Postal service
Photo: Stamp issuing authority - MARKA Publishing & Trading Centre. Printer - Association GOZNAK of the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Though the digital revolution has provided us with Wikivoyage and other on-line material, many travellers want to send or receive postcards, letters or packages through postal service.
In a time when we drown in e-mail, a physical postcard from far away is usually more welcome than ever. Some people appreciate the postcard or envelope having a stamped stamp from an unusual location, and the local stamps may be nice regardless.
PostcardsThese used to be available in nearly every bookstore, every news stand, every five-and-dime and every corner drugstore; hotel and motel operators routinely distributed free, blank postcards which contained an…
StampsAvicii is featured on a Swedish postage stamp.Everyone older than 30: "Who is Avicii?"Everyone younger than 30: "What is a postage stamp?"
Postmarks and seasonal greetingsIn many rich countries, postmarks/cancellations are now done mostly by machine. One can always obtain a hand-stamped postmark (or postal cancellation) by asking a postal clerk to cancel their postcard.
Sending mailIn most cases, the easiest way to send letters, postcards, and non-fragile items is to find a postbox and drop the item there. They may be scattered once every few blocks or quite rare.
Receiving mailFor short trips, it may make more sense to have your home post office hold your mail (or a friend check it) until you return, instead of forwarding it to reach you during your travels.
Sending moneyThe postal services don't want to transport money, to minimise incentives for post robberies. In many countries, sending money by mail is forbidden.
Parcel handlingA commercial mail receiving agent may be of assistance if you're sending baggage ahead in mail or courier parcels to avoid carrying it on airline flights.
Other servicesDepending on the country that the postal service is based in, its associated post offices may offer a wide range of services.
Courier companiesCourier companies are commercial entities that complement postal services where the latter are weak – and compete with the public postal services in some of their traditional roles.
Postal historyDue to its historic role as a primary means of intercity communication, the postal service has a rich history. Among the points where it has left its imprint are:
Sources and licences
- Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Postal service" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Photo: Stamp issuing authority - MARKA Publishing & Trading Centre. Printer - Association GOZNAK of the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons