some customs travel well

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题目来源1 : NO.9

题目来源2 : KMF-cq1

题目来源3 : 大陆历年真题

• B eccentricity
• D coarseness
• E tolerance

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The Best Tips to Get Through Customs Faster

Travelpro Travel Expert Editor

Tips & Tricks

When you are flying into a different country than your flight departed from, you have to go through immigration and customs. If you're wondering: how does customs work or what will get you through customs faster, keep reading. We'll share what you need to know about traveling through customs in this article.

The goal of customs is to ensure the country's safety. That can mean keeping out any unwanted items or people and ensuring that the economy is protected so taxes aren't circumvented. Knowing how to navigate customs is just one of the aspects of  learning how to navigate an airport .

Know Before You Go

Being prepared is one of the best ways to get through customs faster. Knowing what to expect can help ensure you're not caught off guard, ultimately delaying the entire process.

1. It usually takes less than 20 minutes to get through customs

Wondering how long customs take? The good news is that it's a speedier process than in the past. The bad news is that the time it takes can vary wildly depending on which airport you travel through and when you land. Customs will take a lot longer if a bunch of flights all land at the same time, but, on average, it takes about 20 minutes or less to get through customs.

2. Expect to go through customs after your final international-bound flight

Many travelers wonder when and where they can expect to be checked: do you go through customs before or after your flight? The process starts while you're on the flight with a declaration form, but the official customs process will happen when you have arrived at your destination (in a different country) and before you're allowed to legally enter that country.

3. Customs might go through your luggage

Each country has its own set of rules for travelers. In some areas, they may send your luggage through a scanner, but one of the biggest questions on everyone's minds is: does customs go through your luggage? The answer: they have the right to do so, but often they do not.

How to Get Through Customs Faster

After a long flight, the last thing you want to do is wait in line. There are ways to speed up the process for yourself and your travel companions. In fact, if everyone followed these simple tips, the whole line would move a lot faster.

Apply for Global Entry and Other Services that Facilitate Entrance

Global Entry is a program designed to facilitate re-entry into the USA for those who travel internationally. As the TSA precheck helps speed up going through security, Global Entry speeds up going through customs. It can be used with the free Mobile Passport Control app, which helps speed up passport and customs declaration. Learn more about applying for  global entry on our blog

Set Yourself up for Success with Proper Luggage and Organization

A surefire way to slow down the customs process is packing wrong and not knowing where everything is in your luggage. Fortunately, the right gear can eliminate hassle and keep you moving along.

Using a backpack designed for travel keeps all of your essential documents and items in their own designated space. Or try a carry-on spinner designed for international travel . You can even go a step further and use an RFID-blocking passport cover or security pouch to ensure your passport and travel documents stay close and are protected from loss or identity theft.

Organize Before Leaving the Plane

Upon deplaning, you will collect your baggage and be ushered directly into customs before leaving the airport. Get organized before you get your bags, because there may not be a convenient place to stop without impeding traffic. The right travel gear,  like a great backpack for carry on , will help you get through as quickly as possible.

Throw Away any Food, Drink, and Other Prohibited Items

Immigration and customs are designed to keep the country safe. One of the ways is by ensuring that outside food doesn't bring unwanted contaminants from one country to another. Traveling with food can land you in a heap of trouble, so trash any leftovers before you head into the customs line, and never transport produce or live plants from one country to another.

Declare Everything to Avoid Questioning

Customs isn't there to bust you. Their job is not to give you a hard time or make it hard for you to get into their country. Their job is to protect the best interests of the country you're heading into. Fill out the declaration forms honestly. Trying to hide things you are carrying could get you fined and flagged, or worse.

Now that you know how to navigate customs successfully, check out these  8 essential tips for traveling internationally that will surely make your entire trip more enjoyable.

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GRE Text Completion Question 3536

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Source: NO9

Some customs travel well; often, however, behavior that is considered the epitome of _____ at home is perceived as impossibly rude or, at the least, harmlessly bizarre abroad.

• B eccentricity
• D coarseness
• E tolerance

Show Answer

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:

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Surprising Customs from Around the World

One thing that sets humans apart from other members of the animal kingdom is our propensity to develop customs and traditions around everything, from beauty rituals to sex habits. In fact, humans love doing this so much that the world has been enriched with thousands of different cultures since the dawn of civilization. No doubt, one important aspect of just about any given culture is its code of etiquette. Here are some astonishing customs from around the world.

Did you know you can now travel with Culture Trip? Book now and join one of our premium small-group tours to discover the world like never before.

Pointing with lips in Nicaragua

While gestures of the hand are often subject to customary variation across cultures, few can claim this phenomenon extends to contortions of the mouth. In Nicaragua , it is common to point with the lips instead of the thumb or index finger like the majority of the world. Wondering just how exactly a person points with their lips? It all starts by puckering up. Once a Nica has their duck face on, they can direct their lips forward or side-to-side to indicate what it is they’d like to point out. The lip point is typically used in conversation to indicate something that is happening nearby.

Kissing in France

Pretty much every culture has specific rituals for greeting. Latin American cultures and the Romance cultures share the common custom of kissing both close loved ones and new acquaintances on the cheek as a form of salutation. Yet, the French seem to take this to a whole new level with the number of nuances involved in their kissing rituals. For one, the rules vary for men and women. Secondly, the number of kisses required to complete the greeting changes from region to region. What’s more is that French people are expected to greet each person at a party or gathering upon arrival whether they know the attendees or not. This is only a brief overview of the customary kissing practices in France.

Spitting on the bride at weddings in Greece

This practice was popularized thanks to the 2002 film, My Big Fat Greek Wedding . Spitting in Greek cultures is a kind of good luck charm that is supposed to help ward off the devil. Today, the custom typically doesn’t involve guests hocking loogies at the newlywed bride. Instead, it has evolved into a more symbolic act where guests mainly forcefully utter “ftou ftou ftou.” Greeks do this at other special occasions too, including baptisms in order to acknowledge the beauty and good health of the baby. Spitting can even be done as a superstitious measure to ward off evil during regular conversation.

If all that spitting hasn’t put you off the Mediterranean majesty of Greece then why not join us on one of our trips to Europe’s favourite archipelago .

September 12 is the Day of Conception in Russia

Cultures typically approach sex, marriage and reproduction in unique ways. Russia may take the cake on this in terms of institutionalized acceptance, though. This is because the declining birth rates of the country coupled with the unequal proportion of women to men and the alarmingly short lifespans of Russian men pose as serious concerns for the society. Therefore, the government has instated a public holiday created solely to give couples time off from work in order to have sex in the hopes that doing so will result in pregnancy. Parents whose babies are born exactly nine months later can even win prizes for helping to keep the Russian bloodline going.

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Groundhog Day in the US

Many countries have rather strange holidays that commemorate their distinct histories. While the United States is a rather new nation, it has been around long enough to develop one odd holiday known as Groundhog Day. Since 1887, on February 2, the nation waits patiently to see if the groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, saw his shadow. If he does, it means there will be six more weeks of winter. Perhaps even more bizarre is the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club’s Inner Circle of dedicated men who, according to tradition, tend to the groundhog while dressed in black suits and top hats at the lighthearted Groundhog Day ceremony each year.

Book your spot on one of our small-group adventures Stateside – unfortunately we cannot guarantee the presence of Bill Murray.

Tipping in the US

Another odd custom associated with the United States is its intricate tipping culture. Unlike many other countries who don’t tip at all or who only tip in small amounts when the food was particularly good, tipping is rather mandatory at most restaurants in the US. In fact, it is expected that patrons leave between 10-20 percent of the bill in tips. Wait staff rely on this gratuity for a living because legal wages for waiters are low. Further, there are rules for tipping bartenders, delivery people and other service personnel. While some criticize this practice as irrational, there’s no doubt that tipping culture in the US gives an incentive for waiters and waitresses to provide better service.

Hanging out in cemeteries in Denmark

While cemeteries are the sites of spooky lore in many countries, this is not so much the case in the ever so secular Denmark. Many people might prefer to hang out in parks, but the Danes find it becoming to convert their cemeteries into areas for socializing, a rather pragmatic use of space we might add. These cemeteries are well manicured and teeming with locals when the weather finally begins to warm up. Assistens Kirkegård in the country’s capital, Copenhagen, provides a perfect example. Plus, you’ll be hanging out in great company as many famed Danes are buried here, including Hans Christian Andersen.

Pointing with the thumb in Malaysia

Some countries find the act of pointing with the index finger to be abrasive and rude. While members of most cultures would probably agree that pointing fingers, both literally and figuratively isn’t exactly the nicest thing in the world, in countries like Malaysia and Indonesia , this gesture can be seen as incredibly offensive. Instead, it is customary to gesture towards things with the thumb as this is seen as a more polite option. In many countries in Africa, pointing is reserved for inanimate objects only, not people.

Slurping in Japan

Most societies around the world have rules about table etiquette. For western cultures, noisily consuming food is considered rude. In Japan, however, making slurping sounds while eating has an entirely different meaning. This might have something to do with the fact that in western countries, noodles are properly consumed by twirling them on a spoon before putting them in the mouth. Meanwhile, the Japanese simply slurp up their noodles without contorting them first, an act that is naturally noisier than the former. Making slurping sounds when eating noodles in Japan is a way of indicating that you’re really enjoying them. Some scientists even argue slurping invites air into the palate and actually enhances the noodles’ flavor.

Our 12-day Epic Trip in Japan offers plenty of opportunity for slurping as you explore Osaka, Hiroshima, Hakone, Kyoto, Tokyo and much more.

