Let's Go Travel Guides
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The resource for the independent traveler When Let’s Go researchers hit the road to find the best bets and hidden deals for the Let’s Go guides, they don‘t want a forgotten item to slow them down. Here‘s a typical researcher‘s packing list, which will also prepare you for your journey. |
Let's Go Travel Tips and Essentials
Before you Go
Budget travel is more than a vacation. At Let’s Go, we see every trip as the chance of a lifetime. If your dream is to grab a knapsack and a machete and forge through the jungles of Brazil, we can take you there. Or, if you’d rather enjoy the Riviera sun at a beachside cafe, we ’ll set you a table. If you know what you’re doing, you can have any experience you want - whether it ’s camping among lions or sampling Tuscan desserts — without maxing out your credit card. We’ll show you just how far your coins can go, and prove that the greatest limitation on your adventure is not your wallet, but your imagination.
1-2 Months Before You Go: Practical Preparation
Passports: Citizens of the US need valid passports to enter other countries and to reenter their own country. You can apply for a passport at most post offices, passport offices, or courts of law and will need to present proof of citizenship and identity. Regular service takes up to six weeks, but you can receive expedited service for an additional fee.
Air and Rail Tickets: When it comes to airfare, a little effort can save you a bundle. Many airline websites offer special last-minute deals. The key is to hunt around, be flexible, and ask persistently about discounts. Students and those under 26 should never pay full price for a ticket. It is best to buy your Eurail or Europass before leaving to avoid marked-up prices in European cities. While the passes are sold at uniform prices in the US, some offer certain bonuses with purchase, so shop around. Also, keep in mind that pass prices usually go up each year, so if you are travelling early in the year, you can save by purchasing before January 1.
Travel Insurance: Travel insurance generally covers basic areas like medical problems, property loss, trip cancellation/interruption, and emergency evacuation. ISIC provides basic insurance benefits and access to a toll-free 24hr helpline, while STA offers a range of plans that can supplement your basic coverage.
Accommodations: Many young budget travelers frequent hostels because of the low rates and atmosphere of camaraderie; however, many don’t accept reservations. If you plan on staying in hostels, research your options and call to find out what time of day generally offers greatest room availability. Consider joining the HI-AYH to receive membership privileges in hostels around the world. If you plan to stay in hotels, book your room far in advance –– many hotels offer online reservations.
2 Weeks Before You Go: Creating Your Dream Trip
Research: Find out everything you can about your destination(s) and pick at least 10 sights you don’t want to miss. Many websites and travel guides have suggested itineraries and sample walking tours––find ones that suit you and add them to your plans.
Ask around: The best way to find the inside scoop on your travel destination is often to talk with other travelers. Check out chat forums on travel websites to get advice on anything from hidden deals in London to hostel recommendations to safety tips for solo travelers.
Life and Times: Read up on the history and culture of your destination. The more you know about a place, the more comfortable you’ll feel when you get there.
Identification
When you travel, carry two or more forms of identification on your person, including at least one photo ID; a passport combined with a driver's license or birth certificate is usually adequate. Never carry all your forms of ID together; split them up in case of theft or loss, and keep photocopies in your luggage and at home. Your ISIC, ITIC or IYTC card makes a great supplementary photo ID.
Money
• As a general rule, it's cheaper to convert money in the US than at home. While currency exchange will probably be available in your arrival airport, it's wise to bring enough foreign currency to last for the first 24 to 72 hours of a trip.
• When changing money abroad, try to go only to banks or other establishments that have at most a 5% margin between their buy and sell prices. Since you lose money with every transaction, convert large sums (unless the currency is depreciating rapidly), but no more than you'll need.
• If you use traveler's checks or bills, carry some in small denominations (the equivalent of $50 or less) for times when you are forced to exchange money at disadvantageous rates, but bring a range of denominations since charges may be levied per check cashed.
• Store your money in a variety of forms and places.
• Traveler's checks are one of the safest and least troublesome means of carrying funds. American Express and Visa are the most widely recognized brands. Many banks and agencies sell them for a small commission. Check issuers provide refunds if the checks are lost or stolen, and many provide additional services, such as toll-free refund hotlines abroad, emergency message services, and stolen credit card assistance. They are readily accepted in the US. Ask about toll-free refund hotlines and the location of refund centers when purchasing checks, and always carry emergency cash.
• Where they are accepted, credit cards often offer superior exchange rates. Credit cards may also offer services such as insurance or emergency help, and are sometimes required to reserve hotel rooms or rental cars. MasterCard and Visa are the most welcomed; American Express cards work at some ATMs and at AmEx offices and major airports.
• If you run out of money while traveling, the easiest and cheapest solution is to have someone back home make a deposit to your credit card or cash (ATM) card. Failing that, consider wiring money.
Traveling Alone
There are many benefits to traveling alone, including independence and greater interaction with locals. On the other hand, any solo traveler is a more vulnerable target of harassment and street theft. Follow these tips to keep yourself at lower risk:
• As a lone traveler, avoid unwanted attention by blending in
as much as possible; the gawking camera-toter is a more obvious target
for thieves than the low-profile traveler.
