Jul 30

Jul 30 International Travel Hacks

Today is the first time Sincerely Sarah talks international travel! As you might have seen from my travel map, I’ve been to 15 countries & counting, adding two new countries this fall (more on that to come)! The more I’ve traveled abroad the more I’ve come to realize there are some key factors to making the most of your international travel. Below are some of my top International Travel Hacks!

Email yourself a copy of your passport.
Worst nightmare when traveling internationally- losing your passport. Save yourself some PRECIOUS time and anxiety by first printing off copies of your passport as well as emailing it to yourself. Store one copy in each piece of luggage. This helps you be able to travel a bit until you can get to an embassy to handle it.
Just don’t go leaving that out otherwise someone can steal your info!
Skip packaged tours.
When planning international trips, I can see how people end up choosing these packaged trips. It seems like a deal where they bundle your flight, hotel, and maybe rental car so you are taken care of with one payment. Only issue is, they usually aren’t a good value. You’ll end up with only one flight option and sitting in the middle seat next to the bathroom, your hotel will be by the airport outside of the city and don’t get me started on rental car fees. Skip these “deals” and do the research to end up with the flights and hotels that work best for you.
I know it’s daunting to plan it all by yourself and still find deals, so feel free to contact me!
Trains are more convenient to travel in Europe.
Ever notice when you research flights inside the European Union that they are all DIRT cheap?? That’s because everyone takes the trains around Europe. It’s actually more of a hassle to fly in the EU. By the time you drive/taxi to the airport, go through security, fly a few hours, then get out of the airport and into the city, you’ve wasted a lot of travel time that could have been spent enjoying that new city! Unless you are going from one side of the EU to another (or for instance, the U.K. to mainland EU), it’s WAY more efficient to utilize the trains. You will literally be able to hop off the train in the city center and let the exploring begin!
Know the culture!
When I was gearing up to travel to China for 3 weeks, we spent about four months trying to learn Mandarin, read books about Chinese history, and study the cultural differences. (Did you know it’s actually RUDE to not eat loudly in China?? It’s a compliment to the chef!) Although the only thing I still remember of Mandarin is saying “Bīng kāfēi,” (that’s Iced Coffee), the more research you do before heading to a new country, the more you can be respectful & truly immerse in their culture while on your trip. A little bit goes a long way!
Dress the part.
During my first day of classes in Rome my teacher told us to remember one key thing- don’t wear Nike shorts in public. EVER. Seem surprising? In Europe, they don’t actually wear workout clothes out and about on the streets. Typically, Europeans dress in neutral colors and the ladies are never seen wearing short shorts or tight skirts. This is because they don’t want their skin touching the dirty seats on the metro and want flowy outfits to breathe in the heat. Take note America. When traveling abroad, if you are seen wearing American flag chubbies or have on your cutest neon skirt, you will most likely be targeted by a pickpocketer.
BONUS TIP- PACK PEANUT BUTTER
Or insert whatever your favorite snack item is instead of Peanut Butter. When I was living in Rome, that was the one item that was hard to find anywhere! If you are a picky eater, always put in your bag some foods you can’t go without.