Kneeling or lying prostrate as greeting in Nigeria

For members of the Yoruba people, an ethnic group that largely resides in Nigeria, greeting rituals are taken quite seriously. This is especially true in regards to greeting elders. When an adult approaches, Yoruba youths are expected to drop to their knees in greeting. More specifically, women kneel when greeting, and men typically lie prostrate. These gestures are a sign of respect and deference for the elders of the community. Interestingly, this custom is one that distinguishes Yoruba peoples from other ethnic groups in Nigeria, including the Bini and the Kalabari.

Using the left hand for things

In some countries, using the left hand for eating or other activities is considered quite rude and insulting. Oftentimes, cultures in these countries use the left hand for cleaning themselves after using the toilet, and, therefore, it is considered dirty. This rule applies to several places around the world including much of the Middle East, Sri Lanka , India and parts of Africa. To be safe, always use your right hand for greeting, handling merchandise, exchanging money, and, of course, eating while spending time in any of these parts of the world.

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8 Ways to Breeze Through Customs Quickly

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The 5 Most Common Airport Customs Questions

International travel can leave modern-day adventurers with positive memories and increased knowledge of their world. Along the way, many pick up souvenirs, gifts, and other items that remind them of their favorite destinations. Regardless of what travelers bring home or choose to leave behind, everyone still has to answer to customs officers upon arrival into their destination country.

No traveler enjoys clearing customs: In addition to filling out the standard form on the incoming aircraft or vessel, travelers may be asked to recall everything they picked up and packed on their travel. In the United States, the pass-through customs is often followed by passing immediately through a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoint.

When prepared for and done correctly, passing through customs can be a relatively quick and easy process. Here are five common questions every traveler should always plan on being asked by a customs officer upon arrival.

What Is the Purpose of Your Trip?

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In nearly every situation, this is often the first question travelers will be asked by a customs officer. This is often the first of the most common customs question because the purpose of a trip could change the type of visa required for entering the country, or subject travelers to different regulations.

As a matter of best practice, always be honest with customs officials about the purpose of a trip. A dishonest answer could result in detention or even expulsion from a foreign country. To be safe, be sure to look up visa requirements before your arrival to ensure a smooth transition at customs. 

How Long Do You Intend to Stay?

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This common customs question has less to do with a traveler's vacation plans, and everything to do with national security. Customs and border protection officers often ask about the length of stay to assess if travelers qualify to enter the country, and if the visa they are holding is appropriate for their stay. While some countries allow for a 90-day stay with an on-arrival visa, others require travelers to apply for their visa well in advance.

Depending on the planned length of visit, savvy travelers should be prepared to explain the length of their visit. Short-term stays of less than a week and long-term visits of more than a month usually receive a follow-up from the customs officer about their activities during their visit. Smart travelers should always prepare to answer truthfully about their activities while traveling.

Where Will You Be Staying?

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Unlike the first two questions, customs officers often ask about housing arrangements to ensure a traveler is not a security risk. Travelers giving very generic answers including "at a hostel," "with a friend," or "at an Airbnb" may raise red flags for officers. As a result, travelers may get even more questions about their visit and could be detained until their travel plans are verified.

Smart travelers prepare an answer to this customs question with the name of the hotel they are staying at or the address of the friends, family members, or Airbnb property they will be staying with. In addition, those who are planning to stay in a hotel or hostel should always keep the confirmation of travel plans available. Having detailed stay information on hand can help travelers clear customs faster and with less frustration.

What Is Your Occupation?

This common customs question has less to do with a fascination with global occupations, and more to do with analyzing risk. When a customs officer asks about a traveler's occupation, it is not only an indicator of their financial capacities while in a given country, but also a behavior analysis tip. Travelers who cannot give an answer quickly or directly may be directed to additional questioning by customs.

Smart travelers answer the occupation question directly and quickly. However, be prepared to back up those answers with additional proof. Certain occupations (like "journalist" and "law enforcement") could result in follow-up questions.

Do You Have Anything to Declare?

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Depending on where a traveler is entering, certain items may be restricted or prohibited at your destination. When entering the United States, baked and prepared goods can be brought back without inspection. However, meats, fruits, and vegetables may be subject to closer inspection or confiscation.

Some embargoed goods may also not be brought back, depending on the country. For travel into the U.S., this includes many items originating from Cuba , Burma, Iran, or Sudan.​ Always keep a list of your items purchased on your person when going through the checkpoint, and be sure to declare all goods purchased abroad that you are bringing back with you.

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some more SCs

By auroville99 April 25, 2003 in GRE Sentence Completions

• Reply to this topic
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Auroville99.

To ensure the development and exploitation of a new technology, there must be a constant ________ of several nevertheless distinct activities.

(A)interplay (B) implementation © comprehending (D) improvement (E) exploration.

Well, to bring about new technology, one must constantly work on the different activites (so that one can bring about inventions and innovations). Thus I chose (B) implementation , but sadly thats the wrong answer.

Some customs travel well; often, however, behavior that is considered the epitome of ______ at home is perceived as impossibly rude or, at the least, harmlessly bizarre abroad.

(A) novelty (B) eccentricity © urbanity (D) coarseness (E) tolerance

Now, because of the detour sign 'however', the blank must refer to something 'not considered rude or bizarre' of tolerance. Thus I chose (E) tolerance, but again thats the wrong answer.

The _____ of the early Greek philosophers' attempts to explain the operations of the cosmos led certain later thinkers to inquire into the ______ of human reason.

(A)difficulty...origin

(B)meaning..supremacy

©complexity..reality

(D)equivocations..subtlety

(E)failures..efficacy

Here the first blank could be positive or negative telling us about the attempts of Greek philosophers in explaining the operations of the cosmos- whether they were successful or failed. Now later thinkers would INQUIRE only if they were wrong , isn't it? So that means the Greeks had failed in their attempt. Hence it could be A, C or E. I chose C because one cannot inquire into the efficacy or origin of human reasoning, but again thats the wrong answer.

Ever prey to vagrant impulses that impelled him to ________ his talents on a host of unworthy projects, his very ______ nonetheless enhanced his reputation, for the sheer energy of his extravagance dazzled observers.

(A)undermine..enthusiasm

(B)isolate..selectiveness

©display..affability

(D)squander..dissipation

(E)implicate..genius

Again, the second blank must be a strongly positive word as it brought him lot of acclaim from the observers- hence I narrowed the options to A C E , and considering that one can only display his talents, I chose C- bad day, I was wrong again.

Really appreciate your help in these SCs people, I have to search for the previous SCs I posted, dont worry I will post the answer thie evening. Earnestly waiting for your inputs..

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Post the correct answers if u know.

• 2 years later...

kaushik_dear

To ensure the development and exploitation of a new technology, there must be a constant ________ of several nevertheless distinct activities. (A)interplay (B) implementation © comprehending (D) improvement (E) exploration. To ensure the development and exploitation of a new technology ther must be a constant (search) of several nevertheless distinct activities ( than only development and exploitation of a new technology take place ........ ANS- E Well, to bring about new technology, one must constantly work on the different activites (so that one can bring about inventions and innovations). Thus I chose (B) implementation , but sadly thats the wrong answer.   ******   Some customs travel well; often, however, behavior that is considered the epitome of ______ at home is perceived as impossibly rude or, at the least, harmlessly bizarre abroad. (A) novelty (B) eccentricity © urbanity (D) coarseness (E) tolerance ANS -Urbanity- very polite, refined, elegant mannerism exactly opposite of what sentence clue word is Impossibly rude..   Now, because of the detour sign 'however', the blank must refer to something 'not considered rude or bizarre' of tolerance. Thus I chose (E) tolerance, but again thats the wrong answer.   *******   The _____ of the early Greek philosophers' attempts to explain the operations of the cosmos led certain later thinkers to inquire into the ______ of human reason. (A)difficulty...origin (B)meaning..supremacy ©complexity..reality (D)equivocations..subtlety (E)failures..efficacy ANS -D Here the first blank could be positive or negative telling us about the attempts of Greek philosophers in explaining the operations of the cosmos- whether they were successful or failed. Now later thinkers would INQUIRE only if they were wrong , isn't it? So that means the Greeks had failed in their attempt. Hence it could be A, C or E. I chose C because one cannot inquire into the efficacy or origin of human reasoning, but again thats the wrong answer.   *********   Ever prey to vagrant impulses that impelled him to ________ his talents on a host of unworthy projects, his very ______ nonetheless enhanced his reputation, for the sheer energy of his extravagance dazzled observers. (A)undermine..enthusiasm (B)isolate..selectiveness ©display..affability (D)squander..dissipation (E)implicate..genius ANS -A Again, the second blank must be a strongly positive word as it brought him lot of acclaim from the observers- hence I narrowed the options to A C E , and considering that one can only display his talents, I chose C- bad day, I was wrong again.   *****   Really appreciate your help in these SCs people, I have to search for the previous SCs I posted, dont worry I will post the answer thie evening. Earnestly waiting for your inputs..

ANS are posted in Red Font

Please check with the answer

• 2 weeks later...
• 5 weeks later...

I am not sure about any of my answers.. It would be good if anyone can post the explanations also..

EDIT : I requested AUROVILLE to post the OA's but then i noticed that thread is 3 yrs old..so i guess we might have to miss OA

Any explanations..!!

• 1 year later...

Can You please disclose the answers...according to me the answers shud be

1.c, 2.a, 3.e.4.d

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Mortars and Other Sundries That Interest Customs

By Anya Fernald

• March 19, 2012

MY parents tell me my first real trip was on a Polish sea boat when I was about 2 years old. I must have enjoyed it a lot, because today traveling doesn’t bother me at all. I’ve learned to just take things as they come.

