It’s a new year which means we all take on new resolutions and changes. One resolution I hear a lot of lately is, “I’m going to travel more.” And while that thrills me to hear, it also reminds me that we all need to be responsible while traveling, especially to places that see A LOT of tourists. 

More and more people are traveling and that means several negative things: more trash, more carbon in the air, more people acting like they’re on spring break in Miami.

To combat those negatives, there’s a huge movement among millennial travelers to be much more eco- and local-conscious.

So, how can we, as travelers, be more responsible and leave the world better than how we found it? It’s a lot easier than you might think.

How To Be A Responsible Traveler

Attention: My post may contain Amazon affiliate links! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Volunteer with Locals or Try a Volunteer Vacation

When heading out onto your vacation, why not see how you can help the locals? Perhaps there’s a soup kitchen in Berlin that could use an extra hand or a village outside of Hanoi that may need help weeding an area for crops.

Whatever your skill level or strength, there’s bound to be a local organization that could use an extra volunteer for a day or two.

What an amazing way to add some meaningful purpose to your trip! You’ll even get to hang out with locals and learn more of their way of life.

Plus, they would be extremely appreciative and you’d be doing some good for the world.

Did you know that you can do volunteer work as a vacation? It’s true!

These trips are usually a week long and provide basic accommodations and even meals! Plus the cost is usually cheaper than a traditional vacation.

Each trip is different but volunteer activities can range from teaching English to building homes, schools, playgrounds and gardens. They also offer you the opportunity to get immersed in the culture with free time or scheduled group trips to local areas and cities.

Heading out on ‘volunteer vacations’ is slowly becoming more popular, especially among the millennial generation, but these trips are great for solo travelers, students and families.

International Volunteer HQ and Plan My Gap Year are the two most popular sites for finding international volunteer trips.

Be aware, however, that these trips do not include airfare – you’ll need to do that on your own.

Check Out Smaller Cities and Villages

There’s something to be said about visiting major cities like New York, Paris, London, Tokyo or Beijing but you’d be missing out on a lot if you overlook cities like Normandy, France, Havana, Cuba and Nara, Japan.

Smaller, lesser known cities boast big opportunities for responsible travelers to learn more about the region and the nation’s people.

You’d also run into less crowds, find inexpensive restaurants & accommodations and get to spend more time with the locals.

Plus, spending your money in these towns goes a long way into securing their businesses and their futures.

Related: The Most Important To-Do List for Your International Flight

Take the Time to Learn the Language – Or Just a Few Phrases

Other than English, I can speak in 5 different languages. Well…I know some words or phrases in 5 different languages.

But that’s all it takes to go from a tourist to responsible traveler in any country!

I find that when I say ‘hello, please, thank you’ in the local language, most people light up with a smile. It’s the easiest way to make friends and break the ice when meeting someone new.

Even if you think you’re butchering the language, as long as you’re trying, that’s really all that matters.

Learning a few, important phrase might also help you when you’re lost, trying to make a purchase or ordering food.

My favorite way to learn a new language is through the Duolingo App which can be downloaded on all smartphones.

Not only is Duolingo free to use (there is also a paid version), it offers over 20+ languages and continues to add more all the time!

You can even learn Klingon and no, I’m not kidding.

Spending a few minutes a day with a language app like this, learning just simple phrases, will go a long way at creating a more meaningful trip.

Adhere to Local Customs and Culture

When going to a country that is particularly different from yours, where they have a totally different way of life, do your best to learn a few of their customs. This will go a long way of getting locals to become comfortable around you.

Remember: You are in their country, not yours, so don’t take offense to customs or beliefs that you may not understand or agree with.

As a responsible traveler, you’ll want to keep an open mind and follow the locals. It’s as much about respect as it is a learning experience.

Learning the country’s customs will also help you have an easier, stress free trip.

For example, in Paris I learned that I could not get dinner any time before 7:00 pm so I adjusted my schedule to accommodate when the restaurants would open for dinner.

