Getting Ready: How to Plan Your First International Trip
Traveling abroad is a very exciting dream for most people. The steps you need to take to prepare can be quite overwhelming if you do not know where to start. You do not have to worry because here, you will find all the steps you need to go through to ensure you fulfill your dream of traveling internationally as soon as possible. This outline can be tweaked to fit any travel situation you have going on, but it works perfectly if you are planning a trip abroad and do not know where to start.
1. Pick a Destination
The very first step to prepare for your international trip is to pick a destination. More often than not, you will find that you have a destination in mind. But if you need help finding a country you want to go to, then start thinking of what you want to experience in your travels. Do you want to visit historical sites and landmarks, or are you more interested in spending some time by the beach enjoying the sun? Asking yourself these questions will help you decide your dream destination.
2. Do Your Research About the Place
If you have a place in mind, start doing your research about the place you are going to be visiting. In this step, you will need to look for things such as the landmarks you want to see there, different kinds of accommodation that suit you, cuisine you want to try, and most importantly the currency used there. Knowing what currency a country uses will ensure you can take the amount of money you will be using when traveling exchanged at a good rate. It will also help you keep track of the exchange rate so you can find the best time to convert your currency.
3. Determine the Length of the Trip
Depending on the length of your trip, you will need to plan various details differently. For example, taking a week-long trip compared to a 3-day trip means you can afford better accommodation for your stay, assuming an identical budget. When determining how long your trip is remember to see how much time off work you can get.
4. Set a Budget and Start Saving
Setting a budget will give you an outline of your travel plans. When you have a budget in mind, you are able to decide how much time you need to save the amount of money you expect to need during your travels abroad. Setting a budget will also make your dream seem more tangible and give you the necessary motivation to get the money you need ready as soon as possible.
5. Ensure Your Passport’s Validity
After setting your budget and working toward saving for your trip, you need to check your passport’s expiration date and ensure it is still valid and that you will be able to use it when traveling abroad. If you do not have a passport, you need to go through the steps to get one issued. Getting a new passport can take some time so it is best to have it ready early on.
6. Check Destination’s Visa Requirements
After ensuring your passport is valid, check what other requirements you need for the visa to the country you are going to visit. Some countries do not require a visa so you can travel without worrying about it. Others have long processes. Checking whether the country you want to travel to requires a visa or not will ensure you get everything sorted out without feeling rushed.
7. Plan Ahead for Time Off Work
Based on this plan, you already know the length of time of your trip but, now you need to actually find out when you can take time off work. Asking for time off in advance is critical to ensure your employer approves the request. Short notices are likely to be declined. This will also help you adjust your travel plans if the time you primarily had in mind is not going to work out.
8. Find Accommodations
After you have all the money saved, you can start narrowing down accommodation options until you find one that fits your budget and is up to your standards. Thankfully, with the use of the internet, you can get all the information you need, including reviews, pictures, nearby attractions, and all the amenities offered.e.
9. Book a Flight
If you are at this step, then you are almost done preparing and are very close to achieving your goal of traveling to another country. This is the final step. Afterward, you will just be packing and traveling. Booking a flight requires patience and research. You need to find a flight with a safe airline and have it fit into your budget. A pro tip when looking for flights is to delete your browsing history or go incognito. This will ensure that you get lower prices for flights when searching for them on the same website more than once.
Following these nine steps will ensure your traveling plans take shape and are easier to set up. Not only will you be able to find out what you need to do to travel as fast as possible, but you will also have an easier, worry-free trip since everything is already planned and well-thought-out. Some of these steps will take longer than others so you may want to do them simultaneously or change them a bit to fit with your situation. Overall, these guidelines will have you ready to travel internationally in no time.
