Top 10 International Travel Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)

Planning an international trip, especially your first one, is a thrilling experience. You scour Pinterest and Instagram for travel inspiration, shop for the perfect suitcase, and even use sites like Kayak to score a great hotel. You’re all set for your next adventure…right? Unfortunately, if your prep work stops there, you’re leaving yourself open to a ton of international travel mistakes.

Between visa requirements, voltage differences, and language barriers, preparing for a trip abroad takes more time and effort than a local getaway. Whether you’re gearing up for your first out-of-country adventure or just need a refresher, check out this top 10 list of international travel mistakes and how to avoid them.

#1: Overpaying for plane tickets

There’s a lot of advice on the internet for saving on plane tickets. Buy them on a Monday. No wait, a Tuesday at 7pm! Get them 3 months in advance. But 6 months if you’re going to France in the summer. And the advice changes every year based on airline industry algorithms!

Everyone know buying a last-minute plane ticket is incredibly expensive. But did you know that ticket prices can fluctuate by hundreds of dollars from one day to the next? The old wisdom of buying well in advance and early in the week doesn’t cut it anymore.

How to avoid it:

As soon as I choose my destination, I use Skyscanner to check prices and track fares. Not only does Skyscanner compare prices across dozens of airlines, it also has a handy “show whole month” feature that will help you choose the cheapest days to depart and return. And if you choose dates that aren’t the cheapest, it will let you know how much you can save by changing one of your dates. You can also set up price alerts for multiple options to see if the deals get any better.

Hopper is another great option for price alerts. Simply put in your various departure and return options (put in a few if your trip timing is flexible) and let the app inform you of price changes. I like Hopper’s notifications, because they let you know if prices are expected to drop, or if you should go ahead and book at the current amount.

#2: Failing to get an entry visa

If you’re a citizen of the US, UK, or EU, you’re spoiled by favorable travel agreements. So much so that you may not even think to look into visa requirements until a few weeks before your trip. Depending on your destination, this could be one of those international travel mistakes that ruins your entire trip before it starts.

Sometimes getting an entry visa is a simple affair. But for some countries with strict travel policies, it can take weeks to collect all the necessary paperwork and get your visa approved. And if you wait until right before your trip to apply for the entry visa, you’ll likely pay costly fines to expedite the process.

How to avoid it:

Always check your home country’s government website well in advance to confirm visa requirements. Read the rules thoroughly, as countries have different policies for things like acceptable passport expiration dates and mandatory vaccinations. Even if you’ve been to that country in the past, it’s still good to review the rules, as policies can and do change over time (the United States’ infamous travel ban, for example). If you’re a US citizen, the Know Before You Go page on the State Department’s website has a search bar where you can type in your destination country and view visa and entry requirements.

#3: Forgetting your passport

I know you’re probably thinking “how the heck could someone forget their passport?!”, but even seasoned globetrotters make grievous international travel mistakes. My husband frequently travels for work. Just a few weeks ago, I woke up at 5am to ask if he remembered to grab his passport. He had forgotten, and was literally on his way out the door when I stopped him. And he would have certainly missed his flight if he didn’t realize until arriving at the airport. Not the best way to start your international adventure!

How to avoid it:

When it comes to packing critical items like travel documents and medications, I recommend a two-fold approach.

First, always use a packing checklist. I have a very detailed base list that I use for every single trip, and I cross things off depending on where I’m going and for how long. This ensures I remember everything, from packing my passport to unplugging power strips on the way out the door.

My other trick is to connect grabbing your passport with something else memorable. For example, when I get my passport out of the safe, I take off my wedding ring and put it where the passport was. I mentally associate the two activities, because taking off my ring is so unusual for me. Try to come up with your own memory tricks for remembering to pack the important stuff.

#4: Exchanging a bunch of cash at an airport currency booth

Currency exchange booths dot every international airport, which make them the most convenient option for changing money. Currency exchange companies are keen to exploit our international travel mistakes by offering lousy exchange rates at airport booths. Aside from costing you more, airport currency booths are rarely open 24 hours. Planning to exchange funds upon arrival can backfire if your flight gets delayed and you don’t land until 1am.

How to avoid it:

At first, the solution seems obvious. You can just take out currency at the airport’s ATM/cash point once you arrive, or pay with a credit card, right? Unfortunately, not all foreign ATMs will accept your bank card, even if it’s chip-enabled. And in many countries, you’ll need cash to get yourself from the airport to your next destination.

Instead, change enough currency to cover transportation costs from the airport before you depart. Do a little research online to get an idea of the cost via public transit and via taxi, and exchange accordingly. Trust me, the peace of mind you’ll get from having some of the country’s currency in your wallet is worth it.

