You’ve decided on an international destination and are excited to book your flight to that country that’s been on your bucket list for a long time. Even for seasoned travelers, international travel can be stressful. However, for a first-time visitor, it can be completely overwhelming. First, there’s the pre-trip planning, such as getting a passport if you don’t already have one, applying for visas, deciding where you’ll stay and how you’ll get from point A to point B. After that, you have to orient yourself in a foreign country, where the time zone, language, and currency may be different from what you’re used to. Not to mention any surprises that may arise along the way.
Selecting a Location
Maybe you’ve been wanting to see elephants in Thailand or koalas in Australia for a long time. Maybe you don’t know where you’re going, but you know you need to go somewhere. If you’re overwhelmed by all the incredible places you can visit now that you have a passport, it may be difficult to decide where to go on your first international trip. Ask yourself questions like, “Do you want to stay close to your home country or go far away?” “Do you speak a foreign language?” “Are you eager to make new friends?” “How ready are you for an adventure?” Now you can choose from over 470 international tour packages.
Investigate your documents
Before you begin booking flights, you must ensure that certain documents are in order. To begin, international travel necessitates the use of an up-to-date passport. You’ll also want to make sure your passport has enough pages for visa stamps. While most countries require only a quarter-page stamp, others may require a half-page or more. Once you’ve sorted out your passport, it’s time to look into visas. Many countries will issue a tourist visa on arrival to US passport or visa holders. Other destinations, such as Australia or Vietnam, require you to apply ahead of time and frequently charge a fee. Check the visa requirements for your final destination and complete any necessary paperwork.
Consider the unexpected requirements
Whether or not you’re the type who spends a lot of time planning out what clothes to bring on your trip, there are some essentials that you should definitely bring. To begin, a digital luggage scale is a useful item for any traveler. You can use this scale to keep track of the weight of your checked luggage. It comes in handy, especially with all of your souvenir purchases on your return flight.
Pack correctly for your flight
You’ve arrived at the airport with your luggage on travel day. The majority of international flights allow for two checked bags. One of the best travel packing tips is to confirm with your airline how many pieces of luggage are permitted. Check the weather at your destination before you leave to ensure you’re prepared. Remember to pack any juices or moisturisers weighing more than three kgs in your checked bags, but keep your passport and important travel documents on you at all times. Also, remember to pack any medications you’re taking, something warm to wear for the flight, a travel pillow, and a water bottle to fill up once you arrive at the airport terminal.
Buy Travel Insurance
I know it sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people are too preoccupied with their trip itinerary to consider travel insurance. If you don’t already have it, you should get it; insurance against lost luggage or canceled flights can save you a lot of money and give you peace of mind in the long run.
