Back in my student days one promise I made to myself was that I would travel across the world once I started earning an income. The plan was to first back pack through Africa then make my way around the world. What I was not aware of is that a full time job is not really back-packing-through-Africa friendly. That plan was scrapped off the day I signed my employment contract and so a plan B had to be made...
Plan B...
Plan B turned out to be a trip to the U.K. London to be exact. I had such "great" (please note inverted commas) advise from all my well travelled friends and colleagues but after encountering a few glitches, I'm contemplating taking away this prestigious title from them because of the many little (but important) points they failed to highlight.
Because I'm such a good person and only want what's best for the earth, I have compiled a list of things to note for first time international travelers:
These tips are based on the assumption that you have put money aside and have decided where you will be visiting.
BEFORE YOU GO...
1. Sort out accommodation.
This is probably the biggest cost of any trip so if you have any friends/ family/ pets living abroad it would be best to base your trip on where they are located. This could save you tons of money, but it could also potentially land in you in Timbaktu, whatever happens there, so do choose wisely.
2. Book your flight
Remember, the further your book in advance, the more likely you'll find good deals.
3. Apply for VISA
This is of course only applicable if the country you are traveling to requires one. When going for your appointment make sure you take a three month bank statement, copy of your flight details, employment contract ( or proof of registration if you are a student) in addition to whatever you are instructed to bring.
4. Sort out your currency
Option A: exchange your rands for foreign currency; the advantage of this is having cash on you when you get to the other side and not having to worry about any other transaction costs either than your first purchase
Option B: purchase a cash passport card; the advantage of this is not having to walk around with big amounts of cash on you, another advantage is that the exchange rate is fixed to whatever it was on the date of purchase and you are unaffected by fluctuations
Option C: credit card; all you need to do is notify your bank well before you depart and then you can proceed to use it in the same manner as you would at home
THE DAY YOU GO...
1. Sort out your luggage
Rather take one big suitcase as opposed to two or three small bags to avoid incurring extra charges for having additional luggage. I learnt this the hard way.
2. No toiletries in your hand luggage
If your are traveling to the U.K the maximum amount of liquids your are allowed in your hand luggage is one litre. And by the way, if you only have half a bottle left of your 500ml body lotion, it still counts as 500ml. Thank me later.
3. Wrap your luggage
For peace of mind, wrap your luggage up. Wrapping by international flights is free. Anywhere else, you will pay approximately R50 a bag. Nobody told me this.
And that is about it. Well, sort of...I think I have helped you far enough, it is only fair that I leave some things out for suspension purposes AKA; let you get your fingers burnt as I did mine!
*takes a bow*
ENJOY YOUR TRIP...
