Guest Post                        November 15, 2017

Nothing takes the edge off the excitement of travelling quite like a forgotten passport or a hefty phone bill — just two of the most common travel hiccups people experience when they go abroad. But knowing what the most common issues are means you’re more likely to avoid them, plus you’ll be more prepared if they do occur. Read this list, then start planning. You’ll be jetting off in no time, trouble-free. 

 

                                         (Photo by Erwan Hesry on Unsplash) 

Going through the airport is stressful 

The worst part of travelling is probably the travelling part itself. Getting to the airport on time, dealing with the queues, and remembering all your documents can dampen your enthusiasm before you’ve even arrived at your destination. 

What should I do? 

• Make sure you have the correct dates and times before you travel. You’d be surprised by the amount of people who book a trip, only to try and leave a day early, or worse, a day late. Memorise the dates, write them down, do whatever you need to do to get them locked in your brain. 

• Allow yourself extra time to arrive at the airport. Guidelines vary from airline to airline, but most of them suggest arriving at least two hours before your flight leaves. If you can, check the traffic before you set off so it doesn’t affect your journey. 
• Get your travel documents together in advance, then pack them in your hand luggage, in a place where they’re easy to reach (but secure and away from potential pickpockets). 

Someone’s stolen your belongings 

It goes without saying that you should never leave your luggage unattended, but pickpockets are a problem no matter where you go, so even the most careful traveller can fall victim to their thieving ways. 

What should I do? 

• Make a list of everything that’s been taken, no matter how small or insignificant. 
• Report the theft to the local police as soon as possible. Tell them where it happened, what the thieves looked like (if you saw them) and what was taken. Ask the police to write a report of the incident for your insurance company and leave your phone number with them so they can keep you updated. 
• Contact your nearest embassy for assistance. They can help you get in touch with local lawyers and doctors, and you’ll be able to notify friends and family. 
• Contact your travel insurance company. They’ll be able to advise you about your next steps and help you with legal issues if necessary. 

 

                                                (Photo by Gilles Lambert on Unsplash) 

You’ve been hit by unexpected phone charges 

Extortionate call rates and data roaming costs can make a real dent in your travel funds, but calls, texts, and online messages can’t always be avoided. 

What should I do? 

• Work out what costs the most money, then scale back your phone usage for the rest of the trip. 
• Make sure people back home know they can’t call you without one of you being charged. 
• Use WiFi whenever there’s a secure network available. 
• Buy a VPN (a virtual private network) for future use, so you can use the internet safely and stay in touch with people online. 

You’ve come back home. Now what? 

It can be a bit of a shock to the system to return home after experiencing so many new and different things, only to find that everything is exactly the same as you left it. Post-travel blues are a real thing, but they can be dealt with. 

What should I do? 

• Relax. Everyday tasks are instantly made more difficult when you go abroad, but they’ll be a breeze once you’re back home and you’ll appreciate that. 
• Spend time with family and friends. You’ll be able to speak in person, instead of over a dodgy WiFi connection. 
• Still got the urge to wander? You can always start planning your next trip!