International Travel Essentials: Managing Money, Tech, and Customs While Abroad
Written By: Global Grit and Glam
January 2025
If you haven’t yet realized it for yourself, traveling is one of the most exciting adventures life has to offer, whether you're exploring new corners of the globe or revisiting your favorite destinations. Traveling abroad can be especially exciting – and nerve-wracking all at the same time! But with all the tips and guidance we’ve shared to help prepare you for your next overseas adventure (part 1 of “International Travel Essentials” series), your flights are booked, you’ve packed your bags, and you’re ready to head out the front door.
But what else do you need to know?
There might still be a few nerves. We get it. It’s completely normal! In this guide we provide additional expert tips to help you on your way and ensure a safe, healthy, comfortable journey. From currency exchange to how to get over jetlag – and everything in between – we’ve got you covered!
You’re in charge now. There’s no turning back – we know you’ve got this!
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Money and Finances: Being Smart Abroad
World Currencies and Exchange Rates
Did you know there are currently 180 different currencies in use as legal tender around the world today? That being said, since the end of World War II, the U.S. dollar has been the world's dominant means of exchange and the most widely used currency for international trade and other global transactions.
The value of a currency is determined by its exchange rate: the relationship between one country's currency and another, which can fluctuate based on demand and the strength of a country's currency. Before you leave for your destination, ensure you have researched what currency is used in that country, as well as the current exchange rates. Heading to Barbados? Unlike most Caribbean countries who use the Eastern Caribbean Dollar, their legal tender is the Bajan Dollar. Heading to India? You’ll need Indian rupees. Germany? Euros. You get the picture. Xe is the best and most reliable place to start (yes, there’s an app for that!).
How and When To Exchange Money
You can choose to exchange a small amount of your home country’s currency for your destination country’s currency before you leave (generally through your local bank, though you may have to order it well in advance), though note the exchange rate may be very poor. We recommend waiting until arrival at your destination and either changing a small amount at an airport or hotel currency exchange kiosk (where exchange rates may be poorer, but at least it will cover a couple of bottles of water or your first breakfast before the banks and local exchange booths open the following day), else utilizing the first reputable ATM you can find (there are often many in an airport’s arrival hall) to withdraw the local currency.
Pro Tip: Avoid exchanging large amounts of money at currency exchange kiosks at the airport, as the exchange rates are often poor and they may charge ridiculously higher “convenience fees”.
Spending Money Abroad
Always travel with several different means of payment: credit card, debit card, cash, and even peer-to-peer (P2P) payment (or mobile payment) apps. You never know what might be accepted, when, where and by whom. Not all establishments will take cash, and not all will accept electronic forms of payment.
Credit and Debit Cards
If they require it, notify your bank and credit card companies of any international travel plans, to avoid flagged transactions (and the possibility of your card being blocked by your bank). If you don’t already have one, apply for a credit card with no foreign transaction fees for cost-effective spending abroad.
Cash
Many countries (especially developing countries) operate on a cash-only basis. Ensure you’ve done your research in advance so you know which countries these are in and that you have enough cash to carry you once you arrive (and before you can access more cash once in-country).
P2P and Mobile Payment Apps
If you don’t have or use them, consider registering for, and downloading, peer-to-peer (P2P) payment apps. P2P payment apps have become a popular and convenient way to send money to friends and acquaintances (including fellow travelers you meet along the way, with whom you might be splitting expenses), digitally and (usually) instantly. This is also a great way to receive money from home, if you find yourself in a pickle for funds during your travels.
P2P payment apps act as an intermediary, permitting users to send and receive money directly to other individuals by transferring funds from your linked bank or credit union account to the recipient. To do this, you’ll often simply need the phone number or email address of the person to whom you wish to send money.
Popular P2P payment apps include Venmo, Cash App, Apple Pay Cash, Google Pay and Zelle. P2P payment apps are usually free to download and use (you’ll simply need to create a private account and then link it to your home banking institution), but note some may have fees that are assessed when funds are cashed out. Today, there is wide availability of P2P services, with many banks integrating P2P into their mobile banking apps – which means you may not have to actually download a separate app (bazinga!). Research which one you feel may be the best for your own needs and spending habits.
Keeping Money and Other Valuables Safe Abroad
It may seem like a simple tip, but always keep personal belongings (including your passport, credit/debit card and any cash) in a hidden money belt or hotel safe. Also consider hiding/storing these items in different places throughout your luggage, or carrying a fake wallet with expired cards and a small amount of cash, should you run into any trouble and someone wants to avail you of your possessions.
Don’t flash about fancy jewelry, electronics or other items whilst abroad. I mean, is there really any need to take these things with you any way?
Staying Connected: Technology for Travelers
International travel requires being connected for navigation, communication and safety. You may be lucky and can use your own smartphone and local data plan for all these things, but you’ll also want to research whether or not that’s even an option for you (ask your local cell phone provider about international roaming rates before you leave!).
Other options to consider include:
buying a local SIM card upon arrival for data plans
using portable Wi-Fi hotspots for internet access
using free hotel, airport and public space Wi-Fi
Download Helpful Apps
Apps like Google Translate, Google Maps, and WhatsApp will make navigating through and communicating within foreign countries easier while also keeping you in touch with family and friends back home.
