A TRAVEL expert has warned of a common airport rule that could put flyers in a snag, even if they have all the proper documentation.
Travelers could be banned from international flights and left stuck at the airport over a ticketing issue – despite their IDs and visas being correct, according to the expert.
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Sophia Lee is just 19 years old and has already traveled to 130 countries – and most of them have been on solo trips.
She started traveling full-time at the age of 13 and is on a mission to break the Guinness World Record for being the youngest and fastest person to visit every country in the world and both of the Poles.
Lee, a German-American citizen who grew up in Alaska, has gained a wealth of knowledge from her travels and has shared her best tips with The U.S. Sun.
One of her most crucial tips comes even before boarding the plane on an international trip.
“Always make sure you have your return ticket or your ticket to an onward destination because most places won’t let you board the flight unless they see proof of onward travel,” Lee explained.
If you are unsure when you’ll be returning home, Lee said a simple bus ticket to your next destination will suffice.
“Even if you plan to go by bus to the next country, just having a screenshot of the ticket that you’re going to get really makes all the difference for going through the check-in process smoothly,” the expert said.
Lee had some other airport tips that she learned from her own travel experiences.
“Arrive with plenty of time if you’re flying internationally because you never know what will happen.
“I’ve had some experiences where I’ve missed flights because of a visa issue or a form I had to fill out and I didn’t know about it ahead of time,” she said.
Lee also suggested not checking luggage and instead just traveling with a carry-on “because there’s a chance that it could get lost and it’s just way more stressful to check bags and expensive.”
“If you bring a pillow, bring your extra stuff in the pillowcase,” she added.
“There’s many times where right before the flight I’ll put on 10 layers of clothes just to make my bag lighter,” the expert said.
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Lee took her first solo trip when she was just 14 years old.
At the time, she struggled with severe anxiety and panic attacks, so she decided to travel alone to Costa Rica to study yoga and meditation.
Her trip to Costa Rica was life-changing and she has since been on a journey around the world, including to countries like Iraq, Ukraine and Haiti.
Lee visited Ukraine last spring during its ongoing war with Russia.
She went to the city of Lviv near the border it shares with Poland.
“ I spent the day with the YMCA organization learning about the different programs that they’re running there to help women and children during this time,” the traveler said.
Lee called it a “wonderful eye-opening experience.”
“It was amazing to see how strong they are during this incredibly difficult period,” she added.
Airport travel tips
Sophia Lee, a 19-year-old world traveler, has shared some tips to keep in mind before boarding an international flight.
- Arrive at the airport with plenty of time in case there is an issue with your visa or there’s an unforeseen form that you need to fill out.
- Make sure you have a return ticket or a ticket to an onward destination. If you don’t, most airports won’t let you board the plane.
- Don’t check your luggage, instead, use a carry-on to avoid your valuables from getting lost and to avoid unnecessary fees.
- You can put extra items in a pillowcase and carry it onto the plane or wear extra layers of clothes to lighten your luggage.
Lee has traveled to some amazing places, but she recommended Thailand for first-time solo travelers or seasoned travelers looking for a budget destination because “you can do so much for so little there.”
“And there’s a lot of other travelers to connect with and the locals are so friendly and welcoming and it’s beautiful all year round there,” she added.
Before any trip, Lee advises reading personal trip guides from other travelers and locals ” because it really helps with getting the insight into maybe a hidden gem or like a secret place that not many people know about visiting.”
She suggested the travel app Steller. You can find Lee’s personalized trip guides on Steller by looking up the username @sophialeetravel.
Lee also recommended some North, Central and South American countries for budget traveling.
“I love Costa Rica just because it has some incredible nature and adventures to go on but it’s a little bit more expensive.
“So if you’re looking for a more budget option, probably Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua,” she said.
The traveler added: “Some of the cheapest days I’ve had are in South America like Peru.
“You can stay at a beautiful hostel in this historic district in the best part of the city and it’s only about $8 a night.”