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Aside from the usual pack your bags, book hotels, and such, there are things we sometimes forget about. So, having a things to do before an international trip checklist is an excellent way to ensure you don’t miss anything! Especially if you don’t have months and months to think about it. As I’m all about budget travel, I want to spend my hard-earned money on seeing castles and museums, not little things like fees and travel-size toiletries! I’m pretty sure you want to, as well. So you’ll find several tips below, from Capital One travel deals to the best international debit card to currency exchange! This post is a quick list of things to do before a trip!

Your Essential Things to Do Before an International Trip Checklist

At about 3 months before a trip, my travel OCD sets in. This is when I start going through my list of things to do before an international trip. I start narrowing down my list of sights to see and places I want to visit. By this point, you definitely should have your tickets to and from your beginning and ending country. Then comes the tedious part: scheduling. I use Google Docs to organize my trip schedule. I did mention I have travel OCD, right? Not to worry, this things to do before a trip checklist is here to help!

You may be asking, “Why do I need a checklist for international travel?” Well, because you’re likely to forget something, and I want to make sure your trip is perfect! But don’t worry. You can handle this!

1. Put Your Mail on Hold

Put your mail on hold so that it doesn’t pile up in front of your door or in your mailbox. Aside from the eyesore of having a pile, you do this so that no one knows you’re not home. I’ve luckily never been robbed *knocks on wood*, but everyone knows if you have a pile of mail sitting for days and days, you’re likely not home. You can put your mail on hold online for most locations using the USPS hold mail service.

2. Alert Your Bank

Letting my bank and/or credit card company know I’ll be away is one of my top things to do before an international trip. Otherwise, they may freeze my account when they see a charge from an unusual location. The last thing you want is to get halfway around the world and have no access to money! You can do this online or by phone with your bank or credit card company. Please note that not all banks require this anymore, but do check with your personal banking establishment.

things to do before traveling

3. Plan Your Currency Exchange

While you can also get the local currency before you travel, I tend to wait until I get there. I don’t like carrying a load of cash around, and the US exchange rate usually isn’t the greatest. Here are some fantastic tips from Rick Steves on cash and currency. Please note that it is not mandatory to take out a large sum of cash. Many places post-COVID actually prefer credit cards over cash.

4. Credit Cards for Traveling Internationally

Check if you’ll be charged for using your credit card internationally. If so, you may want to switch to another card without fees. When I went to Vancouver a few years ago, I stupidly neglected to research international credit card fees. Needless to say, I came home with about $35 in charges. Mind you, I was only there for a few days. Imagine if I had been there for longer! So, to avoid my mistake, do your research before your trip on your personal credit cards and whether you’ll need a different one for traveling. A necessary things to do before a trip item!

best credit card for traveling internationally

The Chase Sapphire card charges no international fees. Making it an excellent credit card for traveling internationally.  The card is free for the first year and $90 every year after that. You can, of course, cancel the card before the first year to avoid paying if you’re only getting it for a trip. Chase also had a deal on the card: spend $2,000 in the first three months and get $400 back. I definitely was going to spend that, between costs for my Aunt and I, so this was great news for me! The card was easy to use in Europe. I only had one problem at a small boutique shop in Paris.

capital one travel

Update: I have since moved to the Capital One Venture Card and really love it! For spending $3,000 in 3 months, I got $500 worth of points back. I was also able to capitalize on the Capital One travel deal with Hotels.com where I got 10x the points on hotels booked through a dedicated link. This Hotels.com deal is now over, but I was able to rack up a lot of points while it lasted! I was able to get over 75,000 points which is $750 worth of points with these Captial One travel deals! Over the years I’ve also wracked up enough points to book myself additional flights. If you book a flight through them, they also have a guarantee that if the price drops within a certain amount of time, they’ll give you up to $50 back.

5. Best International Debt Card

best international debit card

For my international debit card, I opened a Bank of America debit card account, which allowed me to make cash withdrawals without fees. However, with this account, you can only make transactions online or at the ATM. You also can’t transfer money between banks on your iPhone. They haven’t found a secure way of doing this yet. So, if you’re only bringing over your iPhone, not a laptop, make sure to transfer all the money you’ll need before you go!

