The Beginners Guide to International Travel

There are so many reasons to travel internationally but planning a big trip can take a lot of work. It doesn't' have to be overwhelming and it does get easier the more experienced you are.

Below is a beginners guide to planning your first international trip.

---

Plan An Itinerary

I don’t know about you, but I LOVE the planning stages of traveling. I like to know where I am going to be and what I am going to be doing.

When you are planning your first international trip, you don’t need to have everything diarized. Rather, research some of the sites to see and a few lesser known attractions or local favorite to do’s and plan your trip around those. Once you know what you want to do and how much time to allot, you know how much time to spend in each destination.

I plan multiple destinations per trip and this is my strategy for determining how much time to spend in each location. Some cities you will want to spend more time in than others as there is more to see and do.

Tip: Don’t forget to account for travel time and time zone differences if you are planning on traveling between a few different locations.

---

Don’t Over Plan

So I just told you to plan and now I’m telling you to not over plan! When I say don’t over plan, I really mean leave yourself some time for spontaneity. The last thing you want is to end up at your destination and spend all your time trying to fit everything in. Pick a few things, book what you can ahead of time and leave some time to just wander the city. Some of my best experiences happened when you allow yourself to spend time as a local.

You might find some really cool things or local secrets that you didn’t find online because it was just that, a local secret.

---

Know The Best Modes Of Transportation

Each city you are traveling too will have different preferred modes of transportation so have an idea of the best way to get around and have a general knowledge of how the system works. If you are traveling through Europe then it’s easy to get around via train and each city has a well connected Metro system that’s fairly straight forward to navigate. Trust me, the Paris Metro system looks complicated, but it gets easier as you go along.

Other countries might not have metro or train systems at all. In South America for example, the preferred mode of transportation are buses.

Tip: Research how to get to your accommodations before you arrive at your destination. If you are travelling by train, have the route documented so there is no panic after a long flight. Taking a taxi? Have the address of your hotel/ AirBNB written down in the local language so you can give that information to the driver.

---

Use A Travel Credit Card

Look for a travel credit card that doesn’t have international fees. Most countries widely accept credit cards so this will save you from bringing a bunch of cash. I recommend looking for a travel credit card that offers travel reward points. I put my big ticket items on my travel credit card and in turn, use the points to get cheaper or free flights.

For a side by side credit card comparison, check out ratehub.ca.

---

Check Entry And Visa Requirements.

Always make sure you know entry and visa requirements for the countries you are traveling to or through. The last thing you would want is to get to the airport only to get turned around and sent home.

If you are in Canada, the Canadian Government lists all the travel requirements and advisories, searchable by country, on their website.

Tip: Always register with your countries consulate when traveling abroad. This will alert your government that you may be traveling should there be an emergency (think natural disaster or in more recent history, a pandemic and air travel is shut down). The Government will know that you need to get home and assistance will be provided to you.

---

Do Your Research

You are visiting another country where what’s acceptable might be different than where you are from. Research what is and is not acceptable so you don’t inadvertently draw unwanted attention to yourself (did you know it’s unacceptable to walk and drink/eat in Japan??) .

You also want to know if certain areas are hotspots for things like pickpocketing etc. Is it not advised to walk alone at night or is there a high crime rate? Every country has crime and that most certainly shouldn’t mean that you change your plans but it is important to know what to expect and to be aware of your surroundings.

Tip: Research and learn a few phrases in the local language. While English is pretty common and widely spoken around the world, it is appreciated if you make an effort to greet someone in their language. Learning to say ‘hello’, ‘thank you’ and even ‘do you speak English’ will go a long way on your travels

---

Pack Accordingly

Make sure you know what type of weather to expect in the country you are traveling too at the time of year you will be there. Don’t overpack but make sure you have what you need depending on the weather. I recommend packing layers so you can have options and can add or remove layers as needed. Also, it’s usually beneficial to have at least a sweater in case you are out at night.

---

Know Your Budget

Traveling can be as costly or cost effective as you want it to be. Before you start planning, make sure you know what your budget is.

Want to travel on a budget? There are plenty of clean and well-kept hostels that can fit into almost any budget. Wanna spend $0 on accommodations? House sit! There are websites that will connect you with locals that are looking for house sitters. You look after their house (and sometimes pets) and in return, you get to stay there for free.

Here are a few websites who will match house-sitters with property owners:

• House Sitting Abroad

• Trusted Housesitters

Alternatively, house swap! This is a great way to see the world on the cheap. You swap houses with the property owners in the destination of your choice. It really is a win-win.

Check out these home swap networks if this interests you:

• Home Exchange

• Love Home Swap

---

And Lastly…Have Fun!

Of course, the whole point of traveling to a dream destination is to have fun and make memories. These tips will help you navigate some of the details but have fun with the whole process. Learn to cook some locals dishes from the country you are visiting. Enjoy researching and learning about the places you are going. And most importantly, don’t overthink it!

Let me know in the comments where you’re heading once the world opens back up!