First, plan in advance. If you’re going to be traveling abroad, making bookings and arrangements several months before your departure date will save you on so many levels…money, hassles, and piece of mind for starters Lots of events happen at the last minute in my industry so this advice is not always easy but when it’s possible to plan in advance, do it. Somethings to think about…many people talk about the joys of using European rail services in Germany, France, the UK, Italy, etc. And while using the train is seemingly easy and sometimes cheap, it’s not always. If you know you have to make a continental trip by train in Europe, book it as far in advance as possible. You’ll get a supremely lower rate. European rail providers are the most notable for hiking fares within one week of departure and I’ve learned the hard way when traveling between London and Paris in the last two years. Take it from me; book it early. You’ll secure your seat, you’ll get a good rate, and you won’t be pulling you hair out of you head. Moreover, booking airfare in advance will often give you the leisure of choosing your own seat wherever you prefer on the plane. Waiting till the last minute won’t.

Second, stick to the same airline. You might be a deal hunter but, in the long term, accruing mileage and status on one particular airline of a specific airline alliance goes a long way. Status is the key word. The more miles one collects on one airline over time, the greater chance that customer has to become an elite flier with added benefits for your travel experience. Fly above 50,000 miles a year, often the major airlines will offer many perks for free that normally one would have to pay steeply for…lounge access, priority travel lanes for boarding and check-in, free luggage if you fly in economy, double miles on all trips, and the opportunity for upgrades from Economy to Business Class/First Class depending on the segment of travel and the airline. Budget traveling is fine but expect in the short term to rack up bills for luggage, small amenities on board like liquor, and now even upgrading your seat to an exit row.

Third, pack light. Even if your trip away from home will have you on the road for weeks, you won’t need all that clothing. After you’ve finished packing your bag, dump half of it out. You’ll save yourself from having to lug around a heavy bag. Also, buy your toiletries in the country that you’re traveling to unless it’s something specific that can only be found in the states. Again, it cuts down on the weight and quantity of your stuff. Ask yourself, do you really want to be dragging 75 pounds of luggage around cobble stoned streets when it can be 40 or 30?

Fourth, don’t drink liquor on board. Stay hydrated and if necessary, even bring your own bottled water onto the plane once past security. You will have arrived dried out and with a worse hang over than you can ever imagine if you succumb to the few niceties that air travel still provides, like a constant stream of red wine. Come on board with Vitamin C and a simple saline spray to keep your nose irrigated if you feel dry. Sounds pedantic but don’t knock it until you’ve tried it. If you get seated next to a nice person with a lovely cold and cough, you’ll especially want to continually irrigate your nose and keep hydrated.

Fifth, travel smart. This involves doing simple tasks like carrying a PEN. Inevitably, most countries will require you to fill out some document in addition to presenting your passport at your place of entry. Carrying your own pen should be obvious but of course not to me. I learned the “trick” from my good friend Andy after complaining to him 100 times about how I always forget my pen on planes. Do you really want to touch the pen of the person sitting next to you that has a bad cold? Also, bring cash on the plane. When you arrive in Europe or Asia or wherever you’re going, you’ll want to have hard currency to be able to convert in the event that you’re debit cards and credit cards fail to work. And still today, these cards will often have trouble once outside your home country even if you’ve notified the credit card company in advance of your travels.

Sixth, bring the necessary chargers, adapters, and converters. If you use a MAC, you can easily go to the Apple Store and pick up the various power adapters for your computer. A PC, good luck. (I’m sure you can find also accessible adapters). But what’s more critical is bringing along a power converter. For all those people that use hairdryers and electronic razors, it will be great fun when you think you’ve been smart and brought your adapter, plug it in and then hear the small little engine inside your razor run fast and explode, with smoke dusting out the side. I should have learned the first and second time. No, it’s taken me many years to realize that I needed to bring with me a power converter so I could use my electronics and not have them overheat and blow up in front of my eyes.

Seventh, stay awake until night falls (when traveling to Europe). Regardless if you fall asleep for an hour or two in flight, do not go to your hotel and take a nap. You’ll throw your sleep schedule off for a few days. Force yourself onto the new clock by staying up well beyond dinner time and by then, you’ll be ready to zonk out. zzzzzzzzzzz

If you’re traveling to London, save the money and don’t take a cab from Heathrow to anywhere in the city center. Either hire a black car service in advance (you’ll save half) or take the Heathrow express train into Paddington Station and then hire a cab.

These are but a few recommendations that I could muster for those planning an international trip.