Bank of America has several international partners such as Barclays and BNP Paribas, so they won’t charge you any extra fees when withdrawing, making it an excellent international debit card. Do check the Bank of America international partner list before you go, because they don’t have partners everywhere. There were tons of these banks in London and Paris. However, in Ireland, they unfortunately didn’t have a partnership with Bank of America. Luckily, I only visited the ATM there once, so it wasn’t too much of a ding to my pocket.

6. Change Your PIN Number

Make sure your PIN is four digits and not more. Why? Because some international ATMs only support 4-digit PINs. Also, check your PIN does not start with a zero. I’ve heard this is a myth from some people, but better safe than sorry. You should also know your PIN by the numbers, as some ATMs outside the United States do not have letters on the keypads. Bank of America has these international travel tips and others conveniently located on their site.

7. Traveling with Credit Cards

Write down your credit card numbers or take a photo of them on your phone. This way, if they get lost, you can contact your credit card company and know what card was lost! Also, take out any credit cards or cards you won’t use on your trip. I always take out my Kohl’s and Target cards that I know I won’t use on vacation. It lightens your bag, and if something does get lost, you haven’t lost everything!

Things to Do Before an International Trip

8. Make a Copy of Your Passport

I always make a copy so that, heaven forbid I lose it, I have a copy. I give a copy to my mom, keep a copy in my suitcase, and email it to myself. It’s always better to be safe than sorry! I don’t think it would work to get back home should you lose your passport, but it’ll be proof to help get a new one, hopefully!

9. Bring Your COVID Card

Traveling during 2021 and 2022, you definitely needed to follow the rules of whatever country you were visiting regarding their COVID-19 compliance regulations. Nowadays, things are a bit more relaxed, but it’s still best to check with whatever country’s government agency’s website that you’re visiting to see if you’ll need a COVID card or any other types of vaccinations. This is one of my top things to do before an international trip!

10. Check to See if You Need a Visa

I haven’t visited any countries yet where I needed to apply for a visa, but I do know it is a possibility, so I always check with whatever country’s government agency’s website that I’m visiting to ensure I’m following their requirements. This is absolutely necessary for your things to do before an international trip list.

11. Pay Your Bills

Ensure your rent, credit cards, car, and any other types of payments are made before you leave! The last thing you want to think about is whether your car is paid or not while you’re abroad!

allydrew Large Foldable Tote Nylon Reusable Grocery Bag

12. Be Eco-Friendly

Another smart travel tip is taking a reusable bag with you that folds up as a spare. I have a London-themed bag that I’ve used on many trips to hold purchases, for grocery shopping, or to put some items I can’t fit in my carry-on that I’ve bought on my trip. If you don’t already have one (and why wouldn’t you?), add buying this to your list of things to do before an international trip.

TESSAN International Plug Adapter essentials for hostel

13. Get Yourself an Outlet Adapter

You should always remember to pack an outlet adapter! Your outlet adapter is always a must-have! I figure if I say it twice, this travel tip will stick. Don’t go all Leap Year on anyone and accidentally short out the town while trying to put the wrong type of plug into the wrong socket. No one is going to thank you for that! I got a cheap one from Target, which has lasted for years. It worked perfectly fine with my iPhone charger and my hair straightener. You don’t need the fancy-schmancy ones! At least not for anywhere in Europe. If you buy them at your destination, they may be more expensive. Add this to your things to do before an international trip list so you make sure to grab one before you leave the country!

Note: the one above isn’t my exact adapter, but it’s very similar.

Outlet Adapter

In Paris, the adapter did get a little warm, so I wouldn’t leave anything plugged in overnight or more than necessary. It may have been that the hostel was old, but I thought I’d give you a warning anyway. When I was in England, I tried to plug in my blow dryer, but because it was the larger plug like most blow dryers, it didn’t fit properly into my outlet adapter and then into the wall. If there’s something you need to plug in, that’s the bigger plug, I’d advise you to try it out before traveling. Or check with your hotel or hostel and see if they have a replacement for that item–a lot of places have hairdryers these days.

14. Reuse Your Travel Size Toiletries

Don’t buy fancy travel-size toiletries. Go to the dollar store. Or be more sustainable and reuse bottles from hotels. I haven’t had to buy any travel-sized toiletries in years! I keep a box at home with all my travel-sized products and pull it out when a trip is coming up. Then, I just refill them with whatever I need, e.g., shampoo, conditioner, contact solution, etc.

things to do before traveling

15. Cosmetic Bags

Don’t buy travel cosmetic bags, either! I know there are many cute ones out there, but there’s no reason to spend the money when you probably get loads of free bags from Sephora, Victoria’s Secret, and Macy’s like I do.