Assuming your destination’s ATMs will accept your bank card (always check into this ahead of time), you can take out more cash once you arrive. Base the withdrawal amount on the country’s customs, your itinerary, and your bank’s foreign transaction fee policy. For example, in Japan, where many places still operate as cash-only, it makes sense to take out plenty of money to cover your daily expenses. And if your bank charges foreign transaction fees, you’ll want to make as few withdrawals as possible.

If you need a large amount of cash for your trip and ATMs aren’t an option, many large banks and currency exchange companies allow you to order currency online. They will usually charge a flat fee for delivering the funds, but the exchange rates will be much more favorable.

#5: Not packing a travel adapter

Did you know that there are 15 types of plugs used across the world? If you’re traveling to a country that uses a different plug type, you’ll need an adapter that allows you to power your home country’s devices. Plugging directly into a USB port can help you skirt the issue. But usually your devices will charge at a snail’s pace or not at all, depending on the power needs.

How to avoid it:

Get a versatile adapter with USB ports and store it in your suitcase right away. The universal ones you can find on Amazon are decently portable and work for items that can accept a range of voltages (modern smartphones, tablets, etc.). However, if you’re traveling to the US, Japan, or any other countries that only use two prong outlets, these adapters often fall out of the socket without that third prong for support. Also, many universal adapters aren’t rated for a high enough wattage to charge power-hungry items like laptops.

My personal favorite travel adapter is Ceptics World Travel Adapter Kit. It’s a bit bulkier than the all-in-one universal adapters, but it provides plenty of power to multiple devices without falling out of the wall. A real win-win.

#6. Frying your electronic devices

When it comes to international travel mistakes, destroying your laptop and setting fire to your hotel room are pretty serious fails. Unfortunately, buying a travel adapter with the right plug shape does not mean all of your devices will charge.

Every region of the world has a different voltage (V) supply that comes from outlets. In the US, for example, the voltage supply is 120V (you may also see 110V). In Malaysia, it’s 240V. If you have, say, a hair dryer that’s rated for 120V, and you plug it into an outlet that’s putting out twice as much electrical power, bad things will happen. And plugging in a device rated only for 240V into a 120V outlet can also result in disaster.

How to avoid it:

Confused yet? Luckily, most modern electronics will accept the full voltage range (110-240V). And for countries that have very similar voltages, such as Canada and Japan, you can actually get by with just an adapter. However, items with heating elements or motors, like beard trimmers and hair dryers, are usually single voltage.

Check the plug, the device, or the manual for the accepted voltage range. If your device has a power cord with a brick or a thick type of plug, make sure you also check the rating for the cord. For example, my US Nintendo 3DS accepts a range of voltages, but the power cord is only rated for 120V.

If you really need to bring a device that’s not rated for your destination’s voltage, you have two options: buy a travel converter, or charge it via USB.

I’ve always had success with BESTEK, so if you’re traveling from the US to a higher voltage country, I recommend this step-down travel converter. You can also find step-up converters on Amazon, which allow your higher voltage devices to work in countries with lower voltage outlets (ex. going from the UK’s 220V to Canada’s 120V).

If you can charge your device via USB, you can avoid the voltage conversion hassle altogether. USB power works differently than plugging directly into a wall socket. Many hotel TVs and lamps/nightstands have USB ports that you can use. Modern hotels often have USB ports integrated into their outlet covers as well. Just be sure to leave plenty of time for charging, as USB doesn’t deliver as much power as plugging into an outlet.

#7: Running out of phone battery

Fun story: I once got lost at night in Texas because my phone died. It was 10pm, so pretty much everything was closed. Fortunately, after 30 minutes of frantically driving around in the dark, I found a Target that was open until 11. I plugged my phone into a wall outlet, booted up the navigation, and discovered that I was basically across the street from my hotel. Whoops…

A dead phone battery isn’t just about navigation. It’s also about safety, and connectedness, and capturing moments. When traveling, I use my phone to take photos, translate menus, look up train times, and contact my husband in case we get separated. When you’re on a solo adventure, a charged phone becomes even more essential.

It’s rarely good to put all of your proverbial eggs in one basket. But it’s also uncomfortable to carry around a camera, phrasebook, maps, and phone in your bag.

How to avoid it:

A rechargeable battery pack is perfect for keeping your phone alive no matter where you are in the world. Anker’s PowerCore series are my favorite, and they come in a variety of sizes and charging strengths. Personally, I always carry the Anker PowerCore II 10000 in my bag. This slim little number is small enough to keep in your pocket and holds enough juice to charge flagship smartphones 2-3 times. It also comes with a little travel pouch, which I use to hold the battery pack, USB cable, and USB wall plug (for recharging overnight).