 I worked on sustainable food projects in more than 30 countries, as different culturally as Madagascar, Sweden, Ecuador and Bosnia. I even spent some time learning about traditional cheese-making in Sicily and Italy as a postgraduate.  

 So making the best of any situation is really important to me. It helps a lot that I’m one of those lucky people who can fall asleep anywhere, any time. If I couldn’t sleep anywhere at any time, maybe I would have a whole different attitude.

 I like flying because it’s the only time I have to really reflect on things. Like everyone else I have a million things coming at me at once, especially since I oversee farming projects in California, Belize and Uruguay. We’re busy all the time. But even if the flight is terrible, because of that time alone, I always come off it with a fresh perspective on a problem, and sometimes even a new idea.

 Since I try to use my flying time just to think, I don’t talk to my seatmates all that much. But I have had a few great conversations about sustainable farming and other agricultural topics with seatmates.

I will go out of my way to talk to older travelers, though. I have a real soft spot for the elderly. They always have great stories and seem so happy when someone starts a conversation with them.

 Most of my travel problems usually have something to do with my work.   I love exploring other cultures through food, whether it’s the food itself or the way it’s prepared. I fall in love with foods and utensils, and that almost invariably leads to things I want to bring home with me. I’ve been known to leave clothes so I can pack my suitcase with stuff that I found.

 I’ve learned to deal with customs since I’ve been caught with 50 pounds of marble mortars from Uruguay, soapstone cookware from Brazil, coffee from Belize and so many other things that I can’t even begin to count. 

 More often than not, custom agents let me bring my finds into the United States. I never bring in anything that would cause problems. I know what I’m doing. But some of the conversations can be amazing. No one really understands why I want to lug around some three-inch-thick piece of cookware.

 The biggest issue I had was bringing 40 varieties of tomato seeds to Uruguay.   I had no idea if it was legal or not, and I didn’t want to ask.   I was stopped at customs and when they searched my bag, I had to explain what these little seeds were and why I had them. I was prepared to have them taken away.

 But instead, I had a great discussion about how biodiversity was good for the ecosystem, and how it actually makes for a better flavor in produce like tomatoes. 

The agents were really interested in what I had to say and they understood the importance.

 I like having these conversations with people, but maybe not at customs when the line is growing behind me and I might lose my stuff. But there’s usually a common ground when talking about food in cultures and how it relates to the ecosystem as a whole.

 It’s a nice feeling to know that someone is Uruguay is enjoying one of those tomatoes right now.

By Anya Fernald, as told to Joan Raymond. E-mail: [email protected]

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Navigating Different Cultures: Dos And Don’ts For Respectful Travel

Traveling to different parts of the world can be an enriching and exciting experience, but it also requires being mindful of the cultural differences present in each destination.

Whether you’re exploring a new country for leisure or business purposes, navigating these cultures respectfully and sensitively is essential.

Understanding what is acceptable or taboo in a particular culture can prevent offending locals unintentionally.

This article will provide dos and don’ts for respectful travel in various cultures, highlighting how research can help travelers understand the customs they’ll encounter.

Additionally, we’ll discuss why showing respect and being mindful of your behavior are essential elements of navigating unfamiliar territories.

By following these guidelines, travelers can connect with locals in meaningful ways while leaving a positive impact on their destinations.

Page Contents

Do Your Research

Conducting thorough research on a foreign country’s customs and social norms before embarking on a journey is essential to fostering cross-cultural understanding and avoiding unintentional offense.

Learning about the specific customs and traditions of the place you visit is important, as what might be acceptable in one culture could be deemed offensive in another. For instance, some cultures may consider it rude to wear revealing clothing or show public displays of affection.

Understanding these cultural nuances can help travelers avoid misunderstandings that could harm relationships with locals.

In addition, learning about local etiquette can also help travelers blend in with their surroundings and demonstrate respect for the culture they are exploring.

Knowing how to greet someone or what gestures to avoid during conversations properly can go a long way in establishing positive interactions with locals.

By taking the time to research beforehand, travelers can enhance their travel experience and showcase their sensitivity toward different cultures.

Show Respect

Demonstrating cultural sensitivity and exhibiting appropriate behavior towards a foreign society is akin to extending an olive branch, signifying a willingness to learn and understand the values and customs of others.

Respecting the local culture when traveling abroad is essential, as it demonstrates an appreciation for diversity and promotes cross-cultural understanding.

This can be achieved by being aware of local customs, beliefs, and practices, which may differ from what you are accustomed to.

Cultural sensitivity requires an understanding that not everyone thinks or behaves like you do. It involves developing empathy towards other cultures and avoiding causing offense or misunderstanding.

This includes dressing appropriately for certain occasions, refraining from disrespectful gestures or language, respecting religious sites and traditions, and being mindful of social norms such as personal space.

By respecting the local culture through your words and actions, you demonstrate a genuine interest in learning from others while fostering positive relationships with people from diverse backgrounds.

Be Mindful of Your Behavior

This discussion centers on the subtopic of being mindful of one’s behavior while navigating diverse cultures.

It is important to avoid stereotypes and prejudices, as these can lead to negative assumptions about individuals or groups based solely on their cultural background.

Respect for personal space and privacy is also crucial when interacting with individuals from different cultural backgrounds, as norms regarding physical proximity and boundaries may differ.

Additionally, displaying politeness and courtesy towards others is a fundamental aspect of cross-cultural communication, demonstrating respect for differing customs and traditions.

Avoid Stereotypes and Prejudices

Culturally aware individuals should refrain from relying on stereotypes and prejudices when interacting with people from different backgrounds.

Overcoming biases and gaining cultural sensitivity training can help individuals respectfully navigate different cultures.

Stereotypes and prejudices are often based on generalizations that do not accurately reflect the complexity and diversity of different cultures.

Relying on them can lead to misunderstandings, miscommunications, and even offensive behavior.

To avoid stereotypes and prejudices, it is important to approach each individual as an individual rather than through the lens of their culture or ethnicity. Here are three ways to do so:

• Ask questions: Instead of assuming things about someone based on their appearance or background, ask them about their experiences and perspectives.
• Challenge your assumptions: Be aware of your own biases and work to challenge them by seeking out new information and perspectives.
• Practice empathy: Put yourself in someone else’s shoes by imagining how you would feel if you were in their situation. This can help build understanding and respect for others’ experiences.

We can foster mutual respect, understanding, and inclusivity across cultures by avoiding stereotypes and prejudices.

Respect Personal Space and Privacy

Like a gardener respecting the boundaries of individual plants, culturally aware individuals must understand and honor personal space and privacy to cultivate healthy relationships with people from diverse backgrounds. Boundaries and etiquette vary across cultures, so it is important to research and learn about the customs of the culture you will be interacting with.

For example, in some cultures, physical touch or proximity may be more acceptable, while in others, it may be seen as intrusive or disrespectful. It is important to pay attention to nonverbal cues such as body language and facial expressions to gauge how comfortable someone is with physical contact.

Respecting personal space also extends beyond physical distance. In some cultures, discussing personal matters or asking certain questions may be considered impolite or intrusive. It is important to respect others’ privacy by not prying into their personal lives unless they offer information willingly.

Additionally, understanding cultural differences around time management can help avoid misunderstandings.

Some cultures prioritize punctuality, while others value flexibility and may not view tardiness as a sign of disrespect. By being mindful of these cultural differences and adjusting our behavior accordingly, we can demonstrate respect for others’ boundaries and cultivate positive relationships across diverse backgrounds.

Be Polite and Courteous

Politeness and courtesy are essential components of cross-cultural communication, as they demonstrate respect for diverse social norms and can help to establish positive relationships.

When traveling to a new culture, it is important to practice cultural etiquette by observing local customs and adapting one’s behavior accordingly.

This may include using appropriate language, showing deference to elders or authority figures, and avoiding gestures or behaviors that may be considered rude.

To effectively communicate across cultures, it is crucial to use appropriate language that considers the nuances of social interaction in different settings.

This involves being mindful of differences in tone, phrasing, and nonverbal cues that may vary from culture to culture.

Additionally, practicing politeness and demonstrating a willingness to learn about others’ perspectives can go a long way toward establishing positive relationships with people from different backgrounds.

Travelers can navigate unfamiliar situations with grace and sensitivity by engaging in respectful communication practices and showing an openness to learning about new cultures.

Connect with Locals

Establishing local connections can enhance the travel experience by providing a deeper understanding of the destination’s customs and traditions. When traveling, it is important to learn about local customs and be open-minded to different ways of life.

By connecting with locals, travelers can gain insight into the culture, history, and daily life of the community they are visiting.

One way to connect with locals is through food. Sampling local cuisine at restaurants or food markets allows travelers to engage with locals and learn about their culinary traditions.

Another way is participating in cultural activities such as festivals or traditional ceremonies. This provides a unique experience and shows respect for the local culture.

Connecting with locals allows travelers to create meaningful relationships and gain a deeper appreciation for the people and places they visit.

Leave a Positive Impact

This discussion focuses on how travelers can positively impact the places they visit.

One way to do this is by supporting local businesses, which helps to boost the local economy.

Additionally, respecting the environment through responsible and sustainable practices ensures that natural resources are preserved for future generations.

Lastly, giving back to the community through volunteering or charitable donations can help to address social issues and improve the quality of life for locals.

By being mindful of these key points, travelers can make a meaningful contribution toward creating a more sustainable and equitable world.

Support Local Businesses

To perpetuate the economic growth and sustainability of local communities, it would be prudent for travelers to prioritize supporting local businesses while abstaining from indulging in larger corporate entities. Collaborating with locals by buying their products or using their services is an excellent way of achieving this objective.

