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Crossing continents and time zones? This is why international travel prep matters. The right tools, plans, and mindset make all the difference.
International travel can feel like a beast; foreign languages, confusing currencies, visa rules, and major logistics. Add in the time off work and family obligations, and it’s no wonder people throw it back on the bucket list with a sigh.
But here's the thing: it’s completely doable. You've just got to break it down. And lucky for you, I’ve got the scars, stories, and stamps to prove it.
Step 1: The Power of the Passport
Before you dream up an itinerary, make sure your passport has at least 6 months of validity and a few blank pages. I renewed mine recently using the new online process, it was fast and painless. Check it out at travel.state.gov.
Make two copies of the ID page. Bring one with you and leave one with someone back home. Take a photo or screenshot too. Keep the real thing locked in your hotel safe unless absolutely needed. Wandering a city with it? Bad idea.
Step 2: Know Your Entry Requirements
Not every country is “come on in!” friendly. Check if you need a visa before booking flights. On a trip to Hong Kong, Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, and Dubai, the only pre-arranged visa we needed was for Vietnam. Singapore’s SG Arrival Card is done online, but only within 3 days of arrival.
Let this be the place where people usually give up, don’t. Seriously. Don’t. Go to your government’s official travel website (like travel.state.gov if you’re a U.S. citizen), and it will walk you through everything. I’ve done visas for Australia, Vietnam, China, you name it. It’s easier than people make it seem.
Step 3: Language Barriers Aren’t Real Barriers
Worried you don’t speak the language? Don’t be. In Venice, I watched a Japanese traveler and an Italian hotel clerk speak to each other in English. In Thailand’s Chinatown, even without words, we managed to laugh, gesture, and smile our way through every interaction.
Get Google Translate or a similar app. That’s all you need. And keep smiling.
Step 4: Get Your Phone Sorted
Call your carrier and see what they offer for international coverage. We use T-Mobile and can get by for about a week on their included data. Consider an eSIM for longer trips. I use Saily.
Once at your hotel, always jump on the secure Wi-Fi network to save your mobile data.
Step 5: Let Your Credit Cards Work for You
Before you go, call your credit card company and let them know where you’ll be. This prevents them from declining your charges abroad. And if you haven’t already: get a travel rewards card. I just picked up the Chase Sapphire Preferred and scored 100,000 points after hitting the spending requirement. That’s a serious upgrade fund.
Step 6: Currency Without the Chaos
Don’t exchange cash at the airport. Ever. Use ATMs once you’re on the ground, especially ones with the PLUS network. And always pay in local currency when given the choice—it gets you the best exchange rate. In Vietnam, I withdrew one million dong from an ATM. Sounded wild… until I realized that’s about 39 bucks USD.
Download a converter app like Xe so you don’t waste time doing math at every market stall.
Step 7: Must-Have Travel Apps
Here’s what I never travel without:
- Airline apps (for mobile boarding passes)
- Hotel apps (easy check-in and keyless entry)
- Uber/Lyft/Grab
- Google Maps
- Google Translate
- Xe (currency converter)
- Viator + TripAdvisor (for tours and reviews)
- VPN (I use NordVPN)
- Local transit apps
- Weather app
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Think travel is just flights and hotel bookings? Here’s a peek inside my travel brain, aka the app drawer. From points hacks to park reservations, this is how I actually make travel seamless.
Step 8: Insurance—Yes, You Need It
We were sitting on the tarmac in Salt Lake City en route to Taiwan for a cruise out of Hong Kong. A mechanical delay meant we would miss the connection, which meant missing the cruise. That’s tens of thousands of dollars down the drain. Thanks to fast fingers and Delta Gold status, I rebooked a direct flight. But I would have slept easier with proper travel insurance.
You may never need it. But if you do? You’ll be glad you have it.
Step 9: Health & Immunizations
We’ve had an ER visit in the UK (free, thankfully). Most countries aren’t that generous. U.S. health insurance rarely works overseas. Depending on your age and medical situation, look into short-term international health coverage.
As for vaccines: check travel.state.gov or the country’s official page for what’s required. Sometimes it’s just a yellow fever shot for South America or Africa. But better to know in advance than to miss a trip at the border.
Step 10: Don’t Forget the Little Stuff
- Plug adapters: Research the ones you’ll need for your destination and pack a couple.
- USPS mail hold: Schedule it online at usps.com.
- Neighbors: Let them know you’re away.
- Prescriptions: Bring enough for the entire trip + extras in case of delays.
If you’ve ever dreamed of booking that first international trip but felt overwhelmed, we hope this breakdown gave you the push to go for it. And if you still have questions, shoot us a message!
Quick Recap
- Passport: Valid for 6+ months with extra pages. Make copies.
- Visas: Don’t guess—check official entry requirements early.
- Language: Smile, point, and download Google Translate.
- Phone Plan: Check your carrier, consider an eSIM.
- Credit Cards: Notify your bank and use one with no foreign fees.
- Currency: Use ATMs abroad. Always pay in local currency.
- Apps to Download: Maps, Translate, ride shares, airline, currency converter, VPN.
- Travel Insurance: Worth it for peace of mind (and your wallet).
- Health Prep: Meds, insurance, and country-specific vaccine requirements.
- Little Stuff: Plug adapters, mail hold, neighbor heads-up, backup meds.
If you’re ready to travel smarter and lighter, grab our free checklist