All On One Page

Before You Travel

🢜 Safety and Security Messaging

🢜 Your Health Abroad.

🢜 Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).

🢜 Traveler Information.

🢜 Crisis Abroad: Be Ready.

🢜 Driving and Road Safety Abroad.

🢜 Customs and Import Restrictions.

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Crossing Borders

🢜 Check Travel Advisory Levels before buying a travel ticket.

🢜 Local currency (or dollars in small bills) on hand for planned or unplanned nighttime arrivals.

🢜 Notify bank (call/visit/online) of travel plans in order to avoid “card declined”.

🢜 Plug, socket & voltage by country | Travel Adaptors | Adaptors vs Converters (VIDEO)

🢜 Download the Google Map for offline use | Use “Send to phone” feature.

🢜 Download language for offline use | Use Google Translate Offline (VIDEO)

🢜 Find the latest health and travel restrictions for your destination: Click Here

🢜 Google “common scams in ______” (fill in the blank with country and/or city your visiting).

🢜 Take photos/screenshots of important documents:

🢜 Subscribe to Travel Advisories.

🢜 Emergency Contact Card | Sample #2 | Optional: Google translate to local language.

🢜 Travel Insurance – Safety Wing | World Nomads.

🢜 Understanding Travel Insurance: VIDEO

🢜 Andrew Henderson | My Health Insurance as a Global Citizen: VIDEO

🢜 Research Meetup.com for conferences/lectures/meetings of interest.

🢜 Compare Countries | The culture and values of its members | What to expect.

🢜 23 Essential Travel Terms and Phrases You Should Know: Click Here

🢜 6 Things you NEED to Board a Plane in 2023: VIDEO

🢜 Self-Defense: Defending the health and well-being of oneself from harm.

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Airports/Flights

🢜 Check Travel Advisory Levels before buying a travel ticket.

🢜 Check the weather before buying a travel ticket: MSN | Weather Spark

🢜 Remember: National holidays = offices/businesses closed.

🢜 Verify checked luggage and/or carry-on size restrictions on Airline’s website.

NOTE: Connecting flights/airlines could have differing size restrictions. Luggage size restrictions are also displayed during the online booking process before buying.

🢜 Arrive at your final destination early (daytime) to get your bearings/orientated.

🢜 When booking a flight, provide your full name as it appears on your ID/passport: VIDEO

NOTE: If middle name appears on ID and there is no middle name field provided during the booking process, make your first name and middle name one word: FIRSTMIDDLE LAST

🢜 Don’t book a flight with a layover/connection under 1 hour (domestic) | 3 hours (international).

🢜 Many countries have multiple airports. Always confirm the three-letter airport code (e.g., JFK, LAX) on your ticket and ensure it matches the airport your transportation is taking you to.

🢜 Checked Luggage Size Chart and Allowances for 60+ Airlines: Click here

🢜 Carry-on Luggage and Personal Item Size and Weight Limits by Airline: Click here

🢜 To ensure carry-on overhead bin space, know airline boarding process before booking.

🢜 Check-in online: If not checking luggage, skip the check-in counter; go straight to security.

🢜 Checked-in online: Arrive just as early as if you did not check-in online.

🢜 7 Reasons Why you Might Not be able to Check-in Online for your Flight: VIDEO

🢜 After checking in online, physical boarding passes are available at airport kiosks (why? | VIDEO)

🢜 Airline Reviews: Browse and compare hundreds of carriers worldwide.

🢜 Compare Airline Seats | Research seat comfort and amenities before you book.

🢜 Seat Maps | Explore over 1,200 aircraft.

🢜 10 TSA Checkpoint Tips for Getting Through Airport Security: VIDEO.

🢜 How to Use Google Flights to Find Cheap Flights: VIDEO.

🢜 17 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Booking a Flight: Click Here.

🢜 15 Tips to Make Airline Connections Smoother: Click Here.

🢜 Domestic: Arrive 2 hours before boarding, not departure, time.

🢜 International: Arrive 3 hours before boarding, not departure, time.

