpler, a non-physical SIM card.
AD
As mentioned on our Data page, you might check out Airalo and GlobaleSim as some of the services. They usually offer daily, weekly, and monthly plans, predominantly data plans, and some of them a combination with calls.
3. Emergency
Problems can occur, and as a foreigner in some countries, you would for sure need to be prepared for them. Travel insurances are for sure the first to mention, but, various problems could occur also.
Telephone numbers
Always have the phone numbers of the emergency services in the country of your destination. For example, 112 is the telephone number for emergencies in nearly all member states of the European Union. Meanwhile, 911 is the telephone number for countries like the USA, Canada, Mexico, Panama, Argentina, Jordan, and others. In some countries both numbers 112 and 911 work. Find the relevant info on the websites of the Ministries of foreign affairs of the country.
Embassy related
Of course, you might also need the numbers of your country's embassy or representative office in the country where you are traveling handy. These should be available on your country's MFA website.
It would also be good if you have some acquaintance in the country where you are traveling and his contact information or a compatriot.
4. Locals
You are maybe going to some place for the first time, and the information collected through the internet might seem like you would know everything about the destination, but probably the situation is not like that. Locals which are living there for years know the best places, the best spots, the best parks, clubs, etc. Their advice can be of great importance during your trip and make it even better.
So, reach out to the locals, whether it will be through social networks, forums, applications, or completely randomly, in a bar or cafe where you will approach them with small talk, and make friends with locals.
5. Language
Communication is everything, so know before you go if some of the spoken languages in the city you are traveling are some of your common ones, so you would know what to expect, and how to interact with the locals.
Learning some basic phrases for your night out to the bar, when shopping for groceries or whatsoever would be an advantage, as you could get positive feedback and some sympathies. So, learn some basic words, it’s the least you can do to respect the locals there.
Use the technology
If you involve in a more complex conversation, and can’t understand each other, Google Translate or Yandex could be of big help. The listen option when translating something could be a plus. Have in mind, most translation applications work only online.
A handy or application dictionary can help you get along with people you don't speak the same language with.
6. Safety
Before you travel, be well informed about the security situation in the country.
Some pro tips are to avoid large gatherings and demonstrations and not to get into debates about certain political or religious topics with people you don't know.
Find out what the biggest crime problems facing the country are, whether it refers to pickpocketing, car robberies, or muggings. But also inform yourself from the competent institutions how you can protect yourself from a potentially unpleasant experience.
What is something you would specifically use as a tip from this?
Maps
Data
Emergency
Locals