8 Important International Travel Tips You Need To Know

This post, 8 Of The Most Important International Travel Tips, You Need To Know, was originally published in 2018 and has been completely updated December 2019.

Are you getting ready to head out on an international trip?

Not sure you have everything you need?

I’m always worried that I’m missing something and I don’t want you to have the same experience!!!

So here are 8 of the most important international travel tips you need to know, to have researched and taken care of before your trip so it’ll go smoothly!!!

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International Travel Tips

Visas

A visa is a piece of documentation that will allow you to go into a specific country and stay for a specific amount of time.

There are four possibilities in terms of visas.

You will either:

1-Not need to get one.

2-Only need one if you’re staying for a specific length of time.

3-Definitely need one, no matter the length, but can get it there at the airport when you’re going through customs.

4-Need one, no matter the length, and you have to get it before you even depart.

I’ve heard of people who have gotten stuck in airports because they didn’t have a visa before arriving and they don’t always make it easy to get it once you are there.

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So make sure you research whether you need one or not before your trip.

Vaccines

Definitely something to consider and research before your trip.

Depending on where you’re going you may need to do a good updating on your vaccines and/or get area-specific ones.

The CDC is a good place to start. They do a good job of giving you an idea of what you will need, again, depending on where you’re going.

Know, that some vaccines have to be started two or more weeks before your trip to be effective.

There are several different options to help you get your vaccines:

∼your family doctor

∼a pharmacy

∼your county health department

∼a travel clinic

And your health insurance may help with some of the cost.

Note: the CDC will probably suggest ‘all’ of the possible vaccines you might need. We only do the ones we feel will be most important, etc.

For example, going to the Philippines, they suggest you get Japanese Encephalitis and rabies.

We chose not to get those.

Partially because we’ve never heard of issues with those but also because they are extremely expensive.

Like $400+ per treatment and you need like four of them. That $1600 just for one person!!!! So for four of us…..yea….

Now, if we were worried that it would really be a possibility of being exposed to these I know we’d get them but since we know we won’t, we’ll save the money! 🙂

Passport

Have you gotten your passport yet?

If you already have a passport, have you double-checked the expiration date?

If you haven’t gotten it yet or need to renew yours, make sure you keep track of your time frame!!!

It can take up to six weeks or more, after you’ve turned in your application, to get it processed and returned back to you!

Also, know that if yours is about to expire, like within six months of your trip, you need to renew it before you go or you chance being denied your trip.

Yup, it’s true! My dad just got denied a trip because his was going to expire in three months!!!

Don’t forget to check your passport’s expiration date! If it’s within 6 months of expiring get it renewed, or you might be denied your trip!!!

Money

Depending on your travel destination you may not need to ever worry about exchanging money.

But, if they don’t take dollars, then you may be able to exchange your money before your trip, at your bank.

Make sure you give your bank time to get the new currency in, like don’t wait until two days before your trip 😉

Now, most, if not all places I’ve traveled have had currency exchange places right there in the airport so it is possible to wait but if you can do it ahead of time you won’t have to worry about finding a place once you’re there.

Now, if you’re planning on just using your credit card, know there might be fees included each and every time you use it.

Plus, I think it’s always a good idea to have some cash on you in case you need to tip or buy something small.

Extra clothes

Did you pack an extra set of clothes in your carry-on?

No?

You should!!!

Why?

What if your luggage gets lost?

Guess what, if you’ve packed an extra set of clothes in your carry-on then you’ll at least have a fresh pair to change into in case you need to buy more and/or wait until your bags make it to you!

Seat assignments

Do you like to have a specific seat on the plane?

My mom is an aisle person, so we always make sure we call or go online to get our seat assignments before we arrive at the airport.

Not only that but when we all travel together we, of course, want to all sit together.

Calling ahead of time or going online we can get our seat assignments and know we’re all together!

More and more it seems like this might not always be the case so it’s best to keep your hopes low but I think you’ve got a better chance.

Meals

Are you traveling with a little one? Or do you have specific meal needs?

Call your airline before you’re trip and you can take care of both of these without any problem!!!

Security

As we all know, you will have to go through security before your first flight.

But did you know that you may have to go through security again?

If you are traveling domestic first and then transferring to your international flight, you will have to go through security again.

Depending on what layovers you have and in what airports, you may have to go through security again, too.

When we travel to the Philippines we always have to go through security in Seoul.

That means you can’t have liquids in your bags, and/or they have to be 3 oz or less.

I try to stay hydrated when I fly so I’m always filling up my water bottle.

I’ve either had to chug down all the water or pour it out.

Just remember to be prepared 🙂

And there you go!

I hope this helps prepare you for your next international trip.

Remembering all these international travel tips will definitely help you have a smoother trip, at least getting to your destination 🙂

And just in case you’re looking for more tips, check out How to Pack. 

Looking to update your travel gear? Head over to my Resources Page for some inspiration!

Or, just wish you had a better packing list? Grab my free Never Forget Anything Again packing list!!!!

Did you know all of these international travel tips? What did I miss? Please share it with everyone in the comments below. Thanks!!!!