• If questioned, never admit that you are traveling alone.
• Familiarize yourself with your surroundings before setting out,
and carry yourself with confidence.
• Check maps in shops and restaurants rather than on the street.
• Maintain regular contact with someone at home who knows your
itinerary.
• For more tips, pick up Traveling Solo by Eleanor Berman (Globe
Pequot Press, $18) or subscribe to Connecting: Solo Travel Network
(phone 604-886-9099; www.cstn.org;
membership $35).
• To link up with a tour group, try Contiki Holidays
(888-CONTIKI; www.contiki.com),
which offers a variety of packages designed for 18-to 35-year-olds.
Tours include accommodations, transportation, guided sightseeing and
some meals; most average about $75 per day.
Specific Concerns: Female Travelers
Women travelling on their own inevitably face some additional safety concerns, but it’s easy to be adventurous without taking undue risks
• Consider staying in hostels that offer single rooms that lock
from the inside or in religious organizations with rooms for women only.
• Stick to centrally located accommodations and avoid solitary
late-night treks or metro rides.
• Always carry extra money for a phone call, bus, or taxi.
• Hitchhiking is never safe for lone women, or even for
two women travelling together.
When on overnight or long train rides, if there is no women-only compartment,
choose one occupied by women or couples.
• Look as if you know where you’re going and approach older
women or couples for directions if you’re lost or uncomfortable.
• Generally, the less you look like a tourist, the better off
you’ll be. Dress conservatively, especially in rural areas. Trying
to fit in can be effective, but dressing to the style of an obviously
different culture may cause you to be ill at ease and a conspicuous
target. Use your best judgment.
Wearing a conspicuous wedding band may help prevent
unwanted overtures.
• Your best answer to verbal harassment is no answer at all; feigning
deafness, sitting motionless, and staring straight ahead at nothing
in particular will do a world of good that reactions usually don’t
achieve.
• NOW. For general information about being a female traveler,
contact the National Organization for Women, which has branches across
the US. Phone (202) 628-8669 or visit www.now.org.
Travel Advisories
It's always important, but particularly important right now, to be aware of possibly dangerous situations. The following government links are helpful for finding information about health and political risks.
Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
For information on new U.S. airport security regulations, check out the Transportation Security Administration, which offers information on what to pack and how to deal with new airport security regulations.
Fielding's Dangerfinder. Instead of telling you where to go, Fielding's Dangerfinder tells you where not to go. Choose from 30 notoriously unsafe countries and read statistics of massacres, land mines, a chronology of "dangerous days" in the country's history (e.g. genocide’s, major riots). Under each country is also a brief section of caveats and travel advice
Health
CDC. The home page of the US government's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with up-to-date information on health hazards around the world. Includes health topics A-Z, a section on travelers' health, and news articles.
MedicinePlanet. Everything you need to know about your health while traveling from immunizations before you leave to preventative tips while you're on the road. Includes specific information for women, children, seniors, adventure travelers.
Global Doctor is an Australian based international medical company committed to providing the highest standard of health care and hygiene, conveniently located wherever our patients live, work or travel. At any of their eight international Asian clinics, you can have a medical consultation in English, French, Dutch, German, Mandarin, or Spanish.
US Embassy and Consular Services Abroad
Always call before visiting any embassies, since different services have different hours. Visa services tend to be available only in the morning. The most common concern is a loss of passport or worry about potentially dangerous local conditions. In serious trouble, your country's embassy or consulate usually can provide legal advice and may be able to advance money. For more information and a complete list of embassies abroad check out: travel.state.gov.
US Embassy and Consulates Abroad
Contact the nearest embassy or consulate for info on visas and permits to the United States. Offices are only open limited hours, so call well before you depart. The US State Department provides contact information for US diplomatic missions on the Internet at foia.state.gov. Foreign embassies in the US are located in Washington, D.C., but there are consulates in most cities that can be helpful in an emergency. For a more extensive list of embassies and consulates in the US, consult the web site www.embassy.org.
Customs
Upon entering a country, you must declare certain items from abroad and pay a duty on the value of those articles if they exceed the allowance established by that country's custom service. Note that goods and gifts purchased at duty-free shops abroad are not exempt from duty or sales tax; "duty-free" merely means that you need not pay a tax in the country of purchase. Duty-free allowances were abolished for travel between EU member states on June, 30 1999, but still exist for those arriving from outside the EU.
If you are traveling in between countries that are members of the EU, you are afforded freedom of movement for yourself and your goods. This means there are no customs controls at internal EU borders (i.e. you can take the blue customs channel at the airport) and travelers are free to transport whatever legal substances they like as long as it is for their own personal use (i.e., up to 800 Cigarettes, 10L of spirits, 90L of wine).
Upon returning home, you must declare all articles acquired abroad and pay a duty on the value of articles in excess of your home country's allowance. In order to expedite your return, make a list of any valuables brought from home and register them with customs before traveling, and be sure to keep receipts for all goods acquired while abroad.