While extremely exciting, fun, and liberating, traveling abroad can be a bit of a stressful exercise if you’re not prepared. From essential must-haves to budgeting hacks, we’ve got five no-nonsense tech tips to help you ‘switch off’ and truly embrace your holiday – without the headaches.
1. Keeping Tabs
Before you embark on your trip, getting a GPS tracker for your luggage could be an absolute lifesaver. These handy little smart devices can be placed in or attached to your luggage and allow you to track your bag via an accompanying app. This is especially useful if you’re taking connected flights where your luggage is transferred between multiple planes. Anyone who’s ever lost a bag before will confirm – it’s a must-have.
2. Budget or Bust
Along with losing your bag, nothing will ruin a holiday faster than running out of money. Creating a comprehensive spending and budget plan is crucial. Fortunately, most banking apps allow you to generate virtual cards, which not only help you manage spending but also protect your primary bank account in case of fraud or theft.
With virtual cards, you can allocate specific amounts, set spending limits, and use the tap functionality for seamless purchases – assuming you have an NFC-enabled smartphone, of course. It’s a simple and secure way to control your finances while traveling.
3. Portable Power
Everyone brings their smartphone along when traveling, but many forget to plan how tho keep it charged. First, remember that plug types vary across countries, so bringing the right adaptor for your destination is essential. There’s nothing fun about arriving at your hotel and realizing you can’t charge your devices.
Secondly, with all the tours, trips, and sights to see, you’ll likely be out and about for most of your holiday. A portable power bank can be a real lifesaver, especially during long excursions or full-day tours. Some are extremely streamlined and compact, too, so slipping them into your pocket before heading out is a no-brainer.
4. Make Sure You’re Online
While a portable charger keeps your phone powered, you’ll also want to ensure consistent connectivity. Yes, public Wi-Fi is becoming more widespread, but it’s still unreliable and often unsafe for sensitive activities. Getting reliable mobile internet access is crucial, and eSIM technology makes it much easier.
With eSIMs, there’s no need to physically swap SIM cards. Everything is handled digitally, allowing you to quickly and easily activate data plans. For example, an eSIM Thailand data plan can give you immediate, affordable mobile data access on arrival – perfect for staying connected during your beach trip in Phuket or navigating Bangkok’s busy streets. Plus, eSIMs can help you avoid the jaw-dropping roaming charges that often come with local and region-specific networks.
When it comes to cybersecurity, it’s best to avoid using public Wi-Fi for banking, booking flights, or any transactions involving personal information. Instead, use your mobile connection via eSIM and protect yourself with a VPN (Virtual Private Network), which encrypts your data and keeps your online activity secure.
5. Leverage Apps and Info
A wealth of information is available on any country you’re visiting, but accessing it efficiently makes all the difference. With your eSIM and mobile connection in place, be sure to download local travel apps, transportation tools, translation services, and even digital coupon apps for local discounts and insider tips.
Google Maps, for example, can be used offline if downloaded in advance – perfect for when the signal drops. You’ll also benefit from apps that help you navigate public transport, locate attractions, and find restaurant recommendations. These apps can significantly enhance your travel experience, save time, and even help avoid tourist traps.
Final thoughts
You’ll undoubtedly be relying on your smartphone for a lot of information, bookings, and communication, so it’s paramount to ensure that it’s powered up, safe from hacking threats, and well-connected.
Furthermore, even if your holiday throws you a curveball or two (which tends to happen), having reliable mobile internet access can be the difference between a chaotic holiday and a truly carefree one.