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Traveling Abroad: 12 Tips To Roaming Freely And Safely

T hese days, it's almost impossible to imagine leaving the house, not to mention

traveling to a foreign country, without a smartphone. How would you avoid getting

lost without your built-in GPS? Or know which neighborhoods to visit (and which

to avoid) without a handy phone travel guide? And don't forget everyone needs

social media apps to share experiences with friends.

While your smartphone can help you keep in touch and stay street smart while

traveling abroad, the costs of international roaming, data and messaging can make

staying connected very expensive (just ask this guy). That's why our friends at T-

Mobile added global data coverage in over 100 countries at no extra cost to their

Simple Choice plan.

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So, now that it won't break the bank to stay safe and make sure everyone knows

your trip is going OK, we teamed up with T-Mobile to put together some other

crucial, but very often-overlooked, traveling tips to protect you from worst-case

scenarios. Read on for 13 safety tips every globetrotter should heed while traveling

the world.

1 Enroll In STEP

The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a government initiative to keep

citizens safe abroad. This free service allows you to register with STEP to get travel

warnings and alerts for a particular country, and will help the government assist

you better in an emergency.

2 E-Mail Someone A Copy Of Your Itinerary

Keep mom up to date while still maintaining your freedom by sending her a detailed

itinerary of your trip beforehand. No need to call and check in every day, but try to

post updates to social media sites or send quick e-mails so that everyone knows

you are safe and happy.

3 Separate Your Money

Do not keep your credit cards and cash in the same place. Keep some cash in your

wallet, and leave some in a zippered pocket in your luggage or another safe

location. In addition, store credit cards in a separate pocket of your purse or day

bag from your carry-around cash.

When it comes to travel, heading abroad is an entirely different animal from your

typical family beach vacation. Not only do international trips tend to be longer

than domestic ones, but also there’s a lot more things travelers have to keep in

mind, from passport and visa requirements to avoiding nickel-and-dime fees for

ATM withdrawals and credit card transactions. Over the years, I’ve compiled a list

of tips and tricks to make traveling abroad easier, cheaper, more efficient and

most importantly, stress-free.

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4 Scan Your Passport (And Other Important Items)

If something happens to your passport or other documents while you are out of

the country, it could take up to 6 weeks for a new one to arrive. Although you might

already know to make a copy of your passport, consider downloading a scanning

app, like Turbo Scan, to keep your important documents organized and safe in the

cloud.

5 Give Charity Smartly

In many large metropolises, beggars are everywhere. However, giving them your

money directly may not be the smartest, or safest decision. Instead of handing

money out on the street, donate to Kiva or another charity relating to the city of

your travels.

6 Get Traveler's Insurance

Accidents can happen anywhere -- and your home insurance may not cover you

abroad. Check out Lonely Planet's traveler's insurance quote tool to find the best

plan for you.

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7 Avoid A Cultural Faux Pas

Every country has their own specific customs and traditions. Although being

immersed in a culture is the best way to learn what is appropriate and what is not,

try to research some of the major faux-pas Americans commit in your destination.

Even if it seems normal to you, it could be highly offensive to locals. For example,

some places, like China and South Korea, shy away from tipping, while the French

would be shocked by a hug (although kisses are totally fine).

8 Clear All Credit Card Hurdles

Before your trip, call your credit card company and explain where you are going

and for how long in order to avoid a freeze on your account. In addition, find out

exactly how much credit is left on your card so that you do not exceed your limit.

9 Don't Use Shortcuts

Even if you are starting to feel comfortable in a new city, do NOT try and find a

shortcut just to lessen your travel time. Download a travel guide, like the app trip,

to keep you on the straight and narrow.

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10 Keep Track Of All Local Emergency Numbers

Although your mom's number may be etched in your memory, here are some

important emergency contacts to store in your phone:

-- The nearest US consulate or embassy. You can find a list here.

-- Local police and fire stations

-- Nearby hospital or medical center

-- A local cab company

-- Any other numbers you may need in a pinch!

11 Stay Healthy

Double-check that you have brought any and all prescription medications with you,

including extras if possible. Get all necessary travel shots, and make sure you are

aware of local medical laws that could differ from the U.S. (such as which

prescriptions are legal or illegal in your destination). As mentioned, find the nearest

hospital or medical center, and keep the phone number on you at all times.

12 Don't Pet Stray Animals

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Even if you are an avid dog-lover, what may seem like a pet to you could be a very

dangerous animal in another country. Romania, Thailand and Ethiopia are just a

few countries struggling with stray dogs and other animals that have mauled and

killed humans.

Note: Notify your bank where you will be traveling: You’re already going to be

combating jetlag, don’t compound the problem by being woken up at 4 am to calls

from your bank notifying you that your credit card account has been suspended

due to suspicious activity, and then having to call in (at a cost of several dollars a

minute!) to get your account reinstated. Save yourself the hassle by calling your

bank ahead of time and letting them know when and where you’ll be traveling.

Avoid dynamic currency conversion: Dynamic currency conversion is like the sneaky

little brother of foreign exchange fees. Many merchants these days, including major

hotels and restaurants, will offer you the ability to pay for your purchase in the local

currency or in your own currency, supposedly as a convenience for travelers.