I am back! I took a few weeks off to get through the holidays, packed, and moved into our newly constructed home! We are finally settled and unpacked. It’s glorious. I thought I would write up a quick, little blog with some tips for traveling internationally, especially for first timers! I have booked several trips recently, for clients that will be going out of the country for the first time. I thought a blog like this would be helpful to send to my clients as a reference.
Research Visa and Vaccination Requirements
It is important to adequately research the destination you will be traveling to. Some countries have specific vaccination requirements. Although most countries have dropped the COVID testing/vaccination requirements for now, there are still some countries that require vaccinations prior to entry. For example, if you are traveling to Ghana, Africa, you will need to have a yellow fever vaccine. At the time this article is being written, the US is currently requiring a negative COVID test for travelers arriving from China. Some countries also require a travel visa. Typically, these travel visas can be filled out electronically prior to your scheduled departure. The Before You Go website, provided by the US Department of State, is an excellent resource for travelers. You can type in your destination and it will give you a list of all the requirements you need whilst traveling to the country of your choice. The website provides a list of required documents, visa requirements, as well as vaccination status requirements. It will also show any current travel advisories. An example of information listed on the Before You Go website that may not be current knowledge, is that if you have any type of criminal record, you may be denied entry into Canada. This applies to driving over the border or even flying in to catch a flight to board a cruise. Canada can deny you entry based on your previous record, even if it was a minor misdemeanor in the United States. This is just one example of why it is important to do ample research on your destination prior to booking. (OR pick a travel agent that will diligently research for you)
Passport Expiration
You want to make sure that your passport is not expiring within six months of your return date. There are many destinations that will refuse entry if a passport is not valid for six months beyond your return date.
Research Transportation Methods
You want to research the best transportation methods at your intended destination. Some countries, such as Italy, require that you obtain an international driving permit. Some countries will allow you to drive with your license from your originating country without obtaining any other permits. One location that we visited in Italy, Alpe di Suisi, did not allow motor vehicle traffic during specific daytime hours. Some areas, utilize trains as more efficient, transportation methods. I recently booked a trip to Costa Rica for a client. Costa Rica offers an extensive public shuttle, as well as a bus system. It is important to research transportation methods, not only for convenience, but for safety. It is also an important part of research if you’re trying to be a thrifty traveler and save money. An example would be our trip to Venice. We only had one night to spend in Venice, and we had an early flight the following morning. A water taxi is necessary to get to the airport if you stay in Venice city. We booked a room by the airport that offered a free airport shuttle. We then utilized the bus system to travel to Venice and explore. This saved us a ton of money and was much more convenient.
Layover Times!
I cannot stress this point enough. Layover times are so important. When you are returning home from an international flight, and you need to catch a connecting domestic flight, it is important to know that you typically need a minimum of 2 hours for your layover. For example, you have a one-hour layover in Charlotte to catch your plane back to the Tri-Cities. In my experience, this is not enough time. If you are a first time international traveler, you likely don’t know that you must re-check your baggage upon arriving back into the country. When you land at the domestic airport, upon arrival from an international flight, you will have to go through customs and pick up any checked baggage. You must then re-check your baggage and go through security again. In my personal experience, a lot of time can be wasted waiting on your luggage to arrive. One hour typically is not enough time to recheck your bag, get through customs, get through security, and board your next flight.
Re-checking Liquids
This leads me to my next topic…re-checking liquids. Again, you must go through security again upon arrival into the United States from an international flight. This means that all of the typical security rules apply regarding what you can take through security in your carry-on baggage, including the liquid restrictions. If you have stopped at a duty-free store while you were abroad, and you purchased alcohol or perfume, these items must be rechecked into your CHECKED baggage. They cannot be taken through security, or they will be tossed. This does not apply once you get through security and shop at your gate. If, for example, you landed in Atlanta, made your way through customs, and you rechecked your bag…now, you are at your gate, awaiting a domestic flight back to your home city. If there is a duty-free shop at your gate, you can purchase liquid here and carry it onto the plane.
Voltage Converter
It is wise to research the voltage delivered in each country if you plan on bringing personal appliances, such as a hairdryer or straightener, etc. I use this voltage converter linked here.
Pre-book Popular Excursions
If you are traveling on a cruise line, or going to an all inclusive resort, make sure to pre-book popular excursions. These tend to book fast. When we go on cruises, we personally like to research each destination on various blogs and Facebook groups. We like to find out-of-the box things to do in order to avoid big crowds.
Credit Cards/Bank Fees
You want to check each credit card or bank card you plan on using while out of the country and make sure the issuing provider does not charge a foreign transaction fee. Many travel specific cards do not charge these fees. (This is my favorite travel card for earning points toward travel and does not have foreign transaction fees.) You also want to make sure that your credit card company does not require a prior notification of travel. Some cards require that you give them advance notice of your specific destinations. This is to prevent your account from being flagged and transactions being denied.
Currency
You need to research what currency is accepted. Many countries do take the US dollar, but some will not, and you need to convert your currency to the local currency of your destination. Many banking apps will allow you to order foreign currency and you can either pick it up at a local branch, or you can have it delivered to your home. When we travel to Italy, I ordered Euros through my Wells Fargo app and it was delivered to our home.
Protect Belongings
You want to make sure to protect your belongings. Some destinations are known for pickpocketing. I like to wear a cross body and keep it in front of my person, or under a jacket at all times. You also do not want to keep your cell phone or your wallet in your back pocket.
Essentials in Carry On
If you are bringing a checked bag and a carry-on, I always recommend that you put your essential items in your carry-on. This is especially true if you have a layover. Your carry-on will continue with you through the flight, whereas your checked baggage could be lost along the way. I recommend packing these things in your carry on: important documents, a change of clothes, any medications, baby formula, or basically anything that would be detrimental to you if it were lost in transit.
That’s all I have for now! I just wanted to write a little blurb and relay some information for my first time international travelers. Traveling internationally for the first time can be quite overwhelming, but proper preparation always makes it easier.
