Have you ever landed in a new country and had no clue where to start?
It happens. A lot. Sometimes, it’s not even a new country! There I am, returning to a place I’ve visited a couple of times, and yet, the same struggle every time, enough to make you roll your eyes into next week!
But hey, travel is nothing if not a learning curve, and after a few (okay, several) bumpy landings, I’ve picked up some lessons. Preparing to travel is more than just stuffing your suitcase and buzzing with excitement.
It’s about having a game plan. Specifically, you must sort out these three things before setting foot on foreign soil. Trust me, they’ll save you from a world of unnecessary stress.
SIM card
Picture this: you’ve just touched down, and the airport Wi-Fi welcomes you. All is well until the free Wi-Fi vanishes faster than your patience in a long queue. Now what? You need to let anyone know you’ve arrived safely, but all you’ve got is an overpriced roaming plan and a phone screaming, “No Service.”
This is why your first mission is to get a local SIM card—not just for emergencies but also for navigating, Googling the best coffee spots, and, let’s face it, scrolling Instagram stories to give your friends some serious FOMO.
And here’s the tea! Roaming might seem convenient, but it’s a trap. Not only is it daylight robbery in disguise, but your network provider back home won’t play nice in some countries. Save yourself the headache and hit up the airport kiosks or the nearest mobile shop and get yourself connected.
Currency
You might think, “I’ll just use my dollars, or my card, or some combination of the two. Every country takes dollars, right?” Spoiler alert: no, they don’t.
Imagine standing in a tiny roadside café, your stomach growling louder than a motorbike, and the shopkeeper saying, “Cash only.”
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You fumble through your bag and whip out your card, only to be met with a polite but firm shake of the head. Awkward, isn’t it?
Here’s the golden rule: always carry a small stash of local currency when you travel. Sure, you might not need it for every transaction, but you’ll thank yourself when you do.
It’s your lifeline for taxis, tipping, snacks, or, God forbid, a bribe in some not-so-official scenarios. A bit of cash in hand equals peace of mind.
Transport
You’ve got to move from one place to another, right? Unless you’re the type who loves deciphering bus and train schedules in foreign languages, you’ll need a transport app. And while Uber is king in many countries, the crown isn’t universal.
Take Tanzania, for example. Sure, Bolt and Uber work in some areas, but in Arusha? InDrive reigns supreme.
Two local favourites are InDrive and Bodaboda, and trying to use anything else might leave you stuck longer than you’d like.
This is where a little research (and some local wisdom) goes a long way. Every country has its app of choice.
Knowing which one to download before you arrive will save you from being that confused tourist waving at random taxis. So do your homework!
Honestly, I appreciate the convenience of modern conveniences. I like to arrive at a place knowing I can communicate, spend, and move around like a local or without fuss.
So, have I sorted these three essentials next time you plan a trip? If not, take a moment to tick them off. This is the difference between a smooth landing, the best start to any adventure, and chaos!
