The most important tip to avoid unnecessary stress is to apply for your passport well in advance. Without your passport or a travel visa, your potential travel radius is limited significantly. Many countries may not even let you enter if you have less than 6 months validity on your passport and your request for a visa may be denied if you don’t have enough free pages in your passport.  Be sure your Travel Agent or a close friend has copies of your Drivers License, Passport, or Visa in cases of theft or loss. 

The safety of public transportation varies from country to country. In many places, informal taxis or minibuses can be dangerous. This may especially affect those traveling alone. Find out what is and is not safe from reliable sources, such as local authorities or tourism officials.

Consider these transport tips:

• Arrange transport to and from the airport before you arrive, from a licensed and reputable company.
• Do not hitchhike.
• Research taxi and other ride share companies before you go. Make sure they are licensed and reputable.
• Consider using app-based transportation companies, which offer a record of your ride. This is unlike hailing a ride on the street. Some companies also allow a rider to share their real-time ride record to another phone. This record is useful to identify the vehicle and driver later.
• Avoid traveling in busy sections of train cars or on crowded buses. Public transportation can make pickpocketing easier.

Many times transportation can be obtained through our Viator Excursions link. See the link below. 

It is important to invest plenty of time in researching your destination to optimize your experience. While it may seem more fun to travel spontaneously, it is far more practical if you are able to anticipate some of the nuances of your destination country by studying the tips for traveling abroad for the first time. If you are using a travel agent, more than likely, all the research will be done for you.

Make sure to schedule enough time for each destination. It is far more rewarding to thoroughly explore fewer locations at your own pace than to barely scratch the surface of a whole country. Many travelers are too ambitious, trying to squeeze too much into an itinerary, leaving yourself exhausted and an abundent of time traveling and not seeing the sites. 

Before you leave for your international destination, you will need to notify your bank to let them know that you are traveling. That way, your bank doesn’t suspect fraud when they see charges to your card in a foreign country. 

Depending on your destination, you may not have easy access to ATMs. Some countries that run on largely cash economies might not even have card readers at most restaurants or businesses. Most airports have a currency exchange if US Money is not accepted.

If you are certain of your itinerary, the best time to book your trip is whenever you have the money and the commitment to travel. While it is nice to have the freedom to make the last-minute choice of where to stay, don’t be surprised if accommodation is scarce or suddenly very pricey when you show up at your destination. Booking well in advance of travel will normally provide the best rates.

Travel insurance should be a non-negotiable addition to your list of things to do before traveling internationally. From emergency evacuations to reimbursement for lost luggage, travel insurance can save you a lot of money in the unlikely event that something bad happens. Travel insurance is very affordable and should be considered for all travel situations. You will find a link below for our recommended travel insurance partner.

There are many different ways you can go about keeping your possessions safe. You can use a lock on your suitcase to deter baggage thieves. Bring your important possessions (electronics, jewelry, medications, etc.) with you in your carry-on bag. If you’re at the hotel, keep your valuables in your room safe.  

Planning ahead and packing properly can facilitate the screening process and ease your travel experience at the airport. Know what you can pack in your carry-on and checked baggage before arriving at the airport.  The Transportation Security Administration has very strict rules to follow. Below you will find a link to the TSA Travel Checklist to review.

The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service to allow U.S. citizens and nationals traveling and living abroad to enroll their trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. 

• Receive important information from the Embassy about safety conditions in your destination country, helping you make informed decisions about your travel plans.
• Help the U.S. Embassy contact you in an emergency, whether natural disaster, civil unrest, or family emergency.
• Help family and friends get in touch with you in an emergency.

• To prevent theft, avoid carrying or wearing anything expensive.
• Use your best judgement to avoid unsafe situations. Think ahead and come up with a safety plan to deal with unsafe situations, in the event you end up in one. Consider bringing personal safety whistles/alarms and taking self-defense courses before you travel.
• Find out where emergency services like police stations and hospitals are located nearby in case of an emergency.
• Don't share detailed travel information on social media until you return.
• Make sure your phone and other personal devices have a "find my phone" or similar GPS tracker for emergencies. Consider sharing your location with a trusted contact back home in case of an emergency.
• Download map applications that work with GPS instead of data to ensure you have access to local maps and routes. Keep your mobile device charged.
• Tell someone you trust back home about your travel plans. Include where you'll stay, any far-away destinations from your accommodation, and an emergency contact.

U.S. citizens can be targeted by criminals who seek to drug them in order to sexually assault or steal from them. Typically, the drugs are added to the victim's drink without their knowledge. Victims usually cannot tell that their drink has been drugged, and substances like Rohypnol, ketamine, and scopolamine can make a person unconscious and defenseless. Always watch your drink, and physically cover it with your hand if you can.

• If meeting with a stranger, you should strongly consider meeting only in public places and avoiding isolated locations, such as residences or hotel rooms, where crimes are most likely to occur.
• Do not accept drinks from strangers.
• Be aware of how much alcohol you are drinking. Notice any unusual physical symptoms outside of intoxication.
• If you start to feel strange or sick, tell a trusted friend if you can, and call emergency authorities right away. You can call the local police or the nearest US Embassy or consulate. If you are assaulted, get medical care and resources from the nearest hospital or medical center. Contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for information on getting help and medical care in the country you are in.