Welcome, Guest: Register On Nairaland / LOGIN! / Trending / Recent / New
Stats: 3,151,632 members, 7,813,088 topics. Date: Tuesday, 30 April 2024 at 06:49 AM

Tips For First Time Travelers To An Unfamiliar Country - Travel - Nairaland

Nairaland Forum / Nairaland / General / Travel / Tips For First Time Travelers To An Unfamiliar Country (17796 Views)

Nigerian Students Studying Abroad, Travelers To Pay ₦40,000 For Police Clearance / What You Need To Do If You Get Lost In An Unfamiliar City In Nigeria / Alaska Airlines Surprise Travelers With Sweaters And T-shirts On Christmas Day (2) (3) (4)

(1) (2) (Reply) (Go Down)

Tips For First Time Travelers To An Unfamiliar Country by bulletproofmonk(m): 5:49pm On Aug 05, 2019
www.nairaland.com/attachments/9974932_cassiegallegos1268205unsplash_jpega2d520c2d2db5320f58484661da926e0

TIPS FOR FIRST TIME TRAVELERS TO AN UNFAMILIAR COUNTRY

Traveling to a country that you are not familiar with can be both exciting and frightening. The thrill that comes with doing something for the first time is totally unmatched. At the same time, not knowing what to expect upon arrival can also make you feel anxious. In order to lessen your worries, here are tips for first time travelers to an unfamiliar country.

PREPARE EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR YOUR TRAVEL

• Make sure that you bring all your travel documents with you. Be familiar with the immigration laws to avoid problems upon arrival. Book your travel ticket months ahead of the trip and reserve local transportation as well. Of course, don’t forget to look for a comfortable place to stay.

• Pack appropriate clothes. Research about the type of clothing that people in the place usually wear. Avoid wearing clothes that are deemed as impolite in that country.

• Bring extra snacks with you. Place some in your luggage and the others in your hand carry bag. You might get very hungry during the trip especially if it is a long one. The snacks can also sustain you until such time when you can find a local restaurant that you are comfortable with.

• Be familiar with the restrictions in certain countries. When traveling to Thailand for instance, you are not allowed to bring Buddha images with you. In some Arabic countries, bringing non-Islamic religious items is not allowed.

• Learn the local languages. Just learn the basics such as saying, “Thank You” or “I am sorry.” It is also important to know how to say the correct words especially if you have food restrictions that might be included in your order.

• Bring cash and credit cards. In some instances, credit cards would help a lot. However, in some countries where credit cards are not accepted in several stores, be ready to have cash with you.

WHAT TO DO UPON ARRIVAL

Look for a reliable money changer. It is advisable to change money to the country where you are going to rather than in your home country as the rate might be different. Money changes in your home country might also not have the currency that you need. In terms of rates, you need to know the exchange rate for the day to avoid being fooled by money changers.

• Do not give your luggage to anyone who offers help or just take a local taxi service if you don’t think they can be trusted enough. In some countries, cases of stolen bags are very rampant since some tourists think those who took their bags were porters. Others have also experienced taking a taxi that charged them twice the original amount or exorbitant fees.

• Look for a local telecom shop. Find out how you can easily communicate back to your home country or to the person you are with in case you get lost or something is wrong. Inquire about internet access inside and outside your hotel.

ENJOY THE ACTUAL TRIP

• Try out some street foods or local cuisines. It won’t kill you to give them a try. As long as you see how the food is being prepared and you buy only fresh meals, it is fine.

• Interact with the locals. Have small chit chats to learn more about their culture. If you can’t understand them, just smile and nod.

• Be polite. From the way you talk to the way you dress up, you need to move in accordance to the customs and traditions of the country. If you can try out their local costumes or have fun with their street performances, go ahead and do it.

• Don’t miss landmarks. If the country has a special landmark or an interesting activity that you must go to, you really should. You might not be back to the country again so you have to make the most out of your trip.

With these tips, traveling to an unfamiliar country for the first time is not that terrifying at all.

https://www.daytranslations.com/blog/2014/01/tips-for-first-time-travelers-to-an-unfamiliar-country-3744/

23 Likes 1 Share

Re: Tips For First Time Travelers To An Unfamiliar Country by Mynd44: 8:55am On Aug 06, 2019
Read up on security and danger points.

Always know the fastest route to a safe point.

20 Likes 5 Shares

Re: Tips For First Time Travelers To An Unfamiliar Country by 9jayes: 8:56am On Aug 06, 2019
If you are reading this from outside Nigeria please don't come to Nigeria no matter how many safe tips you read, Nigeria is not safe for her citizens nt to talk of foreigners.

