Traveling abroad for the first time can be both exhilarating and anxiety-inducing. There is much to do to be prepared for the perfect trip. Below are some helpful tips for those who are planning to make their first international voyage.

1. Passport planning is essential to international travel. It is recommended to apply several months in advance of a trip abroad to receive the passport in time for travel. Also, make sure that any passports will have at least 6 months of validity after the end of a designated trip. Some countries can deny entry to visitors with less than 6 months of validity on their passport. More information regarding passports and validity issues can be found here https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/passport-help/faqs.html.

2. Travelers should also be prepared to finance their travels. Accessing money abroad through using ATMs is quite standard. There is no need to carry large sums of cash. Although, it would be best to bring a few hundred dollars in cash in dollars and local currency. Before traveling, tourists should contact their finance and banking institutions to alert them of their impending travel. This will help prevent charges from being flagged as fraudulent.

3. Doing research before the trip starts is key. While it’s not necessary to plan a trip down to the minute, it’s important to know which sights are the most important for the traveling party to visit. Getting a guidebook before the trip or just doing an internet search should be sufficient to get the planning process started.

4. Pack a carry-on bag that has an extra set of clothes and any needed medication. Sometimes bags get lost. And this is especially true on international flights. Traveling internationally means always planning ahead. Keeping medication and extra clothes in a carry-on ensure travelers will have what they need, even when luggage is delayed.

5. Bringing an adapter for electronics can save time and money while traveling. Countries use various voltages and plug styles. By bringing an adapter travel groups will be well prepared to use their devices upon landing. Moreover, they will not have to spend a significant amount of time searching for an adapter or the correct chargers during their visit.

Hopefully, these tips will prove useful for travelers around the world! Bon voyage!