The thrill of booking your first international trip is almost indescribable.
You’ve chosen a destination, drooled over the delicious food pics at the restaurants, and possibly even brushed up on a new language. As exciting as it is, traveling abroad takes preparation and a little know-how to be successful.
It’s okay for you to be wide-eyed and enthusiastic, as long as you also follow these eight essential tips below for first-time international travelers:
Passport
Most countries require a passport valid for at least six months beyond your return date. Immigration officers do not want to deal with your stories or reasons; you will just be turned away.
Check the expiration date well in advance and renew if necessary. Keep in mind that in most countries, renewal is far from instantaneous. Processing can take weeks or even longer.
Your passport is not just an ID – it is proof of your citizenship and your ticket home. Treat it with care and keep it in a secure passport holder in your bag, and not your back pocket.
Digital Scans
Nothing will ruin your trip faster than losing your passport in a foreign country and realizing the only backup you have is a copy in your desk drawer, back home.
Have digital copies of all your travel documents, such as passports, visas, vaccination records, and insurance cards. These could end up being your lifeline if yours get lost or stolen abroad.
Visas
Your passport is your entry key to the world, but, depending on where you are from, a visa could be the ticket you need to actually get through the gate.
For first-time international travelers, the visa application process can feel like the most confusing part of the journey. Different countries have different rules, and most government websites look like they were designed in 1999.
With a little preparation, visas can be a lot less intimidating.
Some visas are as simple as a stamp on arrival, while others require embassy visits and enough paperwork to wallpaper your Nan’s living room. Double-check what applies to you and your trip long before you go.
Insurance
When planning your first international trip, it is fair to assume that you are probably daydreaming about beaches, and not insurance policy fine print.
The simple truth is that travel insurance is one of the smartest investments you can make before leaving. American Express travel insurance is available as a standalone option if you are not a cardholder, but the coverage details can vary by location.
Amex travel insurance can have limitations, so if you are a cardholder, you might want to consider supplementing your default travel insurance with additional, more comprehensive coverage.
Payment Methods
The wrong approach to payment can leave you stranded in a restaurant, staring helplessly at your useless debit card, facing the embarrassment of having to call for help or wash a pile of sky-high dirty dishes, if that is even a real option.
The smartest thing you can do as a first-time international traveler is to carry multiple payment methods. A mix of cash, credit, and digital options can cover you no matter where you are.
Local Customs
When traveling abroad, one thing that some people forget to bring is respect for local customs.
Understanding how the local people live, dress, eat, and greet can help you have a better experience while in the country. The trick here is to observe first and act later. Don’t lean in for air kisses unless you’ve read it in a trustworthy guide.
Lastly, dress code matters.
While you may love your new tank top or mini skirt, the Vatican definitely will not. Pro tip: a lightweight scarf is basically a passport on its own. It can cover your shoulders in a pinch and even keep you warm on air-conditioned transport.
Book In Advance
One of the most helpful rules of stress-free international travel is simple: book in advance.
Booking flights, hotels, trains, or even restaurants early can save you money, time, and most importantly, a ton of anxiety. While there is indeed a certain romance in being spontaneous, there is nothing romantic about sleeping in a dodgy motel.
Foresight goes a long way when traveling overseas. You do not want to be trying to salvage a plan that could have been secured weeks before you left.
Jet Lag Preparation
One of the sneakiest challenges of international travel is not the muffled airport announcements or the suspiciously overpriced food; it is the invisible enemy that will be waiting to ambush you the moment you arrive – jet lag.
Time zones have an unfortunate way of turning your body clock upside down, and if you are not properly prepared, you’ll be wide awake at 4am, wondering why the birds outside your hotel window sound like they are mocking you.
If possible, start shifting your sleep schedule a few days before you leave by going to sleep earlier or later, depending on which direction you are headed.
To End
With these eight tips, you can get ready to enjoy the adventure of a lifetime. Travel rarely goes completely according to plan, so stay flexible – those unexpected moments usually turn out to be your most-treasured memories.