Here are four ways that travelers can support local businesses while on the road:

• Prioritize small-scale markets : Visiting farmers’ markets or street vendors rather than supermarkets owned by larger corporations is a fantastic way to foster relationships with the locals and contribute to the economy.
• Dine at locally-owned restaurants: Eating at locally-owned establishments helps spread wealth throughout the community as opposed to chain restaurants, where profits often go towards headquarters out of town.
• Use tour guides knowledgeable about their country: Hiring a local guide provides insight into a region’s culture, language, and traditions while supporting indigenous economies.
• Purchase souvenirs from artisans: Buying handicrafts straight from artisans ensures authenticity, supports traditional methods, and keeps unique skills alive.

By prioritizing collaboration with locals through various means, such as patronizing small-scale markets, eating at locally-owned restaurants, hiring knowledgeable tour guides, and purchasing souvenirs from artisans, travelers can positively impact local economies wherever they go while gaining insight into cultures different from theirs.

Respect the Environment

As we continue to navigate different cultures, it is crucial that we also respect the environment.

Eco-friendly travel has become increasingly important as more people become aware of their impact on the earth. This means being mindful of our carbon footprint, reducing waste, and supporting sustainability initiatives.

Cultural conservation also plays a significant role in respecting the environment while traveling.

When visiting different cultures, it’s essential to understand their relationship with nature and how they practice conservation. We can learn much from these practices and incorporate them back home.

By respecting cultural practices and conserving natural resources, we can contribute positively to the places we visit and leave a lasting impact on future generations.

Give Back to the Community

Contributing to the community through meaningful and impactful actions is essential in responsible and ethical travel practices, as it allows us to create positive change and leave a lasting impact.

When traveling to different cultures, we must recognize that we are guests in these communities and prioritize giving back rather than just taking from them.

Participating in volunteer opportunities or cultural exchange programs is one way to give back. These activities allow travelers to connect with locals on a deeper level, learn about their culture, and contribute positively to their community.

Volunteering can take many forms, such as teaching English or helping with conservation efforts. It benefits the local community and gives travelers unique opportunities for personal growth and learning.

Cultural exchange programs allow travelers to immerse themselves in the local culture by staying with host families or participating in traditional activities. This program fosters mutual understanding and respect between cultures while providing an authentic experience for both parties.

By giving back to the communities we visit, we can create positive change, promote cultural understanding, and leave a lasting impact beyond our travels.

When traveling to different cultures, it is important to be mindful of your behavior and show respect towards the locals.

Before embarking on your journey, research the customs and traditions of the place you will be visiting. This will help you avoid cultural faux pas that could offend or disrespect the locals.

Once you arrive at your destination, remember to show respect by dressing appropriately and following local customs.

Be mindful of your body language, as certain gestures may have different meanings in different cultures. Additionally, try to connect with the locals by learning a few phrases in their language or participating in cultural activities.

While exploring new places can be exciting, it is important to leave a positive impact on the community you are visiting.

Avoid leaving behind any trash or damaging local landmarks or natural resources. Consider supporting local businesses and engaging in sustainable tourism practices.

In conclusion, navigating different cultures requires an open mind and a willingness to learn about others’ customs and traditions.

Doing so will give you a more enjoyable travel experience and a deeper understanding and appreciation for diverse cultures worldwide.

Remembering these dos and don’ts can go a long way toward creating respectful travel experiences for yourself and the locals you encounter.

[+] Sources

• https://www.vice.com/en/article/9kp7kz/100-international-travel-tips
• https://languagedrops.com/blog/cultural-dos-and-donts-for-travelers
• https://brilliantio.com/what-is-important-when-visiting-another-culture/

A passionate solo traveler, embarking on thrilling adventures to explore the world's historical ruins. Fascinated by the intricate tales woven into ancient stones, she delves deep into the history of each site, unearthing the emotional stories that resonate through time. With every journey, Hayden strives to connect with the human experience of the past and share its profound significance with fellow explorers. Join her on a captivating expedition to unlock the secrets of bygone eras.

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These 5 Laws and Customs May Be Unusual To Tourists

W hen traveling, it’s a good rule of thumb to respect the culture . While some countries are permissive, others take a more conservative approach to how one should behave. To avoid unnecessary problems, familiarize yourself with what’s culturally acceptable and what isn’t.

The following destinations have laws and customs that some tourists may find strange.

Dubai – No Public Swearing or Shouting Allowed

Visitors to Dubai may be surprised by the conservatism. For all its flashiness, it values modesty and decorum.

Be mindful of your volume. In July, an American tourist was detained in Dubai for screaming in public.

If you slip up by accident, you potentially can risk fines and jail time.

North Korea – No Dissenting Political Opinions

As a totalitarian state, North Korea will not abide dissent. Whether you’re a local or a tourist, keep your opinions about the government to yourself. Anything you say or write that can be construed as a criticism of the current leader can result in severe punishment.

France – Refrain From Small Talk With Strangers and Smiling at Them

If you walk into a shop during the day, it’s customary to say “bonjour” to the shopkeeper, and thank them for any help they provide. However, asking a stranger how they are can be construed as invasive.

Some Americans visiting France get themselves in trouble. Since the U.S. is a melting pot of cultures, smiling and chatting with strangers is almost second nature.

Jamaica – “Soon Come,” Means Anything But Soon

If you like immediacy, you’ll need to put that on the back burner in Jamaica. The pace of life is slower and that won’t change any time soon. In restaurants and other establishments, you should expect to wait longer than you may be used to.

Singapore – Not A Fan of Gum

If you are going to Singapore, leave the Juicyfruit and Big Red at home.

Cleanliness and order are paramount. For a time, there was an issue with people sticking chewed gum under bus seats and in other places. Singapore decided to take decisive action. Advertising or selling gum can be met with steep fines. However, exceptions are made for nicotine and dental gums.

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• Quotes and Sayings

54 Travel Quotes That Will Inspire You To Pack Your Bags

From funny to inspirational, these quotes will fuel your wanderlust.

Short Travel Quotes

• Inspirational Travel Quotes
• Vacation Quotes
• Funny Travel Quotes

Whether you're an avid traveler or dreaming of your first big trip, these travel quotes reflect the spirit of travel, offering insights and motivations for your next journey from authors, poets, and philosophers.

Southern Living

• "Wherever you go becomes a part of you somehow." — Anita Desai
• “To travel is to live.” – Hans Christian Andersen
• "Travel brings power and love back into your life." — Rumi Jalalud-Din
• “The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” ― St. Augustine
• “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” ― Lao Tzu
• "I read; I travel; I become." ― Derek Walcott
• "Adventure is worthwhile." — Aesop
• "To travel is to evolve." — Pierre Bernardo
• "Not all those who wander are lost." — J.R.R. Tolkien
• "Travel far, travel often, and travel without regrets." — Oscar Wilde
• "An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered." — G.K. Chesterton
• "To travel is worth any cost or sacrifice." — Elizabeth Gilbert
• “Oh, the places you’ll go!” – Dr. Suess 
• “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” – Helen Keller
• “Live your life by a compass, not a clock.” – Erica Jong
• “Wherever you go becomes a part of you somehow.” ― Anita Desai

Inspirational Travel Quotes 

• "Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world." — Gustave Flaubert
• “Travel far enough, you meet yourself.” ― David Mitchell
• "I am one of those who never knows the direction of my journey until I have almost arrived." — Anna Louise Strong
• "The most beautiful thing in the world is, of course, the world itself." — Wallace Stevens
• "One’s destination is never a place but rather a new way of looking at things." — Henry Miller
• "Surely, of all the wonders of the world, the horizon is the greatest." — Freya Stark
• "Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us, or we find it not." — Ralph Waldo Emerson
• "This is what holidays, travels, vacations are about. It is not really rest or even leisure we chase. “We strain to renew our capacity to wonder, to shock ourselves into astonishment once again." — Shana Alexander
• "Happiness is not a station you arrive at, but a manner of traveling." — Margaret Lee Runbeck
• "We travel, some of us forever, to seek other states, other lives, other souls." —Anaïs Nin
• “Do not follow where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
• “The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.” – Marcel Proust
• “With age, comes wisdom. With travel, comes understanding.” – Sandra Lake

Vacation Quotes 

• “No man needs a vacation so much as the man who has just had one.” ― Elbert Hubbard
• “After all, the best part of a holiday is perhaps not so much to be resting yourself, as to see all the other fellows busy working.” ― Kenneth Grahame 
• “When all else fails, take a vacation.” ― Betty Williams
• “In matters of healing the body or the mind, vacation is a true genius!” ― Mehmet Murat ildan
• “Here's to a vacation of no regrets!” ― Joan Rylen
• "I can lie around and relax at home. A vacation is a chance for doing.”― Tessa Bailey
• “Well, I think every day’s a vacation for me. When you really, really like what you’re working on, it’s like always being on vacation.” ― Andy Warhol
• “Reading is just a vacation you pay less for, with an agenda you have no control over.” ― J.S. Wik
• “What I needed in the moment was a family vacation.” ― Deena Kastor

Funny Travel Quotes 

• "Jet lag is for amateurs." — Dick Clark
• "I have found out that there ain't no surer way to find out whether you like people or hate them than to travel with them." — Mark Twain
• “Don’t tell me the sky’s the limit when there are footprints on the moon.” – Paul Brandt
• “Tourists don’t know where they’ve been, travelers don’t know where they’re going.” – Paul Theroux
• “A journey is like marriage. The certain way to be wrong is to think you control it.” – John Steinbeck
• “There is nothing safer than flying—it’s crashing that is dangerous.” –Theo Cowan
• “If you think adventure is dangerous, try routine; it is lethal.” –Paulo Coelho
• “Don’t live the same year 75 times and call it a life.” –Robin S. Sharma
• “I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list.” –Susan Sontag
• “Boy, those French. They have a different word for everything.” –Steve Martin
• “Adventure, yeah. I guess that’s what you call it when everybody comes back alive.” –Mercedes Lackey
• “Don’t worry about the world ending today, it’s already tomorrow in Australia.” – Charles M. Schulz
• “Drink heavily with the locals whenever possible.” – Anthony Bourdain
• “The worst thing about being a tourist is having other tourists recognize you as a tourist.” – Russell Baker

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50 of the Most Useful Travel Tips

12/12/2021 by Kristin Addis 3 Comments

As I approach 10 years since starting this blog and embarking on an endless journey around the world, I’m reflecting on the things I’ve learned along the way that weren’t obvious to me before I started traveling.