16. Save Beauty Samples

You know the little samples you get for free from Sephora when you order something online? Save them! I always use them on vacation since it’s a lot easier to pack and throw them away before I return home. This way, I’m avoiding getting travel-sized bottles for the regular-size products I have at home and bringing less home with me.

17. Change Your Lock Screen

I saw this one on SmarterTravel.com! It’s a brilliant idea! Change your lock screen to display your contact information. This way, if you lose your phone—which, fingers crossed, you won’t—someone will hopefully be kind enough to contact you and return it.

18. Download Apps Ahead of Time

Download all the apps you’ll need before you leave! If you don’t plan on using your phone data while abroad to avoid fees, it’s best to do the downloading ahead of time. While there are several travel apps I recommend, you should also download the airline apps. Some budget airlines like Ryanair charge you to print your boarding pass at the airport, so downloading the app ahead of time and checking in on it saves you money!

Having the app for your hotel bookings is also an excellent idea. I have the Hotels.com app so that I can easily see the addresses of the places I’m staying at. I’ve had issues talking to taxis about where I want to go, so being able to show them it written down usually alleviates this problem.

travel light packing list

19. Get a Packing List

Make a list, check it twice! They are essential! Especially if you’re going on a long international trip or a trip to a place that may not have your particular essentials. I use my travel checklist that was gifted to me by one of my lovely blog readers! I’ve been using it for years to help me pack. It lists nearly everything you could ever need! I check off each item, you guessed it, twice to double-check I’m not forgetting anything I need. This list also helps save space so you’re not taking things you may not need. Seeing it all on a list is helpful in eliminating items from your suitcase, making it a must on my things to do before an international trip checklist.

How to Plan International Trip

20. Print Your Itinerary

If you’ve followed my easy travel itinerary planner, then you likely have at least a few pages worth of Google Docs. I used to print these out before going on my trip to have something physical with me, but I’ve since switched to the Google Docs and Google Sheets apps which are easy to use. You can also make your doc or sheet available offline, essential if you don’t plan on using wi-fi or data. Having your itinerary on hand also helps to show someone the photo or name of where you’re headed should there be some language barrier. It’s a must for your things to do before an international trip list!

21. Contact Your Phone Company

I was at AT&T for several years and always used the Wi-Fi when traveling. To do this, contact your phone company to ensure you have your phone on the right settings. You should also ask them about international plans should you choose to get one. I’m now on T-Mobile and have enjoyed their service in Europe and Asia. They offer texting and data for no additional cost to my plan. Phone calls, however, are an additional charge, but I don’t often find myself making calls.

paris louvre rain statue

22. Check the Weather

Please add check the weather before you go to your things to do before an international trip list! I know this may seem simple, but I’ve done it and have known others to forget and pack the wrong things! I then had to buy some extra layers. It was not the end of the world, but it was not something I really wanted to spend my travel budget on.

23. Dos and Don’ts of Traveling

This isn’t something I usually encounter in Europe, but while planning my trip to Greece recently, I did. As the Greek islands don’t have potable water, you shouldn’t drink it. I also learned that you shouldn’t throw toilet paper in the toilet as they have very old plumbing systems, and it can sometimes cause damage. Reading posts on wherever you’re headed can help to discover what not to do and how to be prepared for your trip! It’s a must for your things to do before traveling list!

24. Do You Tip?

It’s something almost unconscious in the United States. But not everywhere in the world do you tip, and if they do, it may be a different amount. It’s a good idea to investigate this before heading off on your vacation.

25. Check the Luggage Restrictions

Word to the wise: If the flight is cheap, they may charge you for your bag. If the plane is small, it may also affect the size restrictions. On my upcoming trip to Santorini, I noticed they had different limits for different aircrafts. Now, I’m not going to buy a new suitcase for one flight. But I’m now aware this may be an issue when I arrive, so I’m prepared to pay if it does come up rather than being surprised at the airport.

And don’t buy the electronic scale gadget. It’s not worth it. Weigh yourself on your scale at home. Record the weight, then pick up your bag and weigh yourself again. Whatever the difference is, it is how much your bag weighs. Super easy!

