Even though I consider myself a travel expert, there are a few situations that can make me feel a bit overwhelmed. Arriving in a foreign country, especially one I’ve never been to before, can sometimes be complicated. And if the airport is far from the city where I need to go, that might make it a little harder. If that country uses a different alphabet than the Latin one — like in Russia, Thailand, or Cambodia — that definitely increases the discomfort level. Not only am I unable to read the signs, but I also can’t even attempt to sound them out in my head to make them feel more familiar.
Last week, I disembarked the plane in St. Petersburg, Russia, after a long day of traveling from Madrid. It was already dark outside since the sun sets at 4 p.m., and all the aforementioned scenarios were in play. Also, the pressure in the airplane had messed with my ears since I was sick, leaving me unable to hear for a few hours after landing. So yeah, I was a little bit stressed about next steps… until I remembered that I have something like a routine for times like this. I haven’t had to use it in a while, but I knew what I needed to do.
1. Get some cash
Some people like to take out/buy local currency in advance, and others like to use currency exchange counters. I don’t ever do either of those things, because I think they’re unnecessary. All you really need is a debit card. Every airport has ATMs — you may not see them the second that you get off the plane, but they’re usually in the arrivals hall. Figure out how much money you want to take out, convert that into the local currency, and get your money out of the ATM. Your home bank may charge you a fee for using a different institution’s ATM, but that’s why I try to only make one stop at the ATM during my trip so I’m only charged the fee once.
Depending on the country — is it cheap like Mexico or expensive like Iceland? — I usually try to take out about $100 or $200. Luckily, more and more places are starting to accept credit cards, so you always have that to lean back on as well.
2. Figure out where exactly you need to go
Usually, in advance of my trip, I’ll be like, “The airport is an hour away from the city center. Okay, I’ll worry about that when I get there.” Well, when I’ve arrived, it really is time to figure out *exactly* how to get to my hostel. What combination of metro, bus, or airport shuttle will it take, or is it maybe smarter/easier to just take a taxi or Uber? If you use an app like Citymapper, it’ll lay all your options out side-by-side, comparing time and cost, making it easier to decide what you’re going to do.
3. Buy a snack (break large bills)
Now that your game plan is coming together, you may have a better understanding of what it’s going to cost to get where you need to go. When you stopped at the ATM, you probably got your total in large bills. The bus driver probably won’t be happy about you trying to pay your 60-cent bus fare with a bill that’s worth the equivalent of $50. The taxi driver probably will be happy, because he’ll say he doesn’t have change and he might just keep the whole thing. Better to not risk either scenario. Go buy some water or a snack from one of the airport convenience stores to break your large bills. That way, you’ll be more prepared for whatever comes next.
4. Stop by the bathroom
Even if you don’t think you need to use the bathroom, it’s not a bad idea to go anyway. If your journey is going to take an hour, it’s better to go just in case. At least you know the airport has a bathroom — you can’t say the same about the shuttle bus. Also, the only thing more stressful than navigating transportation in a new country is navigating transportation in a new country when you really need to pee.
5. Ask for help
You’ve got your money, your snack, and a decent idea of where you’re going. The only thing you may not know is where to start. I recommend taking advantage of the information desk at the airport. It may be your only chance to speak English with someone for a while, so don’t miss it. For example, thanks to Citymapper, I knew that I needed to take bus #39 from the airport, but I didn’t know where to catch bus #39 or how much it would cost. I stopped at the information desk, and 10 seconds later I was equipped with all the knowledge I needed to begin my journey.
What else do you want to know about arriving in a new country? Let me know in the comments!
-Cathy
Originally Published on December 1, 2018.
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