DanckTravel

Ready to plan an international trip, but unsure of where to start? Below is our guide to planning the perfect vacation abroad.

Money and Budget

Create a Budget

Creating a budget is probably the most important step in terms of getting a trip started. You’ll need to consider the following:

• Flights: This will include the flight to your destination, but could also include other flights if you have more than one destination in mind.
• Food: This will include restaurants, snacks, and coffee.
• Going Out: This should include money for any clubs, breweries, or cocktail bars you want to explore. 
• Transportation: This includes car rentals and public transportation.
• Sites: This will include any budget related to sites and attractions.
• Insurance: This will include any relevant travel insurance (including health insurance).

If you are wondering how people afford to travel, planning the budget is a great time to evaluate where costs can be cut. Credit card points can be used for airlines, or you can use a variety of apps (such as the Deutsche Bahn app in Germany) to reduce expenses when traveling long distances.

Pro Tip: When planning a travel budget, we also recommend including extra money for unexpected expenses. 

Get a Credit Card and Cash in Local Currency

Credit cards are useful since they are less susceptible to fraud. Big purchases, such as airfare, insurance, hotels, or a rental car, should always be put on a credit card. From experience, this can save you a lot of hassle. When in Spain, SDanck and I got overcharged for our rental car by a few hundred dollars. Luckily, we were able to get the money back due to our credit card company fighting with the company.

Although big purchases should be put on a card, not every country is as reliant on credit cards as the United States. For that reason, it’s important to carry cash. You can generally get foreign currency through your local bank (call ahead to find out) or you can grab money from an ATM via your debit card (be sure to check fees before doing so).

Notify The Bank

It’s important to notify the bank when you are traveling with the dates and destinations. Otherwise, you risk your card being shut off due to fraud-related concerns.

Getting There

Book Your Flight

Booking the flight is often one of the most expensive parts of international travel. As noted above, there are some ways to save here. These are included below:

• Credit card points: You can get a travel credit card such as Chase Sapphire or one via an airline. These usually have special promotions that allow you to accumulate points quicly.
• Using an app such as Hopper and Skyscanner: Hopper is one of my favorite travel apps since it shows when it is cheapest and most expesnive to fly in a calendar view.
• Exploring different airport options: You can save a lot of money by exploring various airport options. Fort Lauderdale is 30 minutes from Miami. Providence is about an hour from Boston. In Germany, you or can go to Frankfurt Hahn instead of Frankfurt (if coming from Europe)
• Booking a layover: I have flown many times through Iceland to save money. However, the added bonus is that they do a free 7 day layover, so you can explore the country on the way to your final destiation.
• Accumulating points: You can accumulate airline points in other ways besides a credit card. United and Delta have Chrome Extensions for when you shop online. Uber, Starbucks, and Lyft offer partnerships so you can earn miles whenever you use their apps.

Additionally, if you are trying to travel cheaply in Europe, you can explore discount airlines such as Ryanair for cheap flights.

Research Entrance Requirements

Some countries will require a Visa, and these restrictions vary by country. Be sure to look into the exact requirements for your final destination before going.

Check Passport Expiration Date

You cannot travel to many countries with a passport if it expires in six months. If it does expire in this timeline, you will need to renew your passport as soon as possible.

If you realize this shortly before your trip, you will need to pay extra for an expedited passport. This is possible to get, but can be very expensive.

Ensure Vaccinations Are Up-to-Date

Specific regions of the world will require additional vaccinations before going. Be sure these are up-to-date via the CDC website.

Hotels

Book Accommodation

We recommend booking all accommodation in advance of your stay. Options include:

• Hotels: Hotels range in terms of offerings and price. 
• Airbnbs: Airbnbs allow you to have more space and are really ideal for larger groups.
• Hostels: Hostels are often discounted and aimed toward a younger crowd. If you are looking to save money, these are typically a great option. Additionally, if you are wondering how to find people to travel with, hostels are a great place to start!
• Mountain Lodges: If you are hiking (for example, in the mountains of Europe), you may need to stay overnight at a mountain lodge. These often need to be booked in advance, especially in more popular regions

Language Barriers

Download Google Translate

First international trip? We’d suggest considering doing a country where you already speak the language. For example, English-speaking countries such as Canada, Belize, England, Scotland, and Ireland are all great choices.

However, if you are ready to venture beyond your comfort zone, Google Translate is a great resource. It can even translate menus or speech in real-time. This was a lifesaver for SDanck and me in Spain. 

