Are you planning to take an international vacation, study abroad, or land a new job overseas? We have created a list of must-dos before your big trip! As exciting as it sounds at first, we also know how nerve-wrecking and overwhelming traveling overseas can become. Here are a few necessary boxes to check before you set sail. Let’s go !
1. Got your passport and trip itinerary yet?
Apply for your passport well in advance. This will help you avoid any additional stress during the time leading up to your first international trip.
Once you receive your passport, make paper and digital copies of the identification page before and after receiving your visa stamp and give one copy to your family and keep the other one with you. An extra copy of your passport allows for you to still have photo identification in case your original passport somehow gets lost or stolen.
While abroad, carrying a copy of your passport will help you avoid having it stolen if there is a theft or pickpocket incident. If you encounter law enforcement, show them the copy and tell them you have the original passport back at the hotel.
Do thorough research about the country you are planning to visit. This will help mentally prepare you for the culture shock and also to have an idea of events or sites that you may want to visit or attend.
Some countries may require a visa for entry, so it is important to make sure you do research and apply for your visa in advance if it is a travel requirement. A visa, is a document proving your authorization to enter, travel through, or live in that nation for a predefined measure of time, with the end goal of conducting travel, completing training, pursuing work, and so on. Some countries allow visa applications on arrival, but others may require you to travel to their office in your home country to conduct an interview before allowing you to travel. Make you research the visa details of your country to avoid any interruptions in your travel plans.
Also check if the country requires exit fees from the travelers. Saudi Arabia, Russia, and Qatar are a few examples of countries that this applies to.
Don’t forget your health and travel insurance!
It is important to have both health and travel insurance before taking your trip. If you take prescription medications, you’ll want to check if the medications are available in your destination country if you will be there for an extended period.
Look into which vaccines may be recommended or required for travel to that country. It may also be necessary to obtain a doctor’s note showing that it is safe for you to travel.
2. Don’t forget your health and travel insurance!
It is important to have both health and travel insurance before taking your trip. If you take prescription medications, you’ll want to check if the medications are available in your destination country if you will be there for an extended period.
Look into which vaccines may be recommended or required for travel to that country. It may also be necessary to obtain a doctor’s note showing that it is safe for you to travel .
3. Understand customs and import restrictions.
Check with the foreign embassy to find out about policies, customs, and import restrictions that may be enforced in addition to the few items commonly restricted while traveling to any country.
Likewise, make sure you can bring items back from your international vacation by checking with your home or return country.
4. Pack any necessary electronics and snacks.
Always keep your charging adapters, portable chargers, and power strips handy so you can charge multiple devices at the same time. Since this is your first international trip, be sure to find out first what types of adapters may be necessary before purchasing.
Pack some snacks to avoid the hunger pangs that may come when finding out that your go-to restaurant doesn’t satisfy your taste buds. Packing your favorite snacks will also help you avoid hunting to find them while you are abroad. Sometimes different countries don’t sell your favorite snacks, or they are very expensive. Avoid the wild goose chase by packing the snacks in your suitcase.
5. Make sure you can easily access your money while abroad.
Did you know that you can request foreign currency from your bank before your trip? Try using this method to avoid the high conversion rates at the airport and ensure you have local currency upon landing.
You can also get the conversion done at the nearest ATMs.
Keep local cash ready in hand just in case credit cards don’t work in the country you are going to visit.
6. Book your flight tickets, event tickets, and accommodations in advance.
Booking your tickets two months in advance of your departure date is said to be perfect for the best deals in airfare.
Similarly, booking tickets in advance for local travel based on the events that interest you while you will be in the country will help avoid unnecessary drama or long queues before the event.
7. Need a hand with the accommodation options?
Have you sorted your stay for your international vacation? Are you planning a leisure or a budget trip? Is a hotel stay pushing your budget? Once you answer these questions, you can start looking for the perfect accommodation for you.
While you can book a five star hotel for a luxurious stay, hostels or AirBnbs can be more cost-effective for budget travelers who are planning a trip abroad.
There are many sites where you can compare prices and book your preferred accommodation.
8. Learn a few commonly used words and phrases in the local language.
Learning the local language will help ease your travel experience since you can move around and converse with the local public more easily.
Remember that many locals may not speak English. A translator app might be able to assist you in communicating in more complex discussions.
Do you have any tips to add to help in planning a trip abroad? Leave a comment below! And be sure to follow us on Instagram to learn more about different cultures, travel tips, and language learning.
