It is finally here, the most beautiful time of the year: many have worked for a long time and saved on a nice trip to recover from the stressful everyday life and recharge their batteries. But before the trip there is not only anticipation, but also planning. Apart from the spontaneous, adventurous, spontaneous vacation, which is decided at short notice, each trip, in order to be able to enjoy it to the fullest, should be carefully planned so that it is safe, eventful, but also inexpensive for the travel budget. But even the business traveler can only get the appropriate attention to the planned activity abroad if the stay is well organized in advance.
Our travel tips for foreign countries include not only cost-optimized transport to the destination and suitable accommodation, but also research about the country and its people, local security risks, but also about securing cash supply on site. Although this has become easier and easier in recent decades thanks to globalization and networked technology, the variety of means of payment is all the more complex. The associated risks have also increased, but so have the opportunities to save money by choosing the right means of payment. In the following sections, some important travel tips for foreign countries are explained in order to give the traveler useful tips in advance - specifically in a few relevant points - to plan your vacation effectively.
Other countries other manners! If you do not want to spend your holiday in a hotel outside of the country and people, it is helpful, interesting and also safety-relevant to get detailed information about the travel destination and the local population before every trip abroad. Those who are somewhat familiar with the country's tradition and the mentality of the population will find it easier to move around in the foreign environment during their stay. Locals are often the best tips for excursion destinations that cannot be found in glossy brochures. Travel forums or rating portals offer further information.
Especially when traveling to non-European countries, it is important to find out about the country's security standards and any risks related to political crises before you travel . Current information for all countries worldwide can be found on the website of the Federal Foreign Office . This information is up to date and very reliable.
A good health insurance policy should also be completed prior to departure. Accidents or illnesses can occur during your stay, not only on dangerous ski tours and trekking adventures. Having medical care abroad can be extremely expensive. In extreme cases, this can cause great financial damage - in addition to the existing health problem. That is why travel health insurance is an important travel tip for foreign countries and an investment that is limited but offers good protection in the event of an emergency. The same applies here: comparing saves money!
Ultimately, whether luggage insurance is worthwhile depends on the material value of the luggage and the destination. Depending on the type of baggage content, size, travel destination and the desired amount to be secured, there are various ways to insure the baggage against theft and loss accordingly. Luggage insurance is provided by travel providers, but also by ADAC or by major credit card providers . Thorough research is also worthwhile here. Anyone who will be traveling with expensive camera equipment should definitely consider luggage insurance.
Calling while traveling within the EU has been significantly cheaper for some time now . A few years ago, making calls via smartphone abroad was almost priceless. The EU has been keeping a watchful eye on roaming charges for some years. As of 2014, a minute's call within the European Union must not cost more than 19 cents. This regulation applies only to EU member states; in other countries, significantly higher costs per minute may apply.
Many mobile operators offer special international tariffs with very cheap roaming fees. There are already affordable cell phone contracts that involve an international flat rate. Alternatively, there are a number of providers of prepaid cards especially for abroad.
If you are planning a well-deserved and long-awaited vacation, you want to be able to immerse yourself in everyday life healthy and cheerful. Therefore, the safety instructions should be followed most consistently in all travel tips for foreign countries :
Even in touristy countries there are - sometimes not far from the expensive hotels - social hotspots and areas with an increased crime rate . There reason should prevail over the thirst for adventure and these places should be avoided.
Even within the most expensive hotel complex, you cannot be absolutely safe from the machinations of criminals or even fraud gangs. Therefore, the following generally applies: Never leave luggage or valuables open and out of sight! Cash and travel documents that are not required are best kept in the hotel safe.
It is safe to make copies of your passport, visa and other important travel documents . If your passport is stolen on the way, you can at least temporarily identify yourself with the securely kept copy in an emergency. When traveling to politically explosive states or countries without networked diplomatic relations, it can be extremely unpleasant if you cannot identify yourself as a foreigner.
Wallets, valuables and passports should always be carried on the body. Shoulder bags and backpacks are rather unsuitable. The public display of wealth and western status symbols can be seen as a provocation, particularly in poorer countries, and can get thieves and fraudsters on the scene.
If you equip the travel fund for the holiday, you must first and foremost depend on which means of payment are accepted and which possibilities the respective country offers to maintain the cash supply on site. An intelligent, flexible and secure combination of the travel fund is always a combination of different means of payment :
For security reasons, cash should not be carried in abundance regardless of the travel destination. Depending on the networking density of suitable ATMs at the travel destination, it makes more sense - taking into account the fees incurred - to go to the ATM more often and only withdraw the currently required amount of cash directly in the local currency using a suitable card. Exceptions are the few states without ATMs and the remote areas of less civilized countries. Currency exchange in local currency is generally cheaper on site than at the house bank.