The best part about exploring the world is the unexpected – the things you didn’t know would leave a lasting impression and potentially change your life. That said, getting caught totally off-guard is never fun, so here are my 50 best tips from 10 years of traveling the world from packing to prepping, safety, and more:

Table of Contents

50. Pack LIGHT

For the first two years that I traveled solo in Southeast Asia, I only had a 35 liter carry-on backpack and a sling purse for my camera and wallet, and that was it. This gave me the ultimate freedom to walk when possible, to carry everything I had on my own, and to easily keep everything contained and within my sight. I never had to check a bag and never dealt with lost luggage or baggage fees, and I never regretted packing so light!

The key to packing carry-on only is bringing items that have multiple uses. Bring clothes that are easy to layer and mix and match well.

49. Bring extra underwear and socks

Even though packing light is important, if there’s anything you should bring extra of, it’s underwear and socks. Undergarments that you can’t wear multiple times without washing should always be plentiful when you travel. I always bring a pair of socks for every day I’ll be away, plus more undies than I think I’ll need. Being able to change into a new pair without worrying about running out brings me peace of mind when I’m on the road.

That said, I bring far fewer socks in tropical places where I’ll be wearing flip flops most of the time.

48. Use a carry-on backpack instead of a suitcase

Even if you aren’t necessarily doing the whole “backpacking” thing, traveling with a backpack as opposed to a suitcase is a game-changer. Backpacks allow for much more mobility and help you get through the airport faster. The only time I prefer a suitcase is when it’s going to be a quick trip that’s straight from home to airport to hotel, and even then, I often regret the suitcase since I almost always encounter stairs somewhere along the way.

-READ NEXT-

Minimalist packing: how to go carry-on only

47. Pack your own travel towel

You might be thinking that having fresh towels in your hotel or Airbnb is a given, but that isn’t always the case. Especially if you’re traveling on a budget and staying in hostels, the towels can be less than desirable or you might even have to pay to use one. Bring a travel towel with you that you can use post-shower, at the beach, or wherever you need to dry off.

46. Leave room in your bag

Being able to bring back one-of-a-kind travel relics is a must for me. You never know what kind of art pieces, clothing, or other souvenirs you’ll want to bring home, so leave a bit of space in your bag to be able to fit in anything you buy.

While traveling carry-on only, this usually ends up being little pieces of handmade jewelry or clothing for me – something functional that I can utilize while I’m still on the road.

45. Solid beauty products

Many travelers swear by solid shampoo and conditioner bars. Not only are they low-waste, but they’re awesome to bring with when traveling because there’s no risk of spillage while en route to your destination.

You can find solid shampoo, conditioner, body soap, even shaving soap at Lush. Nowadays there are plenty of zero waste shops online where you can get almost anything in bar form, like Wild Minimalist .

My favorite natural travel toiletries

44. Trade clothes on the road

Even though I only had about a week and a half’s worth of clothes in my carry on during that year I was in Southeast Asia, I switched out parts of my wardrobe frequently by trading with other travelers. Sometimes I’d donate something I was tired of and buy a new tank or dress on the road. It doubled as a souvenir and a functional item!

43. Book in the local language

If your flight doesn’t originate in your home country or you’re booking domestic flights in your destination, it’s often much cheaper to book on the country’s local website. For example, when I was flying from Berlin to Johannesburg, it was about 30% less to book on the German site (which means it’ll be in the German language, so ask a friend to help or use Google Chrome, which has a translate feature on the top right of the browser window). It’s also about a quarter of the price to book inter-country flights within Chile on the Chilean LATAM site, in Spanish.

42. Be as flexible as possible with dates (and even destinations)

I’ve gotten some amazing deals by using the Kayak explore function and inputting my departure airport, a date range, and letting it come back with flight options for all over the world. You can be narrow or cast a very wide net depending on how flexible you’re feeling.

I also like to look at the calendar view on Momondo or Google flights to see if shifting things one day can make a big price difference. If you have any room for flexibility, you can save hundreds of dollars.

41. Track flight prices

Whether you’re trying to decide which dates to travel or you’ve already picked your travel dates, consider tracking flight prices before you book to get the best deal. If you start this process early, you can save a lot on your flights. I use the app Hopper to track flight prices. Hopper sends you notifications on when flight prices change and gives advice on whether to wait or book your flights ASAP.

40. Check all nearby airports

Before you book your flight, check to see if your destination has different airport options. For example, Chicago has two airports and many cities have airports surprisingly close to one another. If you can swing a few extra hours of travel, booking your flight to a cheaper city nearby and then taking a bus or renting a car can save you money.

39. Use a variety of travel websites to check prices, but always book with the airline

Momondo, kayak, and Google flights could all potentially have different prices that they display. If you’ve been doing a lot of searching lately, cookies can also impact the prices you see. I like to use different browsers when I am ready to book just to see if the price is any different, which it often is!

Even though I may use third-party websites to do my research, I almost always book directly with the airline. Otherwise it will become a HUGE pain if you encounter any issues or need to make changes, because you’ll then be dealing with the middleman you booked with rather than directly with the airline. If a deal seems too good to be true on an intermediary website, check Trust Pilot to see how people actually feel about their booking experience with that company.

How I found a flight from Europe to US for $400 on Skyscanner

How to make your (economy) long haul flight more comfortable

Accommodation

38. Check different websites for the best deal, and book directly

When I planned a trip to Myanmar in early 2020, I found significant price differences between Agoda and booking.com. Each time I found a hotel I liked, I’d cross check it with other booking sites to see if I could get the same room for cheaper, and I often could.

It’s also worth checking to see if you can just book directly with the hotel. Sometimes in South America at smaller hostels that didn’t have their own websites, I would just book the first night on booking.com and then ask to book the rest of the nights I wanted directly when I arrived. This usually saved me about 20% on the room, as that’s how much booking.com charges the accommodation owners!

This will not work well around the holidays or busy times when you need to book ahead of time to secure a room, but you can always check the hotel or hostel’s website to see if they have deals or will offer you a better rate.

37. Use Airbnb for unique stays

I first used Airbnb to find a much cheaper accommodation option for my mom and I when we visited Auckland in New Zealand in 2013. Thus began the love affair. Although Airbnb has gotten a lot more expensive over the years, I still love it for unique accommodation around the world. I’ve used it for tree houses in Washington, more local accommodations with kitchens in Europe, and for unique, sustainable desert dwellings all around the American Southwest.

I like Airbnb a lot more in Europe and North America and prefer hotels and hostels in Southeast Asia and South America where the value is better and I eat most of my meals out anyway.

36. Be a Worldpacker to stay for free

If you are looking for a less-than-traditional travel experience and want to learn something while you visit a new place, consider volunteering as a Worldpacker . The basic premise is that you volunteer at a site in exchange for your room and board. You do have to pay for the annual membership, but it’s totally worth it considering the money you can save on accommodation (get $10 off your membership with discount code “BMTM”).

If you’re curious about being a Worldpacker, you can read all about team member Emily’s experience here.

35. Try staying outside the city center

If you’re traveling to a new city, chances are that most of the attractions you’ll want to see are in the center. Hotels take advantage of their superb location to charge more for their rooms. However, you can often find better accommodations outside of the city center. Plus, staying in a more residential area can give you a better idea of how people in that place actually live their daily lives.

If you do decide to stay in a lesser-known area, make sure to do some research beforehand to make sure it’s a safe neighborhood and that you’ll have easy access to transportation.

Is it weird to stay in hostels past 30?

How to cook great meals in hostel kitchens

34. Cook meals from local ingredients

If you are staying somewhere that has a kitchen, consider cooking a few meals while you’re there – especially breakfast. You’ll save money, plus hitting up the local market and cooking with local ingredients is a fun way to learn about the culture of the place you’re visiting.

33. Do fancy restaurants for lunch instead of dinner

Being a huge foodie myself, I don’t want to cook all of my meals myself – I want to experience the culture through the food, too! I’ve learned that many expensive restaurants that are more crowded during dinner hours and usually have lunch specials with nearly identical offerings as dinnertime at a fraction of the cost. It’ll also be much easier to get a table at lunch as opposed to dinner when the restaurant is usually full.

32. Try street food

Street food gets a bad rap, but it shouldn’t! I almost exclusively ate street food while in Southeast Asia (and so do the locals!), and live for roadside tacos in Mexico. Street food is almost always much cheaper than eating in a restaurant and often just as delicious and even more authentic. Especially if you want to grab something quick while you’re out and about, stopping at a food stall is an excellent choice.

Ingredients for street food are often bought that morning and the food is cooked right in front of you. Especially in Southeast Asia, going to a restaurant often means eating the exact same things but without being able to see it made in front of you, and paying more for the experience.

One pro-tip with street food safety is to look for the stalls where there are plenty of locals eating or in line. That tells me it’s safe AND delicious.

