Whether you are going or a short break or travelling abroad for six months, it is exciting and fun, especially when there is a group of you going. But it can be hard to organise a lot of people and get to see what you want to. Ensure you are ahead of the crowd and make your trip easier and stress-free with these international travel tips.
Babble
If you are the one that can speak the language in your group, your friends will look to you for help. So before you set out on your adventure abroad, it’s a good idea to learn at least some of the lingo. Back in the old days, we were reliant on the scraps of language we had picked up in school, now apps like Babble can help you get up to speed. Offering a range of different languages such as German and Turkish, Babble is a paid service. It combines visual and auditory learning which is the best way to learn languages. You run through a quick test to assess which level you need to do before starting, and then can practice your skills on the bus or in your lunch break.
Uber
A recent development in taxi services, Uber is an app that is always worth you getting for travel abroad. You can use it to get about quickly and keep all your friends together while travelling. Working mostly out of major cities in Europe, you call and pay for an Uber cab using the app on your phone. You are then notified that your ride has arrived. This works well if you are in an unfamiliar place as you don’t have to look like a tourist clutching your guide book while looking for a taxi rank. It makes getting home from a night out a lot easier as you don’t have to rely on public transport. It’s safer too as you can use PayPal to pay instead of carrying cash.
Flight
Preparing for your flight in the right way can enable you to hit the ground running when you reach your destination. Get the group to take neck pillows and scarves to use as blankets so you can all arrived refreshed. Remember that it is important that you get the airport early with enough time to check-in and go through security. If you live further away from the airport than your friends, you should consider staying locally. If your friends can’t put you up, you can get a hotel room at Heathrow or try a Gatwick Bed and Breakfast. This means you are close to where you need to be, and you don’t have to worry about being delayed and missing your flight.
Google translate
Another thing than can make you more organised than your peers is to use Google Translate while you are away. Wherever you go you are bound to come across some linguistic difficulties at some point, so it’s good to able to make yourself understood. The good thing about Google Translate is that you can take a picture of menus to get them translated. Or you can write what you are trying to say and get the person that you are conversing with to read the translation.