Essential International Travel Checklist for First-Time Travelers

Are you planning a trip abroad? Is it for the first time or the thirty-first time? There’s so much to consider and to understand. That’s why I’m giving you this International Travel Checklist.

The only constant in life is change

In travel, as in life, the only thing constant is change. We learned this so well during the Covid-19 Pandemic. Changes can occur for many reasons. The State Department might make a change. Other countries might also make a change. Additionally, there might be changes in your personal life.

The following will give you a list of the necessary items you need to travel. It will also tell you what you must do to travel out of the country.

Travel Documents

A valid U.S. Passport – This is first on the list. You should have your passport in hand when we begin to design your trip. Some countries require that your passport expiry date be at least six months after your visit has ended. Click here to go to State Department Passports website. Also check out my article called U.S. Passports Questions and Answers.

Insider Tip: The name on your airline ticket must totally match the name on your passport.

• A Travel Visa for the country you are visiting.
• NOT every country requires a Visa. Some countries allow you to buy it when you arrive. For example, Egypt allows this. Other countries need you to purchase the Visa in advance. Those countries will not allow you in without it. Look into this when buying airline tickets.
• Starting in late 2026, U.S. citizens must obtain authorization through the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS). This is required before visiting any of the 30 European Schengen countries. ETIAS is an electronic travel authorization system designed to enhance security within the Schengen Area.

Health and Safety

• Recommended vaccinations and medications, depending on the country you’re visiting.
  • Passport Health is a travel clinic located around the country. They can help you with the information and vaccines you need for each destination.
• A Smart card. Smart cards are credit card with chip and PIN technology. Chip and PIN credit cards have been the standard around the world for several years. The U.S. has only in the last 5 + years upgraded to having chip cards. If you don’t know your Personal Identification Number, call your bank before you go abroad.
• Alert your credit card companies and banks to your travel plans. It would be super inconvenient to have your accounts frozen while making that one of a kind souvenirs while abroad.

Insider Tip: Shop for a credit card and debit card that also waives currency exchange fees. This pays off if you use the ATM to withdraw money and shop using the credit card.

Miscellaneous

Travel Insurance. For most individuals, regular medical insurance that you have at home will not cover a medical emergency overseas. Travel insurance plans cover more than health insurance. Look for insurance that covers trip cancellation, trip interruption, flight delay, baggage loss and baggage delay.

Converters and adapters for your appliances and electronics. These will depend on the electrical current used in your destination.

Enable international calling with your cell phone provider. You could also purchase a local SIM card abroad if you’ll need to make international calls.

All of these things are important considerations when you’re planning a trip. And there’s more than this to know about traveling outside this country. Doing it all yourself can take many hours. Working with a travel advisor will help you to save your time and money.

Click on the link to read a blog I wrote. It specifically answers the question: How to Work With a Travel Advisor Effectively.

There’s no better time than now to start planning your next vacation. Whether you plan to travel this year or next, the opportunity is perfect. As a travel advisor with 36 years experience, it would be my pleasure to help you. The planning process begins with a complimentary appointment to get to know each other and to learn your travel dreams. It’s very easy to make an appointment with me. Just click here to see my online calendar.

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