What you need to research before you get on that plane
1. Baggage allowance
What to pack and how much to take with you is very important. But this is only dependant on how much you are allowed to take. Double check your allowances and read the small print. You don’t want any surprises at the airport. Usually with the cheaper airlines, this may be the sacrifice made – lesser allowance or only a carryon.
2. Where to exchange money
After you’ve figured out how much you’ll be needing over there, the next step would be to decide where to exchange your money. If you want the best return for your money, you should look into where you’ll get the best rates. Not every country is the same. You can exchange your money in your home country, home airport, destination airport, in the destination or any ATM at the destination. Which will give you the best rate? It’ll most likely be one at the destination. The destination airport will be the most convenient, but you may not get the best rates.
3. How to get from airport to hotel
If you’ve had a long flight, the last thing you want to do is be stuck at the airport haggling with hungry taxi drivers. The first thing you want to do is get to your comfy hotel bed. So, do your research beforehand on how you’re going to get to your hotel from the airport and roughly how much it’ll cost. Options will include your standard taxis, Uber or its alternative (e.g. Kareem or Grab), public transport (cheapest option) and the hotel themselves picking you up (the most convenient, but probably the most expensive).
If you've had a long flight, the last thing you want to do is be stuck at the airport haggling with hungry taxi drivers.
4. Facilities in the hotel
Checking what facilities are available at the hotel will help you with your packing. Look out for towels, toiletries and what kind of plug socket they have in the rooms.
5. Transport in city
Knowing what kind of transport is available in the city and how accessible it is will help you budget for your travels. For example in countries like Malaysia and Singapore the Uber alternative – Grab is soooo cheap that there is no need whatsoever for you to be using public transport. The Middle East equivalent – Kareem is just as expensive as your standard taxis…
6. Weather
Another one that will help you pack and plan your activities is checking what the weather is like at the time of your travel. It’ll be useful for you to know whether it is monsoon season in your destination or whether it is particularly cold. For example in parts of the Middle East it gets very cold in December, you’ll even see snow!
7. What to do and eat
This one is a given right. Make sure you do some kind of research to decide what things you’d like to do and see there. Check their opening times (e.g. Friday is weekend in many parts of the world, so many places will be closed). Check how much entry is going to cost. Also, do your research as to what foods you must try while you are there. A good source for this will be YouTube vloggers.
8. Souvenirs to bring back
Shopping in a foreign country is such an experience. Whether it is in the magical alleys of Marrakech or the world famous fake markets in Beijing, you’re bound to have an interesting time. For those who like to be a little more organised and less spontaneous, researching what souvenirs to buy may enhance your experience.
