You’ve decided on a foreign destination and are excited to book your trip to a place that’s been on your bucket list for a long time. Even for people who have traveled a lot, going abroad can be stressful. But for a first-time visitor, it could be a lot to take in. First, there’s the planning you have to do before you leave, like getting a passport if you don’t already have one, applying for visas, figuring out where you’ll stay and how you’ll get from A to B. After that, you have to get used to a new place, where the time zone, language, and money may be different from what you’re used to. Not to mention any unexpected things that might happen along the way.
Choosing a Place to Visit
Maybe you’ve wanted to go to Thailand or Australia for a long time to see elephants or koalas. You might not know where you’re going, but you know you need to get there. If you have a passport and are overwhelmed by all the great places you can go, it may be hard to decide where to go on your first trip abroad. Ask yourself things like, “Do you want to live close to your home country or far away?” “Do you speak a language other than English?” “Are you excited to meet some new people?” “Are you ready for a new experience?” Now you can choose from more than 470 packages for trips to other countries.
Verify your records
You need to get your papers in order before you can start booking flights. To begin, a valid passport is required for international travel. Be sure your passport has adequate unused visa stamping space. Most countries just need a quarter-page stamp, but some may require a full page.
After you have your passport in order, you should start thinking about visas. U.S. citizens can often obtain tourist visas upon arrival at the airports of many different countries. In some countries, like Australia or Vietnam, you have to fill out an application in advance and pay a cost. Find out if a visa is required for your final destination and fill out the appropriate paperwork.
Don’t rush the reservation process.
If you want to save money on international plane tickets, you should make your reservations at least a month in advance. You should start looking for flights as soon as you have a firm departure date in mind. You can find the cheapest flights to your desired destination with the help of an app. Take advantage of mileage loyalty programs and travel rewards cards to get the most out of your flight.
Compare hotel and transportation alternatives before booking
Most trips overseas will require you to fly, but there may be other ways to get around your destination, such as buses or trains. Most foreign cities have great metro and bus systems, which might be scary on the first day, but with a little help from their representative, you’ll be fine and save a lot of money compared to taking taxis. Rome 2 Rio is a great way to find out all of the possible ways to get from point A to point B and figure out which way is the quickest and cheapest.
How to pack right for your flight
You’ve brought your bags to the airport on the day of your trip. Most international flights let you bring two checked bags. One of the best tips for packing for a trip is to check with your airline to see how many bags you can bring. Before you go somewhere, check the weather there to make sure you’re ready.
Remember to check any liquids or creams that weigh more than three ounces, but keep your passport and other important travel documents on you at all times. Also, don’t forget to bring any medicines you need, something warm to wear on the flight, a travel pillow, and a water bottle you can fill up at the airport.
Obtain Travel Insurance
I know it sounds like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised at how many people are too busy planning their trip to think about travel insurance. If you don’t already have it, you should get it. Insurance against lost luggage or canceled flights could save you a lot of money and give you peace of mind in the long run.
