8 Things You Should Do Before Every International Trip

March 18, 2019

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9 min read

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The Points & Miles Backpacker is a weekly column appearing every Monday. TPG Contributor Brian Biros, who has backpacked the globe for the past 15 years, discusses how to fund this adventurous, budgeted and increasingly popular form of travel with points and miles. He’ll also explore all things backpacking-related. Read his story here and his high-level approach here.

With our smartphones, there aren't many things we need to prepare for in advance anymore. You can look up directions when you're already on your way, hail a ride from anywhere and pay for your coffee with (you guessed it) your phone.

But flying internationally is one of the few times you still really need to prepare — especially if your destination is one that isn't as connected and tech-driven as the US. When you touch down and turn on your phone, the information super highway may suddenly take a detour.

That's why I always use this last minute checklist before I travel abroad. Many of these items can be done quickly the day you depart and, most importantly, will help keep you safe and connected during your travels.

1. Download Offline Maps

Regardless of whether or not you'll have cell coverage, always download offline maps for your destination. In Google Maps, simply view the location you'd like to download, then select "Offline Maps" from the menu. There, you can choose to "download an offline map" and highlight the area you'd like to save. Many travelers swear by Maps.Me (available on desktop and as an app), which is especially great for hiking. Other map programs specialize in specific regions, such as 2GIS for Russia and Central Asia.

This refreshing spring fed pool was not in any travel guide but was listed on maps.me — This refreshing spring fed pool near Inle Lakes, Myanmar was not in any travel guide but was listed on MAPS.ME

2. Plan Your Transfer

Don't let things go wrong the second you land, because plenty of people profit from overcharging — or even stealing from — new arrivals.

Ideally, your hotel or home stay arranges free transfers for guests. Be sure to inquire at the time of booking and, if available, ensure that the driver has your flight information and your name. If possible, get the driver's name, too. If the driver is only holding a sign with the name of the hotel or inn, ask them to confirm your name. On my first trip to Nepal, I saw a man holding a sign that said “Kathmandu Guesthouse” as I exited the airport. I began walking with him to his car, when he informed me that Kathmandu Guesthouse was full and he'd have to take me to an alternate accommodation. I calmly took my bags back from him and returned to baggage claim to find the real transfer.

If you're traveling light and don't mind trains or buses, map out the route beforehand because some offline maps don't include public transit directions. If detailed directions weren't provided by your hostel, hotel or inn, always ask.

When free or public transit options aren't available, you can always arrange a paid transfer beforehand, which will save you a lot of headache. Just be sure to compare this cost to what an Uber (or similar rideshare service) would cost. Before you count on an app, of course, make sure your arrival airport has a reliable Wi-Fi network. Also, some countries use other ridesharing apps, such as Gett in Israel or Grab in Southeast Asia. Research what locals use beforehand, and have the apps downloaded before departure if you plan to use them.

Sadly, you're more likely to get ripped off in a taxi than any other method of transportation, which is why it's typically my last resort. To make sure you don't, ask your accommodation how much the taxi fare should be. If available, take an official airport taxi (follow signs, not touts). Be sure to confirm the fare with the driver before getting in the car, and if it's metered, mention the approximate amount you know it should cost. Follow along on your offline map to make sure you don't end up on the, er, scenic route.

3. Set Travel Alerts

When a bank or credit card company sees a transaction outside of the US, it may get declined for potential fraud, and that always seems to happen at the most inconvenient times. Play it safe and take a few minutes to call the number on the back of your cards, notifying them of the countries you'll be visiting and the dates you'll be traveling. Many companies make it possible to set travel notifications online or through an app, making the process even simpler. And as always, use credit cards and ATM cards that won't charge you a foreign transaction fee.

4. Note the Exchange Rate

Cash still rules much of the world, so you'll want to hit an ATM in the airport when you land. But do you want to take out 10,000 Kazakh Tenge or 100,000 Kazakh Tenge? Know the exchange rate before you land so you have an idea of how much money you'll be taking out of your account (and how much you'll likely need). I use the XE currency app, too, already loaded with the currencies of the countries I'm visiting. For other tips on how to deal with unfamiliar currencies abroad, see this guide.

5. Check Cell Phone Coverage

Depending on your cell phone provider, plan and destination, you may be covered internationally. Some providers promise pretty much global coverage, but don't let their stat padding fool you: There are still plenty of countries that are not covered. On my recent Pacific Islands trip, neither New Caledonia nor the Solomon Islands were covered in my Google Fi plan. You'll need to check each destination individually. We have a comprehensive guide to international smartphone use, but each provider has its general strengths and weaknesses.

Google Fi is my favorite option for international coverage. They are the only provider that offers high-speed international data as part of their regular plan, which is $10 per GB. This page tells you which countries are covered. T-Mobile claims to have 210-plus countries covered. You can see which countries are covered here. However, the data speeds are capped at 2G, which these days is frustrating and sometimes unusable. You can, however, upgrade to faster plans, and full speed data is free in Mexico and Canada. Sprint mimics T-Mobile's free 2G international offering, but full speed data elsewhere in North America costs a premium — as does the rest of the world. Their coverage list is here. And depending on your plan, both AT&T and Verizon users may be eligible for unlimited calls and texts abroad for $5 to $10 a day, per line. Because coverage (and rates) can vary wildly depending on your personal cell plan, always call your provider about your options. Making a mistake could result in a rude surprise come bill time.

For any trip of more than a few days, picking up a local SIM card can save you money (or a headache, if you're dealing with 2G speeds). Pack an unlocked phone if you plan to purchase local SIMs. I have an old unlocked phone that I use with my Google Fi SIM card, and I can make that a hotspot to use my locked iPhone. It's not the most efficient or ideal solution, but it works if you're handcuffed to a locked phone payment plan like me.

My Google Fi SIM card next to SIM cards from Kazakhstan and Solomon Islands. I'd bet I'm the only person on the planet to have this combo. — My Google Fi SIM next to SIM cards from Kazakhstan and Solomon Islands.

6. Upload Copies of Your Documents

Emailing a picture of your passport and visas to yourself and any travel buddies could prove useful if you get in a bind. I also keep these pictures, along with pictures of my credit cards, in a password-protected app on my smartphone. Make paper copies of your passport and visas as well. Keep one set with you, on your person, at all times and another set stashed safely in your luggage or hotel safe.

7. Register for STEP

The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) was created by the US Department of State to notify local embassies about your travel plans. This way, you will be contacted in case of an emergency or security advisory in your destination. It's free and easy to register. Though you may not need to enroll every time you leave the country, this is a step you don't want to skip if you're traveling to a destination that's a candidate for political instability or civil unrest; you're traveling to a country for a major event that could be targeted; or you have some other specific concern about your personal safety.

8. Charge Your Electronics

Make sure you charge everything — phones, computers, tablets, power banks, cameras, spare batteries, shavers, headlamps — before catching your next international flight.

Of course, a last minute charge is also a good way to leave some of these electronics behind, so leave your suitcase open and next to your devices while they're charging.

Though voltage converters are rarely needed any more, as most electronics either charge via USB or can handle a voltage input from 110 to 240 volts, you will likely need a plug adapter. And you'll probably want more than one. A universal adapter is handy, but if you know you'll only need one plug type, you may want to get a couple of those smaller, specific adapters instead.