I also learned that most waiters will not come up to your table to check on you or see if you need anything, you have to wave them over. In America this would seem impolite, in France, it’s normal!

So how do you research a country’s social customs? Well, the internet becomes your best friend.

You can do a general search but you’ll get thousands of results and some of the information can be conflicting. I’d suggest checking to see if the country has a local tourism website or embassy.

If traveling with a tour group, check with the company. Many will do the research ahead of time for you and will answer questions you didn’t even know you had.

You can also check out travel forums and see if someone else has posted anything, if not, you can ask! You’ll most likely receive a ton of answers and even suggestions on local places to check out. Win-win information!

Related: Long Haul Flight: Survival List

Minimize Your Carbon Footprint Wherever Possible

Responsible travelers understand that flights are not the most eco-friendly way to travel and do their best to minimize emissions where possible.

There are so many ways to do this while traveling both in the sky and on foot. Doing so is not only good for the environment but also on your conscious and sometimes your wallet.

Rather than country hopping, check out a destination where you can get a round-trip flight and then explore that city as well as the surrounding area.

Not only will you be lowering emissions by not flying to multiple countries, you’ll get more time to explore deeper into that country’s culture and people.

If you will be country hopping, look for more travel friendly transportation like local buses or trains.

While in Vietnam, I took overnight trains to several cities and it was an incredible way to see how the locals traveled and get to see some countryside I wouldn’t have gotten to see had I flew.

Plus it’s an experience that will stay with me for a lifetime!

If you do have to fly to several countries – let’s be honest, it happens – responsible travelers look for offset programs like United Airlines and Delta Airlines to help reduce their carbon footprint. You can also search through retail certification programs like Green-G Climate which provides a large list of verified carbon offset retailers.

Lastly, always book coach.

I know, it’s not as glamorous as economy or first class, and you may get stuck next to someone who snores but you’ll be doing your part in helping to reduce emissions.

Think of coach as carpooling. The more people you can squeeze on the plane, the less planes are in the air and the more cost effective the flight becomes.

Don’t believe me?

Check out this in-depth study World Bank conducted on flights and carbon emission. While the math goes over my head the bottom line is flying in economy or first class creates almost 10x times the carbon emissions as flying in coach.

This study was conducted back in 2013… imagine how much worse it’s gotten since then. That information alone is enough to make me forever fly in coach.

Go Green! Carry a Reusable Water Bottle

Annually, between 300-500 billion plastic bottles are used and tossed, globally. Of that number, 50 billion comes from the United States alone! And studies show that those numbers are set to increase over the next decade.

People…that’s a million bottles a minute! Let that sink in for a moment.

The situation is worse in developing countries who don’t have safe drinking water – bottled water is the only way to hydrate.

By the way, water bottles are made of polyethylene terephthalate (Pet) which can take over 400 years to break down. Not to mention, micro-plastics from bottles and trash are getting into the oceans and contaminating sea life….which we eat.

Seriously, this stuff is nasty!

So how does a responsible traveler deal with this crisis? By bringing their own reusable water bottle.

Really, this is probably the easiest and cheapest thing for you to do. Do you really want to buy water every time you’re thirsty? It’s not gentle on the wallet, depending on where you are.

Most domestic airports have water fountains and, if you don’t trust those, many have water bottle fill-up stations. Even international airports are hopping on the bandwagon by providing travelers with clean, drinking fountains.

And while you may not water fill-up stations in smaller airports or in developing countries, buying a gallon of water and refilling your reusable bottle saves hundreds of bottles yearly.

You can even ask a restaurant or your hotel to fill it for free.

While I was in Vietnam and Thailand, every hotel lobby had a large container of clean water available for guests. Refilling my bottle was SO easy.

And if you’re really worried, you can always look for water bottles that come with filter inserts like the LifeStraw Go Water Filter Bottle. This particular one comes with a 2-stage integrated filter straw but there are similar products out there as well.

