21+ Things To Do Before Traveling Internationally
Are you an American traveler looking for things to do before traveling internationally?
Get started planning your trip with this traveling abroad checklist and timeline. You will discover travel tips and learn essential things to do before traveling internationally.
I am the kind of person who loves to be prepared before a big trip. Knowing as many details as possible helps to avoid getting in a jam. After all, not being able to get on your flight or do what you expected during your travels sucks.
➡️ Find packing lists for specific trips and outdoor adventures on my Packing Lists Hub Page.
By following this list of things to do before traveling internationally, you can feel confident about your upcoming trip. Put in the work up front and read on so you can relax and reduce travel anxiety later.
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Things to Do Before Traveling Internationally Timeline
Here is an overview of the timeline for within 6 months of your trip. If you follow all these things to do before traveling internationally you will be prepared and confident in your travels.
- Planning Your Trip
- Things to do 3-6 months before
- Things to do 1-2 months before
- Things to do 1-2 weeks before
- Things to do 1-3 days before
Start Planning Your Trip
- When is the best time to go?
- When is peak season? Off-season? Shoulder season? You might not want to go during peak season to avoid crowds, and often, shoulder season can be just as nice.
- Is there a special event or celebration that only happens once a year? Holidays? These are excellent to know before you go, so you don’t miss out.
- When to book transport and accommodation?
- This is highly dependent on your personal plans, but learn ahead of time whether hostels or campgrounds fill up fast. Is there a ferry you want to go on that books out? A famous train ride you want to take? Try your best to discover which things you want to book early, vs. what you can book while you’re there.
- Research the weather
- Be sure to have a raincoat if it’s the rainy season, and always have a warm layer even if it’s a tropical destination. Think about footwear too, will you be walking in snow or will it be warm and sunny?
- Buy books about your destination
- Having a physical book to write notes in and bookmark is super valuable. Plus, books can offer more insight than quick internet searches. Travel guides are thoroughly researched and can give you a solid jumping-off point for your own further research.
- What apps might be useful to download and become familiar with?
- Look up “[country name] travel apps” and you’ll find a plethora of resources to know more about. Get help with public transit, finding activities, and more.
➡️ Find helpful travel apps on my Resources Page.
Research Customs and Manners
Local people appreciate it when visitors respect their customs. Here is a good place to start your research:
- What are the common phrases and greetings? How to pronounce them properly?
- Knowing “hello” and “thank you” can get you a long way!
- What manners or gestures should you be aware of? What might be considered impolite?
- Is this a modestly dressed country? What is the primary religion?
- Is tipping expected? If so, how much?
- What is typical restaurant behavior?
What is the country known for?
What should you buy or be sure to experience while you’re there? I knew New Zealand was famous for merino wool, so I purchased wool yarn as a memento. I also tried Manuka honey, local wine, pies, and pastries.
Is there a certain animal you hope to see? When and where is the ideal time to see it? If applicable, book an experience in advance.
If you do find yourself in New Zealand, try a Whittaker’s chocolate bar that you can find at pretty much any grocery store. You can thank me later.
➡️ See my New Zealand Travel Guide for more NZ tips.
Things to do 3-6 Months Before Traveling Internationally
Complete these tasks before traveling internationally. The things done 3-6 months in advance usually take a while or are critical to your trip. This list will save you planning time.
Check Your Passport Validity
If you do have a valid passport, that’s fantastic. When does it expire? Be sure your passport won’t expire within 6 months of the end of your trip.
You might not be allowed on your flight if your passport is set to expire soon. It’s best to apply for a new passport if yours is at risk of expiring by the time you go on your trip.
If you don’t have a valid passport or need to renew, apply for one, and be aware that it may take 4-6 weeks to get your passport. Plan accordingly.
Secure Travel Visa if Necessary
Depending on the country you are visiting, you may need to acquire a travel visa. Search your destination in the travel.state.gov database and scroll down to “entry, exit, and visa requirements.” This tool is an incredible resource for learning about travel restrictions and requirements for your destination.
Additional travel visa questions to look into before traveling internationally:
- How far in advance can you apply for a visa?
- How long is the visa good for?
- How many days/months can you stay in the country with the visa you applied for?
- What is the fee for applying?
- What rules do you need to adhere to while traveling on a visa?
Fill Out Travel Declaration
In addition to a travel visa, some countries might have you fill out a travel declaration. You’ll find out what items are not allowed into your destination country and what items you may need to declare you are bringing.
For example, we couldn’t bring fresh fruits, vegetables, or any meat into New Zealand. When we landed in Auckland, we were prepared for a customs officer to search our bags thoroughly. We had to declare all used hiking gear because of the spread of soil from our boots and trekking poles.
Apply For an International Driver’s Permit
Find out if a valid U.S. driver’s license is enough to drive legally in the country of choice, or if you need to apply for an international driving permit.
Also, know when your driver’s license expires and if you need to apply for a new one. Be aware that your international driving permit cannot be issued more than 6 months before your trip.
