Favorite International Travel Tips - new tip 05/20/08

Here are some things I wish that I knew before my first international trip. (I'll update this as I go along)

1.) Converters - you'll need one for smaller hotels and you can't buy them in Europe so make sure you have that.

2.) Blow Dryers - don't bother bringing it...there's just not enough power to run them.

3.) Internet cafes/business centers - there's a lot of locations that you can check your email from but you have to remember that the keyboard is european. it's pretty difficult to type on them.

4.) Passports - scan a copy of it. a good idea is to email it to yourself (to a free internet account like yahoo or hotmail or gmail). If you lose it all you need to do is log into your email and get a copy of it. this way you don't have to worry about bringing a copy with you. do the same with your credit cards & corresponding bank phone numbers

5.) ATM/Credit Card - call your bank before your departure to let them know that you'll be traveling abroad. Sometimes, they'll put a hold on your account if they think there are fraudulent charges. If you have access, it's also a good idea to check on your account to make sure you don't have fraudulent charges while you are still abroad.

6.) Money Exchange - i always use my ATM card to withdraw money. It's got the best exchange rate. Another tip - open an account at Washington Mutual and you won't get the high withdrawl charges that I got through Union Bank ($10 each time i withdrew from a foreign bank). It's typically a good idea to go with $300 in cash but I never do and have never had a problem withdrawing money from the ATM at the airport. avoid any money exchange places - they are all trying to rip you off.

7.) FCO (ROME) is about the worst airport I've been to anywhere in the world. If there's a suitcase to be lost, it'll get lost there. Make sure you have your first day/nights change of clothes because you just never know - that's a good tip for any travel, especially business travel.

8.) JETLAG - Tylenol PM - you'll probably wake up around 2 or 3am...i usually take tylenol PM for the first few nights before I go to sleep. that stuff is the best stuff in the world.

9.) Luggage Ties - i usually bring those plastic luggage ties to secure my suitcase. those TSA locks only work in the US/CANADA.

10.) Cellphones : http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2884872&CatId=1809 You can buy an unlocked cellphone and buy a sim card for use while you're abroad (not applicable in Japan as they are not on a GSM network).

11.) Packing: Pack light going out to your destination. Chances are you aren't going to a 3rd world country so you can always pick up whatever you forgot there. Bring a big bag that you can collapse into a thin folder that is strong enough to check in. The one that I have and recommend is by Flight 001. One of the best buys I've ever made!

12.) iPod: bring one. seriously...it blocks out noise from children who are just cranky (maybe even YOUR child's) or from seatmates who seem to want to chat about absolutely NOTHING.

13.) Foot rest: for those of you traveling in first or business, skip right over this section. I like to bring a large bulky bag onboard so that I can use it as a foot rest. My legs just aren't long enough to comfortably rest the entire 10 - 15 hour flight. I use my bag to give my legs a break.

14.) Seat selection: Use http://www.seatguru.com/. It tells you where powerports are located in case you decide to bring a laptop or DVD player (you'll need to bring your own converter), which seats don't recline fully and which seats are the "best". Personally, I like aisle seats but it's a good idea to stay away from galleys & latrines. those are the heaviest congested areas.

15.) Dry Nasal Passages - http://www.flemingcompany.com/Products/OCEAN/index.htm - Ocean Nasal Saline Spray. Ok, this is gross but it gets really dry for me on these flights. This helps keep those prone to bloody noses due to dry air from bleeding out in the airplane and grossing everyone out around you.

16.) Airborne - can't say it enough...when your seatmate is hacking away pop one of these into a glass of water and protect yourself!!!

17.) Postcards - it's a pain to bring your address book or other forms of electronic devices. Make life easier and faster for yourself by bringing pre-addressed labels that you can just throw on a postcard. all you need to do is fill it out, put a stamp on it and mail it out!!

18.) Passports: It has come to my attention that there are people out there without passports. Based on my experience over the past several months (trying to get my group of 200 people in/out of Mexico WITH passports) the lead time can be anywhere from 10 to 12 weeks applying without expedition. It is my strong recommendation that you get it expedited if you are planning a trip. This tip is good through 2008 as the borders will tighten up even more when you arrive by boat, car, or by walking in January 2008. If you are not traveling and still do not have a passport, I urge to get one. You just never know if you need to unexpectedly take a trip across the borders...this way you don't have to rush it or sweat it. Here are a few tips on what to do in case you do need to sweat it:
a.) If you're traveling within two weeks, make an appointment at the regional passport office - we have one in Los Angeles at the Federal Building on Wilshire & Sepulveda. Bring your birth certificate (make sure it is a certified copy - you can tell by the raised seal or if it's really old school, it's usually a purple stamp) and 2 passport photos (you can get these taken at Costco or a local drug store).
b.) If you're traveling outside of 2 weeks, expedite the passport and make sure you request Fedex Delivery option. I'm not sure how much extra it costs but you're always better off with it than without it.
c.) If you find yourself without a passport and you've submitted your application, you can call the passport office and get a live human being (if you're within two weeks). She won't be able to tell you much more than where it's being processed, when they've logged it in, what the general wait time/turn around would be, and what your final options are. In order to avoid this situation, please apply for a passport if you don't already have one.

20.) Credit Cards - avoid finance charges (international) by applying for the Capital One card. best deal in town!

21.) Shipping back to the US - if you're in france and find yourself buying a TON of stuff, ship it back via La Poste. I'm going to give it a try when I go in July...(Colissimo Emballage XL - about 38 euros up to 7 kilos or 15 pounds)

Last note about the passports, if your passport is within SIX (6) months of expiration, GET IT RENEWED!! A lot of countries will not allow you to travel into their country if your passport is expiring within 6 months of your travel date.

Ok, I lied...last, last note about passports - don't bother to pay a company to expedite your passport - they don't guarantee that you'll get a passport either if you use their services and you'll have to pay an arm, leg, and your first born child.