How to Prepare For Your Flight As International Students

Embarking on your journey to study abroad is an exciting yet crucial step. Proper preparation can make your travel smoother and more enjoyable. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you get ready for your flight to your desired study destination.

How to Book Your Flight

Here are 7 helpful tips to book your flight to your study destination with ease. 

1. Search Smartly

• Use private browsing to avoid potential price increases that come from being able to track your location. 
• Don’t book the first flight that comes up. Explore multiple airline and price comparison websites for the best deals.

2. Flexibility Pays Off

• Be open to flexible travel dates to find cheaper options.
• Avoid peak travel times and weekends as they are much more expensive than the average price. 

3. Newsletter Subscriptions

• Subscribe to airline newsletters for exclusive fare sales and discounts.
• However, make sure these deals are honest and compare with the original prices to find out if you are actually saving money. 

4. Early Booking Advantage

• Book your flight well in advance to secure lower fares.
• Don’t delay booking for too long, as last-minute bookings often come with higher rates.

5. Beware of Hidden Costs

• Check for inclusions like food and luggage allowances as some cheaper flights may not include these essentials and the final charge may actually be more expensive than other flights. 
• Be cautious about hidden fees when booking through third-party websites.

6. Use a Reputed Travel Agent

If you find the process too complicated, do not have the time to find the best rates and connecting flights, or just need the assistance of an expert, look for travel agents who have many years of experience, or an agent that people have recommended with their experience.

Not only will this help you save costs but it will also ensure that you have a trustworthy agent to consult for any challenges. 

7. Read the Terms and Conditions

Understand the flexibility of your ticket, especially regarding changes. Go through the terms and conditions to ensure the flight ticket covers important aspects like delays, flight cancellations, etc. 

Stay Updated with Entry Requirements 

Your study destination’s border entry requirements can change, so stay informed.

Regularly check the latest travel requirements on official visa pages.

Pack Essentials

1. Travel Checklist

Use a comprehensive travel and pre-departure checklist to ensure you pack everything you need.

Include essential documents like your visa and offer letter, medications with prescriptions, money in the currency of your destination, and other personal items.

2. COVID-19 Essentials

Although times have changed since the pandemic, COVID variants continue to lurk around. 

Stay ahead of these issues and prepare by wearing a mask and maintaining good hygiene before and while you travel. Pack face masks, hand sanitizers, and sanitizing wipes for safety.

Arrival Procedures at the Airport

1. Immigration and Customs

Become familiar with the immigration and customs clearance process before you travel.  Different countries have different items that they allow for entry, so make sure you do not take prohibited items. 

Also, fill out custom declaration forms truthfully to ensure you do not have to pay any fines. 

If you need assistance with anything, talk to airline staff or border officials and clarify your concerns. 

2. Document Check

Ensure you have all required travel documents, including your visa as authorities will check your documents before allowing you to proceed.

3. Luggage Collection

Carefully watch your luggage as it may get lost. Once cleared, collect your luggage, proceed to customs, and keep track of it to ensure it is boarded to your flight. 

Conclusion

It’s important to research well, whether it’s booking your flight or boarding it. The anticipation of starting your studies in your study destination should not distract you from being mindful of your departure process. 

Always think ahead, be prepared, and have a safe journey! 

Do you want to study abroad? Contact our expert Student Visa consultants now.