Even in a group tour like The Women’s Travel Group, you might want to book an extra goody, with guaranteed transportation. You can use a concierge; but be aware they might get a commission and might only offer expensive suggestions.
Some apps we use in North America can be used overseas. Uber is the best example. When in another country, your Uber app works, debits your credit card with a fair US exchange rate. Not sure Uber is available? Click on the app and it will show asap if it works in say Tokyo or Bangkok. As an aside, I use Uber to calculate traffic conditions. No Uber? And that is common, use a local app such as Sixt, Bolt or one of the companies listed on line. Uber operates in some of our destinations: Japan and Taiwan for example. Others in Asia are Grab, Gojek, Ola, Didi. Here is a list of other Uber type companies in Asia and Europe.
There are also expensive limousine chauffeured companies and private taxi companies which cater to corporate clients. They tend to be much more expensive and need pre booking.
There are also companies with wheelchair accessibility. Here is one we used in a crisis via American Express Platinum. Without going into details, I do not recommend Amex Platinum’s Medical Services.
Failing all, ask for the location of taxi queues. When my grand daughter and I were tired in Paris, we tried the bus; but it had been rerouted. They we tried to flag taxis with no result. We used www.rome2rio.com and found a nearby taxi rank with official taxis.
Booking Restaurants is a snap
With travel back to normal and more travelers using smart phones smartly, book ahead for non group tour included meals.For restaurants overseas, I used Yelp, TheFork, Sevenrooms , Resy and even Open Table.
When you go an overseas restaurant website and click on ‘Reserve’, one of the above will usually appear. (I find Tripadvisor choices/reviews are mainly by Americans. What one sees from a US phone might prioritize reviews from Americans not locals.
In Asia, try Chope, Eatigo, Opentable, and definitely ask locals.
There are critical differences when using overseas restaurant apps:
- The app will text you,which means a $US charge per non-wifi text. Expect a text you need to reply to promptly.
- You need to keep your phone with expensive roaming, if not in a wifi area.
- Putting the overseas reservation into a phone calendar can fail. The reservation time overseas might not fall into the right time slot in your US Time Zone’d calendar. You need to type it in.
- If you get American Express or other card discounts on an app in the US, you might not get the same discount overseas.
Still hate electronics? Take a hefty grain of salt with the concierge suggestions. Better yet. talk to airline and hotel staff informally for their fav places. Travel tips from award winning The Women’s Travel Group. We have upcoming trips to Japan and Taiwan, Vietnam and Cambodia, Bangkok and much more in Europe. Call or contact us for more information.
