Youre not the only one.
PLANNING
Sometimes, planning your trip can be a bit overwhelming.
Start by reading updated guide books, exploring prominent travel sites and following travel bloggers on social media.
Check out our section below for ideas for international destinations.
For lodging, confirm you find legitimate sites for hotels and other vacation rentals.
For transportation, research whether there are taxis or other forms of transportation if youre not renting a vehicle.
Often youll find traveler discounts or deals on multiday passes for trains if you book in advance.
Passports are generally valid for 10 years, and travelers are often surprised they need to renew.
If youve never had one, the wait may be even longer.
Learn more (and bookmark the site on devices youre bringing) on the State Departments website,travel.state.gov.
Consider downloading the app Mobile Passport.
If youre itching to explore, but youre not sure where, let flight deals be your guide.
We let flight prices, and our mood, determine where we go, she says.
Check out ourSmart Guide to Air Travelfor more money-saving tips.
Most credit card companies do not need to be alerted that youre traveling overseas.
If youre not sure, call your company or visit its website to learn more.
you might also find out if setting travel alerts is an option.
For more information, check out theCDCs page on travel and medications.
you might also do a pretravel physical.
Evacuation is standard in a travel insurance plan, but a membership will get you to your preferred hospital.
There are no interim steps.
You dont have to pursue your dream trips alone.
You also dont have to think about booking anything or dealing with transportation; its all planned for you.
You could make lifelong friends.
Its an opportunity to share experiences with others, Al-Hazza says.
For more tips, read ourSmart Guide to Solo Travel.
It really makes a difference to the locals when you try.
Theyll be friendlier and more responsive to you.
Arrive ready to hit the ground running with a currency supply secured pre-trip.
To order, call your bank and request the amount and currency and familiarize yourself with the exchange rate.
Its best to do this at least a few weeks in advance.
you might usually deposit whatever is left back into your account once youre home, Richard says.
you could exchange currency at most airports as well.
Its also a good idea to look up what the tipping customs are where youll be traveling.
With Global Entry, it can take as little as minutes to be able to clear customs.
If you have a trip on the horizon, apply for Global Entryonlineas soon as possible.
Youll also get security updates and alerts.Enroll here.
Some international destinations require visas.
In some cases, youll obtain the visa upon arrival.
In others, you should probably mail your system with your passport in advance.
These apps use Wi-Fi or your phones internet connection to send messages, photos and video.
INSURANCE CONSIDERATIONS
Logistics abound when it comes to international travel.
With a well-researched trip insurance plan, youll be ready for the mishaps sans stress.
Trip insurance is even more important on overseas excursions.
You may think your health insurance will cover you abroad, but Sandberg recommends reading your plan thoroughly.
Travel insurance becomes a way to put coverage in place temporarily while youre traveling outside the country.
Getting travel insurance to cover your preexisting condition takes a bit of legwork but its not impossible.
It will have more exclusions and a more limited set of covered reasons.