31. Avoid eating near tourist attractions or in city centers

You’ll spend way too much money for a sub-par meal if you opt for the closest restaurant to the city’s hottest tourist attraction.

My MO is always to walk a few streets away from the main square or touristy place to find the good stuff. Again, I’m always looking for something that appears to be popular with locals. I’ve had some amazing experiences this way, including being invited to a local coconut brawl ceremony in Nepal (I’m totally serious) when a local saw us eating some local food and was so delighted he invited us to go. We were the only foreigners there!

30. Ask locals for suggestions

Locals know where the best food is, so don’t be afraid to ask for suggestions at your hotel, hostel, or Airbnb. My trick is not to ask them where I should eat, because then they may make automatic suggestions that they think would appeal to a tourist, but where they like to eat. Once at the restaurant, I always ask the staff, if language allows, which dish is their personal favorite.

29. Try things that scare you

I would never have found out that I freaking love wood ear mushrooms had a not tried that random, leathery looking brown thing on my plate in China, nor would I have discovered that I am obsessed with oysters on the half shell if I hadn’t tried them in Taiwan.

There are so many dishes that I have been able to discover by being willing to try them abroad, and my palette has expanded so much as a result. Plus, honestly, it makes me more worldly and easier to please. Locals absolutely love sharing the dishes that they grew up with, and being willing to try things, even if you don’t think you will like rabbit or you have never had that type of fish before, can go a long way.

It’s definitely happened that I don’t like things from time to time, but as long as you’re polite and can laugh about it, people are usually very understanding and happy that you tried.

28. Find out what the national dish is

If you’re traveling internationally, find out what your destination’s national dish is and try it. Especially in Latin America, locals have a lot of pride for their local specialties. Whenever I am in a new place, I ask what the quintessential dish is and I make it a point to have it. Trying the national dish is a great way to get acquainted with the country’s gastronomy and many dishes have a unique story behind them.

Keeping Your Belongings Organized and Safe

27. Make copies of important documents

It’s important to always have a back up plan in case things get lost, so make a copy of your documents: passport, visa or tourist card, vaccination card, etc. and store the copies in a different place than the originals. That way, you lessen the risk of losing everything all at once.

Have specific places that you keep certain things as well so that you can stay organized. For example, keep all of your chargers and electronic accessories in one place and your toiletries in another.

26. Use lockers or a mesh wire bag protector

When I was traveling in Asia and staying mostly in hostels, I would use a wire mesh bag protector to lock up my backpack when I was out. I brought it with me in South Africa and locked up my bag in the trunk between accommodations as well. Not every hostel will have lockers and not every long haul train will provide an area to keep your things safe, and this gave me peace of mind.

Although someone with wire cutters could still access my bag, sure, I made myself the most annoying person in the whole hostel to rob, so it worked well for me!

25. Use a dummy wallet in high-crime areas

When I’m in the big cities of South Africa or South America, I use a dummy purse. My dummy purse has some canceled cards, petty cash, and the look of being my actual purse just in case I get mugged and need to hand something over quickly. The thief gets what they want – a quick getaway with something they think is worthwhile – while the real goods – my phone, keys, and money, are stashed in my boots, bra, or a hidden pocket within my clothing.

24. Check travel requirements well ahead of time

Especially now, every country has different travel requirements and some require health surveys and other documents that you’ll need to provide up to a month in advance.

If you don’t check these well ahead of time, completing as much as you can before arriving at the airport, you run the risk of being denied boarding. For example, for a recent BMTM Adventures trip to Patagonia, we had to submit vaccination proof a month before the trip, get a PCR test three days beforehand, and fill out an affidavit no more than 48 hours beforehand. Traveling internationally these days often requires multiple steps and it’s easy to get confused, so stay on top of it by checking early!

It’s also great to do all that you can prior to boarding. I was able to skip several lines when returning to the US after a trip in the Bahamas because I completed my health surveys ahead of time and didn’t have to do it before the security line, saving me literal hours. I had to download an app and submit results first, and honestly wondered if I should even bother, but when I got to skip a several hundred person line at the airport, I knew it had been worth it!

Personal Safety

23. Be aware

This might sound really obvious, but one of the biggest mistakes that people make with regards to their safety, particularly when traveling alone, is having headphones in, or being head-down in their phone when they should be looking all around them. If I am walking through a city, or in an area where I know I have to be a bit more vigilant, I’m looking around, I’m listening, I’m ducking into shops if I’m afraid someone is following too closely. I’m especially not being flashy, and I’m not giving in to distractions.

22. Know about scams and dangers before you go

Before I land in a new place, one of the first things that I do before I leave home is a quick Google search on common scams, especially at the airport. This is often one of the first places that scammers will try to overcharge unsuspecting tourists. If you know what to expect, you can avoid the most common issues. It only takes a few minutes of research and can save you hundreds of dollars.

I have saved so much money and stress throughout the years by knowing about common scams before even boarding the plane. Know how much a taxi should cost, know where to find it, and keep your phone away when wandering through big cities where it could be snatched out of your hand.

21. Don’t get too intoxicated, especially alone

Most of the biggest issues that befall travelers happen when they are intoxicated and unable to make the right decisions or defend themselves. I know everyone wants to just let loose and have fun when they travel, but remember that you have to still behave abroad like you would at home. That means keeping your wits about you and taking a taxi late at night rather than walking alone.

20. Download maps before you go

I always download an off-line map, usually on the free maps.me app, before boarding my flight. You can use this without WiFi or connection to track where you’re going and avoid getting lost.

19. Use ridesharing apps instead of taxis

Ridesharing isn’t available in every country, but it is a safer alternative to taxis. Services like Uber or Grab Taxi are much safer for solo female travelers, especially. You already have a pre-arranged route, no money needs to be exchanged, and the driver is pre-identified.

Naturally you’ll need connection for this. Sometimes you can use airport WiFi once you land, but I personally like to also get an international SIM card that can be activated as soon as I land. It’s often much cheaper and works better than roaming with your home plan, which can cost upwards of $10/day. Most airport SIM sellers offer the same deal as you can find in town, but some, like Bali, charge way too much. This is also part of my scams research before I depart.

41 safety tips for solo female travlers from the experts

18. Bring backup batteries

A power bank for your phone and an extra camera battery can be game changers while you’re on the road. Being without a cell phone can be annoying at best, dangerous at worst. Most power banks are small and carry several charges, so it’s worth bringing along and having fully charged before you leave home.

17. Remember to check if you’ll need an adapter

You’d be surprised how often travelers forget that they will need an adapter when they travel. If you’re going somewhere remote, don’t count on getting one when you land or borrowing from your accommodation. I like universal adapters that can work for any country and have just about every potential output option you could need. Extra points if it’s the kind that has USB charging ports, too!

16. Download important apps ahead of time

If you know which ridesharing or navigation app you will need for your trip, download it onto your smartphone ahead of time to avoid fumbling around to get it installed last minute. You never know when you might be without strong Wifi and using your data to download an app is a waste. Also make sure your phone has enough memory to download the app, too.

I also highly recommend downloading Google translate and downloading the language for the country that you will be traveling in before you leave home. That way, you can use it off-line if needed. In a bind, it’s a great way to ask a question if there’s no other way to communicate.

The best electronics bag for travel

Navigation and Language

15. Look up important routes beforehand

If you’ll be arriving to a foreign country where you can only use your phone on Wifi, map out important routes ahead of time. On maps.me, you should be able to track your location without having phone signal. If you have the route already programmed, you’ll be able to make sure that your taxi or rideshare is taking you to the right place.

14. Download public transportation maps

Having a map of public transportation is a huge help when visiting a new city. When I went to Mexico City solo the first time, I was overwhelmed by the gigantic metro system but it was totally doable with the digital map I downloaded.

13. Learn a little bit of the local language

One of the most common questions I get is how to handle the language barrier. This is rarely a big problem for me, because so much is indicated already by context and miming goes a long way. That said, people love when visitors at least learn simple greetings and thanks. Knowing a little bit of the language is a great way to show respect and kindness to local people .

How to say “Hello” in 100 of the world’s most spoken languages

How to say “Thank you” in 100 of the world’s most spoken languages

12. Brush up on local history

While going to a new place totally fresh is cool, knowing a little about a city or country’s historical context can add a level of depth to your trip. It also might help you understand cultural nuances and connect with locals in a more authentic way.

I think it also helps us travelers to be more conscientious people. Knowing the struggles and experiences that people have had is an important way to be respectful while you travel.

Avoiding Crowds

11. Visit during shoulder season

Shoulder season is the sweet spot between high season and low season when prices are affordable, the weather is still nice, and there are fewer tourists. Usually high season in a given place coincides with better weather, but that often means peak pricing and crowds.

That said, I also love off-season travel, too. Alaska is amazing in the winter , and I enjoy the lushness of Southeast Asia in the rainy season . East Africa during the rainy season, however, has resulted in less than ideal situations . For this reason, I aim for a shoulder season whenever I can.

10. Be willing to get up early and explore during dinnertime

When visiting national parks and major tourist attractions, you’ll find me exploring during sunrise, taking star photos, and going back for sunset, even if it means I’m hiking down in the dark or missing dinnertime. Even for popular parks or attractions, that means I often get things all to myself.

It can be tempting to resist that seductive snooze button in the morning, but getting to popular places right when they open (which is how I got El Gran Cenote, one of Tulum’s most popular cenotes , all to myself), or before sunrise can often mean you get to experience it without anyone else, and in its best light, too!

9. Look for off-the-beaten-path gems

Sometimes the best places are the ones that few travelers go to. This is definitely the case in many beach destinations where tourists tend to gather in one specific spot, leaving other, just as beautiful, beaches untouched. The example of San Pancho vs. Sayulita in Mexico comes to mind.

