We all long to explore far away destinations, but traveling internationally for the first time can bring on anxiety! We don’t know what to expect, what’ important to know, how everything works in another country. But worry not, ambitious traveler! Girls Who Travel is here to help with the top travel tips for traveling internationally for the first time!
28 Top Travel Tips For Traveling Internationally For The First Time
1. Pick A Place That’s Not Too Unfamiliar
For your very first international trip, pick a place where you speak the language. It will make everything much easier, and then you are well prepared for other, bigger adventures!
2. Make Sure To Book A Reasonable Flight
While it makes sense to look for the most affordable flight options, you might not want to book a flight with too many layovers for your first trip abroad. Layovers can add a lot of travel time, as well as anxiety, to your journey. For example: say you are traveling from Europe to somewhere, with a layover in the United States. Upon arrival, you have to go through immigration, collect your suitcase, then go through customs, and check your luggage again. That’s a lot and can feel overwhelming.
If it is within your budget, book a nonstop flight when you are traveling internationally for the first time. If you do end up having to break up the trip, consider stopping at one of these best airports for a long layover.
Note: if you have a layover in a different country, make sure to allow two hours or more between flights.
3. Share Your Itinerary With Family And Friends
That way they know where to contact you in case of emergency.
4. Bring Your Travel Documents Along
Aside from your passport and visa (if you are going somewhere where one is needed), bring along a printout of your itinerary, as well as the hotel information (or the information of any other place you are staying). The immigration officer may ask for this information.
5. Bring A Pen
In case you have to fill out any customs or immigration documents on the plane or upon arrival, it’s always handy to have a pen on hand.
6. Book Transportation To Your Hotel Ahead Of Time
Traveling internationally for the first time is stressful enough. You don’t need heightened anxiety when you finally arrive at your destination and it occurs to you that you don’t know how to get to your hotel. Here are some options:
- Hotel shuttle: lots of hotels offer an airport shuttle. Check your hotel’s website or call to find out about it.
- Uber: Uber is now present in many countries around the world, and it’s an easy option for transportation.
- Taxi: Good old taxis are often the easiest way to get to your hotel.
- Public transportation: If you go to a bigger city, public transportation is often the most budget-friendly way to get around. But it can also be stressful to figure it out in a new country.
If you are unsure of what the best option is, simply call the hotel and ask. The staff will be able to give you the best answer.
7. Arrive During Daylight Hours
Arriving while it’s nice and light outside will be very helpful when trying to orient yourself. Also, it’s generally a lot safer, especially if you are traveling solo.
8. Get A Business Card From Your Hotel
That way you always have their address handy, in case you get lost and need to ask someone. Or, if you are in a country where you don’t speak the local language, you can show the card to a taxi driver and they can take you there.
9. Bring The Prescription For Any Prescription Meds You Take
In the US, you generally get a prescription in a small bottle that includes your prescription information. Do not remove the meds from the bottle so you can prove that you need them. If you are from a country where you get a generic box rather than a personalized bottle, make sure you bring along the written prescription, and/or a letter from your doctor validating your need for these meds. Make sure it is written in a language that can be read by customs officials in other countries, i.e. English, or the language of the country you are traveling to.
Check the rules and regulations of the country you are traveling to. Some countries require a letter from your physician, and some even require pre-approval of certain medications, and others may only allow a 30 day supply of certain medications to be brought in.
Always put your meds into your carry-on, in case your checked luggage gets lost. Have a big enough supply of everything you need, or find out ahead of time how and where to get a refill.
10. Don’t Over Pack
It’s hard to know what to pack, especially when you are visiting a place for the first time. The most important thing is to not over pack. You won’t need six beach hats and eight pairs of sandals. Try to match outfits beforehand and pack some items that are versatile and can go with several other items. You may even have the option to do laundry, if you are staying in an AirBnb. Some hotels offer it as well.
Read this article to learn all you need to know about travel packing 101.
11. Know How To Pack Valuables
Never ever ever pack any valuables into your checked luggage. Anything important or valuable needs to be in your carry on luggage.
12. Make Sure You Have Reliable Communication
Maybe you are going to a place where WIFI is widely available, which makes it easy to use your cellphone. But it’s good to know that you have reliable communication in any situation. You can do one of two things:
One, call your provider and ask about international plans. They are generally available, but can be pricey.
Or, two, make sure you have an unlocked cellphone and get a sim card of the country you are traveling to ahead of time.
13. Get An Adapter
To have reliable communication you have to be able to charge your devices. Other countries may have different electrical voltage and outlets. Make sure to get an adapter if necessary.
14. Have Some Cash On Hand
While you can get cash out of an ATM at your destination, it’s a good idea to change some beforehand at your local bank. That way you don’t get into a pinch if you need some right after arrival. Never exchange money at the exchange places at the airport, they will give you a terrible rate. Check with your bank and see what the ATM fees are at your destination. Sometimes they are steep, and it makes more sense to either get your cash beforehand, or, if you do need to withdraw some, get larger sums in order to avoid several smaller transactions.