Bottom line, carrying a reusable bottle is not only better on your wallet, it’s better for the environment.

Leave No Trace

This one is huge to me since I’m not just an travel-lover but also an avid nature lover. And since I backpack and camp, pretty much monthly, Leave No Trace comes up a lot.

Leave No Trace is a national U.S. organization that works to educate the public on how to protect nature by protecting it and enjoying it responsibly.

It’s a pretty easy concept to grasp. Basically, what you pack in, you pack out, using the appropriate recycling methods to help rid nature of human trash and waste.

And while the Leave No Trace organization is primarily focused on the U.S., there’s no reason this concept can’t be taken across oceans to other countries.

Related: How to Ease Stress & Anxiety While Traveling

Thoroughly Research Wildlife Activities

So you traveled all the way to Thailand and you’ve been dying to get that envious photo of you riding an elephant. Here’s my advice for you: DON’T. DO IT!

There are thousands of local businesses touting the opportunity for you to get up close and personal with a variety of wildlife. And while that may sound like an incredible opportunity, think again.

Many of the animals are held in captivity, captured or sold illegally, and may be forced, by starvation and beatings, to carry people around or perform stunts.

It’s absolutely horrific what happens to these animals.

Take elephant riding for example: baby elephants are ripped away from their mothers, forced into confinement where are starved and beaten. During this time, wranglers will wrestle with the animal until its forced into submission, crushing out the animal’s spirit to survive.

And it’s not just elephants. This kind of treatment happens to monkeys, tigers, leopards, dolphins, the list goes on.

These kind of industries thrive on tourism and ignorance. Be a responsible traveler and learn how local animals are treated.

Better yet! Volunteer at animal preserves or sanctuaries like the Chiang Mai Elephant Nature Park where you’ll learn more about how the animals are rescued and what’s being done to squash elephant riding.

You’ll also get to see the elephants up close, helping to wash, feed and care for them.

Dress Respectively

I’m not trying to give you fashion advice here, nor am I’m trying to squash whatever belief you have. That being said, I do believe in respecting the local culture by wearing what’s deemed appropriate for the area.

First world countries like the U.S., France, Italy, the U.K., are relatively fine with whatever you want to wear, be it short-shorts, tank-tips, sandals or hats. Other places, like Egypt, Morocco, Vietnam and more tend to follow a more conservative dress code.

I step lightly here as I’m from America where we have varying opinions about clothing and what certain types of dress represent.

Most countries are forgiving to tourist who do not adhere to the local ‘dress code’ but understand that you might not be allowed in certain buildings or areas unless properly dressed.

Take the Buddhist temples in Vietnam – they have signs by entryways advising visitors of what constitutes as proper, respectful wear. For example, men and women couldn’t wear shorts or shirts that exposed the shoulders. You were also asked to remove hats and shoes.

When I was in Morocco the women in my group weren’t required to wear a dress while inside a mosque though many of us did. We did this out of respect for the local customs.

Responsible travelers understand that their freedoms are not being squash; they’re showing respect.

Don’t know what is deemed appropriate for the area you’re heading to? A quick Google search can definitely help.

In my opinion, find comfortable basics. Wear shirts that cover your shoulders, have shorts, long pants, skirts on hand and opt for comfortable, closed toe shoes.

From there, let your creative and personality come through!

Related: Long Haul Flight: Survival List

Ask Before Taking Someone’s Photo

In any country, even your own, you should always ask permission to take a photo of someone.

Of course we all want those incredible, candid shots of everyday life in remote parts of the world but in some cultures, this is a big no-no.

I’m not talking about photos where people are indirectly shown, I’m referring to when you want that person to be the focal point of the image.

As a responsible traveler always asks before taking the photo. If you’ve already snapped away, perhaps show the subject the photo and ask if it’s okay to keep.

