International Travel for Beginners

For Visa free countries

Getting Started

Traveling abroad can be a scary and daunting experience, especially for my fellow Americans. Sharing a border with only two countries and being an ocean away from the most popular tourist destinations, many of us have little to no idea as to how this all works out! In this guide I hope to provide useful and important information on this topic that can be confusing for many. Leaving your country can be just as exciting as it is scary, but before we worry about that we have to get there first!

Passport

The first thing you’ll need when traveling to any foreign country as an American is a passport. This is a fairly easy process but can be time consuming if you’re unfortunate. I received my passport within two months of applying but it can take up to half a year, so plan accordingly. Filling out your application is best done online, and will take about thirty minutes. Just type “passport form” into Google and you’ll find a link to travel.gov. On this page you will find a blue button that is labeled “form filler” click this link and enter the information requested. Once done with this, you’ll need to print out this form and take it to your nearest acceptance facility. An acceptance facility is simply a post office that takes passport photos, and you can find one of these by clicking “where to apply” on the sidebar. You can either bring a photo with you or take one there, but once you’ve done that and dropped your documents off you just wait for your passport. Once it’s been received it’s time to prepare for your trip.

Flights

Now that you’ve gotten your passport, we are at what will be the most difficult part of planning your trip; booking a flight. You’ll need to do a lot of searching for the best deals because pricing is always changing. Expedia can be your friend here (as we’ll discuss later with hotels), but don’t mistake that for a guarantee. With flights it is highly recommended simply using Google and searching the dates and airports you’re using, then use the website of the airline to purchase tickets. It’s a process with a decent amount of complications and the safest route is always the best route! You don’t want to get ready for your trip only to find something went wrong and you don’t have your flight. Airport benches aren’t exactly comfortable.

Before you pay for your flight you will want to see if your airline is based in America. If it is not, inform your bank of your upcoming purchase or your payment will not go through. This is the case with some but not all bank and is a good precautionary step to take. Your card could be frozen if you don’t, as your bank might assume your card was stolen. This will also be an excellent opportunity to tell them of the days you will be abroad so you won’t have to call back later. With this step complete you can now purchase your ticket and decide on where you’ll stay on  your trip. 

Hotels/AirBnb

Hotels, Airbnbs, and hostels are all viable options for travel. Hotels will always be your most reliable place to stay at, just like in America, but that doesn’t mean they have to be your only option. Airbnbs will offer you a more local flavor albeit you will need to be wary of potential scams. Hostels are far cheaper than other options but involve communal living which may make some people uncomfortable. Hotels and Airbnbs share similar pricing, and your decision for which you choose should be decided by the experience you wish to have.
Are you looking to party and go clubbing? An Airbnb wouldn’t be for you and you should stick with a hotel. For someone who wants to learn about the local culture or go urban exploring, an Airbnb will offer you the best chance at doing so. If you’re open to making new friends and going out with other tourists you might consider a hostel.   If you are unsure of the safety of the location you plan on staying in, hotels are going to be the best pick for you, but in most cases keep your options open.

Once have found where you’ll stay on your trip, it’s time to book it. It’s normal when booking your stay to share your passport, so don’t be surprised if you are asked to do so. Other information, like your social security number, should never be handed out so freely, and you should guard it closely. It is extremely important to check the reviews of these places you might stay. Along with missing your flight, there isn’t anything worse that could happen to you than having nowhere to stay in a city you don’t know in a foreign country.

Extra Advice

By this point you now know about the bare essentials of international travel. A passport, a flight, and a room to stay in are the important things you’ll need that you can’t go without, but there are a few other things you should do before leaving in order to have a good time. As covered above briefly, you’ll need to make sure you have your cards set up to be used abroad. If you have enough time before traveling you can also request paper currency from your bank for the country you are going to. This will be cheaper than doing a currency exchange at the airport, at the cost of taking a bit longer. It will depend on your bank but can take up to a month for you to receive this paper currency.

Now that you have money on hand (whether cash or card) you’ll want to make sure you buy a charging block once you get to your destination. Most countries don’t use the same type of outlets as America, and keeping your phone alive and charged will help you navigate your new  environment. A charging block can be purchased in an airport but will be cheaper once you are actually in the country where those blocks are the standard. A portable charger is also a good idea if you plan on being out often. 

To access cell service, you will most likely have to change your phone plan. Similar to letting your bank know that you will be abroad, you should call your phone service provider and tell them of your upcoming trip. Upgrading your plan is not permanent and can be brought back to normal after your trip. Once you do this you should have access to cell service in your destination. 

If you have an iPhone, you will more than likely want to download Google Maps. Apple Maps is poorly kept up to date in other countries and if you want to take public transportation you will have a difficult time using this app. I have learned this lesson from personal experience. Google Maps will serve you well and in my personal travels is what I use!

The Wrap Up

Now you should have all the information you will need for your trip. Every country will be different in some ways but this guide provides all the basic information needed. With just a little bit of help and guidance it is my hope that travel like this can be made easier to digest and understand for everyone. It shouldn’t be a scary thing, and with this guide and others like it you can prepare yourself for your journey. Safe travels!