 50 Tips for First-Time Travelers Planning your first international trip can be an exhilarating yet daunting experience, filled with the excitement of exploring new horizons and the uncertainty of navigating unfamiliar terrain. Being a first-time traveler, whether you are traveling alone or with family or friends, comes with its own set of challenges and delights. So, fasten your seatbelt, metaphorically or literally, and let these insights serve as your compass on your thrilling first journey. Read on to see 50+ tips for first-time travelers.This post contains Amazon affiliate links. They cost you nothing but we make a small commission.  Packing Tips Packing TIpsPack LightFirst-time travelers (and often even seasoned travelers) tend to overpack. It's easy to get carried away! But the more you pack, the more you have to carry with you. 1. Plan out your packing list. What helps me is to type up a document that lists everything I need to take. I take one outfit per day to wear when we are just out walking around, plus a couple nicer outfits for nights when we want to go out to eat at nicer restaurants. For my husband, this means a button-up shirt and for me, this is usually a couple of dresses that can easily be packed without getting wrinkled, but wear what you are comfortable in. On my packing list, I also include items like my toiletries bag, over the counter medicines in a small medicine case like this one, footwear, underclothes, electronics and chargers, and weather-related items like a rain jacket, a winter coat and accessories, etc. Once you figure out what you need to take, don't keep adding to the list, and don't put anything that isn't on the list into your bag. 2. Try to do mix-and-match outfits if possible. It's okay to wear the same jeans a couple days during your trip, especially if you wear them half the day and then change into something dressier for dinner. Take shirts that you can wear with jeans or a skirt or shorts. If it will be cool, take a cardigan that can be paired with multiple shirts. 3. You don't need aaaaaalll the jewelry. I have cheap stud earrings and dupe wedding rings that I travel with because I don't feel comfortable taking my nice jewelry with me overseas. Choose a couple of small earrings and a necklace and call it a day. 4. Don't take clothes you don't normally wear at home. If you aren't comfortable in it in your hometown, you won't be comfortable in it in another country. 5. You don't have to wear different jammies every night. There. I said it. It's okay to wear 2 or 3 pajama sets for a week. Packing CubesI really wish I had started using packing cubes earlier in my travels. 6. Use packing cubes to keep your underclothes separate from your casual clothes and your dressier clothes separate from your pajamas. OR use them to separate your complete outfits for each day. OR simply use them to keep each person's clothing separate from everyone else's. I have one set for me, one for my husband, and one for my son, each in a different color, to keep our clothes separate from one another. However you choose to organize them, definitely use them. They are a total gamechanger.  Flying Tips FLying TIpsMotion Sickness7. If you are prone to motion sickness, make sure you have the medicines you would normally take with you. Snacks and Beverages8. You used to be able to rely on getting a snack (at least a bag of peanuts) and a non-alcoholic beverage during your flight, included in the cost of your ticket. These days, however, particularly with budget airlines, you may be lucky to get a free cup of water, so be prepared. Take some TSA-approved snacks (nothing liquid and, if you are traveling outside the country, no fresh fruit; think nuts, granola bars, crackers, dried fruit, etc.). Take a reusable water bottle (make sure it's empty going through security) and refill it once you are in the terminal. Many airports have filtered water stations, but if you can't find one, unfortunately you may have to purchase a bottle. Airport ProceduresSecurity regulations and procedures differ from country to country and even from airport to airport, but generally speaking, here's what you should expect. 9. Take your shoes off (children under a certain age - often five years old - will usually be allowed to keep shoes on, as well as elderly folks, particularly in wheelchairs). Make sure you wear socks through the airport so that you aren't just walking in your bare feet, because eww. Also be aware of what's on the floor where you're walking. I watched an older woman cut her foot on a piece of glass that was on the floor at an airport in Florida. I'm not sure if she sued the airport or not, but she was (understandably!) very upset. 10. Remove large electronics like laptops and tablets from their bags. Depending on the technology available at the airport, they may not require this, but listen to the security agents as you are approaching the security checkpoint, as they will generally tell you whether or not large electronics need to come out of their bags. 11. Remove outerwear like coats or sweatshirts and put them in a bin. 12. Take everything out of your pockets and put them in your purse or put them in a small bin. 13. In general, listen to what the security agents are saying. If you don't speak their language (or even if you do), watch what the people in front of you are doing. Don't be afraid to ask questions, either of your fellow travelers or the security agents. 