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Travelling abroad from the US for the first time can be a scary yet exhilarating adventure. Knowing what you need to organise before you leave, what to take with you, how to prepare yourself, and how to stay safe can all be massive challenges you want to overcome to ensure your vacation runs smoothly and you don't get any delays or hiccups that could have easily been avoided.
These travel tips are designed to help answer some questions you might have, prepare yourself, and facilitate a smooth exit and reentry from the US so you have the best time on your travels.
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Before you do anything else and in plenty of time for your trip, check your passport. Make sure you know the passport entry requirements of the country or countries you will be visiting so you can ensure you have enough time left on your passport to visit your destinations. For example, some countries don't require any duration left, and you can travel home on the day before your passport expires, but other countries require 3 or 6 months. For example, do you need to be sure you have this period clear from your departure date home post-travel? Also, check for any damages that might impact your ability to use it. Ensure that all details are clear, nothing is defaced or missing, and you can legally travel using the document.
Check the country you are visiting for any visa regulations that you need to enter the country. For example, China, Egypt, and Australia require American citizens to have a visa to enter their countries.
Make sure you apply for and receive your visa in plenty of time to ensure that you can continue with your travel plans and that they aren't disrupted in any way. This process can vary depending on the country you're visiting, so it's best to start early and follow the specific instructions provided by the embassy or consulate of that country.
Some countries have very specific cultures and traditions that visitors are expected to adhere to when visiting. While visitors from the US to the UK, for example, might not notice any significant cultural norms or traditions, other countries, significantly more religious ones, might be a lot more strict and require tourists to be respectful of their traditions.
Let's take Saudi Arabia; women are expected to dress conservatively; no tight clothing is allowed, and dancing and inappropriate behaviour are not permitted. Sri Lanka has very strict rules for same-sex relationships, and these relations are criminalised.
Always research and learn what rules and customs you must follow to avoid accidentally breaking the law, making faux pas, or, even worse, committing criminal acts that could put your safety at risk.
No matter where you are in the world, there is going to be some risk of criminal activity. This is a given. However, it's a good idea to always check the type of crimes you might be more at risk of as a tourist. Each country will have different kinds of criminals and scam artists that prey on tourists, and the more you know about what to expect, the easier it will be for you to protect your belongings and, indeed, yourself.
This includes using practical crossbody bags for travel that offer more security from pickpockets and thieves, not allowing people to "help" with your luggage to avoid being forced into paying huge tips and being threatened, which can be a common occurrence in some countries, and so on.
It's essential to understand how you will spend money when travelling. Will you be able to rely on your bank or credit cards? Will cash be a preferable option, or are you okay with using one of the two?
Talking to your bank or card issuer about your travel plans can cause your card to be flagged as spam due to being used in a foreign country. Knowing if there are any charges for using ATMs, how to withdraw cash, and the exchange rates will help you decide how best to pay for items when travelling. It might be that you need to take a lump sum of cash with you to avoid unpreferable exchange rates or high withdrawal fees. Or that using your credit card solely affords you the best options. Check before travelling to make sure you know the best choice for you at your destination so you can be prepared.
Suppose you require any medical equipment or medication for a long-term health condition. In that case, it's essential that you have enough supplies to last you and that you obtain the correct travel documentation. Some airlines and countries require you to have a note from your doctor to verify you need to travel with different medications or medical equipment. Or you might require a fit-to-fly statement to confirm you can fly.
In addition, have copies of your prescription, note down what you take, when, and how much, and keep this on you at all times. Have a list of any allergies or important medical information that is easy to find and in the native language of the country you are visiting, as well as English, for easier translation.
Have everything labelled, ideally in the original packaging with the prescription details and space amounts on. If you feel this might be needed, have emergency numbers for next of kin and your physician back home, too. These contacts can be crucial in case of an emergency, ensuring that you can quickly get the help you need, even when you're far from home.
While Americans are used to paying huge medical bills at home, the last thing you want is to experience this when travelling, too. Taking out health insurance and understanding the laws around healthcare for visitors can allow you to get the treatment you need in an emergency without having to find it all yourself. You never know what might happen when you are travelling, so having health insurance to cover your trip can be a lifesaver should the worst happen.
Remember, your health insurance at home doesn't cover you for treatment outside of US borders, so you need an additional policy to cover your travel dates.
If you are to lose your passport or other documents, what will you do? This can be a nightmare for many people, and scrambling to find their embassy in a foreign country and get a new passport, or not being able to locate accommodation details, can really spoil the trip. A good tip is to make sure you have copies of all of your travel documents.
That could be taking a picture of your passport, visas, and other IDs and screenshotting travel bookings and details so you have them to hand in the event of no internet connection. Or having paper and digital copies of documents you need so you are covered, etc.
Remember, if you have digital and physical copies, try to keep them separate. For example, if you have taken a picture, keep your cell phone away from your passport. This way, if your passport gets stolen, you still have the image on your cell phone and vice versa, and you don't lose both together.
Planning for your first foray into the world outside of your home country can be an exciting time. These tips are designed to help things run smoothly and give you a heads-up on the best way to travel so you can make the most of your time away and have the best experience possible.