🢜 Download Airline’s app. | Track flight, Track bag, get updates, make changes, etc

🢜 The gate # on boarding pass can change. Confirm gate on departure screens at the airport.

🢜 Reason to keep your boarding pass.

• You may need it for a travel insurance claim, to prove you were there.
• Claiming missing frequent flyer points is tricky without them.
• Your barcode contains confidential booking information.
• Your checked baggage receipts may be on the back.
• Your boarding pass could unlock airport lounge access on arrival.

🢜 For re-entering the USA consider the time saving Mobile Passport Control (MPC) app: VIDEO

🢜 For re-entering the USA consider the MOST time saving Global Entry program: VIDEO

🢜 Travel Secrets Airlines DON’T Want You to Know: VIDEO

🢜 What to do if your FLIGHT IS CANCELED at the last minute: VIDEO

🢜 Air Passenger Rights Introduction: Compensation and Beyond

🢜 For long layovers research airport reviews and amenities available: Click Here.

🢜 Priority Pass: Airport Lounge Access Worldwide | Membership: $99 – $429 | Not Affiliated.

🢜 Tips on how to prevent liquids/toiletries from leaking in luggage: Click Here

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Ground Transportation

🢜 Ask accommodation host about best transport options to their location and prices to expect.

🢜 Pre-check availability of return transport from all/remote drop-off locations (uber/taxi/bus).

🢜 Don’t get out of car before the driver if your belongings are in the trunk.

🢜 Rome2Rio | Transport planner | Get to and from any location in the world | Reviews: 750+

🢜 From airport to destination | Airport Taxi (to avoid taxi scams) | Ride-share apps

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Accommodations

🢜 Pre-book 3-5 nights to scout for long-term deals/stays (VIDEO 1 | VIDEO 2 | VIDEO 3 | VIDEO 4) | Some travel experts recommend pre-booking only the first night of your stay in a new country. A single night allows for initial orientation and reconnaissance. It also provides flexibility in case your travel plans change unexpectedly and you paid a deposit. If you find the initial location isn’t ideal, having a 1 night booking allows you to more easily relocate without significant financial commitment | NOTE: Not ideal during peak tourist season. Finding accommodation might be very expensive or impossible to find. Pre-booking a few more nights. This increases your chances of finding suitable options and potentially securing better rates.

🢜 Have a backup plan in case pre-booked accommodations fall through or is not (or does not feel) safe | Use a booking app like booking.com or explore budget friendly alternatives (use with caution): 24-hour cafes or restaurants, train stations, airports | If possible, let someone know your situation and where you plan to stay.

🢜 Always book transportation (air/ground) before accommodations. Imagine booking a place to stay for 3-5 days then discover that there are no airplane/train seats available, or no departures, on the day you need to leave. At that point accommodations may be much more expensive or not unavailable.

🢜 Read “recent” reviews. Is the place still alive/active/current/open?

🢜 Flights of steps: On the review page (I use booking.com) search for keywords “stairs” and/or “lift” to find comments about flights of stairs and if the place has a lift or not.

🢜 Pre-Booking Filters: Walkability | Proximity to transportation | Furnished | Hot Water | A/C | Heat | Fast WiFi | Internet speed (request screenshot of speed test or read reviews) | McDonalds? (VIDEO)

🢜 Lodging Safety: Choosing Secure Lodging | Must read: Make checklist

🢜 What’s included in the price? Electricity | Water | WiFi | Cleaning | Trash Pickup

🢜 Get address in local writing/language to show driver | Google map address.

🢜 Download or take photo of nearby attraction/landmark as backup to address | “Go here”.

🢜 Walkability (footpaths, groceries, laundry, public transit, crosswalks, traffic speed/buffer).

🢜 Note/Consider: Hospital/Clinic/Pharmacy/Embassy/Consulate locations.

🢜 View your top picks on booking.com’s Google Maps view | Light tan areas are commercial areas | Lots of foot traffic | Walkable: Shop, eat, laundry, do business (goods/services)

🢜 View your top picks on Google Street View | Inside and outside of building | Accessibility with rolling luggage | Preview before arrival (get familiar with the area) to more easily locate when on the ground (day or night).

