Are you scared to travel internationally because you don't know what to expect? Or maybe you want to, but don't know how to make it happen? Traveling (especially solo) has many unknowns and that can be SO scary. But, as Albert Einstein said “A ship is always safe at the shore, but that’s not what it was built for.” You have to step outside your comfort zone in order to grow and experience life the way it was meant to be lived. Do not let lines on a map box you in. Be bold. Be curious. Be adventurous. Below I have laid out some important steps to making your international trip come to life.
Three Months Prior:
Book flights: Three months in advance is an ideal time to book your flights. It gives you time to search around, compare prices, and make a decision. If you can use points to book your flights, that is even better!
Book first night stay: Whether you are staying in a hotel, hostel, or airbnb book your first night in advance. Even if you are a backpacker (like myself), booking your first night stay relieves unnecessary stress. This way if you arrive late or are tired from a long day of travel, you do not have to run around trying to find accommodations.
Start saving money: If you do not have an endless fund of travel money (which would be amazing, but is not likely), then you need to budget and save. You can do this in fun ways, like challenging yourself to not spend any money on Mondays, or decorate a travel fund jar where you put your cash at the end of every day/week, etc. It is also important to cut out all unnecessary spending. Easy ways to save money are to make coffee at home, drink before you go out, bring a packed lunch to work, etc. It is these small changes that really add up.
Research Tours: make sure that you are checking availability and prices for the dates that you will be there. When you start your research, there may be some activities that you can/want to do on your own. There will be some you may want to or have to do with a group/tour company. If you are going during high season, tours may sell out well in advance. To save money, check discount site like groupon to see if you can get better prices.
Make a priority list: When you are in a new place, there is so much to do and see. Sometimes it is so hard to choose, but it is very hard to do it all. Make sure you prioritize.
Travel insurance: This can be an expensive, complicated process so you want to start looking into it early. Travel insurance is so important. You never know if you will get injured abroad, lose your luggage, get mugged, etc. It is better to be safe than sorry.
Get your passport: If you do not have a passport, apply for it early. It can take a while to come, unless you expedite it. This can get expensive, so be proactive and apply early. When you leave the country, make sure your passport is going to be good for 6 months after your travels.
Vaccines: Some countries require that you have certain vaccines before you enter. There are also recommended shots that can be administered before you leave. It is important to do this to protect yourself. Plus no one wants to get sick while traveling!
Visas: Make sure that you check the visa requirements for each country you plan on visiting. Also beware that some countries require exit flights from the country upon arrival. This varies greatly, so do your research.
Learn basic phrases in the language: It is extremely helpful to learn the basic phrases that you will need to navigate each country. Although most countries will have English speakers, that is not always the case. I recommend learning at least the following words: hello & goodbye, please & thank you, how much, where is the restroom, and help. Not only will locals appreciate it, but this will also help you immerse yourself in the culture.
One Month Prior:
Make doctors appt: If you need any shots or vaccines for your trip, make an appointment.
Buy your travel insurance: Now that you have had time to research, you have to make a decision! What company and level of insurance do you want/can you afford? No matter what, buy travel insurance.
Convert your currency: Though many people wait till the very last minute for this, it is important to convert your currency early. Some banks do not carry foreign currency on hand, and they needs to order it. (Some places can take up to 7 days) Doing this a month in advance assures you will have enough time.
Phone Plan: Figure out your phone plan. Your basic three options are to buy a sim in the country, buy an out of country data plan with your current provider, or strictly use wifi. Some phone carriers now include Mexico and Canada (or a variation of the two) in their phone plans. For example, I can use my regular data plan in Mexico, but not in Canada. Be sure you check into it before hand to avoid expensive and unexpected charges.
Be aware of current scams: Tourist destinations all have their fair share of scams. Some of them are well known, so do your research. Know what you should look for, so you know what you should avoid.
Although phone plans and travel insurance are not the sexy, fun parts of travel, they are imperative. Do not skip out on either.
Week of:
Pack - Checked bag or carry on?: I try to pack in just a carry on as often as possible. This helps to avoid the hassle of lost luggage. On longer trips I know this is not always possible. Be sure your bags abide all airline policies to avoid an airport disaster, or crazy expensive baggage fees.
Confirm bookings: Make sure to reach out and confirm any bookings you have already made. Print out confirmation emails, or at the very least screenshot them incase you do not have access to the internet once you arrive in country.
Leave a copy of all important information at home: Give a loved one a copy of your flight info, passport, and rough travel itinerary along with any other important information. This way, if anything should happen to you, they know who they should contact and where you were supposed to be.
Take pictures of your luggage: Take a picture of all your luggage incase it gets lost. This way you can show TSA the photo and make the search a little easier for everyone.
Make physical copies of your passport: In addition to leaving a copy with a loved one at home, make a second to take with you. This is just in case the original is lost or stolen. Make sure you keep your passport and the copy in two different places.
US embassy: Make sure that you know where a US Embassy is located incase of emergency or natural disaster. Along with knowing where the embassy is, make sure that you also have all the emergency phone numbers in the countries you will be visiting. (believe it or not, the emergency # is not 911 everywhere)
The week before a long trip I like to get my bangs trimmed, nails painted, and eye brows done. This just makes me feel good while I am gone.
Day of:
- Check into your flight online within 24 hours of your departure! The earlier you check in, the better!
- Arrive at airport a minimum of 3 hours early for an international flight.
- Double check you have your passport and foreign currency.
- Double check luggage meets airline standards in height/weight.
- Know that you have done everything you can to prepare for your trip, so all that's left is to enjoy it!
Other important notes:
- Make sure you have an emergency fund. (missed flights, doctors visits, etc.)
- Keep all your receipts in case you need them for customs, or travel insurance claims.
- Expect the unexpected. Travel is wonderful, life changing, and notoriously unpredictable.
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