An Exclusive First Look At Asbury Ocean Club Hotel, Opening This Summer

Asbury Ocean Club Hotel will be occupying the fourth floor of AsburyÂ OceanÂ Club, a glamorous residential building, also set to open this summer.

It wasn’t all that long ago when Asbury Park, the Jersey Shore town most famous for its boardwalk and music scene – Bruce Springsteen’s debut album is titled “Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J.” – was reserved for residents. Though it was once was a popular vacation hub for Mid-Atlantic families, the race riots of 1970, along with Atlantic City’s casino boom – which started in 1978 – slipped the beach community into a steady state of decline and neglect.

But today, Asbury Park has regained its former glory, and then some – largely due to the development efforts of iStar. After acquiring 35 acres and meticulously mapping out a ten-year, multibillion-dollar redevelopment plan along the city’s waterfront, the real estate company is squarely on target to “enhance what it has always been,” says Brian Cheripka, iStar’s senior vice president of land and development. “We’re continuing to elevate the city as a year round destination, while trying not to lose the magic that makes this place so special.”

IStar helped redevelop and reopen the iconic Asbury Lanes last spring.

ASBURY LANES

Need proof? Just look at the numbers. “About 15 years ago, the city received less than $100,000 in revenue from its beach operations, and city parking revenue was non-existent,” says Cheripka. “In 2018, beach revenue surpassed $2.5M and parking revenue reached $5.8M. And attendance at boardwalk events has grown nearly 300% since 2010.” In addition, iStar’s much-anticipated reopening of the iconic Asbury Lanes last spring – naturally, hometown hero Bruce Springsteen performed at the reopening party – has helped attract even more visitors to the area.

And this summer, iStar will be unveiling its most ambitious project to date: Asbury Ocean Club Hotel. As the city’s first luxury property, it will encompass the fourth floor of Asbury Ocean Club, a glamorous residential building, whose opening will naturally coincide with the hotel’s.

A chill, relaxed vibe extends throughout the property, even at the hotel lobby, which overlooks the pool deck.

BINYAN STUDIOS

Envisioned by Anda Andrei, the acclaimed architect behind Asbury Hotel and Gramercy Park Hotel and Residences, the design of the 54-room boutique property draws inspiration from its natural backdrop. “The essence of Asbury Ocean Club came from all the elements of effortless beach living: light, sun, ocean, and air,” explains Andrei. “When guests step foot in the hotel, I want them to feel like they escaped to a place of peace and tranquility that should be a flight away – not a 70-minute drive from New York City.”

Asbury Ocean Club Hotel’s accommodations feel more like a chic beach loft, than a hotel room.

NIKOLAS KOENIG

From the moment guests hop off the elevator onto the fourth floor, they’re surrounded by a true sense of relaxation. The hotel lobby, for example, is adjacent to the pool deck, which is kitted out with sunken beds, lush greenery, and a cart doling out icy granitas. And every element in the rooms and suites, from the soaring 11-foot wood ceilings to the luxe bathroom amenities from MiN and Palermo Body, was carefully selected to help guests feel as if they’re kicking back in a discreet, stylish loft (and not just another beachfront hotel). Even better? “Each room has a unique view and seamless connection to the ocean, pool deck, or dune garden,” says Andrei.

The Drawing Room is a unique common space that caters to all occasions, any time of day.

BINYAN STUDIOS

While the accommodations are posh, it’s The Drawing Room that Andrei sees as the hotel’s crown jewel. “Designed in a glass house that appears to float on a glistening reflection pool, it sits at the center of the property, and acts as the beating heart of activity, any time of day,” says Andrei. “I imagine this being one of the most used public spaces in the hotel, in every season.”

The hotel’s spacious fitness center was designed by The Wright Fit, and is filled with cutting-edge equipment.

BINYAN STUDIOS

And since wellness is at the tip of everyone’s lips nowadays, The Asbury Ocean Club Hotel thoughtfully goes above and beyond the usual bleak, basement gym. In fact, hotel operator David Bowd – he’s also the CEO of Salt Hotels, a family of hip East Coast properties which includes Asbury Beach Club Hotel – went as far as to collaborate with a wellness coach to curate a bevy of offerings, to help guests feel their absolute best. “Travel should not and must not change the way you live,” says Bowd. “It should enhance it.” To that end, there’s a spacious fitness center designed by The Wright Fit filled with cutting-edge equipment including Peleton bikes, daily classes (think pilates, yoga, and tai chi), and of course, a soothing spa.

Though the ground floor fine dining restaurant – which will be open to the public – won’t be open until 2020, hotel guests have plenty (including breakfast, an all-day menu, and poolside snacks) to tuck into in the meantime. Bowd says the cuisine will be “inspired by a Mediterranean resort, with a huge raw bar and impeccably done classics including burgers, salads, and sandwiches.”

