I traveled to Europe in 2017, 2019, and 2023 and to Peru in 2022. For each of the Europe trips, I did all of the planning and booking. For the Peru trip we used a Tour Group but still had to book our own flights. Let me share with you some travel tips that might help prevent you from making the same mistakes that I did!
Tip #1
Get an international data plan
If you are planning on traveling without a tour group and doing your own planning, having a phone with a data plan is extremely useful. When in Scotland in December 2023, there was a lot of rain leading to flooding and closed public transit routes. We had planned on taking the train from Edinburgh to St. Andrews for the day, but the train route was flooded. One thing I had planned well for was having the most common public transport phone apps for Scotland already on my phone. I was easily able to find an alternate public transport route and we were still able to make the trip to St. Andrews. Of course, if you are unable or can't afford an international data plan, free wifi is widely available in cities if you have the time to find it. If you have a tight schedule planned, however, just being able to hop on your phone and use data is very convenient.
Another time having an international plan came in handy was when we got our car stuck on a muddy road in rural Ireland. There was definitely no wifi around, and without the ability to make some phone calls, who knows how long we would have been stuck there!
Photo: Stuck in rural Ireland
Tip #2
Allow for extra time with travel connections
I have only missed one flight in all of my travels, and it was our 2023 Europe trip. We had a connection in Dublin and I had done a ton of research looking at the airport maps, how to transfer flights, etc. When we got off the plane in Dublin, the international connections was closed so we essentially had to leave the airport, then re-enter and go through security again which resulted in a missed flight.
I have also learned that airports in other countries tend to be more lax about on-time departures. A 45 minute connection time in the US might be fine, but when traveling abroad make sure you leave extra time for that 10-15 minute late departure. Customs in the arriving country may also have very long wait times during peak hours, so if you are catching a domestic connection after going through customs you might want to leave an extra time buffer there.
Photo: A busy train station in Aguas Calientes, Peru
Tip #3
Allow extra time for... everything
The United States has a fast paced lifestyle with many conveniences that simply aren't available or common in other countries. The two areas I have encountered this the most are restaurants and roadways. "A quick bite to eat" is a foreign concept in many parts around the world and meals out are meant to be more of an evening out. Also keep in mind that tipping is essentially nonexistent outside of the US so a server abroad likely won't be going out of their way to make sure you are happy in order to get a nice tip. It is easy to get frustrated when you don't see the server for awhile after receiving your meal. The meal is meant to be enjoyed and quality time spent with loved ones.
Travel by vehicle across the UK is not for the faint of heart. The roads are narrow (VERY narrow in rural areas) with steep shoulder dropoffs or walls on the sides of the roadways. It will take significantly more time to get from place to place than what Google Maps says, because that is based on the speed limits, which are laughable in some parts. Go the speed you are comfortable going, and utilize the turn-outs to let people pass.
Photo: A main highway on the Isle of Skye, Scotland
Tip #4
Become familiar with your rental car insurance
In 2017 we were driving around Loch Ness. It is a harrowing, narrow, busy roadway. A semi truck (a lorry) was coming at us from the other direction and I swerved closer to the shoulder because it definitely looked like the lorry was going to take my side mirror off. The shoulder was jagged and steep, and we blew out both passenger side tires (tyres)! We had to use our rental paperwork to figure out who to call and what to do next. I was using rental car insurance coverage from a credit card, so I also had to call them. The Scottish version of AAA came out, put two donut wheels on the car, and we followed him in to Inverness to get two new tyres.
If you are doing your own driving, this sort of thing is inevitable. Before your trip, check with your credit card to see what exactly is covered or not covered, and the process for making claims. Save this information as a screenshot or an offline document that you can easily access in an emergency.
When these things happen, it's important not to panic and treat it like part of the adventure!
Photo: Our savior from Scottish AAA, Alasdair
Tip #5
Practical packing
Public transportation in Europe is wonderful. It is reliable, and abundant in the more populous areas. When using public transport, however, you will be carrying your own luggage. If using rolling luggage, make sure the wheels are fairly rugged as older urban areas have brick or cobblestone surfaces. The best option may be a hybrid roller-duffle or roller-backpack that you can carry over uneven surfaces but can be pulled through airports or other long distances. In 2019 we used a large roller duffel but it was quite old and had pretty flimsy wheels and was broken halfway through the trip!
I avoid checking a bag if at all possible, and use solid toiletries such as shampoo bars and toothpaste tabs to minimize potential liquid spills. I pack layers and clothing items that can be mixed and matched. You can do research on the potential weather for the time of year but always plan for rain if traveling to the UK! I will do a full separate post on packing tips!
Photo: the kind of Scottish day that we were glad to have brought waterproof shoes and rain jackets!
No matter how much planning or preparation you make, problems are sure to arise during a drip abroad. Be flexible and willing to change plans if necessary. Have a backup payment method if possible, in case of unexpected expenses. And remember, traveling abroad is FUN!