Heading out of the country for the first time can be daunting—international travel involves so much more than making lists and packing bags. These eight tips for newbie travelers will help to streamline your travels, and help you to create a more fulfilling experience abroad!

1. Think About Everything You’re Going to Need Ahead of Time
One of the toughest parts of international travel is making sure you have everything you need. While this might seem like the most obvious, it’s remarkable how much people forget to bring. Spend a few days before you start packing your bags thinking about (and writing down) the necessities.
While much of what to pack is destination-specific, there are a few extra things international travelers will need to consider. Most importantly, power outlets are likely going to be different, so it’s a good idea to bring a converter (or at least an adapter) if you want to charge your electronics.

2. Check Visa Requirements and Your Passport Validity
Make sure you’ve double-checked the visa/entry requirements for your destination country—you don’t want to get stuck at the border without the appropriate paperwork! This goes for vaccination records, too, since many countries require a health examination before you can enter.
Also be sure to keep photocopies and digital backups of everything, including your passport, too, just in case it gets lost or stolen.
And speaking of passports, most countries require six months of validity, so if your passport is expiring soon, it’s a good idea to get a new one long in advance—the application process can often take months!
3. Bring the Right Kind of Luggage
The luggage you bring might be different, too. If you’re going backpacking, something from the Pacsafe Venturesafe line will be perfect. The 45L bag is my ideal choice, but I usually travel carry-on only, which might be a tall order for many travelers.
If you prefer rolling luggage, a Toursafe bag is rugged enough to handle just about anything. Regardless, international travel tends to be a big more uncompromising, so be sure you’ve got sturdy enough luggage to fit the job.

4. Look Up Conversion Rates—And Bring Extra Money
Money is always an important thing to research before you head to a foreign country. Look up the conversion rate so you can keep track of roughly how much money you’re actually spending with each transaction.
That being said, traveling always requires more money than you would expect (they say to pack half the clothes and twice as much money). Even if you set budgets, you’re likely to spend more than you wanted to. Account for that while saving up money for your travel fund.
Before you go, be sure to inform your bank of your trip. Unexpected international charges can cause your bank to cut off access to your card, leaving you penniless in a new country.

5. Get Travel Insurance
Whether you think you’ll need it or not, travel insurance is a must-have for any international trip. The fact is, you never know what could happen. I dodged an $8,000 medical bill in Singapore when my gallbladder came out.
Did I know I was going to need it at the time? Nope. Am I glad I had it? Yeah, you bet.
It might seem like an unnecessary expense upfront, but even if you’re gone for a few months, it will only cost you a hundred bucks—maybe two—with World Nomads, the undisputed champion of the travel insurance game.
Take my word for it—it’s worth it.

6. Come Up with a Rough Itinerary Before You Go
After you’ve done your research, make a rough plan. Your entire schedule doesn’t need to be dictated by this itinerary—though, if that’s your preference, go for it!—but having a plan can make the trip run smoothly.
The most important function of a rough itinerary is to determine how much is actually possible each day. Chances are you’re not going to be able to visit 10 museums and hiking trails in the course of a week, so come up with a realistic idea of what you want to do each day. This way you’ll get a count of how many places or activities you can squeeze in.

7. Be Culturally Sensitive
While you, of course, have a very good understanding of the cultural norms at home, these norms don’t travel with you. Your holiday should be fun, but there will always be a learning curve.
As enjoyable as it is to be totally carefree while you’re abroad, try to see yourself as an ambassador for your own country and try to leave a good impression on the locals you interact with.

8. But Don’t Forget to Be Flexible
While international travel takes some planning, don’t forget to be flexible. The most  memorable moments from our travels are always the ones we didn’t plan for.
You may not make it to every single place you plan to go—opening hours may change with the seasons, landmarks may be closed for renovations or you may simply be too tired to get to every spot you’d hoped. But there’s nothing wrong with that.
In addition, your travels may lead you to new friends, activities or places you hadn’t considered before. Embrace the adventure and let your travels lead you to new and unexpected opportunities.
 
Jeremy Scott Foster
Jeremy Scott Foster is an adrenaline junkie, culture vulture and eater of dumplings. He has been traveling for many years, flying around the world, jumping off bridges and climbing volcanoes. You can check out his adventures on Travel Freak now!