Sure, some of these places will be more difficult to find and get to, but having a gorgeous beach, waterfall, or overlook to yourself is totally worth it.

Meeting People

8. Take a class

A great way to meet locals and other travelers is to take a class while you’re in a new place. Whether you’re into yoga, cooking classes, language, pottery, etc., keep an eye out for flyers around town for classes or look at Trip Advisor. I’ve noticed that a lot of cafés tend to have a board for this sort of thing. If not, check Google Maps for any cultural centers or gyms that offer classes to the public.

7. Stay in social accommodation

Even though I don’t stay in hostels much anymore, as I feel I’ve ‘aged out’ of them at 35, I used to LOVE them in my 20s. You have a built in network of people to hang out with right off the bat.

Just because a place is a hostel doesn’t have to mean you’re too old, as well. They tend to skew much younger in New Zealand, Europe, and Southeast Asia, but people of all ages stay in ‘backpackers’ in Africa, the age range is much more varied at hostels in Central America, and you’ll find multi-generational families in hospidajes in South America.

6. Sign up for day tours

Even though I tend to opt for hotels or Airbnbs that aren’t as social now during my travels, I still want to meet people. I find day tours are a perfect way to do that, and a good way to split costs, as well.

For example, even though I had private accommodation in Siargao in the Philippines , I took a day tour to Sugba Lagoon and met an awesome fellow traveler whom I hung out with for the rest of my time there, and we even met up when she moved to Berlin (my former home), too!

Mindset + Keeping Calm

5. Don’t overplan

When I first began my solo trip around the world back in 2012, I bought a one-way ticket to Bangkok and didn’t even have my first night of accommodation booked. Nothing was planned at all as I just wanted to have total freedom, meet people along the way, and make plans as I went. These days, I tend to take much shorter trips and plan more of the major stops, but I still leave a lot of room in my schedule for serendipity.

I know some people are planners by nature, but whatever your style may be, avoid overwhelming yourself with an endless list of activities and instead give yourself ample idle time during your day. This way, you can go with the flow and have a more spontaneous trip. Sometimes the best experiences happen unexpectedly and you won’t have that if you build a strict schedule for yourself.

How do you know when to plan ahead or wing it?

4. Stay active

If you live an active lifestyle, don’t let travel stop you from moving your body. Go for a hike, opt for walking instead of taking a car, or join a workout class. These are all great ways to take care of your mind and body while you travel.

I love going to places that have a specific activity as the main draw, like diving, hiking, or surfing. This way, I meet plenty of other travelers, and I have a built-in activity, too.

3. Put your phone down

This used to be a bit easier 10 years ago when many places I traveled to had terrible WiFi and social media was not as ubiquitous, but make the most of your time by putting your phone down. Don’t spend the whole trip scrolling social media as it will take you out of the experience. This may seem obvious, but so many people spend their trips checking email or seeing what other people are up to when they could be taking in the sights and smells of the cafe they’re in, starting up conversations with strangers, or welcoming a moment of calm. This is your big chance to be present, so take it!

2. Remember that things will go wrong

No matter how long you’ve been traveling. Having things go wrong is inevitable. It’s still life! Things will get delayed, weather will impact your plans, and you may have to make changes.

The key here isn’t avoiding any kind of mishap. It’s being mentally and emotionally prepared for when things will go wrong and being able to roll with the punches. Sometimes the result is better than what you envisioned, anyway.

Most recently, a friend and I got stranded on a tiny, remote island in French Polynesia due to rain. So we negotiated with a local fisherman to bring is by boat to Bora Bora instead. It ended up being a fantastic adventure, and a way more memorable experience!

My best advice is to avoid dwelling on the frustrating aspects and get straight to problem solving. This has actually become a valuable life skill that I’ve noticed I’m more adept at than others who don’t travel much. I think more quickly, am more resourceful, and am more confident in myself. I owe this all to things going wrong on the road!

-REXT NEXT-

What to do when things go wrong when you solo travel

1. Travel Alone

Over the past 10 years, the majority of my trips have been solo ones. That’s not how I ever envisioned it going when I first started planning my big trip to Southeast Asia that sparked the previous decade of traveling. I had no interest in traveling alone because I assumed it would be lonely. Now I know that traveling solo means meeting tons of other people, provided you’re willing to put yourself out there. It has meant the best adventures and freedom and most of all, my confidence in myself has skyrocketed. I don’t even know who I would be without solo travel.

We’re all about solo travel here at BMTM. That’s because traveling solo can be a liberating experience for anyone. Moving at your own pace, choosing your next adventure, and being able to enjoy your own company can be life-changing. Some of my absolute favorite travel memories happened when I was out exploring on my own.

Although I could write a book on the topic of travel tips (oh wait, I have! ), these are the top ones that I have learned throughout the years and that I keep coming back to.

What are some that you would add?

Pin me for later:

About Kristin Addis

Kristin Addis is the founder and CEO of Be My Travel Muse, a resource for female travelers all around the world since 2012. She's traveled solo to over 65 countries and has brought over 150 women on her all-female adventure tours from Botswana to the Alaskan tundra.

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Magdalene says

12/18/2021 at 11:44 pm

This post is so exhaustive and super useful for solo travellers like me. Some of this tips I swear by that I actually use.

I plan ahead a lot. However on a recent trip I didn’t check how close the places I wanted to explore is. This I learnt a harsh lesson to check first before setting out

Engaging the locals is super fun and useful. They tell you how to navigate their city. Downside is that some locals may ask for tips (some cash) for the help.

Freddy joe says

07/06/2022 at 4:03 am

love those tips, Thanks for the Share.

12/23/2022 at 5:23 am

High key practical advice, as always. Amazing. Nice smile too 🙂

• Bahasa Indonesia
• Slovenščina
• Science & Tech
• Russian Kitchen

How to visit Russia without trouble at customs

Preparing for an international holiday takes much time and resources. The majority of people book flights, hotels, and compile lists of must-see sites and adventure activities, but very few examine the customs rules. This, however, can create surprises at the border and put a damper on one’s travelling experience.

To make the journey to Russia easier, we compiled a list of things you can bring into the country, and what best not to try and take with you home as a souvenir.

According to Russian Customs , it is forbidden to enter, transit or leave Russia with the following items:

• Explosives and potent poisons
• Narcotic and psychotropic substances, and devices for their use
• Works of art and antiques, objects of significant artistic, historic or cultural value
• Printed materials and information sources that undermine public morality

Make sure you don’t have them when crossing the border because there can be hefty fines!

State permission needed

It’s possible to transport some items if you have official permission. These include:

• Weapons and ammunition (law enforcement agency permit)
• Radioelectrical devices, such as radio phones, radio stations and satellite communication systems, excluding portable radiophones (permit of the Federal Supervision Agency for Information Technologies and Communications)
• Sturgeon caviar of more than 250 grams (license from the Economic Development Ministry)
• All types of sturgeons and related products (license from the Economic Development Ministry)
• Cultural valuables (permit from the Culture Ministry)
• Animals and plants officially allowed for transportation (permit from Federal Service for Supervision of Natural Resource Usage)

Safe to carry

Anything that you can carry in reasonable amounts and for personal use is safe to take with you. One can bring clothes, toiletry items, jewelry, and whole range of portable devices such as laptops, cameras, sound and video recorders. Strollers, wheelchairs, sporting equipment and medical devices also won’t raise questions on the border.

Adults can also bring the following goods without declaring them:

• Alcohol  (3 liters)
• 50 cigars, 100 cigarillos, 200 cigarettes or 250 grams of tobacco
• Caviar (not more than 250 grams)

A sniffer dog looking for drugs in the luggage

Necessary to declare

• More than $10,000 or equivalent in imported and exported cash, securities or traveler’s checks
• Imported and exported cash instruments (such bank cheques and securities)
• Imported goods worth more than 65,000 rubles ($1,113) and/or weighing more than 35 kilos
• Imported and exported precious metals and stones
• Cultural valuables
• Exported Russian state awards
• Endangered animals and plants and their parts, as well as items made of them
• Weapons and ammunition
• Imported spirits exceeding 3 liters
• Drugs and psychotropic substances in the form of medication, in compliance with the medical indication, accompanied by relevant documents
• Radioelectronics and (or) high-frequency appliances of non-military purpose, including built-in devices and constituents of other products
• Devices with a cipher function
• Chemical and nuclear substances
• Objects of military use
• Commodities for private use that were inherited, upon condition that there is documentary confirmation of the fact that these commodities were inherited;
• Commodities imported in the unaccompanied luggage

As you can see there are many restrictions and limitations. Some objects, depending on their size and quantity, might also be subject to duties. Make sure to check up-to-date requirements in advance and avoid problems on the border. Safe travels!

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UponArriving

World Traveler vs Well Traveled: What Does It All Mean?

You’ve probably heard the terms “world traveler” and “well traveled” before but what exactly do they mean?

Are these two terms synonymous or are there meaningful differences between them? And are you a world traveler or well traveled?

In this article, I’ll also share some of my own thoughts on what these terms mean and why they may or may not be important.

What does it mean to be a “world traveler?”

What it means to be a world traveler will likely differ based on your personal travels and exposure to other travelers.

To someone who has never ventured outside of their home country (or perhaps even their home state), a world traveler could look like someone who has visited a few countries in Europe, Asia, and perhaps an additional continent or two.

To a more experienced traveler, a world traveler might be someone who has visited 50+ or even 100+ countries.

So world traveler status is obviously very subjective and you will not find one universally agreed-upon threshold for countries visited in order to be a world traveler.

When I think about what a world traveler is, I think about somebody who has visited a lot of countries but more importantly explored diverse regions of the world.

