10 Tips For Beginners to Prepare Before Traveling Abroad.

Traveling abroad is a dream for many who wish to experience different atmospheres and cultures. For those who are about to start on their first international journey, there can be confusion about where to start. Today, we will share how to prepare in advance for your trip to ensure it goes smoothly.

What to Prepare for Your International Trip?

10 travel preparation tips for a worry-free international journey.

1. Do Some Research About the Destination.

Before traveling to a particular country, besides preparing your essentials, it is also important to research information about the country you are visiting. Each country has its own rules/restrictions and culture. Having prior knowledge about these things is beneficial, including the entry requirements such as visa regulations.

2. Planning Your Travel.

Planning your journey in detail can make your travel more convenient and organized. This includes booking accommodations and flights ahead of time - this can save you from overspending your budget and creating an itinerary which can help save you time traveling from one place to another.

3. Passport With At Least 6 Months Validity and Carry It With You At All Times.

It is a global rule that to travel internationally, passports have to be at least 6 months of validity. And it is general knowledge that you should carry your passport with you at all times, as it is equivalent to your identification in a foreign country.

4. Keep Important Documents Downloaded on Your Mobile Device.

Nowadays, many countries have strict entry checkpoints. Having all your important documents is essential to convey your good intentions as a tourist. Besides actual documents, make sure to download it all on your device such as travel insurance, boarding passes, visas, and accommodation reservations.

5. Bring Only the Essentials.

Focus on packing items that are compact and only the necessities, as every airline has predefined size and weight limits for luggage. Avoid carrying prohibited items, for liquids, ensure that they are in containers not exceeding 100 mL each. If you exceed these limits, it’s advisable to pack in your checked luggage. Also, be mindful of power banks, they should not exceed 20,000 mAh and should not be put in your checked luggage for safety.

6. Spare Some Time For Check-Ins.

When it comes to the day of your journey, you should arrive at the airport at least 3 hours ahead of your flight. This allows time for check-in, as you cannot predict how busy the flight might be. The earlier you can check in, the more extra time you will get for other activities without rushing or risking missing your flight. Additionally, some airlines offer the convenience of online check-in which can save you a lot of time.

7. Consider Purchasing Additional International Roaming Data Plans.

Using the internet daily has become increasingly common globally. Having access to the internet as soon as you arrive in a foreign country is a bonus. Mobile networks in Thailand offer a wide variety of international data packages that are convenient and usable immediately without having to change SIM cards and it’s not expensive at all, typically costing only a few hundred baht.

8. Avoid Immediate Social Media Check-Ins.

Nowadays, there are more and more individuals with bad intentions. Those who like to check in on social media in real-time should be cautious. Such behaviors can make you a target, people can easily trace your location. So it is better to delay social media check-ins by a couple of hours or do so after leaving the area to enhance your safety.

9. Get Travel Cards, No Need to Carry Much Cash.

Travel cards are highly useful for travelers. Sometimes, using credit cards may incur additional charges and carrying too much cash can be risky. Having an international travel card allows for easy spending without incurring excessive fees for cash withdrawals abroad. Importantly, you can exchange currency at any time which is highly convenient.

10. Get Travel Insurance.

Besides all of the above, having international travel insurance is as necessary as anything else, as it provides coverage in case of emergencies, including accidents, illnesses, and travel-related issues. It also protects your personal belongings. Having insurance eases worries during your journey, making it a comfortable and worry-free experience.

The above preparations are guidelines before starting on international travel. Especially when traveling abroad, it is important to have a reliable plan and security measures to handle unexpected situations. Comparing traveling insurance options before purchasing it, can help you find the most suitable coverage for your travel style, ensuring a worry-free trip from start to finish.