8 Travel Tips for Your Trip Overseas

Planning a trip can be both exciting and overwhelming. To make your journey easier, we've put together eight helpful tips that will streamline the process from packing to navigating your destination. Whether you're a seasoned traveler or heading out on your first adventure, these practical suggestions will ensure you stay organized, connected, and prepared.

The luggage you choose can be your greatest asset or your biggest mistake. When traveling, a good rule of thumb is to pack less rather than more. Whether hopping between trains, planes, or taxis, you’ll want a bag that’s easy to carry. A 20 lb bag might seem light, but after a day of carrying it, it can feel like 50 lbs.

A well-crafted backpack, like the SANDMARC Travel Backpack, is ideal for frequent travelers. Its compartments are designed for optimal organization, and the chest strap and padded shoulder straps provide comfort during long travel days. Concerned about fitting everything into a smaller bag? The Compression Packing Cubes help you maximize space by compressing bulkier items.

If you rely on your iPhone a lot at home, expect to use it even more while traveling. From taking photos and videos to navigating maps and searching for your next meal, your phone will be working overtime. It's entirely possible for your battery to die, something that can be especially stressful if you're in a new city where few people speak your language. To avoid this, always carry a power bank so you can stay connected and worry-free.

For consistent data usage, consider purchasing an eSIM. Airalo is a convenient app that lets you buy eSIMs for various countries, allowing you to stay connected wherever you go. Unlike some international plans that can be spotty, Airalo connects you to a local provider for a more reliable signal.

Each city has its own approach to public transportation. Some rely primarily on taxis, while others offer extensive bus and train systems. There’s nothing worse than arriving at your destination only to discover there’s no bus service—and you were supposed to arrange a car in advance. Understanding how transportation works in your destination can save you time, stress, and confusion.

Before you go, research how to purchase tickets, whether schedules vary by day, and what time transportation services stop running. A great resource for this is Rome2Rio, which gives you a comprehensive overview of nearly all available transportation options in any city you’re visiting.

Traveling gives you the opportunity to learn about other cultures and connect with people from around the world. As a sign of respect, it’s important to familiarize yourself with local etiquette and customs.

Researching things like appropriate clothing and tipping practices is a good place to start. Learning a few simple phrases in the local language, like hello, goodbye, and thank you, is a thoughtful way to show appreciation for another culture’s language as well. Be sure to also research any local holidays in the country you're visiting, as they can impact your stay.

The video below explores the impact of learning how to communicate across cultures.

As a traveler, it's important to know the location of your country's embassy. In case of an emergency or if you lose your passport, the embassy is your primary point of contact.

For U.S. citizens, the U.S. Department of State offers the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), a free service that sends you emails with updates from the local U.S. embassy or consulate. Enrolling in STEP helps the embassy contact you in case of emergencies, such as natural disasters or civil unrest, and provides you with important safety and security information related to your travel destination.

Even with a reliable cellphone carrier, Google Maps can become glitchy in remote areas. To avoid not having navigation, use the offline maps feature in Google Maps.

First, make sure you're signed into your Google account. Then, open the Google Maps app, tap your profile picture in the top right corner, and select ‘Offline maps’ from the menu. Tap ‘Select your own map’, move the frame to your desired region, and hit Download in the bottom right corner. Once downloaded, your saved map will appear in the 'Offline maps' section.

You can now use the map as usual, even if you lose signal.

This feature is also available on Apple Maps.

As you research for your trip, you'll likely come across tons of coffee shop, restaurant, and store recommendations. Be sure to bookmark each recommendation in Google Maps and create a custom list for the city you're visiting. That way, when you're out exploring and suddenly need a bite to eat or a caffeine boost, you can quickly check if any of your saved spots are nearby. It can be overwhelming to decide where to go when you're tired or hungry, but this simple trick takes the stress out of the moment.

To do this, search for the location in Google Maps, then tap 'Save'. A menu will appear, if you haven’t created a list yet, tap 'New List', give it a name, and save the location to it. Once added, the place will appear on your map with a blue flag, making it easy to spot while you're out and about.

This feature is also available on Apple Maps.

All this time spent planning your trip, and you may have focused so much on where to go that you forgot to research where not to go. Every city, whether at home or abroad, has areas that are best avoided for safety reasons. It’s crucial to do this research to ensure your accommodation is in a safe neighborhood and that you don’t accidentally wander down a street you shouldn’t.

Traveling often gives us a sense of invincibility, causing us to throw caution to the wind. But in some countries, there are additional safety concerns to keep in mind, such as whether it’s safe to wear jewelry or how to protect yourself from pickpockets. Since every country is different, it’s important to research the safety guidelines for each destination, including individual cities within the country.

For more information, research your home country's travel advisories for each destination. For U.S. citizens, you can find more information here.

Planning for a trip doesn't have to be a daunting task. By following these eight tips, you can make your journey smoother, more enjoyable, and stress-free. From packing smart and staying connected, to understanding local customs and staying aware of safety precautions, each step helps ensure a well-prepared and memorable experience.

Whether you're traveling for leisure or business, a little research and preparation can go a long way in making your trip easier and more rewarding. Safe travels!