Is a vacation for a caregiver even possible? Yes — here’s your new way to ‘travel’

Illustration for article titled Find Travel Companions to Split Costs With Using This Service

I’m a huge fan of traveling on my own. While traveling with friends can have a few advantages, the more friends you’re traveling with the more opinions there are on how you should spend your time. All those opinions mean you’re probably going to end up spending some, if not a lot of your vacation doing something you don’t want to do. Gaffl is a site that offers the best of both worlds.

With the site, you search for a place you’d like to travel and when and then find other travelers who plan on doing the same.

If you find someone who has a plan in mind you can get behind you can connect with them through the site and plan a trip together.

For instance, if you really want to go on a multiple day hike and the rest of your posse aren’t big outdoors folks, you can potentially find a person or group to tag along with on a trip.

The idea behind the site is that you’re not only connecting with people who want to do the same things you want to do, you’re also connecting with people who can share costs with you. For instance, if you plan on renting a car in Scotland to drive up into the Highlands for a few days, now you have someone to split the cost of that $400 rental with, and perhaps a drinking buddy.

In an interview with TravelPulse this week, the founder of the site says that he created it specifically with that cost aspect in mind. He says people on the site are using it to split Airbnbs and rental cars. The cost splitting aspect is so much a part of the site it has a tool called “Splits” that allows users to split money through the site before, during, or after a trip.

As you might imagine, users on the site have to pass a few verification steps to keep everyone safe. Browsing trips and joining the site is free, but if you find the perfect travel buddy and want to connect that will cost you $6.99 for 30 days. There’s also a $20 for six months plan and a $30/1-year plan.

It’s definitely not a replacement for that trip with all your pals, but for those trips you’ve been wanting to take that you can’t find a pal for it could be the perfect solution.

Days Gone Fast Travel Guide: How to Fast Travel across the Map in Days Gone?

Post-apocalyptic Oregon acts as the setting of Days Gone and the game’s open-world is a marvel to behold. Split into six different regions peppered with story missions, side-quests and survivor tasks, there is a lot to do and a lot of places to go.

However, with the world being so large you might wonder whether there is a faster way to make it from point A to point B.

While driving places on your bike is certainly thrilling, it’s also time-consuming and puts you at risk from Freaker attacks and marauder ambushes.

Thankfully, a fast travel option exists in the game which allows you to immediately travel from one checkpoint to another.

You will only be able to travel to certain areas, specifically camps and cleared-out ambush camps. But because of the number of ambush camps in each region you’ll find that you can fast travel to almost every corner of the map.

How to Clear Infestations to Fast Travel in Days Gone

Before you can fast travel to a location, you must first clear all the infestation zones that stand between you and your destination.

Infestation zones are too dangerous to fast travel through given the amount of Freakers which congregate in these areas, but clearing their nests makes the roads safer and unlocks the fast travel option.

Nests can be destroyed with fire (Molotov cocktails work best) and, once you’ve cleared all of them in a given area, you’ll be able to open the map, select an ambush/survivor camp and press square to fast travel there.

However, there are stipulations. In order to use the fast travel feature, you have to meet several requirements.

Bend Studio (Pic: PlayStation)

Days Gone Fast Travel Tips

Fuel Up

As we alluded to at the start, your motorbike must have enough fuel to fast travel to a location.

Even though you aren’t physically driving yourself to your destination, the act of moving around the world will deplete your bike’s fuel tank.

It’s important to take account of how much fuel you’ll use travelling to each location, and this will be outlined in the cost of each journey when you select which camp you want to fast travel to.

One of the most common mistakes newbies make is travelling too far across the map only to find yourself stuck in the middle of nowhere with no fuel. Make sure you plan your journeys accordingly before you fast travel anywhere!

No Fighting

You’ll also be banned from using fast travel during combat, or when enemies are aware of you. This means you cannot evade an angry Freaker horde by trying to fast travel to a safer location. If you’re having trouble with hordes, check out our handy horde guide here.

Fast travel is definitely a necessity in the vast open-world of Days Gone, so make sure you utilise it sensibly!

Don’t forget! Daily Star Gaming also has you covered for Days Gone Historical Marker locations in each of the game’s regions, as well as boss guides, survival tips and more!

Instagram Travel Blogger Recreates Iconic Scenes From Game Of Thrones

As far as telly shows go, Game of Thrones is one of the most beautiful. It has a large budget – which helps – but also makes up a lot of ground by utilising some of the world’s most beautiful places.

Malta, Croatia, and Northern Ireland have all featured heavily on the show, but now one Instagram travel blogger has shared her images from travelling the world and recreating some iconic scenes from the world’s biggest TV show.