To help you plan your international travel better, read our detailed guide about common travel problems and tips to tackle them the right way.
Common Travel Problems
The thrill of exploring the wonders of the world and tasting exotic cuisines can often be interrupted by an unpredictable travelling issue. However, with proper planning before the trip, these travel problems can be minimised.
Let us look at some of them below, with tips to help resolve them.
Health Concerns
Falling ill cannot be predicted or controlled when visiting any international destination. However, it can often lead to unnecessary treatment and hospitalisation expenses. Some issues include jet lag, motion sickness, fevers, coughs, etc.
With falling sick being one of the most common travel problems, knowing how to keep yourself protected health-wise and financially is necessary.
Travel Tips:
Get Travel Insurance - Having travel insurance with medical issues coverage is highly beneficial when travelling abroad. It provides a financial safety net to help you cover your medical expenses abroad without exhausting your trip budget or savings. Moreover, you can get a family member to visit you if you are stuck at the hospital with compassionate visit cover.
Carry Necessary Medicines - Understand your body and health requirements and carry some basic first aid and medications accordingly to avoid the risk of overpaying or unavailability.
Study the Weather to Pack Well - When preparing for a trip, check for weather updates and dress accordingly to avoid unnecessary viral and other quick-to-catch illnesses.
Language Barriers
Another travelling issue many people face is the limitation of language knowledge and speaking skills. Even though English is a global language, many times, some specific countries or international destinations have a local language for communication.
Not knowing how to speak and understand a specific language can often be overwhelming and result in unnecessary chaos and confusion.
Travel Tips:
Learn Some Phrases - One of the easiest ways to tackle this travelling issue is to learn some common phrases and words in the local language of the place you are visiting. This will help you reduce the language barrier to an extent.
Download a Translation App - Another way to reduce language barriers when travelling abroad is to download a translation app on your mobile phone. This will ensure clear communication in the local language without the hassle of learning a new language or misunderstandings.
Cultural Differences
Almost every country has a unique cultural upbringing and etiquette that the locals follow. However, at times, you might unknowingly hurt their sentiments and make them feel disrespected with an incorrect gesture or phrase.
To avoid this, you must be mindful and learn more about the culture and people of the destination you are visiting.
Travel Tips:
Dress Carefully - Depending on your travel itinerary, you must also research and follow proper dress codes at certain tourist attractions to avoid disrespecting the locals unintentionally.
Understand the Culture - Before your trip, spend some time examining the differences and similarities between your culture and the culture of the travel destination. This will help you better adapt to the other culture.
Ask Locals - The locals are very helpful, so if you are struggling with something, ask them politely to understand what to do and what not to do to avoid unintentional mistakes.
Airport Problems
Another common travel issue that can arise even before you reach your destination is airport mishaps. From delayed or cancelled flights to lost baggage and unexpected trip interruptions, airport problems can often lead to failed travel plans.
Travel Tips:
Buy Travel Insurance - Travel insurance is one of the most effective ways to tackle airport problems that lead to journey disruptions and delays. It provides ample financial coverage for unexpected situations and easily compensates for non-refundable travel bookings.
Choose Credit Card Wisely - Many credit card companies also offer flight delay and cancellation coverage to ease your airport struggles without exhausting your out-of-pocket expenses.
Keep a Check on Airline Updates - Another way to avoid last-minute delays and struggles leading to long hours stuck at the airport is to keep a check on the airline updates to ensure you are aware of the potential delays and other announcements.
Financial Liabilities
One of the most unexpected yet extremely draining travelling issues is losing your money or other important personal belongings, such as mobile phones, laptops, passports, etc. You can lose money due to robbery, carelessness or currency conversions in most cases.
Moreover, losing cash or your phone when abroad can cause unnecessary trouble if you get lost and have no means of communication or have to commute without money.
Travel Tips:
Carry More Credit/Debit/Forex Cards - If you are wondering
how to carry money while travelling abroad to reduce the risk of theft, your best bet is a credit/debit/forex card. You must always carry a small amount of cash and keep the rest safeguarded by choosing a card for your expenses abroad.
Keep Your Belongings Safe - Always keep your personal belongings, especially your passport, in a safe place, like the hotel room locker, to ensure you do not risk losing them due to carelessness or robbery.
Buy Travel Insurance - Losing your passport restricts your return to India, and it can be extremely expensive to get a duplicate passport abroad. However, with international travel insurance, you get ample financial coverage for the expenses incurred to get a new or duplicate passport.
Conclusion
Many travellers dream of exploring the world and witnessing diverse cultures. Thus, preparing for the trip by following the small steps mentioned above to avoid common travel problems can make a huge difference and help you enjoy the trip thoroughly.
Along with the basics, investing in
international travel insurance comes in handy as it offers extensive coverage for a wide range of unforeseen circumstances and various international travel problems, such as flight delays and personal accidents.
From medical coverage for emergencies to legal and compensation coverage for third-party liabilities, you get financial assistance for most travel problems to reduce your out-of-pocket expenses.
Reliance General Insurance offers a range of travel insurance plans divided by age, location and purpose. This ensures that every traveller benefits from a tailored policy. You can choose from
travel insurance for senior citizens, student travel insurance, Asia or Schengen travel insurance plans.
Frequently Asked Questions
What support do I get from travel insurance if my passport is stolen?
If your passport is stolen, travel insurance will reimburse you fully for the expenses incurred to obtain a new passport. However, this is only applicable if you report the theft within 24 hours of the incident.
Are third-party liabilities covered in a travel insurance plan?
At times, even with complete care, you might end up accidentally causing damage to a third party or their property. These third-party liabilities are an expensive affair, and thus, travel insurance extends financial support to help you cover the cost of legal fees and compensation payments in such cases.
How do you deal with jet lag?
To manage jet lag, you must keep yourself hydrated, try to adapt to the time difference in your routine a week before your trip, be active, avoid alcohol and caffeine and expose yourself to sunlight.
