When you are preparing for international travel, there are many things you need to take care of, so it may be easy to overlook some of the key aspects. One of those aspects is preparing your phone for the trip. The last thing you need is to land in a foreign country and find out you can’t get in contact with anyone from home.Follow these tips when Preparing for International Travel to allow you to get your phone travel ready for your next adventure.
Besides making sure you have enough space on your phone for all those amazing photos you are going to take, you also need to take care of some other aspects, to enjoy the full company of your digital friend.
Preparing for International Travel – Get your Phone Travel-Ready
Roaming or a new SIM card?
When you travel to an international country, you usually have two options: either activate roaming services and pay for charges, or purchase a SIM card from the country you are visiting. The roaming option is hassle-free, but it may end up costing you quite a fortune. Make sure to contact your carrier and see what kind of options they offer for international travel. Some carriers offer packages for international data, which allow you to pay only for what you use. This way, you have a back-up plan, in case you need to use mobile data while you are away.
The SIM purchase option is a much more cost-effective one, but it does require for your phone to be unlocked so that you can use the SIM. In some countries, mobile services are extremely cheap, which means that for only $10 you get a whole month of data, phone calls and SMS texts. What will be, indeed, a bit pricey, is unlocking your phone, but check with the provider and see what kind of options they have.
Back-up and download a localization app
Before leaving, consider backing up your data on the cloud or on a computer. It’s better to be safe than sorry. Don’t forget that you are traveling to a foreign country, and even if you don’t want to be thinking about it, tourists are the number one targets for pickpocketing.
They are considered an easy target, as most of the time they get distracted by the surroundings and are not paying attention to people around them. To avoid having to go through the process of getting back lost photos, phone numbers or other data, back-up your phone before leaving.
It may be worth to also install a localization app, to help locate your phone in case it gets stolen or lost. Location apps typically work when the phone is connected to the internet, but some of them are so sophisticated they even have options in case it goes offline.
Some phones have a built-in localization app that only requires you to log in and make sure you have the location turned on, so check your phone before downloading any other app.
Pack a charging kit
There is no point in bringing a phone with you if you can’t use it, right? Make sure you don’t leave the house without a charger, to keep your battery full at all times. Be careful, as some countries have different types of plugs, so check this out before leaving. You can find travel plug adapters at nearly every store that holds mobile phone accessories, such as Mobiphix.
Make sure to also have a portable battery with you, as you will be walking around a lot and taking lots of pictures, which may drain the battery quite fast. You don’t want to have to stop every two hours and look for a place to charge your phone.
Make sure to charge your portable battery every time you get to the hotel, as you want to get as much use of it as possible. Most batteries typically hold one or two full phone charges, but it depends on the power. If you have the means, invest in the most powerful one you can buy. You will thank yourself later, when you can lay on a blanket in a European park, while your phone is charging in your purse.
Get the right travel accessories
Apart from a charger and a portable battery, there are many other travel accessories that will help upgrade your vacation. Gadgets are more prone to knocks when you are on vacation, as you may not be thinking that much about them. If you plan on going somewhere with water and a beach, a protective case will help prevent your phone from scratches and sand. At the same time, you may want to consider getting a waterproof case, so you can bring your phone underwater and take some amazing photos while diving into the ocean.
Make sure to pack at least two power cables, one for the hotel room and one to carry with your portable battery. This way, you won’t have to worry about forgetting the cable in your room. Plus, it is always good to have a backup cable, in case one gets lost.
Although this is optional, it is good to have a good set of headphones with you. Chances are, you will be having a long flight, so you may want to listen to some music or watch a movie on the plane. Also, when walking through the city, it’s always nicer to play your music and enjoy the surroundings.
Your phone should also have a protective case like the ones at Mobile Mob. not just so it can stay safe in case it falls but also so you can keep it personalized to locate it easily if you misplace it.
Download some useful apps
Last, but not least, make sure to download some good apps to make your trip better. Depending on the type of vacation you are planning, there are multiple apps you can download:
Culture Trip: a traveling app that has various articles about the best places for foods you can visit in a certain city. Tourist attractions, as well as restaurants and other fun activities are on those lists.
Google Maps: never leave without Google Maps, if you want a better chance not to get lost in a big city. The app has various options to get around town, including by car, walking, or public transportation. You can even download offline maps for times when you don’t have internet access.
TripAdvisor: another app for when you run out of things to do on vacation. You can use it to book dinner reservations, plan museum visits or follow advice from travel experts.