In most cases you’ll be fine, although they may ask for you to provide them with a copy via email or ask for a little money (in the case of performers/vendors). However, there may be times when you’re asked to delete it. If this happens, you should respect their wishes and delete the photo – show them that you’ve deleted it.

This isn’t just the case for people but for religious artifacts, religious sites or of items of sensitive nature.

For example, The Louvre in Paris, France – there are areas where you are not allowed to take photos and places you are. This all depends on the artwork and the exhibit.

Places like this, especially sites that are targeted towards tourism, usually provide photography information and restrictions, however, when in doubt, ask if photos are okay.

If you’re told ‘no’, respect that and just commit the experience to memory.

In severe cases, you might have your camera or phone confiscated and/or destroyed. Like I said, those are severe cases and are most likely to happen at military sites and check points in conflicted nations.

If that happens, do not fight them on it. Just hand over the phone or camera and accept the consequences. It’s not worth getting into trouble or risking your life.

Don’t Give Food or Money to Beggars or Children

This was something that kicked me in the gut the first time I went to a foreign country. When I visited Morocco in 2016, it was my first real trip outside of the U.S.

After making introductions and pleasantries with my tour group, our guide went over basic rules including not giving money or food to begging children and adults. Honestly, I was shocked!

Why wouldn’t you want us to help them out? I can’t let a child starve! I had thought at the time.

Our guide explained that by allowing them to beg, you’re encouraging them to continue with this cycle of poverty. By taking away the ‘crutch’ of free food or money, they’d be force to seek help from local organizations that will provide for them. These organizations also teach them useful skills they’d need to find work and provide for themselves.

As much as it pained me, it made sense.

It also became blatant how dangerous begging could be, especially for a child, when Alex and I were in Morocco and we’d see children with their hands cupped for money or candy, all the while an adult would be standing nearby, watching.

Yes…some adults will use children to pull on the heartstrings of unsuspecting tourist.

They’ll use children to obtain money, rob them and use them to lure tourists into back alleyways and shops where they take everything you have.

By giving into the begging, we allow the cycle to continue.

So, what should you do in a situation where a child comes begging for coin or candy? As hard as it is, you need to ignore them.

In some cases, our guide would take the children aside and remind that begging is wrong and advise them on where they could go for a meal.

Usually, the kids just huffed and stalked off but a few headed in the direction he gave them.

If you do want to help these kids out, you still can! By donating to responsible, non-governmental organizations like Save the Children you can make a difference, even if you don’t see the direct impact.

Educate Others and Spread the Word of Responsible Travel

So you’re home now, you’ve thrown your luggage into the closet and uploaded all your amazing photos to social media. The trip is officially over.

Or is it?

Your trip doesn’t have to end when you get home. Why not tell others about your experience? Perhaps someone else could benefit from what you’ve learned. You may even know a person or two who would be interested to learn more about responsible travel.

So spread the word! Share your responsible travel experience with family, friends and strangers.

By taking a proactive step in informing others about travel you make it easier to obtain, more exciting and add a sense of meaning.

Traveling doesn’t just happen when we leave our country or even our state. Be a responsible traveler in your own city or hometown!

View it through the eyes of a visitor and educate others to do so as well. You’d be amazed at what you’ve been missing that’s right outside your door.

Lastly, Be Kind

We need more of that in the world.

I absolutely LOVE the feeling you get just after booking an international flight.

You know what I mean. The excitement & anticipation, the whole I-Can’t-Believe-I’m-Doing-This feeling you get when you’ve clicked the confirmation button.

You’ll be in a foreign land with new sights, foods, even a new culture!

But before you even begin packing there’s a TON of things you need to do.

I’m not talking about booking hotels or transportation, although those are very important. I’m talking about all the pre-boarding logistics.

Lucky for you, something else I love is lists!

So I’ve made the following for you….