Crossing Borders: Immigration and Customs
Crossing international borders can sometimes feel like navigating a maze of regulations (what visa do I need? can I take fresh food into the country? what are the local customs in the country I’ll be visiting?), but with proper preparation, it doesn’t have to be stressful!
Prohibited Items
Before you cross any borders, research any items that may be prohibited in that country. Prohibited items vary by location, so ensure you familiarize yourself with local laws of the country you’re visiting to avoid hefty fines — or worse, confiscation of your souvenirs upon your return home!
At the Airport: Trusted Traveler Programs
Let’s face it: long lines and stressful security checks can dampen even the most eagerly anticipated of trips. Whether you plan to use a local or large, metropolitan airport, to ease your way through security upon arrival at the departure airport, there are several options available to you. These are recommended particularly for frequent travelers, making crossing borders faster and more efficient.
Should you choose to use them, enrollment in these “Trusted Traveler Programs” (TTP) is required, and it’s up to you to determine which one (if any!) best fits your travel habits, style and preferences. Should you choose one of the following TTP, and once you’re approved, you’ll breeze through security and customs like a seasoned pro!
(Note that most of the recommendations below are for those travelling to/from/within the U.S. only. Other countries may offer different programs for their residents and citizens.)
TSA PreCheck
A dedicated security line only for those with TSA PreCheck status, this is considered the "fastest" of all security lines (though this is debatable, as Beck uses CLEAR only (see below) and she’s made it through security numerous times before those in the TSA PreCheck line). How does it work? TSA PreCheck offers travelers a flexible screening process to help lessen their time spent at airport security checkpoints: as a pre-screened and vetted traveler, you don't have to remove your shoes, belts, light jackets, laptops or liquids from your bags.
Accessibility for TSA PreCheck is good: it’s available at over 290 airports and more than 90 airlines. It’s also cost-effective, at only $78-$85 for five years before a renewal is required, depending upon how and/or when you sign up.
Pro tip: Many airports are now introducing new screening technology, where you don’t have to remove laptops or other electronics from your bag, no matter which security checkpoint line you're in. As such, TSA PreCheck no longer offers all the perks it once did.
CLEAR
Becoming more and more widely known and used by travelers CLEAR is a private membership program that uses biometric data to speed up the airport security process. Like TSA PreCheck, CLEAR members are provided a dedicated security line – but they then join all other travelers passing through security. Think of CLEAR like a "fast pass to the front of the general security line": you simply get to skip ahead of the general line to the very front, to then partake in a normal screening process.
CLEAR unfortunately isn’t offered in as many locations as TSA PreCheck: at last count, it is currently only available at 55 airports and some sports arenas/stadiums. At a whopping $199 per year, renewed annually, it can also be cost-prohibitive for some, though several U.S. airlines (including Delta) offer discounts up to 40% for members of their airline rewards programs. Note there is an option to add CLEAR to an existing TSA PreCheck clearance, which ultimately gives you the best of both worlds!
As a frequent traveler, neither of us have ever used, nor applied for, TSA PreCheck – and we personally don’t regret it. Beck did, however, purchase a CLEAR membership (with a Delta discount) just over a year ago and feels, as a frequent traveler, that it's some of the best money she’s ever spent. The majority of the airports she frequents offer CLEAR, and those that don't generally have short security lines any way. She doesn’t mind removing her shoes to go through security (we appreciate that this can be a bother for some people – which would mean TSA PreCheck could be a better option for them) and she always heads for the line with the newer screening technology where laptops and other electronics don't have to be removed from bags (pro tip!).
Pro Tip: Both TSA PreCheck and CLEAR can be used for domestic and international travel alike.
Pro Tip: Always carry an empty water bottle with you through security (generally, you can't take liquids over 100ml through security), so you can fill it up once you pass through to the other side of the checkpoint. Alternatively, you can take ice/frozen liquids through – so you may also wish to consider freezing a bottle full of water or other liquid in advance (Beck often does this with yogurts, as security will often take them ... unless they're frozen). Ultimately this will also save you money, as bottles of water and other food items can be outrageously expensive at airports!
Expedited Border Crossings: Global Entry and NEXUS
Global Entry
If you’re travelling abroad, you may wish to consider Global Entry to help speed up passport control and save time by using automated kiosks at select airports to avoid long lines and customs and immigration processes and clearance. Note that this government-run Trusted Traveler Program is not for going through security as you depart, but rather for entering a country: it’s most commonly used by U.S. citizens, but is not just for entering the U.S.
Global Entry is available to pre-approved travelers at land, air, and seaports of entry, including all major airports. Eligibility is open to citizens and lawful permanent resident of the United States, NEXUS holders (see below), Mexican Nationals, and citizens of Argentina, Bahrain Brazil, Colombia, Croatia, Germany, India, New Zealand, Panama, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom (note that this list may change, so ensure you visit the Global Entry website for the most up-to-date information).
