20 International Travel Tips For Your First Time Abroad

While planning for an international trip brings excitement for the new experiences awaiting, navigating unfamiliar places can bring challenges! To make sure your journey is seamless, consider these eight international travel tips designed for first-timers! From researching to packing, we have mentioned everything in detail. These tips for international flights will help you have a smooth journey abroad! Let's get started!

20 Best Tips for International Flights

Prepare for flights with these international travel tips! From packing essentials to budgeting, ensure a smooth journey abroad.

1. Research your destination

Ensure investing a lot of time in researching your destination to enhance your travel experience. Spontaneous trips do seem fun, but an international travel tip is to understand the mannerisms of your destination country. 

Although there are linguistic and cultural differences, there are different legal rules and regulations that you need to pay attention to. Here are some things you should know about the country you will be visiting:

1. Currency
2. Dominant religion
3. Clothing rules
4. Required vaccines
5. Accommodation options
6. Language
7. Local cuisine
8. Traffic laws

2. Book everything in advance

If your travel plans are set, an international travel tip is to book your trip as soon as you are financially committed. Spontaneous decisions are appealing, but arriving at your international destination without any arrangements may create a hole in your pocket! Many last-minute travellers find themselves running around finding a place to stay, resulting in increased expenses and added stress in an international destination. Having a pre-planned trip provides peace of mind and allows you to focus on enjoying your journey without worrying about the logistics. 

If you are a student, we have a great international travel tip for you! Make sure to take advantage of securing transport tickets at a discount in advance through flight booking services! 

3. Notify Your Bank

Notifying your bank is one of the first things to do before travelling internationally. Let your bank know when and where you will be travelling so that they can eliminate any issues with using your credit or debit cards. It helps you avoid having your bank think you're an identity thief and cancelling all of your cards while overseas. 

4. Plan for Currency Exchange

A very important tip for long international flights is the currency exchange. Do your research on the best rates and methods ahead of time. So, remember to change some money in your country before travel and already have local currency upon arrival at the destination. Do not waste a lot of time searching for an exchange service.

5. Prepare your Travel Documents

Another thing that can cause you unnecessary stress is taking care of the travel documents. A useful international travel tip is to ensure that you have a valid passport and your travel visa to expand your potential destinations significantly. 

For passports, many countries have a minimum validity period, and insufficient blank pages can result in visa denial. For visas, check whether your destination requires a visa for entry; arriving at your flight without a visa may lead to rejection. Some passport holders may benefit from visa-free travel or visa-on-arrival privileges; regulations may vary by country.

6. Check Visa Requirements

Every country has various visa requirements. As mentioned previously, one thing to do before travelling internationally is to make sure you look up the visa rules of your destination beforehand. Such visas, if applicable, need to be applied for early as they may take a while, leaving the traveller at risk of last-minute cancellations.

7. Get Travel Insurance

Get travel insurance to save yourself some trouble if things like medical emergencies or trip cancellations come up in your journey, as well as lost luggage etc. This is basically peace of mind and financial protection when you are out there on the roads, blogging away.

8. Make a budget

Another tip for flying internationally is to consider how to travel cost-effectively. Make sure you are establishing a budget, and here are some key expenses to incorporate into your budget:

For food, assess how you can save money and occasionally prepare your own meals. As your flight ticket takes up most of your budget, look for local transport options upon arrival. Check your accommodation prices- as a student, you can find great accommodation options too.  List out the expenses for vaccination, passport renewal costs and travel insurance too. Always keep an emergency fund for medical calamity or fluctuating exchange rates. Here's another international travel tip - inform your bank of your travel plans to prevent any fraud alerts when you are using your card abroad, and ensure you have enough cash on hand to cover daily expenses. If you are planning to study abroad, make sure you are creating your student bank account abroad. 

9. Set Up International Roaming

Another important thing to do before travelling internationally is to set up international roaming with your mobile phone carrier or purchase a local SIM card upon arrival. This would let you stay connected for important communications and also provide the phone to use maps, translations and other useful apps.

10. Compare transportation 

While travelling, you are constantly on the go, checking for optimal transportation methods. An international travel tip to ease your research is to compare flight booking platforms and assess route options to find the most economical mode of travel and opt for an airport pickup service beforehand to ensure a hassle-free landing.

As guessed, buses and subway systems offer cost-effective and environmentally friendly transportation with a perk of sightseeing and socialising! Alternatively, you can utilise rideshare apps for door-to-door pickup and drop services. Do not forget to research the travel options available in your destinations beforehand so that you avoid sudden expenses while travelling.

11. Compare accommodations

Hotels are a good choice for travellers but try exploring alternatives like hostels, guesthouses or even Airbnb. These are better and more affordable options, and you can mingle with fellow travellers. Some hostels have great amenities that you cannot even find in budget hotels, so exploring more options is an international travel tip that is always advised. 

But if you are a student, seek out student accommodation options to ensure a budget-friendly and enriching experience. 

12. Prioritise your health & safety

As you are heading abroad, you can't help but feel excited and anticipate the new experiences. While all of that is natural, it is equally important to prioritise safety. An international travel tip is to safeguard your belongings by carrying a crossbody bag to avoid easily accessible pockets. You can also carry money belts under clothing or use theft-proof wallets. 

When you reach your destination, seek advice from locals and accommodation staff to know the safe areas to explore and always travel with a companion, especially during nighttime. Also, let your family back home know about your whereabouts. By following these safety measures, you can cut down risks while travelling.

13. Understand Local Customs

Before you leave, get to know the social norms and culture of your chosen destination. This can help you avoid any cultural faux pas and may even make it easier for you to fit in.

14. Learn Basic Phrases in the Local Language

A great thing to do before travelling internationally is to practice a few basic local language words (it helps you to communicate smoothly). Words such as hello, thank you, and where is the bathroom? Has the great potential to be incredibly beneficial and welcome by locals.

15. Prepare for Time Zone Changes

Change your sleep timing slightly a few days before the day you are flying if it is another time zone. Doing this will reduce jet lag and make it easier to acclimate yourself to the new time zone once you arrive.

16. Pack Snacks and Entertainment

Bring snacks and entertainment on the plane to keep yourself fulfilled. Flights can be long and tiring, but with some good snacks, a book or movie, it helps you get through the journey.

17. Check Electrical Outlets

Learn which outlets are used where you will travel and get an adapter. This will ensure that you do not encounter any issues while charging your devices.

18. Stay Hydrated

A great tip for a log international flight is to make sure to drink lots of water before, during and after your flight so you can stay hydrated. Airplane cabins are notoriously dry, and drinking helps you feel better, which can lead to less jet lag, too.

19. Join a Loyalty Program

Sign Up with the Airline Loyalty Program to Collect Points on your Flight. These points can result in perks such as upgrades, priority boarding and access to airport lounges, adding supreme advantage to the ride.

20. Pack appropriately

Proper packing is essential for a seamless travel experience; utilise packing cubes to streamline your packing process and maximise space. Remember to list out the essential items to avoid overpacking. Read about the baggage restrictions to avoid any surprises while checking in. An international travel tip is also to consider investing in travel accessories such as anti-theft gear or a luggage shipping service for a smooth and stress-free trip.. 

With these essential international travel tips, you can get on your journeys abroad with confidence and preparedness. From packing and taking safety measures to comparing accommodations, each suggestion helps you to enhance your experience. Remember to stay open-minded, adaptable, and, above all, enjoy the adventure! With proper planning and a positive attitude, your first trip abroad is sure to be a rewarding and unforgettable experience. Safe travels!