How to prepare for your first time traveling abroad

Taking a trip for the first time can be nerve-wracking. I like to know how things will go and what I need to do. So I prepared a guide full of tips for a first-time flyer so that anybody can travel with a little less stress.

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Planning the trip

It's best to plan your itinerary as soon as possible. You will have more options and lower prices than booking a week before the trip. Of course, sometimes there are last-minute deals, but you risk not traveling at all.

You need to collect your passport or check its expiration date. It should be valid for at least 6 months from the date your trip ends.

Check if you need a visa or an electronic visa, like Canada and the European Union countries. As a visitor, you have limits on how much time you can spend in other countries. Familiarize yourself with the country's laws. For example, in North America, it is illegal to relieve yourself in public, which is common in parts of Europe. It is a crime to leave bad reviews in Thailand and countries in the Middle East.

Buy travel insurance. You should be insured not only for your first time traveling abroad, but for all of them. The insurance you choose should cover emergencies. If you're an EU citizen, you can get the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which provides you with temporary state healthcare. For vacations to Canada and the USA, find the best insurance you can, it's better to be prepared than to be in massive debt.

Once you have your passport and visa, you can book your first flight. You can use an app like Booking.com or Expedia, or book directly with the airline. The app may have better deals, and you also get points.

You want your flight to have the least layovers and the shortest travel time, all while fitting in your budget. Always check if the luggage is included. I've had some experiences where Expedia is not explicit, and you end up paying for the luggage at the airport.

Depending on which class you buy, you can pay more for more perks, such as choosing your seat. The window seat allows for great views and a great experience for first-time flyers. The aisle seat gives you more freedom, in case you want to stretch your legs or use the restroom more often. Nobody likes being squished in the middle seat, but it can be the only option. Exit aisle seats have more leg space, but you have to be ready to assist in case of an emergency.

As you're booking your flight, always double-check that your name is complete and correct. When booking a hotel, make sure you account for your arrival time. For example, if you arrive on the 15th at 2 am, you need a hotel for the 14th as well.

Always check the customs requirements in the country you visit. Some have a limit on cigarettes, alcohol, cash, and gifts you bring for others. Some countries don't allow controlled or even over-the-counter medication. Dubai doesn't allow Benadryl if you don't have a prescription for it, for example. Many countries don't allow hormone therapy medication. In Canada, you'll pay tax on any gift you bring that's over 60 CAD.

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Packing your luggage

You are required to pack your own luggage and know what's in it. Some people make stupid decisions and then say they don't know what's in their luggage, which doesn't work with authorities. Never agree to transport anything for anyone.

Obviously, don't pack anything illegal or dangerous. There are lists on airline's web pages..Even illegal trace amounts of stuff in a vape can get you in trouble.

Always check the size and weight allowed for each piece of luggage, each airline has different requirements. Buy a hand scale so you can weigh your luggage, you will need to pay for extra weight.

Put your name, phone number, and home address on the luggage, in case it gets lost.

The checked luggage is the large one that will be scanned by security and placed in the hold. You cannot put anything with batteries in there, like phones and tablets, or a power bank. Don't pack fruit, food, seeds, or weapons. If you're not sure if you can bring something, always Google and find the country's government website.

I wouldn't pack fragile items in the checked bag, as it gets thrown around.

It's useful to have a packing list, as you can use it again when you pack to go home. This way, it's less likely you'll forget something in the back of the closet.

The hand luggage/ carry-on comes with you on the plane. All your essentials, documents, medications, change of clothes, chargers, and entertainment are in this luggage. The same goes for food and fruit, don't pack those. Make sure you have extra medication with you. Check on your airline's website what items you're not allowed to pack.

Check what type of outlet is used at your destination, you may need an adaptor.

The hand luggage cannot have anything sharp like scissors, nail cutters, knives, bottle openers, or weapons. No aerosols are allowed either, so you cannot bring hairspray or spray deodorant in this luggage.

You're allowed to bring liquids in your hand luggage, with a limit of 100 ml each/ 3.3 ounces, and a total of 1L/ 33.8 ounces. I usually keep all my toiletries in my checked luggage, but for short trips with only hand luggage, I have to obey this rule. If you go over it, they will make you throw out what's extra. Solid soap is not counted as a liquid. Gels, toothpaste, and deodorants are liquids, though. You need to have all these liquids in a clear bag.

Normally, you're allowed to bring medications like insulin or vials of medication, but make sure the country you're visiting allows them.

In some cases, you're allowed a personal item. This could be a small purse or a laptop bag. In the USA and Canada, they're more lenient. So I use a backpack that fits a lot, but you still have to follow the size requirement for this as well. This piece goes at your feet, under the chair in front of you. The rules for hand luggage apply to the personal item. The liquid allowance is per person.

There's an extra liquid allowance for baby food and medication.

There is a chance that you will be asked to check in your hand luggage at the airport because it's oversold. So if you're taking a personal item, place your devices and medication, chargers, sunglasses, and any valuables in that.

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Getting things ready for your trip

It's useful to have the airline app. You can check in online and keep an eye on your flight. Some airlines that don't have in-flight movies may offer free movies through the app, which you can watch on your own device.

You should check in on your flight as soon as possible. Usually, you're able to do this 72 hours before the flight. This is the time to pay for your luggage, it's normally more expensive at the airport.

Check the weather and follow the news in the country where you are planning to go. You'll know what to expect and what to avoid.

Decide how you'll use your phone at your destination. For short trips, roaming is ok. For longer ones, look up an eSIM or buy a SIM at the airport. SIM cards are little cards or virtual ones that provide a local phone number, along with internet and phone calls. You need to check what your phone supports. If your phone is locked, you might need to use roaming.

SIM cards and the internet are affordable in Europe. I check for phone companies around the hotel, if they're close by, I wait to buy a SIM card until I'm at the hotel.

Plan your transportation to and from the airport. You save time and headaches if you take a taxi or Uber to the airport, instead of driving yourself. When you arrive at your destination, you probably have more time for rentals and finding your way. I find it easier to take a taxi then as well. No matter if you rent a car or use a taxi service, always have the hotel address written down. Write down important phone numbers, too.

You should alert your bank about your travel, so they don't block your card. Don't use your debit card when traveling, that should be your backup. Have a credit card to use and some cash. I use Revolut, so I get plastic cards and virtual ones. I exchange the currency I want at a good rate. And the transactions come up in the app, and you can easily cancel cards. I even got an app request to confirm my purchase in a suspicious shop.

Keep the number and address of your Embassy in the country you're visiting. Remember that the help they offer is limited.

I hope this guide is helpful so far. The second part of the guide is here, about preparing to fly.