3 Things You Need To Consider When Travelling

Making the decision to go travelling is hugely exciting, but it can also bring with it a lot of things that you need to remember and take into account. Now more than ever, people are deciding to take time out of their lives to travel and see the world, and it’s not surprising - you get to meet new people, experience different cultures and try out new activities, foods and experiences.

Travel can make a huge difference to your life, but there are some things which should be considered beforehand, which many travellers often forget. With that in mind, let’s take a look at 3 things that you should consider before going travelling. 

Make Sure You Have The Right Visas

It might sound obvious, but when you go travelling, it is so important that you make sure that you have the right visas for the locations you have planned. It is perhaps the most common mistake that travellers make and, in a lot of cases, travellers are turned away from entering a country simply because they don’t have the right type of visa. 

Should this happen, then you will find that you are required to leave the country immediately, without even being able to leave the airport. This can be very costly and disruptive, so it is really important that you check which visas are required for your planned destinations and make sure that you have everything that is required. Spending a couple of hours before your trip checking this information can not only save you time should an issue arise, but perhaps thousands, too. 

Research The Country’s Religion and Culture

In some countries, religion is a way of life and it is expected that any and all travellers and tourists respect religious and cultural beliefs. This often means wearing certain clothing or items, such as a hijab, when visiting certain places or attractions, respecting dietary restrictions and requirements and taking note of daylight hours. For example, in a lot of Italian churches, cathedrals or religious grounds, it is expected that visitors ensure that their shoulders are covered, whilst in other countries, wearing shoes during certain activities or sitting cross-legged can be seen as hugely disrespectful.  

Thoughtful travel is vital, particularly if you are covering large parts of the world, as religion can vary and differ wildly. Do some research before your trip, particularly if you’re not joining organised tours or groups and learn more about the sites you wish to visit. 

Notify Your Bank 

In some countries, paying by card is considered “safe” by banks, so they will usually let the transaction be approved without much consideration. However, if you are using the same card to pay for things in countries that are considered high risk or financially unstable, then you may run into some issues. If you’re planning on using your bank card when travelling, then it’s a good idea to let your bank know beforehand, so that they can be aware of any changes to your regular spending habits. 

You may find it easier to get a multi-currency card, which you can load with your regular currency and exchange via an app. Card is generally the safest way to pay when travelling, but look to have some small amounts of cash with you for things such as tipping or to use in smaller convenience stores.