Transportation

Get an International License

Many countries, such as Greece, will not let you rent a car without an international driver’s license. These are relatively easy to get, costing around $20 at your local AAA (+$10 if a passport photo is needed). 

Understand Public Transportation

The car is not always the best way to travel, particularly in Europe. Be sure to investigate what public transportation options are available.

Pro Tip: Many countries have public transportation options that have an app (For example: Deutsche Bahn). This makes it easier to book travel, check train schedules, and may even allow you to take advantage of discounts.

Cellphones

Check Your Phone Plan

T-Mobile plans often offer free texting and some data internationally, making it our personal favorite plan for traveling. However, if you don’t have T-Mobile, you will need a plan for how to handle cellphone-related fees. Some phones will allow you to temporarily upcharge for a specific price. Alternatively, you can opt to only use your phone when Wifi is available. If you choose this option, be aware that roaming-related charges are really expensive.

Safety

Get Insurance

Travel insurance covers a wide range of issues, including airline delays and emergencies. If you opt not to go with travel health insurance, be sure to check which doctors and hospitals accept your current health insurance abroad.

Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program

The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program is free for US citizens to enroll in. It allows the State Department to contact you in case of an emergency or give you updates regarding the countries you are visiting (for example health and safety alerts). More information can be found here. 

Other Logistics

Book Tickets in Advance

Some tourist destinations will not be possible to visit without tickets in advance. So, before your trip, be sure you have your tickets booked for anything that require a set time slot.

Additionally, it may still be easier to book tickets in advance for sites that don’t require it (For example: If you don’t prebook the Vatican Museum, you could be waiting in line for hours).

Explore Tips Regarding the Country You Are Visiting

Each country comes with its local customs and laws, so it’s important to research where you are going to. You’ll want to understand clothing (for example, you cannot go into many churches in Italy without covered shoulders), tipping, and local traffic laws. We recommend reading several blog posts targeting your preferred destination to ensure you don’t miss anything.

Check out our blog posts to learn more about some of the countries we have covered:

• Tips for Traveling to Greece
• Tips for Americans Traveling to Germany
• Tips for Visiting Switzerland
• Tips for Visiting Italy

Reddit and Facebook groups, such as Girls Love Travel, can also be great resources.

Print Copies of Important Documents 

The last thing you want to happen is for your passport to get lost or for the data on your phone to be too slow (so you can’t access your tickets). Print copies of everything you need and carry them with you. This will just make your life easier.

Check Medication Restrictions

If you take medication, be sure to check what is allowed in the country you are visiting. Alternatively, you may need to bring documentation, such as a prescription, to show that these were prescribed by a doctor.

Create a Packing List

It’s also important to determine how many pieces of luggage you want to bring and what to pack. If you are staying for a longer time period in one location, it may make sense to pack more. Your list should also be dependent on the activities and cities you plan on exploring. For example, cities such as Florence and Heidelberg are very pedestrian friendly. For this reason, we recommend including good walking shoes in your European packing list.

However, if you are going to multiple cities or are looking to reduce costs, you can consider traveling with only a backpack and small carry-on.

Pack a Converter

Most countries will use different outlets than the United States. It’s harder to get these converters when abroad, since most countries will have the reverse options available. Be sure to get these before leaving (even if that is at the airport).

Pro Tip: Not all devices are compatible with a typical Convertr. For example, You will need a travel hair dryer or straightener in order to use these abroad. Be sure to read all directions before using.

Final Thoughts

Planning your first international trip doesn’t have to be overwhelming. These tips should make it easier to plan your trip. Anything we missed? Leave them in the comments below.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much should I budget for international travel?

The budget will depend entirely on you! If you are under 26, you can save on a lot of the sites around Europe, for example, while taking advantage of hostels and discount airfare. Check our notes above to start breaking down how much your trip could cost you.

What should you not bring while traveling internationally?

You should avoid bringing specific medications if they are not allowed in your final destination. Specific foods, such as nuts and seeds, are also not generally allowed. 

It should also go without saying that you should avoid bringing anything illegal on your trip.

How do I get prescriptions when traveling internationally?

If you need a prescription while traveling internationally, you should consult a doctor before departing. This is particularly important for those staying abroad for longer periods of time.  Also, be sure to check what your insurance covers and doesn’t cover.

Which country is the best for a first international trip?

We recommend beginning with a country where you already speak the language. For Americans, this includes Canada, Belize, Scotland, England, and Ireland.