14. Some airports have multiple security checks. In Istanbul, we went through NINE different security checks. This was when COVID safety measures were still in effect, so TWO of those checks were just to check our COVID vaccine cards, but still, there were SEVEN other security checks, one of which was a full pat-down. When we traveled to Dubai several years ago, we had a standard security check with the fancy technology prior to going to the terminal as well as a full-body pat-down at the gate. I say all this to say that you should be prepared for anything. Again, listen, watch what others are doing, and ask questions if you aren't sure what's going on. Airplane Etiquette15. If you are going to bring food from home, please make sure it isn't something incredibly pungent. This is not the time or place to eat a tuna sandwich. 16. Be aware of the amount of perfume/cologne you're wearing. Some people are particularly sensitive to strong smells and you're all going to be confined to a small space. If you must wear perfume or cologne, go with a lighter-than-normal amount. 17. Most seats will recline, and it's fine to make use of that feature. But when it's time to eat, please set your seat back up. The person seated behind you needs to be able to use their tray table for their food, which they can't do if you're reclined. So be polite. Don't be "that guy." 18. Don't be weird. I have seen some of the oddest behavior on airplanes. Don't clip your toenails, pick your nose, flip your long hair over the back of your seat (the person behind you won't be able to see their TV screen), spit on the floor, or be gross in general. If you wouldn't do it in front of a customer at work, don't do it on a plane. Airplane Comfort19. Layers. Regardless of the weather outside, I always pack a sweater or shawl for the plane, and I always wear short sleeves. Sometimes it's hot outside and the a/c isn't working properly and it's 86 degrees on the plane. Sometimes it's hot outside and the a/c is on full blast and it's 66 degrees on the plane. You get the picture. You never know what it's going to feel like on the plane, so plan accordingly and dress in layers. 20. Lip balm and hand lotion. I don't know the science behind it, but every flight leaves my lips and skin dry. Take lip balm and a small travel-sized hand lotion with you, keep them handy, and apply them liberally. 21. Hydration. I mentioned earlier to bring a water bottle and fill it before getting on the plane. I know it may be tempting to just buy alcoholic beverages on the plane (you aren't driving, after all!), but I cannot stress enough how much better you will feel if you stay well-hydrated, especially when you'll need to combat jet lag. Will you need to use the lavatory regularly? Probably. But in the end, it'll be worth it. 22. Compression socks. I know this will make me sound like an old lady, but I wear compression socks on the plane, and it makes such a huge difference in keeping my feet and ankles from swelling up. You can find cute compression socks for women and cool compression socks for men. 23. Pillows and eye masks. Whether you go with a memory foam pillow like this or a neck sleeve pillow like this, it's not a bad idea to take a travel pillow and eye mask if you are on a red-eye flight. BaggageI've already talked a bit about being careful not to overpack, but how do you know what luggage to take? 24. Personal item. Most budget airlines (Spirit, Frontier, and even United's domestic flights now) allow you to take only one personal item that's included in the cost of the ticket. This means that it has to be a bag that is small enough to fit under the seat in front of you. Each airline has different dimensions, so check their website. Items that usually work are a small backpack, a small overnight bag, or a medium-large purse. Is it possible to travel with just a personal item? Yes, absolutely, if you are very careful about what you pack, if you aren't going for a long time, or if you will have access to a washer and dryer and don't mind doing laundry during your vacation and wearing the same outfits multiple times. We used to travel like this regularly, but now that we travel with our son, that's a thing of the past. 25. Carry-on bag. This is a bag that will fit in the overhead bin. Some airlines like Delta still allow you to bring a carry-on bag as part of the cost of your ticket, in addition to your personal item. For budget airlines, bringing a carry-on bag incurs an additional fee. A carry-on bag can be a medium-sized Duffel bag, a medium-sized roller bag, or a large backpack. Again, check the airline's dimensions for carry-on luggage to ensure you don't try to take a bag that is too large to carry on. Sometimes the cost to carry a bag on is similar to the cost to check a bag. At that point, you need to decide if you want the convenience of not having to carry a bag onto the plane with you or if you want the convenience of skipping baggage claim and heading straight to your destination. (Traveling with a toddler, especially when I'm by myself, I always opt for checking the bag.) 26. Checked bag. Generally these bags can be almost any size and shape, as long as they stay under the weight limit. Once again, check the airline's website for weight limits. Bags that are over the weight limit will incur an additional fee. Checked bags are dropped off with the airline prior to going through security and picked up at baggage claim upon reaching your destination. Sometimes, if you are traveling through one international airport on your way to another international airport, you'll be required to pick up your luggage in