Traveler's checks are receiving worldwide returns, and are being accepted as a method of payment in fewer and fewer travel destinations. If available, they should still find their place in the travel fund - as a supplementary means of payment - as they are immediately replaced in the event of loss or theft.
EC cards are a widely used form of payment and are considered relatively secure. Their worldwide acceptance cannot compete with that of credit cards. Please note the foreign transaction fees charged by the responsible house bank when using the EC card when withdrawing money from a foreign machine. It is important for international acceptance that the EC card bears the Maestro or Cirrus logo.
Credit cards are by far the most widely accepted worldwide. Almost every beginning civilized country in the world has - albeit partially manageable - the number of ATMs or card terminals where cash can be withdrawn in local currency. But here, too, common providers charge a foreign assignment fee for using the credit card at the foreign ATMs. This can put a lot of strain on the travel budget in the long run. The cheaper versions of credit cards are:
Free travel credit cards . Some online providers and direct banks offer so-called toll - free travel credit cards . With these completely toll-free credit cards, it is possible to withdraw cash in local currency from suitable machines worldwide. The foreign assignment fee, but also the external usage fee in Germany is completely eliminated with these cards. The option of these travel credit cards should definitely be considered in the travel tips for foreign countries, because in the course of a trip you can save higher amounts of completely unnecessary costs.
One of the most annoying scenarios of a failed holiday is that of a stolen or lost money card, or even the entire travel budget. Therefore, in addition to personal integrity, the security of the funds carried is an essential prerequisite for a successful holiday or a successful business trip.
When traveling abroad, it is generally recommended to take a second money card with you - ideally a toll-free travel credit card, which can be used to continue to provide cash when the main card is blocked. Keeping both cards separate should be understandable.
A crime that has been on the rise worldwide in recent years - even in smaller countries - is so-called "skimming" . Here, the fraudsters attach attachments to the card reader of ATMs, which make it possible to read out the data of the inserted card and to misuse it in a criminal manner. With the slightest suspicion of tampering with ATMs, you should make every effort to look for the closest alternative.
If all else fails and the entire travel budget is lost , you should know that there is a way to have cash sent directly through Western Union. All that is required is a valid ID card.
Our travel tips for foreign countries include not only cost-optimized transport to the destination and suitable accommodation, but also research about the country and its people, local security risks, but also about securing cash supply on site. Although this has become easier and easier in recent decades thanks to globalization and networked technology, the variety of means of payment is all the more complex. The associated risks have also increased, but so have the opportunities to save money by choosing the right means of payment. In the following sections, some important travel tips for foreign countries are explained in order to give the traveler useful tips in advance - specifically in a few relevant points - to plan your vacation effectively.
Travel planning - informing saves money
The longer you plan a trip in advance, the greater the choice of offers from individual providers. It is worth investing enough time for thorough research to find the optimal travel offer via comparison portals on the Internet or in direct conversation in a branch of the travel provider. With more and more travel providers you can find toll-free travel bookings . So you can possibly book the same trip with an alternative provider cheaper.Other countries other manners! If you do not want to spend your holiday in a hotel outside of the country and people, it is helpful, interesting and also safety-relevant to get detailed information about the travel destination and the local population before every trip abroad. Those who are somewhat familiar with the country's tradition and the mentality of the population will find it easier to move around in the foreign environment during their stay. Locals are often the best tips for excursion destinations that cannot be found in glossy brochures. Travel forums or rating portals offer further information.
Especially when traveling to non-European countries, it is important to find out about the country's security standards and any risks related to political crises before you travel . Current information for all countries worldwide can be found on the website of the Federal Foreign Office . This information is up to date and very reliable.
Travel Insurance - Luxury or Necessity?
The earlier you book the trip, the more important the option of travel cancellation insurance becomes . Everyone likes to suppress the thought that something unforeseen happens shortly before the trip, but it is still sensible to protect yourself in this case. In the corresponding comparison portals you will find cheap insurance that covers such incidents or travel cancellations at relatively low prices. Often, these insurance policies can also be added directly during the travel booking process.A good health insurance policy should also be completed prior to departure. Accidents or illnesses can occur during your stay, not only on dangerous ski tours and trekking adventures. Having medical care abroad can be extremely expensive. In extreme cases, this can cause great financial damage - in addition to the existing health problem. That is why travel health insurance is an important travel tip for foreign countries and an investment that is limited but offers good protection in the event of an emergency. The same applies here: comparing saves money!
Ultimately, whether luggage insurance is worthwhile depends on the material value of the luggage and the destination. Depending on the type of baggage content, size, travel destination and the desired amount to be secured, there are various ways to insure the baggage against theft and loss accordingly. Luggage insurance is provided by travel providers, but also by ADAC or by major credit card providers . Thorough research is also worthwhile here. Anyone who will be traveling with expensive camera equipment should definitely consider luggage insurance.