Applicants for Global Entry must undergo a background check and in-person interview, and the non-refundable application fee recently increased from US$100 to US$120, though many credit cards (for example, the American Airlines AAdvantage cards) will cover the cost for cardholders for each renewal period. The application process can take up to several months, so it's best to apply well in advance of any international travel, and membership is valid for five years from the time of initial membership.
Pro Tip: Global Entry members automatically receive TSA PreCheck benefits!
Pro Tip: Global Entry members may be able to use their membership in other countries through that country’s unique immigration and customs system at their ports of entry. For example, U.S. citizens holding Global Entry membership can use the SmartGates when entering Australia and New Zealand.
NEXUS
A joint program, run by both the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), NEXUS is another Trusted Traveler Program that permits pre-approved, low-risk travelers to expedite border crossing processes when entering the U.S. and Canada through dedicated NEXUS lanes at airports, land borders, and marine ports of entry.
Similar to Global Entry, NEXUS application requires an in-person interview and background check. NEXUS is available to citizens and permanent residents of the United States and Canada, as well as Mexican Nationals. All NEXUS members are eligible for Global Entry and TSA PreCheck benefits, if their passport and fingerprints are collected at the time of their enrollment interview.
The main difference between NEXUS and Global Entry is the type of travel they expedite: NEXUS only expedites travel between the U.S. and Canada, whilst Global Entry expedites re-entry to the U.S. from any country, as well as entry into some other countries. Note also that Global Entry cards can be used at NEXUS expedited travel lanes when entering the U.S, but are not valid for entry into Canada via the NEXUS lanes and kiosks.
Upon Arrival: Jetlag
Jetlag and the struggles associated with it are real. Whether it’s jetlag upon arrival or upon your return home, it can be disruptive, making you feel tired, disoriented and generally “out of sync”. Jetlag can last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks (yuck, right?), depending upon how far you’ve travelled and how many time zones you’ve crossed (the further you travel and the more time zones you cross, the worse jetlag symptoms can be).
There are numerous ways to try and combat jetlag, including the following:
Try and adjust your sleep/wake cycle before you leave for your destination: try to get in rhythm with your new time zone before you’ve already arrived. If it’s challenging to do this due to work or personal schedules in the lead-up to your trip, at the very least change your watch/phone to your destination time the very second you board your flight, and try to adjust to the new time zone from that moment on (yes, this may mean going to sleep in the middle of the day or trying to stay awake for another 10 hours!).
Drink plenty of water during your flight (and try to avoid caffeine and alcohol which can lead to dehydration): this is especially important for long-haul flights. Continue hydrating yourself upon arrival, and especially during the first few days after landing.
Keep your body moving during your flight: even if that means heading to the back of the plane every couple of hours to do some yoga poses or simply walking up and down the aisle for five minutes.
Consider taking melatonin: the latest research suggests that melatonin aids sleep during times when you wouldn't typically be resting, making it beneficial for people on long-haul flights, or for those who are already experiencing jetlag symptoms. The Mayo Clinic provides more information on the use of melatonin for treating jetlag.
Get some sun and fresh air as soon as you can upon arrival.
Ever heard of “grounding”? This is Beck’s tried and true recommendation for overcoming jetlag. Grounding involves walking or standing barefoot on the earth as soon as you arrive at a new destination. It can be dirt in a garden, sand on a beach, grass in a nearby park – or anything similar, so long as your feet are physically touching a natural part of the earth. With your eyes closed, stand still for several minutes and visualize your feet, and the energy radiating through your body, connecting with the earth’s electrons and helping to reset your body. Beck swears by it!
Final Thoughts
You’ve got your foreign currency in hand (at least a small amount, until you find an exchange booth in town with a decent exchange rate, right?), you’ve spoken with T-Mobile and they’ve advised you have free data on your phone whilst abroad (wahoo!), and you’ve signed up for TSA PreCheck (yay, no smelly socks out in public!). Armed with all these goodies, here are some final tips from us here at Global Grit and Glam to keep in mind for your next international adventures:
Be flexible with your plans and go with the flow. Things change, plans get disrupted. Stay positive: it’s all part of the adventure and you just never know what may come your way!
Don’t be afraid to get outside your comfort zone: this is where learning and growth truly occurs! Try local foods and drinks, take a local bus, go where the tourists don’t usually go.
Document your trip in whatever way is meaningful and most practical to you. Consider keeping a travel journal as you go: it doesn’t have to be detailed, it can simply be a list of what you did, when, and your basic thoughts around your experience. Take photos. Take lots of photos (but also only if that’s your thing!).
Staying healthy whilst abroad is essential. Make sure you’re taking the necessary precautions, including frequent handwashing and avoiding contaminated food or water. Always stay hydrated.
Whether you’re an experienced traveler like Beck or a comfort-seeking explorer like Mike, we’re here to help you navigate the ins and outs of travel, so you can focus on what really matters: the trip itself. International travel definitely requires an open mind and a willingness to experience difference: try it once, and you’ll no doubt find you’ll be wanting more!
It also helps if you’ve got a few other little expert tid-bits of knowledge under your belt, as we’ve provided for you here: guidance that will help make your international adventures smoother than you ever thought possible!
Now get out there and start exploring, fellow wanderers!
Now … it’s time to plan your trip!