Harry Potter Slytherin Painted Crest Luggage ID Tags

26. Make Your Suitcase Easy to Find

My mother and grandmother have tied ribbons on suitcase handles for years! It’s an easy way to identify your case if you’re one of those people with the black bag everyone else in the world has! Or get a unique luggage tag to help identify it. I have a Harry Potter Slytherin painted crest luggage tag a friend gave me that I use.

27. See What Your Hotel or Hostel Offers

Some hotels offer amenities such as airport shuttles, parking, laundry service, breakfast, and Wi-Fi. It’s always good to check these before booking your stay. Also, look over this again just before so that you can ask for something if it is not readily offered.

If you plan on using the airport shuttle, contact your hotel in advance, as they may charge for this, which may change your mind about using it. Parking? I’ve rented a car for Rhodes, so having free parking at the hotel is excellent! Laundry? I’m going for three weeks with a carry-on. I NEED laundry! Free breakfast is less and less common I’d found, but always nice when it is part of a hotel stay. Wi-Fi is usually a given, but check if it’s just in common areas or not.

28. Are Any Holidays Coming Up?

Add check if any holidays are coming up where you’re headed to your things to do before a trip list. May 1st in Greece and some other European countries is called May Day or Labor Day. It is a public holiday, so some attractions are closed. Something to be aware of for any future travels as you don’t want to plan a short 3-day trip only to find one of those days is SOL due to holiday closures!

DELSEY Paris Helium Aero Hardside Expandable Luggage with Spinner Wheels

29. Find a Great Suitcase

After several trips, I’ve really fallen in love with my Desley hardside luggage. I can confidently tell you that it’s the best luggage to use on a long trip. My Delsey hardside luggage is a decent size—29″—so it’s too big for a carry-on. However, when I travel abroad, I’m not a carry-on type of person. Some people are, but I’m not.

I have the Delsey hardside expanding rolling luggage. The hardside is fantastic, as I know nothing in there will be crushed or smooshed in transit. The rolling double spinner wheels are wonderful as it’s easier on the back. The rotating wheels make it easy to wheel around, even on those European cobblestones! I fit three weeks’ worth of clothing in that suitcase, including two dresses and two sets of heels for a wedding I was attending. The lock it has is great for when you’re staying in hostels. I can’t usually fit the suitcase in the lockers they provide, so it’s nice to know my stuff is protected anyway. I did have a piece break-off when leaving London last summer. However, it was under warranty, so I did not have to pay for the repair!

I use it for nearly every trip unless I am only going for a couple of days, in which case the size is rather overkill. One of their smaller carry-on pieces would make much more sense! If you’re looking for something small but still easy to travel with, you may want to check out a wheeled backpack. To help with packing light for travel, you may also want to look into using packing cubes in your suitcase.

Harry Potter London Tour Knight Bus

30. Investigate Transportation Options

Taking a flight to another country isn’t always the best, cheapest, or only option. Depending on how much time you have, you can take a train, bus, car, etc. depending on where you’re headed. If you instead want to take a train or bus to your next destination, this is something to book ahead of time to get better deals and more availability. If it’s a high in demand route, it’s also safer to book in advance, so you don’t miss going to that other country or get stuck with a flight time that sucks. I know that for Greece, hopper flights between islands are more plentiful during the summer months as it’s high tourist season. However, in the winter months, there are fewer flights.

31. Time Your Transfers

For example’s sake, say the earliest train I could take to the airport left at 7 a.m., and the train takes 3 hours to get to the airport (transfers and such). The earliest flight I could then take is at 11 a.m. Always leave at least an hour for yourself, if not more. I know this may seem obvious, but not planning enough time can cause a nightmare. I’ve seen what happens when a bus breakdown or a flight delay screws up the next transfer, and it is not a fun experience for anyone.

Travel tip: Train tickets sometimes don’t book out very far, so make sure to keep an eye out for when your date does go on sale.

32. Research Budget Accommodation

Once you’ve decided where you’re going during your trip, you should find some budget accommodation. I used Hostel World to do my research back when I was staying at hostels. It’s the gold standard for researching hostels, so add it to your things to do before an international trip checklist.

Nowadays, I stay at hotels primarily and use Google to compare different sites as it shows a wide array of budget accommodations. Aggregator sites don’t always show the same hotels, so it’s best to look at Google first. Hotels.com does have an excellent program, though. For every ten nights you book, you get a free reward night. If they have the hotel or hostel you like, I’d recommend booking with them to start collecting nights! The value of your reward night will be the average price of the ten nights you collect. I’m nearly up to their gold program! Sometimes, you can also book hotels through your credit card and use points, so check there as well.