Make cheap calls abroad
Whether you travel to the neighboring country or to the other end of the world, whoever is outside the country has to take care of his cell phone bill . The calls run over a foreign network and the providers can pay for this in the form of expensive roaming charges . The same applies to the mobile Internet or the use of the SMS or MMS function. It is therefore important to find out about the possibilities of cheap communication in the respective travel destination before you travel.Calling while traveling within the EU has been significantly cheaper for some time now . A few years ago, making calls via smartphone abroad was almost priceless. The EU has been keeping a watchful eye on roaming charges for some years. As of 2014, a minute's call within the European Union must not cost more than 19 cents. This regulation applies only to EU member states; in other countries, significantly higher costs per minute may apply.
Many mobile operators offer special international tariffs with very cheap roaming fees. There are already affordable cell phone contracts that involve an international flat rate. Alternatively, there are a number of providers of prepaid cards especially for abroad.
Safety first- your own safety abroad
If you are planning a well-deserved and long-awaited vacation, you want to be able to immerse yourself in everyday life healthy and cheerful. Therefore, the safety instructions should be followed most consistently in all travel tips for foreign countries :
Even in touristy countries there are - sometimes not far from the expensive hotels - social hotspots and areas with an increased crime rate . There reason should prevail over the thirst for adventure and these places should be avoided.
Even within the most expensive hotel complex, you cannot be absolutely safe from the machinations of criminals or even fraud gangs. Therefore, the following generally applies: Never leave luggage or valuables open and out of sight! Cash and travel documents that are not required are best kept in the hotel safe.
It is safe to make copies of your passport, visa and other important travel documents . If your passport is stolen on the way, you can at least temporarily identify yourself with the securely kept copy in an emergency. When traveling to politically explosive states or countries without networked diplomatic relations, it can be extremely unpleasant if you cannot identify yourself as a foreigner.
Wallets, valuables and passports should always be carried on the body. Shoulder bags and backpacks are rather unsuitable. The public display of wealth and western status symbols can be seen as a provocation, particularly in poorer countries, and can get thieves and fraudsters on the scene.
Correct means of payment for the travel fund
If you equip the travel fund for the holiday, you must first and foremost depend on which means of payment are accepted and which possibilities the respective country offers to maintain the cash supply on site. An intelligent, flexible and secure combination of the travel fund is always a combination of different means of payment :
For security reasons, cash should not be carried in abundance regardless of the travel destination. Depending on the networking density of suitable ATMs at the travel destination, it makes more sense - taking into account the fees incurred - to go to the ATM more often and only withdraw the currently required amount of cash directly in the local currency using a suitable card. Exceptions are the few states without ATMs and the remote areas of less civilized countries. Currency exchange in local currency is generally cheaper on site than at the house bank.
Traveler's checks are receiving worldwide returns, and are being accepted as a method of payment in fewer and fewer travel destinations. If available, they should still find their place in the travel fund - as a supplementary means of payment - as they are immediately replaced in the event of loss or theft.
EC cards are a widely used form of payment and are considered relatively secure. Their worldwide acceptance cannot compete with that of credit cards. Please note the foreign transaction fees charged by the responsible house bank when using the EC card when withdrawing money from a foreign machine. It is important for international acceptance that the EC card bears the Maestro or Cirrus logo.
Credit cards are by far the most widely accepted worldwide. Almost every beginning civilized country in the world has - albeit partially manageable - the number of ATMs or card terminals where cash can be withdrawn in local currency. But here, too, common providers charge a foreign assignment fee for using the credit card at the foreign ATMs. This can put a lot of strain on the travel budget in the long run. The cheaper versions of credit cards are:
Free travel credit cards . Some online providers and direct banks offer so-called toll - free travel credit cards . With these completely toll-free credit cards, it is possible to withdraw cash in local currency from suitable machines worldwide. The foreign assignment fee, but also the external usage fee in Germany is completely eliminated with these cards. The option of these travel credit cards should definitely be considered in the travel tips for foreign countries, because in the course of a trip you can save higher amounts of completely unnecessary costs.
The security of travel funds and means of payment
One of the most annoying scenarios of a failed holiday is that of a stolen or lost money card, or even the entire travel budget. Therefore, in addition to personal integrity, the security of the funds carried is an essential prerequisite for a successful holiday or a successful business trip.
When traveling abroad, it is generally recommended to take a second money card with you - ideally a toll-free travel credit card, which can be used to continue to provide cash when the main card is blocked. Keeping both cards separate should be understandable.
A crime that has been on the rise worldwide in recent years - even in smaller countries - is so-called "skimming" . Here, the fraudsters attach attachments to the card reader of ATMs, which make it possible to read out the data of the inserted card and to misuse it in a criminal manner. With the slightest suspicion of tampering with ATMs, you should make every effort to look for the closest alternative.
If all else fails and the entire travel budget is lost , you should know that there is a way to have cash sent directly through Western Union. All that is required is a valid ID card.