Additional driving questions to look into before traveling internationally:
- What side of the road does the country drive on?
- Can you drive a manual car if that’s the only option?
- What are the rules of the road? Who has the right of way? Pedestrian rules?
- What do the road signs look like? Get familiar before you start driving around.
- What are the public transportation options?
Things to do 1-2 Months Before Traveling Internationally
Make Travel Purchases
Think about:
- What type of power outlets will you need to plug into? Do you have a converter?
- What items might be hard to find in the country you are visiting? Medications and the like.
- Are things cheap or expensive where you will be? Should you bring more items from home or buy them there?
- Are there any particular snacks you want to make sure you have for long travel days?
- Do you have a luggage scale to weigh your bags?
➡️ See my favorite travel gear list for more recommendations.
Call Your Bank if Necessary
Are credit cards widely accepted where you will be visiting? If yes, and you plan to use a credit card, which of your cards doesn’t have an international transaction fee? The last thing you want is to rack up fees while you’re trying to have fun during your travels.
Some credit card companies don’t require you to tell them of your travel plans. If you are unsure, it’s best to contact your credit card company and ask them any further questions.
Additional money questions to look into before traveling internationally:
- Which credit cards are most widely accepted?
- If your card gets declined, do you have a backup option?
- How much cash is appropriate to carry? I do recommend having at least some cash, no matter what.
Call Your Medical Insurance Provider
Research about healthy and safety concerns before your trip so you can travel with confidence. This is one of the most critical things to do before traveling internationally.
Also, call your medical insurance provider to see what they cover if there is an accident abroad.
- Do you need any vaccinations before you leave?
- Is the water safe to drink at your destination?
- What are the common crimes? Should you be prepared to protect against thieves?
- Is this a safe country for women travelers?
- What is the number to reach emergency services? (Hint: 911 won’t work!)
These are examples of the bare minimum you should be aware of; every country is different.
1 Week Before Traveling Internationally
- Save your credit card numbers online.
- If you lose your wallet, it’s good to have copies of your credit cards and passport in a secure online location. You can use Dropbox or any number of safe online locations. Do not just take a picture with your phone!
- Organize Your Bookings
- Save and sort emails with confirmation numbers from bookings. Tag them in your email and take screenshots to add to an album on your phone.
- Share Your Itinerary
- Share your itinerary with friends and family so someone knows generally where you are. Send them your flights, accommodations, and other critical information. Tell your loved ones how frequently you plan to check in with them so they can tell if something goes wrong.
- Get an International Phone Data Plan
- There are a lot of options out there for data plans. I get an eSIM with my phone carrier and pay for an international plan. My phone works immediately upon landing, and I don’t have to mess with a physical SIM card.
- If you have a dietary restriction, let the airline know ahead of time, and the appropriate meals and snacks will be provided during the flight.
➡️ See my post about the ultimate carry on packing list for a long flight
1-3 Days Before Traveling Internationally
- Know what the weight limits are for ALL bags (personal items as well) on all your flights.
- This is a crucial one! On one flight, the airline might not have a set weight limit for personal items, but your connecting flight could have a strict limit. I’ve gotten caught off guard before and was almost charged an insane fee for an overweight bag.
- Pack a luggage scale to avoid overweight bag fees. It’s one of my essential items for traveling abroad.
- Get the airline’s app to receive notifications about your flight and potentially receive in-flight perks.
- Add your boarding passes to Apple Wallet once they are available.
- Pack toiletries
➡️ Follow my complete minimalist travel toiletries list for easy packing
Tips For International Travel
First off, I’d recommend having an RFID safe wallet to store your passport and credit cards. I like this one because it accommodates two passports, features a zippered pocket for coins, multiple card slots, and a designated area for cash.
NEVER Pay in USD
If given the option on a payment machine to pay in USD or the country’s currency, always use the country’s currency. When you select USD, you will end up paying more for your items. Let your bank do the conversion for free. Don’t worry, your credit card statements will use USD, so you can keep track of your spending.
Currency Conversion Hack
If you have an iPhone, you can use the calculator app to convert currency. I use this all the time, and you don’t need an internet connection to use it.
— Open your calculator app
— Tap on the calculator icon in the bottom left corner
— Toggle “Convert” on at the bottom of the list of options
— Tap on one of the conversion elements to bring up a list of unit options
— Tap on currency and search for what you need
This also works for converting kilometers to miles, kilograms to pounds, etc.
Download Google Maps
So many people don’t know about this! Before you go, you can download maps for entire countries on Google Maps. This is FREE, and you won’t need an internet connection to get around.
— Open the Google Maps app
— Be sure you are signed in to your account and tap your profile icon on the top right
— Tap on “Offline Maps” from the list of options
— Tap “Select your own map”
— Navigate to where in the world you want to download the section
— Tap download
Now you have a reliable way to get around without the internet. For best results when your service is spotty, put your phone on airplane mode, and the downloaded map kicks in.
