Today’s posts are geared towards those who are taking the plunge and planning their very first trip. First of all, you go girl (or boy)!!!

Your first trip will be one that you will never forget and may just infect you with the travel bug forever.

While travelling for the first time is super exciting, it can also be incredibly overwhelming! There are so many different things to consider and plan for: Where will you go? How will you get around? What documentation do you need? How much will it cost?

Today I’m hoping to make your first trip a little less overwhelming by helping you properly plan for all these different things and maybe a few more that you hadn’t even considered before.

Choosing your Destination

Has your destination recently had any travel advisories issued? If so, what kind of advisories are they? Travel advisories can be put out for anything from disease outbreaks, recent terror attacks, natural disasters, or local crime. Look into any advisories that have recently been issued and determine whether or not they apply to you, and if they do, is it something you’re comfortable will dealing with during your trip? If not, you may want to hold off on this particular destination until the advisory has been lifted.

Are Airbnb and Uber legal in your destination? These programs are popular among budget travelers but aren’t legal everywhere in the world. Be sure to look into whether or not these services are available in the location you’re looking to visit and have a backup plan in case they aren’t.

What are the local customs and cultural expectations? Make sure that you clearly understand the expectations of tourists and visitors in your destination. That includes everything from how you should dress, how you interact with the opposite sex, and how much you should tip in restaurants. Remember that you’re a guest in this country and should make every effort to understand and respect the local culture.

Is there a language barrier? Language barriers are often less of a “problem” than people think they are, and in fact, they can make your trip even more exciting! Even in countries where English isn’t their first language, most people do speak English. However, do not travel somewhere expecting locals to speak and understand English. It’s still important to remember that you are a guest in this destination and you are the one who should be making the effort to understand their culture and language – not the other way around. I highly recommend downloading an app like “Duolingo” on your phone and practice some key phrases in their language; things like “hi” and “thank you” will get you pretty far and the locals will appreciate you at least making the effort.

Check out THIS POST for my tips on learning a new language! 

Pre-Trip Documents

Do you have a passport? If you don’t have a passport, now is a great time to get one! If you do have a passport, make sure that it isn’t expired. You cannot travel if your passport is going to expire within 6 months of your anticipated travel date, so if your passport is going to expire within that time frame, get it renewed ASAP. It can take a few weeks to a few months for passports to be processed and renewed, so doing it early will save you a lot of headaches and stress as it gets closer to your trip date.

Do you need a visa? Different countries require certain citizens to obtain a tourist visa before entering their country. Visa requirements vary depending on your citizenship, the purpose of your trip, and the length of your stay. Be sure to research early on if you need a visa as this is another piece of documentation that can take a few weeks to obtain. Also be sure to budget for a visa as they typically cost around $100.

Do you have travel insurance? Even if you’re planning a low-key trip with no crazy activities like scuba diving or skydiving and you’re certain that nothing could happen, you should still get travel insurance. The simple fact is that no one can predict if and when something will go wrong while travelling. Travel insurance will help to give you peace of mind while you’re away because you’ll know that if anything were to happen, you’re covered. The last thing you want is for something terrible to happen on your very first trip abroad and having to scramble to recover.

Money & Budgeting

How much money should you bring with you? This will entirely depend on where you’re going, where you plan to stay, and what kinds of things you plan to do. If you’re planning a trip to Thailand where you’re going to stay in hostels, it’s going to be much more affordable than planning a trip to Paris where you’re staying in hotels. Be sure to carefully consider your budget when planning your trip and remember that things will cost much more than you think they will – especially when you consider currency conversations. As a rule of thumb, I take whatever I think I’ll spend on food and activities, and double it to ensure that I’m prepared and have enough money on me.

Check out THIS POST for some of my best travel budgeting tips! 

How will you access money on your trip? I don’t advocate for walking around with thousands of dollars of cash on you while you travel, so how will you access the remainder of your funds abroad? If you’re travelling for an extended period of time, it may be worthwhile to look into setting up a bank account in that country. If you’re planning a shorter trip, you may need to rely on credit cards for additional funds while you’re away. Just be sure to research the types of credit cards that your destination will accept ahead of time.

Packing

How can you avoid over packing? Even the most seasoned travelers have over packed at least once in their lifetime. Especially as a first-time traveler, you may not yet have a grasp on what items are truly necessary and what can be left behind. In order to minimize the amount of stuff you’re packing, try to pack clothing that can be layered so that you can add or remove layers with the weather, or just switch things up for your Instagram photos. And always, always, always remember to pack comfy shoes. Seriously. Crop out your feet in pictures if you’re really that worried about it. Walking around in uncomfortable shoes can ruin your trip as you’ll be in too much pain to even enjoy the sights around you. Be sure to pack a pair of shoes that you’re comfortable walking long distances in to ensure you’re getting the most out of your time abroad.

Check out THIS POST for more packing tips!

What are the baggage restrictions? Depending on which airline you’re flying, you may be restricted as to how heavy your bag can be and how many carry-on bags you can bring. Most budget airlines are very strict about their baggage policies so make sure that you research them ahead of time to avoid having to juggle around your belongings at the airport or pay huge fees for overweight bags. Another thing to look into is the cost of baggage. Again, most budget airlines do not include the cost of check bags in their ticket prices. So if you’re planning on checking a bag you may be forced to pay an addition $20-$100 depending on who you’re flying with. Make sure to research this ahead of time and account for it in your budget. Finally, be sure to follow the carry-on guidelines regarding personal items and liquids. I cannot even count the number of times that I have had face moisturizers confiscated at airport security because they’re over the liquid allowance for carryons. If you’re planning to bring liquids on the plane, make sure they’re well below the allowed limit to ensure nothing is confiscated by security.

For more tips for first-time travelers including information about staying safe while abroad and planning your dream itinerary, check out my YouTube video!

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