Europe has nearly 30 countries and so you can spend a lot of time traveling to various closely connected countries in Europe and rack up a pretty impressive country count even over one summer.

There are a lot of unique and distinct cultures within Europe and so traveling through that continent would definitely give you a vast array of cultural experiences.

However, some countries like the Netherlands and Belgium or Portugal and Spain are very similar. In other words, if you wanted to travel between these countries, the non-language adjustment you would have to make would be minimal.

That’s why to me in order to be a world traveler you need to have experience in many different regions of the world.

But how should you define a region?

Lots of people think about being a world traveler in terms of how many continents they have visited so that could be one way to define a region.

For example, someone might argue that you should visit six of the habitable continents before you are considered a world traveler. Heck, some people might even throw Antarctica in the mix.

But I don’t like that approach because cultures vary way too much within continents. So I think it’s more helpful to think about different regions in terms of “mid-level cultures.”

These would be collective cultures that exist somewhere between continents and countries.

So I think it is much more helpful to break down regions into something like the following:

• Western Europe
• Eastern Europe
• Mediterranean Europe
• Central Europe
• Nordic Europe
• Northern Africa
• Western Africa
• Southern Africa
• Central Africa
• Middle East
• Southeastern Asia
• Central Asia
• Western Asia
• Andean South America
• Southern Cone South America
• New Guinea & other islands
• Mexico/Central America

(Note: this is not a comprehensive or well-settled list — just an example I put together in a few minutes.)

I think a world traveler is someone who has visited at least half of the (somewhat agreed-upon) regions of the world and has thus experienced the “majority” of the world’s (mid-level) cultures.

So to me, the country count is irrelevant for world traveler status.

I would much rather have in-depth travel experiences in ~20 countries covering 14 of the regions above than visit ~40 countries in only 7 regions.

One way to think about this distinction is to think about what it would be like to just hop between different countries.

Unlike hopping over to a neighboring country in the same region, hopping over to a different region usually forces you to re-acclimate in a much more demanding way. You often need to adjust to vastly different laws, languages, customs, climate, geography, and general ways of life.

In other words, the contrast between the countries jumps out at you in a much more profound way.

Some people might put more emphasis on exploring and appreciating the nuances between different countries within the same region.

Don’t expect to need to adjust too much when going between countries like the Netherlands and Belgium but when moving between countries in other regions you’ll still sometimes notice stark differences.

For example, the countries that make up Southeast Asia have a lot of key differences in religion, food, attitudes toward tourists, etc.

Sometimes the countries within the same region can be much more diverse than you would expect. But on average, it’s not going to be on the same level as what happens between different regions.

What does it mean to be well traveled?

Like defining a world traveler, defining what it means to be well traveled is ultimately a subjective determination.

The dictionary definition goes like this: “having been to many different places, especially to many different countries.”

But if you ask me, to be well traveled is to have had many meaningful travel experiences that have had profound effects on your life.

I’ve traveled to some countries where I spent most of my time relaxing in a luxury hotel, sipping champagne in swanky lounges, and soaking in hot tubs.

On some of those visits, I’ve (unfortunately) only spent a small amount of time venturing into the heart of cities and neighborhoods. It’s not my preferred way to travel but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy those experiences for what they were – a welcomed break from the grind.

But on those occasions, I left the country not feeling like I made any kind of meaningful connection with the place or the people that call it home.

I actually think that style of travel is okay, though. Not every visit to a new country has to blow you away with self-revelations or require total immersion in a culture.

But contrast that experience with the one I had in Cape Town, South Africa.

We explored the city nonstop for several days and capped it with a historical tour of sites that played a crucial role during apartheid. From Robben Island to District Six, we learned about the tragic events that took place and even met with some locals who had riveting stories to tell.

That’s an experience that made an immediate impact on my life and continues to do so today. Not only did I learn a lot, but I connected to those events and the stories in a way that I could have never done without traveling.

On the flip side, I also experienced what it was like to be harassed unrelentingly by locals outside of a market, which was uncomfortable and quite frankly a little bit scary.

Yes, it probably made me a more confident and resilient traveler but it also left me conflicted about my time in Cape Town.

Should I have just given them the money they were seeking? Or was I in the right for standing up against them? Did I even like this place?

To me, being well traveled is also about having experiences like those. Moments that leave you questioning things and sometimes wrestling with a bit of discomfort (aka being outside of your comfort zone).

Ironically, it’s not realizing how different every culture is that makes you well traveled, it’s realizing how similar the people are who make up those cultures.

Sure, the tastes for food, entertainment, and architecture can be vastly different across regions. And we all know how wild some religions and beliefs can be.

But when you boil it all down, you realize that everyone is finding different ways to fill the same human needs and desires.

Sometimes those methods feel dead wrong, bizzare, or at the very least a waste of time. But at some point you realize that if you were born in one of those places, you would likely be practicing the same customs and traditions with equal dedication.

Or maybe you wouldn’t.

But that’s also the point….

To me, leaving a place with a sense of conflict is one of the best attributes of travel because you’ll be wrestling with something that you may have otherwise ignored or failed to notice.

It forces you to think, do your own research, and contemplate your values.

For personal growth, it doesn’t get much better than that.

And that’s what being well-traveled is all about if you ask me.

Ultimately, the well-traveled and world traveler statuses are subjective determinations that could be based on a lot of different criteria.

I’m not the biggest fan of counting countries or seeking out these type of titles but I also don’t think there’s anything wrong with doing so. If it brings you happiness then go for it. To each their own.

But I do think that the most important thing to me is seeking out meaningful travel experiences because those offer you a tremendous way to evolve as a person. And one of the best ways to do that is to diversify your travels so that you are constantly pushing yourself out of your comfort zone.

Daniel Gillaspia is the Founder of UponArriving.com and the credit card app, WalletFlo . He is a former attorney turned travel expert covering destinations along with TSA, airline, and hotel policies. Since 2014, his content has been featured in publications such as National Geographic, Smithsonian Magazine, and CNBC. Read my bio .

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• Guide to Russia
• Travel Tips

Russian Customs Rules for Travelers

What can I bring into Russia and take out of Russia?

• You can bring into Russia 10000 USD, 3 liters of alcohol, 250 g of tobacco, 5 kg of plant products
• You can take out of Russia  10000 USD, 5 kg of fish and seafood, 250 g of caviar
• You need special permission for guns, strong medicines, precious metals and stones, and items of cultural value

When planning your  Russian vacation  and then, when shopping during the trip, it's important to know the things that you can bring into and take out of Russia. Russian customs rules are similar to those in the West, still there might be some surprises. Please study the information below to make sure that you are not buying souvenirs that might be too valuable or too much caviar.

What you can bring into Russia: 

• Money : Any currency and travelers cheques if the total value does not exceed 10000 USD. Otherwise, you will need to declare the amount, so when you leave the country you can prove that you are not taking money out of Russia. The money on your bank card doesn’t have to be declared. There's no need to bring cash into Russia, you can easily withdraw money from ATMs. Learn more about money in Russia .
• Goods for personal use: If you arrive by air, you may bring goods for personal use (except for ethanol or other volatile substances) that have a total value of no more than €10000 and a total weight below 50 kg. If you come by land, the value should not exceed €500 and the weight should be below 25 kg). If the value or weight is higher, you will have to declare your goods and pay tax.
• Alcohol: up to 3 liters (only for travelers over 18 years old) If you bring more you will have to pay tax.
• Tobacco: a maximum of 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars (cigarillos) or 250 grams of tobacco (only for travelers over 18 years old).
• 5 kg of plant products , except for seeds, planting materials, and potatoes; 5 kg of animal products in factory sealed packaging only. The Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Supervision may introduce prohibitions and restrictions related to the import of specific plant and animal products from certain countries.

What you can take out of Russia: 

• Mone y: any currency and travelers cheques if their total value does not exceed 10000 USD. Otherwise, the amount must be declared. The money on your bank card doesn’t have to be declared.
• Goods for personal use with a total value below 1 million rubles (approx. 15000 USD). If the value is higher, you have to declare your goods and pay tax.
• Up to 5 kg of fish and seafood , as well as up to 250 g of sturgeon caviar in factory packaging. You should also have the receipts available for these products. Export in excess of these limits is strictly prohibited.
• Up to 10 liters of fuel in a separate container. If you are travelling by car, you are also allowed to have full tank.
• Diamonds worth no more than 75000 USD. Diamonds must always be declared

Special permission

Almost all products from the list below require mandatory documentary support. The owner must provide certificates from the relevant authorities proving that the goods are being transported legally. Please be attentive if you are planning to bring in or take out of Russia anything from the following list:

• Items of cultural value . Cultural valuables may include: Artworks, including applied art and sculptures; Icons, prints, and lithographs; Valuable manuscripts, rare books  and antique weapons; Antique scientific and technical equipment and tools; Antique coins, postage stamps and medals; Archival photographs, phonorecords, film recordings, and video archives; Unique and rare musical instruments; and other items protected by the Russian Government as the country’s historical and cultural heritage. You can find more details here
• Plants or animals on the verge of extinction
• State awards and medals of the Russian Federation
• Precious metals and stones
• Guns , explosives, ammunition
• Strong medicines (anesthetics, sleeping pills, etc.), psychotropic or narcotic medicines, poisons, strong sedatives. 

You can find more details on the official website of Russian Federal Customs Service using the 2 links below. For information on items that do not require a Russian customs declaration click on Green Channel For information on items that require a Russian customs declaration click on Red Chann el

Image by  Peggy und Marco Lachmann-Anke  from  Pixabay  

Photo by Jason Leung on Unsplash

Image by  opsa  from  Pixabay

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