How do you travel out of your country?

How to Travel Out of Your Country?

Okay, so, leaving the country, huh? It’s a whole thing.

First, passport. Mine’s been through the wringer; I got it renewed in August 2023, cost me about $110. Don’t forget that.

Visa, sometimes. Depends where you’re going. Mexico? Easy peasy. Japan? Prepare for paperwork. Seriously, mountains of it. I once spent three weeks on a visa application for Vietnam.

Flights or whatever transport. I scored a killer deal on a flight to London last year, £300 return in the November sale. Lucky! But book ahead, prices go bananas.

Travel insurance. Duh. Learned that lesson the hard way in Thailand in 2019. Food poisoning + hospital bill = expensive.

Money! Enough cash or cards for your trip. Check exchange rates, avoid those airport ripoffs.

That’s the gist, I think. It’s more complicated, actually, than it sounds. But those are the essentials I’ve found.

How do you leave the country?

Passport… Ugh, so much paperwork. Appointment… Where even? My cat, Mittens, needs a passport too. Ridiculous. Second citizenship… Thinking about Portugal, maybe. Sun. Beaches. Good food. Need to sell the car. Apartment lease… break it? Ugh. So many forms… Fees. Money, money, money. Always money. Embassy… intimidating. What if they say no? Nah. They won’t. Right? Just need that residence permit first. Portugal… Lisbon or Porto? Porto. Definitely Porto. Mittens will love it. Packing… so much stuff. Minimalist lifestyle… ha! Joke. Embassy appointment… need to schedule that soon. Book a flight… one way ticket. Exciting and terrifying.

• Residence permit/citizenship: Essential first step. Portugal’s Golden Visa program… research that.
• Embassy appointment: Schedule after the residence permit. Not before. Important.
• Paperwork: Ugh. So much. Birth certificate. Passport photos. Application forms. Copies. Ugh.
• Fees: Expensive. Save up.
• Sell stuff: Car. Furniture. Clothes. Declutter. Good riddance.
• Mittens: Pet passport. Vet appointment. Carrier. Food. Toys. She’s coming with me.
• Flights: One way. To Porto. Next step… look at apartments. Online. Near the beach.
• Pack light: Yeah, right. Impossible. Books. Clothes. Shoes. Mittens’ stuff. So much stuff.

What is the best way to travel abroad?

Forget fancy first class, you cheapskate! Budget airlines are your best friend, like a slightly smelly but loyal dog. Book flights months in advance, or you’ll be paying more than a small car!

Think like a ninja: Avoid peak season. Travel like a hermit crab in winter, or during those weird-ass shoulder seasons.

Stopovers? Sure, why not spend an extra 12 hours in a ridiculously over-priced airport lounge? It’s an adventure!

Carry-on only! That’s a brilliant idea, unless you’re moving to another continent. My uncle tried it. He had to leave his prize-winning pet hamster behind, and the little dude looked heartbroken. True story.

Pro-Tip: Pack light. Or, you know, just buy new stuff when you get there. Saves on baggage fees, and supports the local economy. Win-win, right? Except for the environment. Oops.

Here’s what else you need to know, in a totally organized and super-helpful way:

• Flights: Skip the fancypants airlines. Ryanair? EasyJet? Your new BFFs.
• Accommodation: Hostels are awesome. So are Airbnb’s, as long as you avoid that one with the creepy clown painting.
• Food: Embrace street food. My stomach has survived this for years, with only minor issues.
• Transportation: Public transport. Unless you’re into renting scooters and crashing into things. Then, go for that. Seriously, I once saw someone do that.
• Packing: Travel-sized everything! Think miniature shampoo bottles and those tiny toothpaste tubes that hold about three brushes worth. Like a real tiny person.

#Border #Passport #Travel