The Most Important To-Do List Before Your International Flight

Attention: My post may contain Amazon affiliate links! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Check Your Passport and Visas

New or First Time Passport – US Only

A passport is the most important thing you will carry with you on any and all international flights. It is the only form of official identification that’s vaild. Not even a state issued license will help.

If you’re a US citizen applying for your first passport, you will need a notarized copy of your birth certificate (not a photocopy), a state issued license or identification card, the New Passport application, payment for the application fee and a 2”x 2” color passport photo.

Passport photos can be taken at home but it’s best to get it done by either a US Post office with passport services or by a drugstore like CVS which specializes in passport photos.

A new passport will take upwards of 4-6 weeks to process so plan accordingly.

Renewing or Correcting A Passport

You cannot fly or leave the country with an expired passport.

You might be thinking, ‘Well, duh!’ but you’d be surprised how many people forget to check their passports before a trip to confirm it’s still useable.

In the USA you need to have, at least, 6 months left on your passport before it expires. Otherwise, you might leave the country and not be let back in.

That’s pretty scary.

Renewing your passport can take up to 8 weeks so it’s best to renew once you get to the 6 month mark.

This goes for making changes to your passport as well, such as name changes.

If you’re in a hurry, or need to renew or change your passport last minute, you can expedite the process to 2-3 weeks for $60.

This happened to me after I got married. I changed my last name and waited until the last moment to get my passport changed. While I’m glad my passport got changed in time, the $60 bucks is definitely a slap on the wrist.

Lesson learned – I definitely won’t wait until the last minute again.

Related: Long-Haul Flight Survival List

Thoroughly Research Your Destination

Sights, Smells and Tastes

Okay, this one seems pretty obvious, I know. But for someone like me, who plans and organizes international trips like crazy, once I’m at my destination I pretty much just go with the flow. That doesn’t mean I don’t know what’s in the area.

There are some travelers who have no plan whatsoever and others who have each day planned down to the minute.

Whichever one you are, it’s always good to have an idea of what each city or country as to offer.

Here’s what I do, I make three lists:

• Foods I’d like to try
• Sights I’d like to see but won’t cry like a baby if I don’t
• Absolute must-see sites

I carry this list with me everywhere I go when I’m traveling so, if I find I have some down time, I can check my list and plan from there.

Having a plan isn’t a bad thing but make sure you also have some time to go with the flow of the city or country you’re in. You’ll find that the local customs begin to rub off on you.

For example, when I went to Morocco with my husband I thought we’d be moving from one thing to another each day. After a while that was pretty exhausting.

Instead, in the early afternoon, we would choose a cafe, order a coffee and people watching. Funny thing is, it seemed like that was what most locals did as well! It’s honestly one of the more memorable things we did there and what a wonderful way to interact with people.

In Case of An Emergency

Another thing you will want to research before you head out is where your country’s consulate or embassy is. You’ll also want their phone number and/or emergency line. For US citizens, there is a comprehensive list here. 

I understand this sounds silly and old-fashion but if, for whatever reason, there’s an emergency or issue while you’re away, you will need to contact them.

An embassy and consulate are your sources for getting documents or passports in the event yours are lost or stolen.

Also, if there’s a natural disaster or unrest in the visiting country, your embassy or consulate can provide assistance or advice on how best to get to safety.

Purchase Travel & International Medical Insurance

We all want to believe the unthinkable would never happen to us. Unfortunately, travel qualms and medical mishaps can happen to anyone, anytime and in any place.

Perhaps your luggage didn’t make it onto your connecting flight or you missed your flight home because or bad weather. You may have even hurt yourself while heading down some steps.

Accidents and mishaps happen, they are unavoidable. The best way to handle situations like these is to purchase some form of travel insurance.

First, check with your usual provider to see if they offer an international insurance plan you can tack onto your current plan. If they do not provide this, you’ll have to research travel insurance companies.

There a a ton of companies out there but I personally use Travel Guard and have used them for several of my trips. Their site is easy to navigate and I got a quote quickly. I also loved that I was able to make changes directly online to my policy.

