If you’re planning an international trip, you're likely on the lookout for travel tips and tricks. There are lots of international travel tips that can help keep your travels as headache-free as possible. A key part of the planning process is determining what kind of experience you want and choosing a destination that correlates with your expectations.
On this page, we will cover questions you can ask yourself before traveling abroad to help you decide on the perfect spot for you and your family or friends. We’ll provide resources for finding out what travel restrictions exist for your destination, advice for first-time international travelers, and the best international travel tips to ensure you have the most stress-free trip possible.
No one wants to travel overseas only to find out that their chosen destination is not what they were expecting. You can avoid this by asking yourself some important questions at the beginning of the planning process.
Some questions to ask before traveling abroad to help you determine the best destinations for you are:
Answering these questions will help you to narrow down your options and make an informed choice.
Most destinations have documentation requirements and other restrictions for those wanting to enter the country. Standard documentation often includes a passport and visa. Some visas may require proof of your ability to pay for expenses in your destination, proof of your intent to return home after your trip, and more.
Additional essential travel documents COVID-19 has made necessary may include proof of travel medical insurance, proof of vaccination, proof of a negative COVID test taken within a certain timeframe, and more. It’s important to familiarize yourself with your destination’s international travel restrictions far in advance to ensure you have enough time to gather all required documents.
Look at travel restrictions by country to understand the requirements relevant for your trip. There are a few sites that are invaluable resources when it comes to staying up to date on current requirements for your destination. Because things can change quickly, we recommend that you check back frequently.
Planning your first overseas trip can be both exciting and a bit overwhelming. Even if you're an experienced world traveler, these tips for traveling abroad for the first time are helpful for everyone.
If this is your first time flying internationally alone, you will want to prepare yourself for what you can expect from a long-haul flight. Some tips for flying internationally, whether it's your first time or not, include:
These travel tips for beginners can be helpful for both first-timers and travelers experienced with overseas travel. Check out these additional resources that may be helpful when traveling internationally:
Remember that travel can come with unexpected and unplanned changes and it's best to adopt a mindset of acceptance. Sometimes, being thrown off your schedule can lead to the most magical parts of your trip.
Once you have chosen your destination and booked your flights, it's a great time to build an international travel checklist for 2023 trips. There are a number of things to prepare before traveling abroad, especially if you are visiting a country that has stringent COVID guidelines or visa requirements. It's best to make an international travel documents checklist to ensure that you have everything you need in a timely manner.
Steps to include on your checklist:
As we continue to navigate travel during a pandemic, many travelers are seeking tips for international travel during COVID. Traveling to a foreign country may require a few additional steps these days, but it is not impossible. As you are planning for your departure, you will need to determine the documents needed to travel abroad, as this can vary from country to country.
Also follow these international travel tips during COVID times to help you navigate the requirements and guidelines wherever you are visiting:
Traveling to another country during COVID-19 can be managed just with some research and preparation. International travel can still be an amazing experience!
Some of the best travel advice websites provide unique travel tips to make your trip a success. Here are three such sites that are extremely helpful:
You can also explore our list of the “Top 50 Traveling Sites to Prepare for Your Dream Trip.” These sites are broken down by destinations, accommodations, transportation, travel gear and packing, language and culture, budgeting, safety, and travel inspiration for your convenience.
The expert travel tips you’ll find on these websites can help even the most seasoned travelers enjoy their trip with a minimum amount of stress.