🢜 Print (5-10) Apartment/Hotel Checklist | Use when “on the ground” searching locally.

🢜 Keep luggage/backpacks/clothes off of beds | Bedbug check (VIDEO 1 | VIDEO 2).

🢜 Bedbugs (don’t spread disease) can NOT bite through or crawl through sheets or clothing.

🢜 Pack sleeping bag liner or sheet for sketchy/stained/dirty mattresses at budget hostels/hotels.

🢜 Upon arrival, inspect the property for any damages or issues and document them with photographs. And is the shower drain clogged?

🢜 Pack pillowcase for sketchy/stained/dirty pillows at cheap hostels/hotels.

🢜 Hostels: A hostel is a form of low-cost, short-term shared sociable lodging where guests can rent a bed, usually a bunk bed in a dormitory, with shared use of a lounge and sometimes a kitchen.

• Hostelworld | Recommended booking website | 36,000 properties, 178 countries
• Google Hostel’s name + roaches/bedbugs
• Check Trip Advisor and Yelp reviews (last 30 days) | 500+ reviews | Book 80+ rating
• Hostel tips for introverts & shy people: VIDEO
• Reviews: Keywords like party, beer, bar, fun (avoid) | Quiet hours, lockers, boring (book)
• Larger shared rooms (21 beds) can feel more private/privacy (or book private room)
• Top 10 tips for long-term hostel living | Hostelworld Blog

🢜 Hostel Filters: Free WiFi | Air Conditioning or Ceiling Fan | Luggage Storage/Lockers | Self-Catering Facilities | Airport Transfers | Towels for hire | Towels Included | Linen Included | No Curfew (party hastel) vs Curfew (non-party hostel) | Bar (party hastel) | Non Smoking | Washing Machine | Walkability (refers to the ability to safely walk to services and amenities within a reasonable distance, usually defined as a walk of 30 minutes or less).

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Food and Beverage

🢜 Peel (don’t wash) fruits and vegetables in countries where tap water is unsafe.

🢜 Don’t use ice in countries where tap water is unsafe.

🢜 Eat out & Save: It’s common for dinner ($$$) food to be on Lunch ($) menus.

🢜 Buy groceries where locals shop (outdoor markets) and cook at home.

🢜 Street food: 14 tips to avoid getting sick (VIDEO) | Tips also listed in video description.

🢜 Get the “locals” menu | See or get food/drink prices in writing before ordering.

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Cash/Card/Crypto

🢜 Withdraw cash at swipe ATM, not feed ATM | Exception: At a bank that’s open.

🢜 Beware of ATM/POS skimmers.

🢜 Tap (NFC) ATM | Press “NO” for more transactions before walking away.

🢜 Lost or stolen debit/credit cards can be turned on/off via app or webpage.

🢜 Do banking and other online transactions through a trusted VPN | Never public wifi.

🢜 Use cash or digital wallet to avoid handing credit/debit card over to someone.

🢜 Using Your Debit Card Overseas: Click Here

🢜 Small/Remote locations | no bank/ATM nearby | Have enough cash for duration of stay.

🢜 Keep receipts for VAT refunds and merchant disputes | How to Claim VAT Refunds

🢜 List of countries accepting VAT (Value Added Tax) refund claims and applicable expenses.

🢜 Bitcoin | Digital asset | Investment | Emergency only!

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Travel Tips and Reminders

🢜 Backup data files/photos/videos/bookmarks.

🢜 Using Your Phone Overseas | SIM cards, eSIMs, Google Fi, 2FA, Wi-Fi, and more.

🢜 Going remote starts with an address: PostScanMail | Virtual mailbox | No affiliation.

🢜 Virtual mailbox address: Choose one within the state you reside or domicile.

🢜 Domicile: Located in the state where you pay taxes or have a substantial connection.

🢜 Replace batteries annually or more frequently if needed.

