Visiting new cultures and meeting new people offers us a chance to experience a bit of freedom. To ensure a carefree time on our trip, it is necessary to make the proper arrangements. Here is a list of 10 things that will help put your mind at ease as you prepare to travel abroad.

1. Get a passport 

If you don’t have a passport yet, you will need to apply in person and submit the application at an authorized acceptance facility, usually your local post office. The required form for U.S. Citizens is the DS-11 form. You can fill it out online and print it. You can find this form at www.travel.state.gov.  

 

If you already have a passport, be sure to check the expiration date to ensure it won’t expire during your trip. Be sure to make a couple of paper copies of your passport and also have a digital copy with you. Even if you lose your passport, this copy should be sufficient to help you check into your accommodations and expedite your application for an emergency passport. You can expedite your passport renewal or emergency passport through services like ItsEasy Passport & Visa Services and RushMyPassport.com. The fee ranges from $50 to $950.

2. Check your destination for any Visa requirements 

Visa requirements vary for every country. If your destination requires a visa make sure you start this process early. It can be time-consuming. A growing number of European countries will require an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) for visa-exempt countries (like the U.S.) starting in late 2026.  Make sure to keep this in mind even if you don’t need a visa for your destination. (The businesses in point #1 can also help you obtain the necessary visas)

 

 

3. Check on vaccinations and medications

Check on any vaccinations you need for your destination. This is more common when traveling to third-world countries where there are diseases like malaria, dengue, bird flu, and Zika (to name a few).

Also, make sure you have enough of your daily medication to last the entire duration of your trip. Carry your medication in the original bottles and have a doctor’s signed list of prescriptions. This is not always required, but it is a safe practice.

 

 

 
4. Travel Insurance

Better to be safe than sorry. When traveling abroad, an accident that requires hospitalization or medical transport back home can be an astronomical expense. Travel insurance is an affordable way to protect yourself against this financial risk. Check out this Forbes review to help you make your choice.

 

 

 
5. Alert your bank 

Please make sure your bank knows about your travel destination(s). Banks constantly monitor for fraud. Your ability to pay for anything could be disrupted if your bank disables your card due to suspected fraud.

 

 

6. Avoid Foreign Transaction Fees on ATM’s and Credit Cards

Check for relationships between your bank and any bank in your destination country to avoid transaction fees on cash withdrawals from ATM machines. (For instance, Bank of America has relationships with Barclays (UK), BNL (Italy), and BNP Paribas (France))

There are many credit card companies that do not charge foreign transaction fees. Here is a list of credit cards with no foreign transaction fee.

Remember: Always choose to be charged in the local currency to avoid DCC.

7. Use paperless billing and/or set up Auto-pay

If you don’t want to worry about those recurring bills you might want to set up auto-pay while you are gone. You can always turn it off when you return. Otherwise, convert your billing to paperless and use your bill paying feature on your online banking site. 

8. Cash

Before you leave, convert enough cash into the currency of your destination. You will need to pay for the transportation to your accommodations. It is also nice to have a little money for smaller items, such as a bottle of water or a piece of fruit. Please always remember to keep enough local currency to pay for your return transportation to the airport when you’re leaving.  (It’s no fun discovering you underestimated the cost of your 5:30 a.m. cab ride to the airport.) Not that that ever happened to us.:)

9. Cell Phone Communication

Most major carriers offer international calling plans. AT&T’s international calling plan, for instance, offers unlimited talk, text, and high-speed data for $12/day. A plan like this, combined with wireless communication apps like WhatsApp, makes for a good combination to stay in touch with family and friends, as well as for any emergency communication needed while traveling. Check with your local carrier to see if they offer international calling plans. Another option is eSIMs and local SIMS, which can be an affordable and easy way to stay connected. When not using any of these options,  remember to put your phone on airplane mode in order to avoid roaming charges. These charges can add up quickly. 

10. Itinerary

Researching and booking hotels, planning day trips and activities, purchasing advance tickets for your favorite attractions, and scheduling transportation to your next destination are all essential features of a well-organized travel itinerary. Depending on the length of your vacation, you may want to plan every destination in advance. If you plan to stay for an extended period and would like the flexibility of not being tied to a strict itinerary, it is helpful to book your hotels for your first two destinations. This gives you time to enjoy your first stay without the stress of planning your next move.

 

If you would like some tips on how to pack light for your travel abroad, please check out this post.