7 International Travel Tips for Beginners
Whether you’re traveling solo or vacationing with family, here are some helpful international travel tips for beginners to add to your travel smarts folder. (In your brain, obviously).
I’ve been traveling internationally for almost twenty years. From navigating local currency to finding the best restaurants and activities, these are some repeat “yeps” I’ve collected and applied repeatedly.
1. Bring At Least Two Credit Cards (from Different Providers!)
It’s always good to have a backup card. I’m not out here offering you financial advice, but in the event that one of your cards is lost, stolen, or frozen, having a backup card is a lifesaver.
I highly recommend having cards from different providers if one of your cards isn’t a Visa or Mastercard. In case you didn’t know, American Express is often not accepted in many overseas locations and/or local small businesses.
2. Alert Your Bank(s) of Your Travel Plans
It used to be that you almost automatically got frozen as soon as you swiped your card overseas, but times have changed. Many banks don’t require an alert (some don’t even seem to have the option to provide one), but some do.
Reach out to your bank in advance to make sure your bases are covered before your trip. You never want to be stuck without access to your money. Plus, once you’re out of the country, it feels infinitely harder to connect with the right people (especially when you’re stressed).
3. Keep a Little Bit of Cash on You, Disperse the Rest
Let’s be honest, cash is no longer king (often, Venmo is). That being said, there are still plenty of places where this isn’t true.
For this international travel tips for beginners: Start with a small sum of cash. Keep a little on you, then divvy up the rest in various bags and compartments.
This not only prevents sticky fingers, but it also keeps you honest with your spending. Not to mention, it’s an amazing feeling when you forget you hid a few bills in that one random pocket. All of a sudden, you feel like Mommy Warbucks.
You’ll need cash to tip your guides! If you plan on doing any excursions or tours, make sure to have physical cash on you to tip any guides and/or drivers at the end. Tipping standards vary by country, so research expectations in advance.
4. Set Up an International Travel Phone Option
I’ll be the first one to admit that I’ve been bad about this in the past. While I’ve traveled to many places without cell service, relying simply on the WiFi, it’s not smart.
Be better than past me and get yourself a SIM or eSIM when you’re traveling outside of your home country. Also, that bus ride is more fun when you can listen to a variety of music (vs the few songs you downloaded on repeat).
How do I get a SIM/eSIM for international phone service?
For a physical SIM card, you’ll need to find a tech store once you land in the country you’re visiting. You’ll buy a local SIM there, and they often will pop it in for you (don’t lose your original SIM though!).
I prefer an eSIM, which works on most phone models. I love Airalo, which has eSIMs for 200+ countries. You can buy it in advance, and simply activate it once you arrive.
5. Keep Track of Your Passport
This might be one of my biggest international travel tips for beginners: Protect your passport like it’s a precious gem. That booklet is your ticket home.
Keep it hidden wherever you’re staying, and if you’re not using it often, make sure to do a little check-in to confirm it’s where it’s supposed to be. I’ve never lost or had a passport stolen, and I hope to keep it that way.
6. Learn a Few Key Phrases (+Keep Them on Your Phone!)
Travel is stressful, and what can happen when we’re stressed? We forget things.
If you’re traveling somewhere you don’t speak the language, put a few key phrases in a Notes tab or Google document on your phone. Ones like “I need help,” “Do you know where…?,” and “Do you speak English?” are great places to start.
This can be useful in your day-to-day as well as if you’re in a bind.
7. Reviews Can Be Your Best Friends
When it comes to where you are staying, don’t skip reading through the reviews. Both good and bad (not just “recent” ones).
Also, read reviews across multiple sites (if possible). If you’re booking a stay through Kayak or HostelWorld, Google that booking as well to make sure everything is adding up.
Tips for finding the best deals when traveling:
Search activities and hotels across multiple sites for the best rates. Sometimes one site will have a discount or better package, but you won’t know if you go with the first one you see.
This is also true when booking through Airbnb. Plenty of hotels or groups will post individual listings there but, with a quick Google search, you can find the original listing without all the fees.
Some of my favorite international trips
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