15. Contact Your Credit Card Company Ahead Of Time
Your credit card company monitors your card for fraud. If you live in France and suddenly someone uses your card in Japan, they might flag the transaction and possibly shut your card off. That is unless you call ahead of time and tell them you will be using the card abroad.
16. Fight The FOMO
Welcome to the world of those who want to do EVERYTHING! If this is your first international trip, you will be extra excited and want to do absolutely everything. BUT! It is very easy to over-schedule activities and end up having travel burn out (yep, that’s a real thing). Say you booked a trip to Italy. You want to see all the main attractions and hidden gems in Rome. And at the end of the day, you’ll be over-stimulated by all the new impressions and your feet are hurting. Instead, make a list of the attractions and things to do that are most important to you, and in between enjoy an espresso at one of the many cute little cafes while you are people watching and just BE.
17. Know How To Keep Yourself Safe
As women, it is our reality that we have to pay extra attention to safety. Did you know that more than 60% of women say fears about their safety keep them from traveling? That doesn’t have to be you. Here are some basic rules to follow:
- Know the dress code. Don’t wear clothing that is offensive or can draw unwanted attention.
- If you are out and about after dark alone, don’t wander into quiet areas.
- Beware of pickpockets and common scams. Use a money belt to carry your valuables.
- Take a picture or make a copy of your passport and other important documents. If they are lost or stolen, it will be much easier to replace them.
- Know how to contact the closest embassy
- Know the emergency phone numbers
To learn in-depth about how to be safe when traveling, check out the Girls Who Travel travel safety course!
18. Register With The Local Embassy
In the US, there’s a program called STEP – Smart Traveler Enrollment Program. It allows you to register at the local embassy, you’ll receive information about safety conditions at your destination, it helps the embassy to contact you in case of emergencies such as civil unrest or natural disasters, and it helps your friends and family back home to contact you in case of emergency. Check to find out if there’s a program like this in your country as well.
19. Know The Health Risks
Depending on where you are planning to go, you might need to get certain vaccinations and bring along preventative medications. For example, I went to Vietnam, and while this country doesn’t require any vaccinations for entry (though some countries do!), it’s recommended to be up to date on Hepatitis, Polio, Measles, Typhoid, and others. On top of that I brought along a prescription for antibiotics to cure travelers diarrhea, and a few over the counter medications.
To find out what you should and shouldn’t do in regards to health concerns, check the Center For Disease Control’s website in the US, or the corresponding one of the health agency in your home country. On top of that, consult a travel doctor. Not all vaccinations or preventative meds are required if you don’t go to a certain region of a country. A travel doctor will know best! If you have any pre-exisisting conditions, speak to your physician first. He or she knows you best, and will be able to tell you about special precautions to take.
20. Know The Local Laws
Do your research and find out what laws may be different from the ones you are used to at home. Sometimes these are things that you wouldn’t even think about, and yet it’s crucial to know.
21. Learn A Few Basic Words In The Local Language
It’s the polite thing to do and earn you points with the locals! Learn how to say hello, goodbye, thank you, and where is the bathroom in the local language.
22. Download A Translator App
While translator apps aren’t perfect in any way, they are still super helpful, even if the result comes out a bit jumbled.
23. Understand The Culture
It’s crucial to understand the culture in the place you are traveling to. Armed with this information you will know the basic dos and don’ts in the country you are visiting, and important info such as what to wear, how to tip or not tip, etc.
24. Accept That Things Will Go Wrong
That happens even to the most experienced travelers! Just keep a cool head, and deal with the situation as best as you can. Hopefully it is something small and you can laugh about it later.
25. Do Not Rely On Important Information From Third Parties
While we at Girls Who Travel love to help out our traveling sisters, you should never rely on advice from third party websites, or well-meaning strangers on the internet when it comes to crucial things such as visas. Sure, we’ll tell you the best things to do in Cabo in January, or provide you with the perfect Belize travel guide. But questions such as ‘do I need a visa’, to name just one, are based on many individual factors. Your one and only source for vital information is your destination’s embassy in your country.
26. Join An Online Travel Community
While you shouldn’t rely on important information from third parties, online communities such as Girls Who Travel can be a wonderful resource. Connect with locals, get the best tips and tricks, and maybe even make some new friends!
27. Remember You Are A Guest
You may experience things you do not agree with. That’s okay. You are a guest in another country. Always be kind and respectful, and open to differences.
28. Have Fun!
No trip is every perfect, but it’s all about enjoying the moments, big and small, the atmosphere, the being in a new place, the excitement of it all. Traveling internationally for the first time can be challenging, but it’s one big adventure!
Jenny grew up in Germany. All she ever wanted out of life was to leave and have adventures. Jenny always traveled as much as the budget would allow, and when she met her husband traveling became a full-time thing. You can follow Jenny on her blog and Facebook.
