Pass or Fail: The Passenger Test to Safe and Enjoyable Travel
Image courtesy of digitalart / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Eager to travel? You may want to pause for a while to answer some questions. Traveling isn’t as simple as enjoying the views and feeling the breeze. There are uncertainties and some challenges you may encounter. If you are not that knowledgeable with travel, you may get yourself in situations that are unforgettable for the wrong reasons.
For the very first post on this blog, allow Mr. Passenger to guide you on the essential things you should know when traveling. These are basic but essential things you need to be reminded of. There are actually several other questions you have to ask yourself before traveling, but we’re offering this compacted presentation to comprehensively cover everything in a manner that is easy to read and remember.
Have you decided on your destination?
Of course, before traveling you need to know or at least have an idea of where you intend to travel. Some travelers like traveling to unexpected locations and it certainly isn’t impossible to have an enjoyable travel without a fixed destination. However, it’s always preferable to have an idea of where to go. Obviously, you can’t just book an airplane or a ship to travel to some random location. You can’t just visit a foreign country without the right documents.
Are you ready with your survival skills in an unfamiliar territory?
Unless you will be traveling with a chaperon or with assistants to lead your way, it is important to prepare you survival skills while visiting an unfamiliar territory. This not necessarily mean skills to survive in a jungle or desert. Survival skills here refer to the necessary abilities of a good traveler. One of which is being aware of your environment. You can’t just treat a new place like your own hometown. You have to know how to cope with the new environment and how to ask help when you need it.
Do you have the budget?
In most cases, you simply can’t travel without money. For nearer destinations, you can try biking or hiking. But if you need to go somewhere far, you just can’t afford to not have the money. Even if you are traveling somewhere because you won the travel package from some contest, you also need money to handle a few unexpected expenses. Never assume that people will be always be hospitable. Money is the closest you can have to having a guarantee on your safety and comfort while traveling. Also, don’t forget to securely bring your money or credit cards with you.
Have you acquainted yourself with your destination?
Image courtesy of Sura Nualpradid / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
It is advisable to be oriented with the important things about your destination. You have to know the legal requirements of traveling. You have to be sure that you will be able to communicate with the people there. You also have to familiarize yourself with the local customs and traditions to avoid offending people. Moreover, be updated with travel alerts and advisories before you head to your destination.
Do you have travel insurance? Have you had your vaccines and travel check-up?
Travel insurance is not compulsory, but it is something advisable to have, especially when going to locations that are considered unsafe or risky. If you travel agent forces you to buy travel insurance for them, you can say no. However, if you feel you really have to have a travel insurance, you can try looking for cheaper options. Insurance offered by travel agencies are, for the most part, more expensive.
Are your travel documents ready?
This is a no-brainer. Definitely, you must prepare your documents before you can board on a plane or a water vessel, especially if you are heading to a foreign country. These documents include your tickets, the documentation for your reservation in a hotel, your valid passport, IDs, as well as travel insurance.
Do you have your essential gadgets with you?
Image courtesy of Stuart Miles/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net
These days, traveling without useful electronic gadgets, smartphones in particular, is almost unacceptable. You can still travel without a smartphone, but you will definitely have a better experience having some smart gadget with you. For travelers, being able to quickly communicate through cellular networks or over the Internet is almost compulsory. Smartphones also come with maps and GPS to help you if you ever encounter navigation problems. Additionally, it will be great to have gadgets that can document (cameras) the fun you’ve had in your trips.
Is the weather good for travel?
In almost all cases, trips (air or water) are cancelled whenever authorities deem the weather to be unfavorable or dangerous for travel. On your part, you also have to do some form of assessment. Are you sure you want to head to your destination when the weather is uncooperative and circumstances would unlikely facilitate the kind of travel fun you expect to have?
If you are using a travel agent’s services, are you sure that agent or agency is reliable?
Avoid being scammed, make sure that if you use the services of a travel agency, you are confident that everything will turn out right. Inquire about the track record of the agency, or go over feedback and reviews posted by other customers. Remember that travel scams by agents are quite uncommon these days.
All these are basic points you need to examine. If you answer yes to all of them, your chances of having a great and unforgettable travel experience will be near a hundred percent. There could be minor unexpected incidents, but if you have prepared well enough for your trip, inconveniences will be very unlikely.