your connecting airport and re-check it, but that has happened to me only twice in all the years I've been flying. The one drawback to checking your bags is that, if something goes wrong, and your baggage doesn't arrive in your destination airport with you, you'll be without your clothes and other necessities until they can be located and returned to you. Again, this has happened to me only once, but it can happen. If I am going to check a bag, I always pack a change of clothes, underclothes, and a pair of pajamas in my carry-on or personal item just in case. Safety TipsCashIn some countries (ie. Cuba, some areas of Belize and Mexico, etc.) credit cards are not widely accepted, and you will need to carry cash with you. 27. Do some research to determine a reasonable amount that you'll need and change your currency either at your local bank before you leave or at the airport. 28. Especially if it's a large amount, keep a small amount in your purse or wallet, and split the remainder between you and your spouse/partner, if you're traveling together, and keep it in safe places in your carry-on luggage. 29. Once you arrive at your accommodations, don't leave cash out where it can be seen, especially if you are staying in a hotel room that will have daily housekeeping services. 30. Don't take large wads of cash out in public places, and don't stick large amounts of cash in your pocket. Basically, know that most people are good, upstanding people who wouldn't dream of stealing your money, but in every city in every country on every continent, there are less upstanding people who will steal your money without a second thought. Don't make yourself a target for those people. Credit Cards31. Carry your credit/debit cards in an RFID-blocking wallet or an RFID-blocking passport case. I learned this lesson the hard way on my way back from Dubai, when my credit card info was stolen during my flight and used to order a ton of stuff from the skymall magazine. Fortunately, my credit card company was like, "Hmm... this looks suspicious," and alerted me and reversed the charges, but still, I don't want that to happen to me again, and I don't want it to happen to you. Be aware of your surroundings32. You should practice this everywhere you go, whether it's the grocery store, the pub, or the football game, but it's especially important when you're in new surroundings. Make sure bags/purses are zipped, be aware of people following you too closely, stay in well-lit areas at night, and just generally be observant. COmfort Tips and COnvenience TipsHands-Free33. Most of the time, but especially when I'm traveling, I like to be as hands-free as possible. I carry a crossbody bag or a backpack so that I have my hands free for holding my toddler's hand (and my husband's hand), exchanging cash for souvenirs, and taking that mouth-watering gelato from the gelato server (Barrista? Cashier? What is the name of a person who works at a gelateria?). Shoes34. Make sure you have super comfortable shoes for walking around, especially if you are going to a walkable city where you will not have a rental car. 35. Take no more than one pair of dress shoes for your nicer dinners out, if that's part of your plan. 36. Do not - I repeat, do not - buy new shoes for your trip! Make sure that whatever shoes you take are broken in and comfortable. I made this mistake during a trip to Beijing, and even though the shoes were a brand I wear regularly, this particular pair did not fit the same and I had the most excruciating blisters on the backs of my feet for the entire time I was there. Absolute misery. 37. Nothing screams "tourist" like wearing Crocs. I'm not going to tell you how to live your life, and if that's the only thing you're comfortable in, you do you. But you will make yourself a target if you wear things like Crocs that draw attention to the fact that you're a tourist. 38. Apparently, white trainers (sneakers) are all the rage in Europe right now. It's such a thing that I requested white sneakers from my husband for Christmas, and he delivered! 39. I am also a huge fan of Cole Haan's ZeroGrande line as travel shoes. They are generally a bit classier-looking than sneakers but just as comfortable, and you can find them in a number of colors. I currently have navy blue, light blue, bright pink, and black, and honestly, I wear them ev.er.y.where. Again, I'm not telling you how to live your life. You need to wear shoes that you will be comfortable walking around in. The most important takeaways here are don't take the fancy stilettos for your everyday, walking-around shoes and don't buy new shoes for your trip, unless you have time to wear them for a week straight and make sure that they are broken in and don't have any weird rubbing anywhere.  Financial Tips Financial TipsCredit cards40. Make sure that your credit card offers no foreign transaction fees. 41. If possible, use your credit card for the majority, if not all, of your purchases, as it is much easier to get your money back on a credit card if you are overcharged, double-charged, or your card is skimmed than with your debit card. I am by no means telling you to rack up huge credit card. Make sure you have the money to pay it off when you return home. But if you do run into a problem, it's much easier to fix if you've used your credit card versus your debit/ATM card. ATM Cards42. Make sure that your debit/ATM card doesn't charge a fee to use it in an ATM that doesn't belong to their bank. If it doesn't, you can use it upon arrival at your destination country to pull local currency from your own account at a local ATM. 43. Use your debit card sparingly for making purchases, for the reasons listed above. When in France...The saying goes, "When in France, do as the French do." The point is that wherever you go, immerse yourself in the local culture, let go of stereotypes, and open your mind to new experiences, new cuisines, and new people. 