Note: From Nov 27, 2019, a fee of $5.00 will be applied to each reward night redeemed at Hotels.com. There’s no fee if you redeem on their app. As long as you book and stay within 12 months of your last completed booking, your nights won’t expire!

Travel tip: Sometimes, if the hostel has its own website (e.g., YHA), they may have a membership program you can sign up for and receive a discount. Follow your chosen hostel or hotel’s social media channels or newsletter to learn about deals and sales.

33. Book Your Hotel or Hostel Ahead of Time

If you are booking your hotel or hostel, especially in the summer season, you should get these in advance as they book quickly. Booking late can also drive up prices as many deals will already be taken. You’ll also have a more extensive selection the further you book ahead. If you need last-minute deals, check out sites like Hotel Tonight , as they sometimes still have good deals for budget accommodations.

34. Check Your Passport

Does it expire soon? If so, you may need to renew it before you go on your trip. I had a friend who was headed to Malaysia. Right before he left, he saw his passport was expiring in three months. He was going to be there for a while for work and it needed to have six months’ worth of validity still on it for him to enter the country. So we had to put a rush on his passport and pay through the nose for it. Don’t do this! The time frame of validity varies by where you’re headed, so make sure to check this for your particular destination, making it a must on my things to do before traveling list!

35. Do You Need an International Driver’s Licence?

Do you plan on driving internationally? Before deciding, check out the pros and cons of renting a car in Europe. Then, depending on where you are headed, you may need to get an international driver’s license. Don’t worry. This isn’t too complicated. If you’re in the USA and have AAA, you can head to their website or a location near you to apply for an international driving permit.

AAA is one of only two private entities in the U.S. authorized by the U.S. Department of State to issue an international driving permit (IDP). The application is $20, plus the cost of the passport photos, which are usually about $15 at your local pharmacy like CVS. This makes the total $35. Not too bad if you need an international driver’s license.

Omnia Card Rome

36. Saving Time and Money with a Tourist Pass

When I researched what I’d like to see in Rome, I came across the Omnia Card. The card is a tourist pass, which is good for three days, and covered the big tourist attractions on my wishlist!

The wonderful thing about tourist passes is that they’re like a fast pass at Disneyland; you get to cut the lines at some attractions. They also sometimes include bus tours, which can save you from some extra walking or transportation costs. I’m not a huge bus tour fan, but since I was only there for a short amount of time, it helped me to see a lot in a short amount of time. It also acted as a discount card to other museums and exhibits. Do note that if you’re a student, it may be cheaper just to buy tickets with your student ID, but do check out the details before deciding this. This also goes for other tourist passes, such as the Paris Museum Pass.

37. Get Tickets for Events and Attractions

Lastly, on your things to do before traveling checklist, get tickets for high-demand events. I really enjoyed going to see the ‘Tempest’ at Shakespeare’s Globe Theater when I was in London two summers ago. So when I found out I would be returning, I decided to go again, this time seeing ‘As You Like It’. These events sell out quickly, especially if they have a recognizable actor in the cast. So make sure to buy your tickets as soon as possible! This tip goes for other events, attractions, concerts, etc. that you may want to see or do as well.

Final Thoughts on Things to Do Before an International Trip

I hope this things to do before an international trip checklist helps you get ready for your travels! Please feel free to comment below or ask questions via email! As I said, I have a bit of travel OCD, so this is really, truly how I go about planning my trips. So I hope my things to do before traveling list is of help to you!

Please note I get a commission off links in this post that help fund this blog. However, they are still my tried-and-tested favorites for traveling.

Tips on Planning your Vacation: Easy Travel Itinerary Planner for International Vacations

Tips on Packing for a Hostel Stay: Top Tips for Packing The Right Way for Your Next Trip

Tips on Packing Lightly for 2 Weeks: How to Pack Lightly for 2 Weeks in Europe

Want to remember this? Post this 37 Things to Do Before an International Trip article to your favorite Pinterest board!

Things to Do Before an International Trip Things to Do Before an International Trip

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Michelle is a nerdy wanderluster with a love of history. A thirty-something traveler and occasional female solo traveler who you’ll find road-tripping across the United States or hostel-hopping in Europe. Currently residing in Southern California with a day job in marketing.

Comments:

  • S.H

    06/26/2015

    This was very helpful, thanks!

    reply...

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