🢜 Using encryption over the internet | Top Reasons To Use A VPN While Traveling

🢜 World-class annual health check-up | Bangkok, Thailand | Package Comparison.

🢜 National holidays: offices/businesses closed.

🢜 12 Travel Mistakes To AVOID: VIDEO

🢜 8 Most Common Travel Illnesses | How to Avoid Them

• West Nile Virus
• Malaria
• Tuberculosis
• Norovirus
• Sexually transmitted infections
• Traveler’s Diarrhea
• Dengue Fever
• Tetanus

🢜 SE Asia: Rainy season brings floods and landslides | Pros and Cons | Climate Planner

🢜 Rainy season: June to October in Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, Philippines.

🢜 Rainy season: October to March in Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore.

🢜 Countries with a large Muslim population (by percentage) | Ramadan (no food/drink) dates.

🢜 Home Workout App | No Equipment | 100M+ Downloads | 4.9 ★ | Android | Apple

🢜 Have toilet paper on hand | Many countries don’t use TP or it’s not easy to find.

• Countries that don’t use toilet paper
• Toilets: Public toilet apps
• Have coins on hand for paid toilets | cost of water, maintenance, cleanliness, tip

🢜 Google Maps Tips for Travel + Shared Google Maps (VIDEO)

• 01:00 – Choose Route Options
• 02:07 – Shared Google Maps w Google My Maps
• 05:06 – Search for Needs
• 06:01 – Save Parking
• 06:31 – Hail a Ride | Uber | Lyft | Grab | More
• 07:03 – Share Location | ON/Off | Useful for meetups
• 08:15 – Download Maps for Offline Navigation

🢜 Top 20 Google Maps Tips & Tricks: All the best features you should know! (VIDEO)

🢜 Colors on Google Maps and what they mean | Red: Hospitals and other medical facilities | Pink: Public services, such as train stations and libraries | Gray: Residential areas | Light tan: Commercial area, lots of foot traffic; shop, eat, do business (goods/services).

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While Abroad

🢜 Birth of U.S. Citizens and Non-Citizen Nationals Abroad.

🢜 Marriage Abroad.

🢜 Divorce Abroad.

🢜 Retirement Abroad.

🢜 Death Abroad.

🢜 Federal Benefits and Obligations Abroad.

🢜 Joint Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) FAQ.

🢜 Absentee Voting Information for U.S. Citizens Abroad.

🢜 Sending Money to Destitute U.S. Citizens Overseas.

🢜 Criminal Record Checks.

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Common Travel Scams

Most common travel scams are more or less the same all over the world. They just vary slightly depending on where in the world you are. This guide is designed to prepare you for your trip by outlining 25 common travel scams and how to avoid them. BONUS: Safety Tips (VIDEO)

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Corruption Perceptions Index

An index that ranks countries by their perceived levels of public sector corruption (abuse of entrusted power for private gain). The public sector is a part of the economy composed of both public services and public enterprises. Includes public goods and governmental services such as the military, law enforcement, infrastructure, public transit, public education, along with health care and those working for the government itself, such as elected officials.

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Emergencies

🢜 What the Department of State Can and Can’t Do in a Crisis.

🢜 Crisis Abroad: Be Ready.

🢜 Lost or Stolen Passports Abroad.

🢜 Lost or Stolen Passport While in the U.S.

🢜 Being Hospitalized In a Foreign Country: VIDEO

🢜 Help for U.S. Citizen Victims of Crime.

🢜 U.S. Citizens Missing Abroad.

🢜 Ways to Locate your Loved One in a Crisis Abroad.

🢜 Arrest or Detention of a U.S. Citizen Abroad.

🢜 Emergency Financial Assistance for U.S. Citizens Abroad.

🢜 International Financial Scams.

🢜 International Maritime Piracy and Armed Robbery at Sea.

🢜 Forced Marriage.

🢜 Terrorism.

🢜 Information for U.S. Citizens about a U.S. Government-Assisted Evacuation.

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🢜 Location Score Sheet

🢜 Apartment/Hotel Checklist

🢜 Carry-on only vs Checked Luggage

🢜 Passport: Private Link