Crossing International Borders – How To Avoid Trouble

Crossing International Borders

Crossing international borders can be nerve-racking and anxiety-inducing for some, but it doesn’t have to be. We’ve all watched way too many movies and our overactive brains are trained to believe that border crossings will include detainment, confiscation of our stuff and prison time. 

In my travels, I’ve crossed international borders by car, train, bus, ferry and cruise ship. I’ve even crossed a couple of borders by foot. (I’m talking to you Gibraltar and Tijuana!) 

Our brains need to calm down. Unless you’re carrying something illegal with you the worst part of border crossing is waiting in line. 

 Every border crossing is unique. Ultimately it’s your responsibility to research the rules, policies, regulations and requirements at each border you cross.

Remember, knowledge is power and luck favors the prepared. 

Memorable International Border Crossings

I’ll take away some of the mystery and share some of my more memorable border crossing experiences. 

Warning: My International Border Crossings are Boring

Aside from Alex getting pulled over for not properly attaching a sticker in the car window when driving from Germany to the Czech Republic, most of our border crossings have been pretty boring, as I believe most border crossings are. 

And, Also . . .

I’ve never done a land crossing anywhere remotely hazardous, dangerous or difficult. If you’re looking for excitement this will be disappointing.

Tijuana to San Diego

When I was in high school my family crossed the San Diego border into Tijuana on foot (back then passports weren’t required). Coming back into San Diego the Border Patrol Agent asked me where I was born. I was very nervous and I couldn’t remember. He threatened to throw me in jail, and then he and all the other Border Patrol Agents started to laugh. It was obvious I was from a small town in the middle of nowhere and completely out of my element.

I didn’t get thrown in jail and we drove back to Pasadena.

Amsterdam

We rented a car in Amsterdam and drove through Belgium, France and Luxembourg. We never encountered any border crossing people, however Alex did get a photo ticket for going 3 km over the speed limit. It took almost six months and cost $100 to clear the ticket, which HAD to be taken care of as we often travel through Amsterdam.

Germany to the Czech Republic

We rented a car in Frankfurt and drove through Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic. The Czech Republic requires a special sticker in your car window to drive through their country which can be bought at any gas station for 5 euros. Alex bought the sticker, but he wanted to keep it as a souvenir so he did not physically attach it to the window. Immediately after we crossed the border we were pulled over. The cop said that we had to attach the sticker to the window.

That sticker did not come home with us as a souvenir.

Important Note

It’s very important to verify with your car rental agency that it’s okay to drive across the border into nearby countries. Don’t cross your fingers and hope it’s okay, it’s better to ask before you drive into a foreign country with foreign license plates.

Spain to Gibraltar

There’s a small piece of Great Britain in the south of Spain called Gibraltar. To get there, grab your passport, park your car in a very overpriced parking lot in Spain, walk across an active airplane runway and then clear British customs into Gibraltar.

We enjoyed our day in Gibraltar, even if a monkey stole my lipgloss out of my pocket and our dinner was unbelievably expensive. 

At the end of our day, we passed through Spanish passport control, crossed the airplane runway again and we were back in affordable Spain.

Spain to Tangier, Morocco

One of my favorite border crossings was the ferry from Spain to Morocco. We cleared customs in Morocco and received a cute little stamp of a ferry in our passport. We had to fill out a form before being allowed into Tangier and the Border Patrol Agent hesitated when I told him Alex was a journalist. After the Border Patrol Agent determined we weren’t covering a hard-hitting news story, he allowed us to cross. 

Tangier was a lot of fun. We were almost kidnapped by an aggressive tour guide, we saw real Bedouin traders and had an amazing lunch.

The ferry back to Spain was very rocky, someone threw up all over the floor and another kid wouldn’t stop screaming.

Best day ever! 

Thailand to Cambodia

Thailand to Cambodia: If you know what to expect, the land crossing between Cambodia and Thailand is easy. I was prepared and I had pre-purchased my eVisa. The border crossing station was set up outside in a shack in the middle of nowhere that somehow had a computer with internet. The line was very long and it was very hot outside. Because I had pre-purchased my eVisa my crossing was a snap. Aside from the long line, I didn’t experience any problems.

Border Crossings Throughout Europe

I’ve also crossed multiple borders throughout Europe by train, bus and cruise ship and never had any problems. 

Do Your Research

Border crossings don’t need to be difficult or intimidating. Do your research before you cross, make sure you have all of your required documents, visas and local currency for unexpected fees.

I’ve never attempted a difficult border crossing.

I also can’t imagine a situation that I’d try to cross from Mexico into Central America, nor would I ever attempt a land border crossing without a tour guide anywhere in the Middle East. 

Follow Basic Guidelines

Your border crossing will be easier if you follow some basic guidelines.

• Be polite and do not argue with Border Patrol Agents.

• Go into the crossing with a great attitude.

• Smile and nod, even if their regulations seem ridiculous.

• Never attempt to carry anything illegal with you across a border.

Every country in the world gets to make up their own regulations and even if they seem silly to us it isn’t our place to argue with another countries’ rules.

We are visitors to THEIR country, our only job is to be respectful.

Take what you can from your border crossing experiences, even if what you’re taking away is “Man, I’m glad I don’t live here.”

Thanks For Reading

Please feel free to share your questions or comments below. If you see any typos, let me know!

I encourage you to share my tribal knowledge with someone who loves or would love to travel.

The Art of Travel (TAOT) ~ Written by Kylie, a huge thanks to Alex for the great photos.