I’ve come a long way since my first international trip. After visiting 30+ countries, I’ve learned lots of lessons and have picked up useful tricks along the way. Read along to uncover my top tips to guarantee a comfortable and efficient travel experience abroad.

Check Passport, Visa & Immunization Requirements

Research any potential visa requirements for the countries that you’re visiting. Sometimes you can purchase a visa ahead of time online and other times you need to purchase your visa upon arrival at the airport.
Please note, your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after your departure for most countries. Also, some destinations require at least 4 unused consecutive blank pages in your passport, so make sure you have the space.
I recommend making a copy of all important travel documents, particularly your passport. Should something happen to your passport while traveling, a copy will speed up the process of acquiring a replacement document.
Lastly, make sure you’re all up to date on the recommended shots by the CDC.

Figure Out Your Cell Phone Service

If I’m traveling for less than 2 weeks, I’ll activate my international TravelPass through Verizon. It costs $5 or $10 per day (depending on the country) to use your same data plan from the States. On the days I know I’ll need data to make some phone calls or research my plans, I simply take my phone off airplane mode and it automatically connects to a local phone network. If I’m traveling for an extended period of time, I’ll buy a local SIM card. Keep a little pin in your bag so you can pop out your American SIM card and replace it with the one from the country you’re visiting. Just remember, your phone number will change when you get a local SIM card.

Sort Out Your Finances

Make sure your bank knows that you’ll be out of the country. Feel free to get foreign cash from your bank ahead of time if that suits you best. I personally wait until I arrive at the airport as it tends to be a better exchange rate.
I also suggest getting a credit card that does not charge foreign transaction fees. The Chase Sapphire Reserve is my absolute favorite & has many more travel perks.
Further, it’s smart to keep an additional debit or credit card stashed away in the hotel safe in case something happens to your primary card while traveling.

Organize Your Travel Plans

I’m all about spontaneity and going with the flow, but there’s one aspect of your trip that you should figure out ahead of time. I believe that it’s important to look into the options of getting to your first accommodation. Do you book a transfer, hop in an Uber or taxi, or take public transportation? This will help diminish any potential travel anxiety upon arriving in a foreign country. For example, my husband and I landed in Bali to insanely pushy taxi companies vying for our business. We felt so much better about having a driver organized ahead of time, knowing that we were not overpaying and that we could trust that our driver knew where to take us.
Make sure you have all record locators and confirmation numbers accessible.
Ensure that you’ve added all applicable loyalty program numbers to your bookings (i.e. frequent flyer numbers, hotel rewards programs).

Research Cultural Information

Do a little research on the country you’re visiting. Read up on the history and any cultural information that you’d want to know in advance. Questions like: do I cover my knees & shoulders? Can I drink the water? Do I haggle at a local market or are the prices set? Do the shops all close sharply at 5pm?

Download Helpful Travel Apps

Globe Convert: this app converts currency, distance, temperatures and more. I love the currency converter as it helps you realize how much you are spending. Canadian Dollars & Euros are easy, but for currencies like Cambodian Riel & Qatari Riyal it’s helpful as it’s harder to do the calculations on the spot.
Google Translate: this app even allows you to take a picture of foreign words or record a conversation, and it will translate it for you.
Google Maps: Google Maps allows you to download offline maps for your destination, so you can still use the app without data. In Google Maps, simply view the location you’d like to download, then select “Offline Maps” from the menu. There, you can choose to “download an offline map” and highlight the area you’d like to save. I like to “Star” restaurants and shops that have been recommended to me ahead of time, so when I pull up the app, I can easily find these places. I also “Star” cafes, scenic lookout points, and other hidden gems that I discover while traveling, so I can then share my recs with my clients and friends.

Seriously Consider Travel Insurance

First, check with your credit card company as some have sufficient coverage (an additional benefit of my Chase card). If it’s not offered, purchase another travel insurance package. This is a must do for a long international trip that you’ve spent a lot of money on. Knowing that you have travel insurance makes unforeseen situations less stressful. It’s not fun having to shell out money to make last minute travel plans, but it’s reassuring to know you’ll likely be reimbursed upon your return.

