Overseas Travel
Chapter 26 : Tips for Traveling
in Other Countries
The following is a small collection of tips for overseas travel.
Legal Help in Foreign Countries
If you need legal help while you are traveling in other countries,
you can get information on the State Department's Judicial Assistance
Page. ( http://travel.state.gov/law/info/judicial/judicial_702.html)
Of course, if you don't have access to the internet at the
time, you'll need to contact the nearest embassy or consulate
by phone. Use the list of United States Embassies and Consulates
to get the numbers you need before you go, and carry them with
you. You can get the list here: http://usembassy.state.gov/
Register with the Embassy
It is recommended by the U.S. Department of State that you
register with the Embassy or Consulate where you are going ,
and even provide them with your itinerary, so they can find you
if need be. You can do this online using their Registration Page:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/registration/registration_1186.html
Using Foreign Taxis
Ask the locals what the rules and rates are. Taxi's are safer
than city busses, but the taxi driver may not be the most scrupulous
businessman. If it is allowed, negotiate the price in advance.
Clarify exactly how much the fare will be to take you where you
are going. If this isn't possible, be sure what the rate per
kilometer or minute is, and watch the meter closely.
If you are familiar with the city, watch where you are taken.
Your hotel may be three times as far by the route the driver
takes. This is an old trick of taxi drivers everywhere. At least
pretend you know the streets of the city, or ask a local how
far it is to your destination before you get in the taxi.
Use your common sense and intuition. Don't get in cabs that
don't seem "right." As long as you take some precautions,
using taxis is safe, and almost as cheap as bus travel in some
countries.
Trouble Abroad?
Don't forget that the U.S. State Department can help you.
There are consular personnel at U.S. Embassies and Consulates
abroad and in the U.S. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They can
provide emergency assistance to U.S. citizens. Contact information
for U.S. Embassies and Consulates appears on the Bureau of Consular
Affairs website at http://travel.state.gov.
The Office of Overseas Citizen Services in the State Department’s
Bureau of Consular Affairs may be reached for assistance with
emergencies at 1-888-407-4747, if calling from the U.S. or Canada,
or 202-501-4444, if calling from abroad.
You can also register your plans when you travel. Just sign
up for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program so the State Department
can better assist you in an emergency. This is a free online
service at https://travelregistration.state.gov. It will help
them contact you if there is a family emergency in the U.S.,
or if there is a crisis where you are traveling. Information
on your welfare and whereabouts will not be released to others
without your express authorization.
All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler
is unaware. - Martin Buber
Continue with Chapter 27 here: Free
Cruises
Note: This chapter on overseas travel was part of the
e-book Travel Secrets. Now all chapters are free on this
site. See the homepage (the link is at the bottom of this page)
for a list of all chapters and links to them.
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