Planning for the Possibility of Problems While Traveling

Taking a trip, especially one overseas, can be very exciting. But you should not let this excitement get in the way of properly planning your trip, as there are lots of things that could cause you problems on the trip and you should be properly prepared for them.

Here are some things you should be prepared for:

1. Running Out of Money Overseas
One of the biggest nightmares you could face is unexpectedly running out of money while you are overseas. But there are many things you can do before you leave to prevent this from becoming a problem.

First, find out how much things cost in the city you are visiting before you go there. Do not assume that the prices of food and transportation are the same as where you live. Once you know the prices of things, you can budget accordingly.

Also, some countries charge entrance and/or exit fees upon entering or leaving the country. Find out if the country you are visiting does this before you go.

In many countries, retailers no longer accept credit cards that do not have a security chip. If your credit and/or debit cards all use magnetic strips and you cannot get a version of them with security chips, then make sure that you have alternative means of paying for things.

Finally, keep in mind that in some foreign countries credit card use is limited. So, always make sure that you have plenty of local currency on hand to pay for things.

2. Unexpected Emergencies
No one ever plans on getting sick, injured, or becoming a victim of some other unfortunate set of circumstances, but it can happen. It’s important to be prepared. Start by securing a backup source of funds to cover an unexpected expense overseas. Those hesitant to tap into savings if necessary should consider researching loan options, particularly those which can be applied for online.

Make sure that all your vaccinations are up-to-date and that all your prescriptions have been filled. Next, check to make sure that your health insurance will cover you while you are on your trip. If it does not, then you should strongly consider purchasing supplemental health insurance.

When traveling overseas, you should also be prepared if your passport becomes lost or stolen. Make copies of them before you leave, taking one set with you in your luggage while leaving another set with a loved one back home. You may even want to consider making digital copies of them so that you can store them on your phone or on another device.

Finally, just to be safe, you should register with your embassy upon arrival. If some emergency occurs in the country, the embassy would then be able to contact you so as to provide you with help.

3. Electronics Issues
It may surprise you to know that not all countries use the same electrical currents and sockets. The time to discover all this is before you leave.

If the country you are visiting uses a different electrical current, some of your travel appliances — such as hairdryers — may be useless. So, plan accordingly.

Most modern computing devices, such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops can adapt to different electrical currents. But check to make sure that yours does before you leave. Even if they do, you may still have to deal with different electrical sockets. Find out before you leave what kind of sockets you will need and see if you cannot purchase an adapter(s) at an electronics store before you go. If you cannot buy adapters before you leave, find out where you can buy them while on your trip.

What problems have you ran into while traveling? Comment below!