Packing Tips

Check the luggage requirements for your flights (especially for smaller flights to islands & safari lodges or on budget airlines). I definitely used to be that girl wearing a few layers of clothes on the flight to ensure that my bag was acceptable. I have really refined my packing skills though!
Use packing cubes to keep things organized. I pack shorts & pants in one, tops in another, pajamas in another one, and the list goes on… I prefer ones that are see-through, or are different sizes, so I can remember where I put my clothes throughout my journey. I also pack a waterproof bag (one came with my Away suitcase) for wet and dirty clothes.
Leave behind any bulky items like an umbrella that you “might” need but can get from your hotel or a shop nearby. Think “can’t live without” not “just in case”. Also, cut down on toiletries and make up that you don’t use every day to help save space. Though, it is important to remember to bring any toiletries or medicine that you know you can’t get internationally. Sunscreen is a big one! In Bali they charged $20USD for a 4oz bottle. For some context, $20USD can get you a meal for two there.
Pack an extra fold up bag in your suitcase for any gifts you may have purchased along the way.
If you plan on bringing wine back to the States in your checked luggage, a protective wine bag is super handy. These worked great on my last trip to New Zealand.
Buy the adaptors and/or converters that you’ll need to charge your electronics.
I’m all about making a list before packing for a big trip. When traveling for work, I tend to be extremely well prepared in advance. It might seem a bit extra, but I like to pre-plan my daily outfits based on my itinerary. That way I know I have everything that I need and I’m also not wasting any space.
Keep a travel toiletry bag packed at all times, so it’s ready to be popped into your carry on bag. Read about my 11 Beauty Staples That Are Always In My Toiletry Bag.
Bring the Laundress Wash & Stain Bar for hand washing in your hotel sink or bathtub.

Flight Strategies

What’s The Best Time to Sleep on a Flight?

Sleep on the plane when it is nighttime at your final destination. Stay awake upon landing and push through the day. You’ll be exhausted that evening and hopefully then sleep the full night.

BYO Healthy Snacks

Some of my favorites include Justin’s almond butter packets, Clif bars, ginger tea & ginger chews for nausea, and Nuun electrolyte tablets.

Create Your Own Toiletry Bag Travel Kit

Fill your favorite toiletry bag with hand sanitizer, lip balm, hand lotion, makeup wipes, deodorant, a toothbrush, an eye mask… whatever you fancy! It will help you feel more refreshed. Read about my 11 Beauty Staples That Are Always In My Toiletry Bag.

Drink Water & Walk

Drink a ton of water and walk around as much as you can mid-flight.

Check out my post about what items you do not want to forget on flights here.

Tips to Keep in Mind While Traveling

Get cash at the ATM at the airport, as it’s a safe and secure place to take out money. I usually start with taking out around $200 of the local currency and only use cash if necessary. I primarily use my credit card whenever possible to avoid ATM fees.
Understand the tipping customs and make sure that you are paying locals appropriately. While in Africa, I used envelopes to organize my tips a few days ahead of time. That way, I was not embarrassingly stuck in the middle of the bush with no cash for the hardworking trackers and lodge staff members.
Grab a business card from the hotel you’re staying at. God forbid you get lost and can’t communicate, someone will likely be able to help you out by seeing the address.
Be open minded. Expect something to go wrong, as there’s likely going to be one mishap. Be prepared and don’t stress the small, and even big stuff!
Ask your concierge or local tour guide for dinner and bar recommendations … yes Google is great, but nothing beats local knowledge. Always avoid restaurants near major tourist spots. If you walk a few blocks away, you’ll usually get better service & pricing. Also ask them some basic phrases like hello and thank you … natives will appreciate your efforts.
Pick out your must dos and plan your day around them. Even if you have a set itinerary, leave a few hours for spontaneous happenings, which are often the best memories.

These tips help squash any pre-travel jitters and allow me to focus on all the fun and invigorating moments of exploring a new country. Do you have any recommendations for international travel that I did not mention?

Pro Tips for International Travel