Have your trip planned with tickets booked and sightseeing places in mind but are you still forgetting something? Here are some helpful things to google just in case you forget.
- Tap Water
Is tap water drinkable in this country? If so, I usually bring my own water bottle too and it saves A LOT of money and the environment. Yay!
- Transportation
How to get to the first destination from the airport, and if there is a metro, train, bus, official taxis or uber etc.? It helps to not look completely lost when you’re trying to avoid taxi drivers who often times try to bait you with ridiculous prices. Also, if you’re taking a taxi, check ahead of time how much the trip should cost.
If you’re planning on staying out late, find out if Uber is available in that city.
Look into the city’s local transportation app, sometimes it tells you things google map doesn’t, such as zones, rates (sometimes google map does tell you), and where the stop is on the map.
- Currency
Know the local currency and the conversion rate to avoid calling everything “dollars” unless they’re really called dollars.
- Phone
Do you have an international plan? Are you okay with having no data and trying to get wifi at places? Is wifi widely available? Or would you want to get a sim, if so which one, where and how much? I once bought a Moroccan sim card on the street that lasted me five minutes because I had no idea what I was buying…
- Power Outlets
Know the voltage and the shape of the plug, bring appropriate adapters and don’t blow your hair dryer or curling irons.
- Tipping Culture
Know who to tip and how much to tip, including taxis, tour guides, hotel people, restaurants etc. Thankfully not everywhere is like America where you have to tip almost everyone everywhere in order to be a decent human being. In some countries, it could even be considered rude to tip! There are different tipping rules and percentage everywhere, always look it up to avoid some awkward encounters.
- Language
We can often get away with using English everywhere we go, but it’s always fun to learn the language of the place you’re going! Look it up ahead of time or ask the locals for correct pronunciation. Most people appreciate it even if you only know a few words. The words I learn everywhere I go are: “hello”, “thank you”, &“cheers”.
- Brief History
Yes, you will always learn more when you arrive, but it’s nice to know a little history before heading there because history shapes the place. It’s cool when you see the connections when you arrive whether it is in the architecture, the people, their customs or even which side of the road they drive on. Sometimes it could also help to connect with locals and spark some meaningful conversations, but be careful, because in some countries it might not be safe for yourself or the local to talk about certain topics in public.
Enjoy your trip!
Kay's Declassified Travel Guide 