Traveling to other countries is your passport to becoming a global citizen. You can experience distinct cultures, learn new languages, taste fresh delicacies, and tour interesting places.
As adventurous and exciting as it sounds, international travel is overwhelming, especially for first-time travelers. You must be prepped to navigate those long hours on an international flight to beat the game. Here’s what you need to know.
Arrive early
When taking an international flight, arriving at the airport hours before your departure time is essential. While this might look too much, you need enough time for baggage checks, security drills, and plane boarding.
If it’s your first time at an international airport, the more reason you should come early. For boarding passengers, many international flights take 40-60 minutes, so it’s safer to arrive on time.
Have a valid passport
Most countries expect you to travel with a passport valid for at least six months longer than the dates of your trip. Some even require your passport to have a certain number of blank pages for visas and stamps.
International flights require more than just a valid passport. Depending on the country you’re going to, you need a visa, proof of return travel, or travel health documents. Each destination has specific rules, so you must tick those boxes before booking your flight.
Notify your bank
It’s also essential to inform your bank that you’ll be traveling to another country. They can help you perform the necessary currency conversions to have cash at hand when you land.
ATM fees are more expensive at airports, so it’s better to have cash on arrival. Also, you don’t want your bank freezing your account because of unexpected transactions on your account. That can be a nightmare.
Make a checklist
Packing for your international trip is a delicate affair. Since you wouldn’t like to forget important stuff, creating a checklist is best. Make sure you bring all your travel documents with you, as well as necessary clothing for the country you’re headed to.
You may need to purchase travel insurance to protect yourself during the trip. Bring those documents along as well. Also, take note of all your hand and checked luggage, so you don’t leave anything behind.
Set your phone to the time zone of your destination
This is pretty straightforward. As soon as you board the plane, switch to your destination’s time zone. This will minimize jet lag and help you ease into the long haul.
If you still need to keep in touch with your home country’s time zone, you can set two primary time zones. The whole point of this is to prepare yourself for the journey ahead.
Get lots of rest
The days leading up to your travel must’ve been draining. You can eliminate that travel anxiety by catching up on the night’s sleep days before you leave.
Flying internationally is also very exhausting. You may need to change flights at stop-overs or spend several hours waiting for a connecting flight. Therefore, rest and recharge for the journey ahead.