44. Take some time before your trip to learn about some of the local customs. If flower markets are a really huge thing there, plan to visit the flower markets and breathe in the intoxicating aromas. 45. Don't travel all the way to another country to eat at KFC and get your coffee at Starbucks. Ask the hotel's concierge when he gets his coffee in the morning. Ask the bartender where she goes for drinks after work. Ask the lady at the bakery what her favorite restaurant is. And then go there and try a few new foods! Eat as the locals eat. 46. If you're going to a country where English is not the first language (more on that in a minute), learn a few words and phrases in the local language prior to going. Things like "hello," "please," and "thank you" will go a long way in developing a rapport amongst the people you interact with along the way. 47. Be mindful of cultural and religious differences. For more ways to immerse yourself in the culture without causing offense, read "Cultural Sensitivity Abroad." Remember that you are going to a foreign country where you are the visitor. Be prepared to step out of your comfort zone to experience this fun new culture. Choosing your destination48. For your first overseas trip, if you are from the United States, I highly recommend choosing a country where English is either the primary language or is at least widely spoken in tourist areas. Countries like Ireland, Canada, the UK, and Australia speak English as their first language, but you'll also find English widely spoken in countries like Denmark, Belgium, South Africa, Norway, and Netherlands. For a first trip abroad, choosing one of these countries will cut down on culture shock by eliminating the language barrier that makes international travel more difficult. 49. If you speak a second language, choose a country where that language is the primary language and enjoy that immersive experience. 50. If you're traveling on a budget, use websites like Google Flights and Secret Flying to find flight deals on international flights. In Google Flights, search by specific dates and choose "Explore" to see what cities are least expensive to fly to. Then use the "Date Grid" feature to see which days are cheapest to fly on. You can also filter out flights with multiple connections. Then use this guide to compare total flight costs across airlines, as budget airlines may start out cheapest but end up most expensive after all add-ons. 51. If you're concerned about the safety of the country you're considering, you can always check the U.S. Department of State website, but please take everything with a grain of salt. It's their job to be overly-cautious. You can also check out this article detailing the "12 Best Destinations For Family Vacation," based on safety and family-friendliness. 52. Consider visa requirements for the country/countries you are planning to visit. Will you need to get your travel visa ahead of time or will you be given the visa paperwork on the plane? Check the official government website for the country or countries you are considering to make sure you have or can get what you need to travel there. Other General Guidelines53. Most countries require that you have a minimum of six months left on your passport before its expiration in order to enter the country. Check their government website to confirm this. 54. If you are going to be in the country for more than a few days, consider getting a local SIM card or pre-paid phone to use in emergencies. 55. I will admit that I don't generally purchase travel insurance; however, many travelers swear by travel insurance and would never travel without it. Whatever you choose to do, make sure that you know exactly what your travel insurance covers. Also, before buying separate travel insurance, check the perks from your credit card company to see if it would cover anything in case of an emergency or a need to reschedule. 56. Take a digital and physical copy of all of your travel documents (passports, birth certificates, visas, etc.) with you just in case something is lost or stolen. It's much easier to go to the embassy and get a new passport issued if you have a copy of your old one on you. Keep the physical copies separate from the originals. Make sure the copies are kept in a safe place, and have a lock on the phone to keep your digital copies safe. 57. When you arrive at your destination, take some time on your first day to scope out (save the directions to your phone via Google Maps offline mode) the nearest pharmacy and hospital, just in case there's an emergency. It's much better to be prepared than to have to scramble in an already-chaotic moment. From packing wisely to taking safety precautions to learning airplane etiquette, I hope this guide provided you some essential international travel tips to enhance your inaugural travel experience. If your first trip overseas is also your kids' first trip overseas, you can see more tips that are specific to traveling with kids below. If you have specific questions about your first big trip, please feel free to send an email! You may also like:
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