While I’ve not had to utilize their services while abroad, a fellow traveler, who also had Travel Guard, did.

His bags were lost in transit and he had nothing but what he was wearing & some light toiletries in his carry on. Thankfully Travel Guard was quick in getting him insurance money to buy clothing & necessities while the airline tracked down his luggage.

Most travel insurances will also cover medical but you’ll want to read the fine print thoroughly. Some international insurers have travel and medical separately so be careful of that while shopping around for the best company.

Complete Medical Evaluations and Vaccinations

Wait….what?

Yep, vaccinations are definitely something to add to your To-Do list before heading anywhere outside of your home country.

Even if you’re leery of getting vaccinations, and ultimately decide not to, it’s best to be educated on which diseases are an issue so you can, at minimum, take precautions.

Most countries will provide a list of their standard immunizations for travelers and, while you can discuss not getting the vacs with your doctor, some countries will not let you in without signed documentation that you’ve been properly vaccinated for certain diseases. This is common of lesser developed countries.

For example: Proof of vaccination of Yellow Fever is required for entry into countries like Mali, Ghana, Liberia and Angola.

If you decide to get the vaccinations, the CDC recommends heading to your doctor or a local travel clinic 4-6 weeks before your trip.

If you are pregnant or have a history of illnesses that have weakened your immune system you’ll definitely want to consult your physician about which vaccinations are best for you and if it’s safe for you to travel.

While almost all countries will allow visitors to travel within their borders without receiving vaccinations, you do run the risk of becoming ill on your trip. No one wants that but the decision is ultimately yours alone.

In my honest opinion, I’d rather be safe than sorry so I always get the recommended vaccinations unless my physician says otherwise.

Check International/Travel Advisory Boards

You might think this is overkill but I’ve always believe that being prepared also means being educated.

With that in mind, I usually begin checking Travel.State.Gov about 4 weeks before any trip, just so that I am aware of any potential situations that could arise while I’m at my destination.

Checking out travel advisories when you are considering taking a trip is also a good idea! Travel advisory boards provide detailed information as to the current state of countries you’re interested in visiting & could alter your travel plans.

Travel.State.Gov is my personal desktop go-to for information since it gives travel advisories, notifications, information on local embassies, and more.

There are also plenty of mobile apps out on the market, both for Android and iPhone, which are free to download as well.

I use an app called International SOS Assistance. It uses my GPS to provide up-to-date travel advisory information even if I cross a country’s border.

Remember, travel advisory boards do more than just provide information about social or political unrest. They can also provide information about transportation issues or delays, local protests, and weather delays.   

Related: How to Ease Travel Anxiety

Exchange Some Currency

Before you leave for you trip, it’s always smart to exchange some of your national currency for that of your destination.

You need a little foreign currency so that you can book transportation from the airport to your hotel.

There are plenty of places you can exchange currency: banks, currency booths, airports, etc. These places usually carry common currencies like British pounds, Canadian dollars, Chinese renminbi, Japanese yen, so on and so forth.

If you’re heading to a lesser traveled country like Mongolia or Zambia, you might need to contact the bank several weeks ahead of time so they can order those currencies for you.

Check if there is a fee for this before proceeding.

Before handing over your cash, compare the exchange rate at each place. Rates will vary depending on the institution you buy from since they usually ‘hide’ a commission or processing fee in the exchange rate.

For example: your local bank might sell you Euros at a 7% exchange rate which means if you buy $100 USD of Euros then the bank will charge you $7, or $107 USD total.

Pro-tip:  I have found that banks offer the best exchange rates & fees – definitely much better than airport exchanges.

Research Where to Purchase SIM Card (If Necessary)

Unless you are shoveling money over for an international plan, you will have to purchase a SIM card once you arrive at your destination (or before if you can).

A SIM card is the small chip inside your cell phone that is used for data storage, like contacts and text messages, and is used to connect to a mobile network like Verizon or AT&T (where data usage comes in).

