The idea of going abroad for the first time, regardless of how often you have traveled domestically, may be both exciting and intimidating. Even though we have been traveling the world for years at Go Overseas, we are always learning new travel tips and tactics.

It doesn’t have to be frightening and complicated to go to a totally unfamiliar place! To guarantee a comfortable voyage, heed these easy steps to take before leaving the country.

1. Get your travel paperwork ready.

Applying for your passport well in advance is the most crucial piece of advice to save needless worry. Your travel radius is severely restricted if you do not have a passport or a travel visa.

A passport

Some individuals may overlook this, but a 10-year passport validity might make people complacent and forget that it has to be renewed.

If your passport is less than six months old, you may not even be allowed entry into several countries, and if your passport has insufficient free pages, your visa application could be turned down.

Making ensuring your passport is valid at the time you book your travel is a basic rule of thumb. If you don’t apply beforehand, the procedure of obtaining your passport may cause your trip to be delayed.

Visa

You must determine beforehand whether you need a visa, which is a document that the country of destination issues to allow you admission. You risk getting turned away if you show up for your flight without the required visa, particularly if you are unable to apply for one when you arrive. Passport holders from the US and the UK are able to enter several countries without a visa or get one upon arrival. However, regulations differ across nations, so be sure you fully understand the prerequisites for admission.

Before you set off for your far flung destination, you will need to notify your bank to let them know that you are traveling. That way, your bank doesn’t suspect fraud when they see your card is suddenly being used at a market in Thailand. Depending on your destination, you may not have easy access to ATMs. Some countries that run on largely cash economies might not even have card readers at most restaurants or businesses. If this is the case, be sure to carry enough money on you to cover your expenses on a day out. Some travelers store larger sums of money in a money belt for safety.

• Allow time to recuperate from jet lag: It’s difficult enough to recover after a lengthy travel, but jet lag is inevitable when you’re in a different time zone. Your circadian rhythm may be disrupted when you travel between time zones, and you may need some time to get used to your new routine. Before proceeding to the next location, give yourself adequate time to recuperate and relax.
• Be ready for instances of motion sickness while travel: Motion sickness is a possibility whether you are traveling by boat, automobile, or airplane. Make sure you bring some medicine for travel sickness and give yourself enough time to recover.
• Be careful to provide enough time for each place on your schedule: Put quality before quantity. Exploring a small number of places in-depth at your own speed is significantly more fulfilling than hurriedly and barely scraping the surface of a whole nation. Many tourists are too ambitious and attempt to fit whole nations into their schedules. After giving it some thought, these tourists return home with the realization that they spent half of their time traveling.

7. Give your health and safety first priority.

Being aware of your surroundings and taking safety measures can help you enjoy your new journey, even if you shouldn’t worry about anything that could go wrong on your trip.

Advice on staying safe while traveling overseas

• Protect your belongings against petty theft and pickpockets: The best approach to keep your phones and wallets secure and discourage pickpockets is to carry a crossbody bag or fanny pack. Never carry valuables in your back pocket or a backpack’s outside pocket! Theft-proof wallets and money belts that you may wear beneath your clothing are also excellent choices if you’re really worried.
• Keep in touch: Before you go, give your loved ones access to your itinerary so they can follow your travels. Provide contact details and addresses for any accommodations. You may sign up for the U.S. State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) if you’re from the United States. In this manner, in the event of a natural catastrophe, political upheaval, or other emergency, the local U.S. Embassy will know to contact you.
• Think about getting travel insurance: It is essential that you include travel insurance on your list of things to do before taking a trip abroad. In the unusual event that anything goes wrong, travel insurance may save you a lot of money on everything from emergency evacuations to compensation for misplaced baggage. Visit GO’s Nomad Essentials website to get yours and other travel-related gifts!
• Apply common sense: If there are any spots you should avoid, ask the locals and the staff at your lodging. Always attempt to travel at night with a friend, and if you do go out, avoid overindulging in alcohol, particularly if you’re by yourself or don’t have someone you can trust. Always meet in public if you use apps to find new people you would want to date or become friends with. Above all, if anything or someone makes you feel uneasy, always trust your instincts!

8. Properly pack

Making the right packing choices might make your vacation easier. Your experience may suffer if you pack too little, too much, or just leave with a messy luggage. When packing, keep the following useful advice in mind:

• Make use of packing cubes: You should never undervalue the impact that packing cubes may have on your trip. They save room, aid in organizing, and can assist keep your garments more tidy. Packing cubes are reasonably priced and aid in keeping your belongings together when traveling, both literally and metaphorically.
• Go light: Remember not to go crazy, even though you should always make sure you have something for rain, cold, and warm weather. It might be quite difficult to get about with big bags, particularly in older buildings without elevators. Are you worried that you won’t have enough clean clothes? Employ a washing service, or even better, treat yourself to some clothing as a keepsake!
• Safeguard your belongings: It should go without saying, but there are several methods to ensure the security of your belongings. To discourage luggage robbers, you might lock your suitcase or knapsack. Pack your carry-on luggage with your valuables, such as jewelry and gadgets. Keep your belongings secure in your room if you’re still not comfortable at the hotel. Lockers are often available in hostels, however you will need to have your own lock.

9. Study up on airport travel advice.

Both first-time and experienced travelers often experience pre-departure and airport anxiety. When you’re going abroad for the first time, there’s something about being at a large, expansive facility with hundreds of departure boards and people racing about that might make you feel nervous and agitated. However, when you break it down step-by-step, traversing the airport is a really simple procedure. After determining which terminal you are flying out of, you check in, go through security, and have your pre-departure coffee. And voilà!