74 Likes 6 Shares

Re: Tips For First Time Travelers To An Unfamiliar Country by Jestin: 8:57am On Aug 06, 2019
I remember my first time at Heathrow airport....it was like......
Re: Tips For First Time Travelers To An Unfamiliar Country by ChasePlug(m): 8:58am On Aug 06, 2019
Nice one
Re: Tips For First Time Travelers To An Unfamiliar Country by drips8(m): 8:58am On Aug 06, 2019
I wish I could travel out of this country and experience something new

20 Likes 1 Share

Re: Tips For First Time Travelers To An Unfamiliar Country by Gwandana: 8:59am On Aug 06, 2019
Cool
Re: Tips For First Time Travelers To An Unfamiliar Country by realvikash: 8:59am On Aug 06, 2019
Cool tips grin

Re: Tips For First Time Travelers To An Unfamiliar Country by BabaIbo: 9:00am On Aug 06, 2019
I wanted to skip this topic but I realized I will need this info in the nearest future

15 Likes

Re: Tips For First Time Travelers To An Unfamiliar Country by senatepresido: 9:01am On Aug 06, 2019
Avoid going to Islamic states

18 Likes 3 Shares

Re: Tips For First Time Travelers To An Unfamiliar Country by KendrickAyomide: 9:07am On Aug 06, 2019
cheesy i am the one that called on the mods to move this post to front page in a very rude way[center][/center] i was expecting a ban but they deleted my comment
Re: Tips For First Time Travelers To An Unfamiliar Country by ofiko123(m): 9:12am On Aug 06, 2019
Nice thread...
Re: Tips For First Time Travelers To An Unfamiliar Country by gaetano: 9:16am On Aug 06, 2019
A as male traveller, JUST FIND ONE FEMALE CITIZEN, FETILIZE HER EGG. Na the real tip be that cool

4 Likes

Re: Tips For First Time Travelers To An Unfamiliar Country by maynation(f): 9:18am On Aug 06, 2019
9jayes:
If you are reading this from outside Nigeria please don't come to Nigeria no matter how many safe tips you read, Nigeria is not safe for her citizens nt to talk of foreigners.

Now this is very funny.

3 Likes

Re: Tips For First Time Travelers To An Unfamiliar Country by Funkybabee(f): 9:20am On Aug 06, 2019
nice tips.
check my sign and support a sister
Re: Tips For First Time Travelers To An Unfamiliar Country by kenny714433(m): 9:24am On Aug 06, 2019
For people like me, keep a diary. You don't know if you could be the next Robinson Crusoe or Tom Sawyer or Gulliver or Marca Polo or Jim Hawkins. I'll love to visit places and write about my journeys sha. If only we could organise such things here in this country.

2 Likes

Re: Tips For First Time Travelers To An Unfamiliar Country by lakesider(m): 9:29am On Aug 06, 2019
9jayes:
If you are reading this from outside Nigeria please don't come to Nigeria no matter how many safe tips you read, Nigeria is not safe for her citizens nt to talk of foreigners.

You will soon start complaining of unemployment..
Discourage all foreigners u hear

5 Likes 1 Share

Re: Tips For First Time Travelers To An Unfamiliar Country by AirstarKane(f): 9:30am On Aug 06, 2019
drips8:
I wish I could travel out of this country and experience something new
Same here. I love to travel, meet new people, explore but then what I read daily makes the world look scary.
Re: Tips For First Time Travelers To An Unfamiliar Country by LaughButton01(m): 9:31am On Aug 06, 2019
the loneliness one feels over there is what brings us back. and lack of freedom. over carefulness and junk food. truth is. if you weren't born there, you would always miss Nigeria no matter what

3 Likes

Re: Tips For First Time Travelers To An Unfamiliar Country by wiseone28: 9:33am On Aug 06, 2019
Na for those who get money

1 Like

Re: Tips For First Time Travelers To An Unfamiliar Country by mixta140: 9:33am On Aug 06, 2019
Nice one
Re: Tips For First Time Travelers To An Unfamiliar Country by Hoodbilonia: 9:34am On Aug 06, 2019
Onto say wetin
Abegi
See boys dey fly out for airport with singlet,armless
Shorts
Benassis,
At times i get pissed off ppl getting over dressed wtf
R u going for some xtian benny hinn concert
Wtf
I owe nobody nothing man
Free world
Hate all u want
Dont gif a fuckkk
Never have,
Never will

Dnt let op put fear into u
Re: Tips For First Time Travelers To An Unfamiliar Country by adejaresalami1(m): 9:36am On Aug 06, 2019
senatepresido:
Avoid going to Islamic states
Are you okay?

(1) (2) (Reply)

The Poor State Of Old Secretariat Road, Ikeja GRA (see Photos) / Lagos-abuja Bus Fare? / Trailer Kills Yabatech Student In Abule Egba Due To Brake Failure

(Go Up)

Sections: politics (1) business autos (1) jobs (1) career education (1) romance computers phones travel sports fashion health
religion celebs tv-movies music-radio literature webmasters programming techmarket

Links: (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10)

Nairaland - Copyright © 2005 - 2024 Oluwaseun Osewa. All rights reserved. See How To Advertise. 24
Disclaimer: Every Nairaland member is solely responsible for anything that he/she posts or uploads on Nairaland.