Without a SIM card, your phone simply will not make traditional calls or text.

Once you have purchased a SIM card from reputable cellular store at your destination, you will need to activate it. Request this service if they don’t immediately do it for you.

Also, be aware that when you’re using a foreign SIM card you will have a new, local phone number. You might want to inform friends and family of this so they’re aware of how to reach you and vise versa, if you need to contact them.

If you would prefer to not change your SIM card you can still use WiFi for most everything else. A lot of hotels typically offer free WiFi but you may want to contact them ahead of time to confirm.

Pre-download applications like Facebook Messenger, Google Hangouts or WhatsApp are super helpful messengers and are free.

Purchase Travel Necessities, Accessories and Snacks

Ever get to the airport and wish you had a neck pillow or one of those soft eye mask? Or how about some snack so you don’t have to spend money on overpriced junk food?

We’ve all been there, especially me who seems to become absolutely famished the moment I pass security.

The weeks leading up to your international flight is a great time to stock up on snacks like nuts, dried fruit and hard candies which don’t have a harsh smell and are easy to travel with.

Pro-tip: Just make sure to gobble everything up before landing – some countries won’t let you bring in food or drinks.

Accessories like neck pillows, eye masks, power converters and cords are definitely must-haves for extended flights! Of course, purchasing these items from Amazon or a local shop can save you a ton of money. I’ve seen airports  jack up the prices by 10-20%! Yikes.

If you’re on a budget, look for these items at stores like Ross or Marshall’s where they’ve slashed the prices almost in half.

If you have a friend or family member who travels frequently, perhaps you can borrow their power adapter kit or packing cubes.

Inform Your Bank & Credit Card Company of Travel

Nothing is worse than traveling internationally and having your card declining. It’s certainly embarrassing, yes, but it’s also scary! Especially if you don’t have cash on you.

Most banks have fraud protection and will immediately activate those protections if they see anything out of the ordinary.

For example, if you used your card at a coffee shop in L.A. and 12 hours later buy dinner in Paris, France.

The best way to negate an issue like this is to contact your bank and let them know that you’ll be out of the country. For some banks, that info alone is fine, but for others you may need to provide dates and destinations.

Confirm with your bank as to what their international fees are if you’ll be using a debit card to pull cash from ATMs. Some will have a 2-3% fee, others will have that PLUS an additional $3-$5 service fee.

Unless your bank offers $0 international fees at all ATMs, like a Charles Schwab or Capital One account, you could be hit with $100+ USD of fees.

If you’re on a budget, like me, then something like that could really hit hard.

So, does that mean you shouldn’t use an ATM? No, you certainly can use them! Just be aware of the fee you will have to pay.

Best best practice is to pull out as much as you will need for the duration of your trip. This way you’re only charge the fee once and not each time you got the ATM.

Example: If you take out $1000 USD for a 10 day trip and the fee is 3% + $5. You’ll be expected to pay $35 in fees. If you pulled out $100 USD each day, for 10 days, your fee would be $8/day which totals $80.

$80 is much better in your pocket.

Related: Long-Haul Flight Survival List

BONUS TRAVEL TIP!

So, everything is finally booked! You’ve bought everything you need! You’ve got your passport (and visa if necessary) and you’re now counting down the days until you leave.

One last thing you may want to do before international flight is make sure everything at home is taken care. While it’s not necessary by making sure your home is in order before you leave  can help to relieve anxiety and the whole “did I forget something?” 

The best way to do this is to write a list of everything you’d normal do during the week.

Items like: grabbing the mail, paying your bills, watering house plants or your garden, anything and everything that should be taken care of while you are away.

If you’re not able to take care of these items ahead of time, recruit the help of a friend or family member to do so.

This way, when you’re sitting comfortably in your seat, jetting off to a far and distant land, you can relax and know that you’re only obligation now is to have a fantastic trip.