Because we travel so often, a lot of this is natural to us. But that does not mean it’s natural for you! We’ve compiled some common and not so common questions you may have about what to expect when you arrive in a new country for the first time. Hopefully they help ease any stress you may be feeling!

What should I expect at airport security/customs?
This is a great question and the source of many a first-time traveler worry. And sadly, there is not a one-size-fits-all answer here. Some countries are SUPER relaxed and just need you to fill-out the entry card and have the information of the flight you took to get there – like keep your plane tickets, sometimes they ask to see them. And sometimes we lose them and it’s not fun. Other countries require a visa – do your research before you leave your home country! We have also had situations where they ask us no less than one million ten questions about our visit. Some commonly asked questions can be:

• How long are you here? They want to know how many days exactly.
• Where are you staying? They want to know what the physical address is.
• Why are you visiting? They want to know if it’s business or leisure.
• Have you been here before? When and for how long? They really want specific years and lengths of time.
• When do you leave and do you have an “exit-ticket?” We’ve had to show proof of a flight/train/bus ticket, in addition to providing a date.
• Do you know people here? If so, how did you meet them? They have asked for specific names.
• What do you do for a living at home? How long have you worked there? We were asked title and company name.

Maybe it’s just us, but we’ve been asked all of these and then some. Just remain calm. They really are not trying to rile you up, they just want to make sure you aren’t trying to move-in without the proper invitation! And don’t over-stay your “visa” (each passport stamp shows the length of time it’s valid and is technically a visa)! In all of our years of travel, we have never been denied entry to a country. Sometimes it takes a while and you have to tell them your life story, but it all works out in the end. Pro tip: If you’re traveling with a group (like we often are) you cannot go up to the window together unless you are married or related (family). Instead, come up with a meeting point (maybe baggage claim) in case one of you is questioned longer or ends up in a slower line.

Itinerary:
Have a plan. Sometimes getting lost can be fun and lead to things that are off the beaten path, other times it can be downright scary. For pre-planned events and major attractions, have an idea of where these sites are located and have a plan to get to them.  Not all major attractions are always within walking distance, so keep this in mind when planning. Have the address handy so you can easily ask for directions from a local; even if you don’t speak the language they may be able to point you in the right direction using the map. Google maps generally works offline, but a real map never hurts. Yes, they still make them! Amazingly, there are places in the world that still do not have adequate Wi-Fi or cell service (we’re looking at you, Cuba) so this can be handy. Print out tickets and itineraries in advance since sometimes emails can take a while to load. You can also download documents to your phone for easy access, or flag them in your email. Pro Tip: Download city mapper-it’s not in all cities, but where you can use it, it’s AMAZING. You’re welcome. 

Transportation:
If you plan to make use of public transportation during your visit, familiarize yourself with the system in advance. Have an idea of how often buses run, including how early they start and how late they run. No one wants to be stranded! If utilizing a mass transit system, have an idea of which line you need to use for major attractions – at the very least, know which line you need to get back to your lodgings. Research cabs and ride sharing, including Uber/Lyft before you go – these transportation options may not be as safe in some locations as in others, so do your research! Pro Tip: Grab a business card from the front desk and take a picture of it and save it as a contact in your phone- that way you always have your “home” address. You can always screenshot the address as well! 

Food:
Customs and tipping: in many European countries, waitstaff and other valet services are salaried employees, unlike in the US where they rely on tips as a crucial part of their wages. Therefore, a standard “tip” is to simply round up to the next dollar (or equivalent) or to leave a small percentage of the bill. Additionally, many countries believe it is rude to bring the check before you ask for it – it is perceived as kicking you out. Most places want you to feel invited to relax and that you are welcome to stay as long as you like. So don’t hesitate to ask for the check when you are ready to leave, flagging someone down is okay and if you don’t, you may as well sleep there because they aren’t bringing that check without you asking. Pro Tip: MOST places if they put bread/butter on the table will charge you for it. You may simply ask them to take it away, or dig-in. Just don’t be shocked if you see it on your bill. Same goes for sides of dressings, typically they are not free. 

Beverages:
In many countries it is very common to receive drinks with little to no ice, and beverages are often served chilly or tepid-blasphemy! Additionally, free refills are rare – we found them only at your typical “American-chain” establishments: McDonald’s, Five Guys, etc. and you won’t get a super-sized mumbo-jumbo cup either… you’re going to get a teeny little glass bottle that you will down in three sips. Ask for water on the side, and make sure you specify tap water, or you’re likely to be charged for bottled. Beer, on the other hand, is plentiful and can be found on the cheap and at many locations you wouldn’t find it in the States (McDonald’s, for example). The bottom line? Get drunk on beer to save money. We kid, or not. You decide. 

Hydrate! It’s extremely easy to become dehydrated on vacation. You’re walking all day, attending events, entering attractions/historic sites that may not allow drinks, possibly consuming higher quantities of alcohol than normal, and generally just not focusing on how much water you’re drinking.  Becoming dehydrated can lead to headaches, fatigue, and heat exhaustion among other things. The last thing you want on your well-earned vacation is to spend it feeling sick or sluggish, so keep that H2O coming. Unless you are in an area where drinking tap water is inadvisable, we recommend bringing a reusable bottle with you that you can fill up at water stations or even in restrooms throughout the day. Some of our friends prefer to use collapsible bottles that are easy to pack, while others purchase a large bottle of water once at our destination and reuse it until we can throw it away when we leave. Whatever your choice, hydrate.

Splitting checks:
While we are on the subject of food, this might be something you didn’t know. It’s pretty normal for places not to split checks. Since we are often in a group, we have come up with a few ways to get around this and most commonly we rotate who pays, so we all have an opportunity to earn those coveted credit card points (we are self-proclaimed points whores and we are not ashamed!). On the flip-side this also helps the cash flow so we aren’t going to the ATM every five minutes. It is always worth asking, because sometimes if you do the math (we know, it’s awful), they can split it on the credit card machine as they run the transactions. This is a random note, but almost everywhere that you use a credit card, they bring the machine to the table and do the transaction in front of you. Why we don’t do this in the United States makes zero sense. Pro Tip: take a picture of the menu before ordering so you remember who got what. Sometimes what’s on the check is really hard to figure out! We’ve also heard great things about the app Splitwise, but have yet to try it out.

What do you think? Agree with our tips? Have others? Drop a comment below and let us know your thoughts. Happy Travels!