Traveling internationally for the first time requires careful planning to ensure you have a smooth, safe, and memorable experience. From insurance considerations to packing tips, this guide covers everything you need to get ready for your trip.
Confirm Your Passport and Visa Requirements
Check that your passport meets all destination validity rules and won’t expire soon after your trip. Also research if you need a tourist or transit visa for the countries you’ll visit. Don’t forget to check rules for all layovers as well. Apply early for safe buffer time on visa processing.
Evaluate Your Health Insurance Coverage
Contact your health insurance provider to understand exactly what services they cover abroad – does it include emergency medical transport home? Consider purchasing a temporary travel insurance policy as a backup for any gaps. Also ask your doctor if you need any vaccinations or medications specifically for your destination.
Understand International Credit/Debit Card Policies
Call the companies for all your bank cards and ask about foreign transaction fees, international usage alerts to prevent fraud, chip-and-PIN capability, and contact details to reach them from overseas if cards are lost/stolen. Consider bringing a backup debit and credit card as well. Withdraw some local currency before your trip too.
Research Electrical and Communication Specs
Verify required power and outlet adapters for devices you’ll bring to avoid issues charging electronics abroad. Check if your cell phone plan covers international calls/data or if buying a temporary international package makes sense. For navigation and emergencies, download offline maps, translate apps, and trip details to cloud storage or email.
Familiarize Yourself with Travel Advisories
Review safety, health, local laws, entry/exit requirements and other essential travel advisories for your destination via government foreign affairs department websites. Register any upcoming trips so they can notify and assist you in emergencies abroad. Consider signing up for helpful travel alerts as well.
Check Travel Insurance Options
In addition to health coverage, specialized travel insurance can protect you if a crisis forces you to cancel/interrupt an expensive international trip. Compare plans to choose coverage suits your risk tolerance for issues like trip delays, lost luggage, flight accidents and climate events.
Here are some tips on determining if you need travel insurance and what typical policies cover:
Consider travel insurance if:
- Your destination recommends getting travel health coverage or you have an existing medical condition. Policies cover emergency medical care, hospital stays, prescriptions, evacuations.
- You are taking an expensive or high stakes trip. Cancellation policies reimburse your prepaid trip costs if you must cancel for covered reasons like illness or extreme weather. Interruption policies compensate you if you must cut your trip short.
- You have concerns about lost, damaged or delayed luggage. Policies offer reimbursement for losing valuables, reimburse shopping costs if bags are delayed, or help track and deliver lost bags.
Standard policies do not cover:
- Small delays or changes – they focus on significant travel disruptions typically over 12+ hours or requiring overnight stays.
- Pre-existing medical conditions and high risk activities unless you select appropriate add-on coverage.
- Daily costs and small inconveniences like missed attractions or having to eat at restaurants more than planned. They cover only large, unexpected costs.
Carefully read cancellation, medical and baggage/incident coverage details to verify the triggers and limits before purchasing a policy matched to your specific trip risks. Travel insurance gives peace of mind for unpredictable circumstances outside your control but does have distinct exclusions to understand before you buy.
Weigh Luggage Restrictions
Check baggage size, weight and number limits for all flights and transport on your itinerary to avoid excess fees. Tools like airline size checker templates help guide optimal luggage packing. Consider shipping extra or bulky items not essential during travel instead of paying steep overage charges.
Brush Up on Local Customs and Languages
Research cultural norms, etiquette, safety issues, and basic handy vocabulary and phrases for places you will visit. Download translation apps too. Respecting local ways prevents issues plus enhances immersive experiences with new people and destinations.
The best ways to get foreign currency for international travel are:
- Order Currency Online – Websites like Travelex let you order currency of your choice and have it delivered to your house before your trip. This ensures you have money for things like airport transportation, food, etc. as soon as you land.
- Use ATMs at Your Destination – Find ATMs affiliated with major banks once you arrive to withdraw cash in the local currency. Just call your bank to let them know your travel dates to prevent holds on your card for suspicious charges. Withdraw larger sums less frequently to get the best exchange rates.
- Airport Currency Exchange – While airport kiosks generally have poorer rates, having some foreign cash upon arrival can be useful for transportation and such until you find an ATM. Just don’t exchange everything you need at the airport.
- Travel Credit/Debit Cards – Cards without foreign transaction fees by issuers like Capital One provide the live foreign exchange rates without extra costs. Just inform the issuer of your travel dates and countries to authorize usage.
With thoughtful advance preparation across all these facets of international travel, you can embark confidently on a smooth, safe, memorable journey that broadens your global perspectives. Let the adventure begin!
The Traveling Homeschool 