Last Updated on September 9, 2025 by Roslin Dwivedi
I am always excited to travel abroad. New place, diverse culture, local foods and so many different experiences. We make so many arrangements before hopping on that international flight. But if it’s your first time you can make a checklist. Preparing for a trip in advance saves you a lot of worries. Keeping these checklists are equal to making an itinerary for your trip and staying prepared.Preparing well in advance saves you from last-minute stress and makes your trip smoother.
But before you hop on that plane, there are a few important things you should tick off your list.
Here are 10 things to do before travelling internationally:
1. Check Your Passport Validity
Did you know most countries require your passport to be valid for at least 6 months beyond your travel dates? Imagine arriving at the airport only to be denied boarding — not fun! Double-check your passport before booking that international flight and renew if needed beforehand.
2. Get Your Visa Sorted
Every country has different Visa requirements. Check on the visa websites for the visa requirements on your country passport and apply accordingly. Some countries allow visa on arrival, some allow e-visas with 3-4 days and some countries visa takes weeks to process. Don’t wait until the last moment. I waited to apply for a visa for Hong Kong and applied 2.5 weeks before our travel date. The HKPAR for Indians is tricky. And we faced a problem at the airport- denied boarding. All our dreams to visit Hong Kong were shattered. Luckily we received all our money spent on the trip booking. But this was luck. I would suggest everyone to do their research properly and apply for a visa 2 months prior. So if you face any problem you have time to correct it.
3. Inform Your Bank
Avoid the embarrassment of a declined card abroad. Imagine you are shopping abroad and your card embarrasses you by blocking you. Inform your bank to avoid blocked cards while shopping abroad. We faced this problem only once in Thailand because after that we learned to inform our banks before our international trips. Or you can choose a credit card that allows International transactions without any calls back and forth. Call your bank, inform them of your travel plans, and activate international transactions. It also helps to carry at least two cards in case one doesn’t work. Also do transactions abroad by your credit card not physical money if possible to get zero to less conversion rates. We did this on our Bali and Azerbaijan trip. And saved a lot of money there.
4. Download Essential Travel Apps
The Internet won’t always be your best friend overseas.
Download Google Maps (with offline maps), this has saved me so much time and panics. Sometimes on your travels the internet doesn’t work but the Map is there to confirm any place or area related problems. It is a huge help.
Google Translate with camera translate: In Malaysia we used this app alot on many occasions, finding the building name on the road, reading what’s written on the bill boards, shops, and circulars in our society building. In Baku we used the translator to communicate with the locals.
XE Currency Converter: Though these days there’s a converter on your iphone calculator if you want a quick exchange rate. This app has helped us many times everywhere we travelled.
Local taxi or metro app of the country you’re visiting. In Malaysia and Indonesia we had a big help by downloading Grab App. It’s a taxi app and we never had to rely on the private taxis for airport pick up and drop or going shopping or sightseeing. We also saved a lot on commuting by using these apps. In Azerbaijan we used the Bolt taxi App. There was no room for scam by the taxi drivers of these companies because you pay in advance through your credit card. They just have to pick you up and drop without any confusion. We don’t have to know the way as they have GPS. These apps and drivers are safe to travel as the company can track them and you can send your tracking link to your friends or family when you travel alone. India, Bahrain, we had an Uber App and you know its a good one and again reliable.
These local taxi apps will save you time and stress. So download them before landing in the country.
5. Buy Travel Insurance
It may sound boring, but travel insurance is a lifesaver when things go wrong. It saves you from things like Flight delays, medical emergencies, You fall sick while traveling and need hospitalization, A sudden family emergency forces you to cancel the trip, Your passport or visa gets lost in a foreign country or lost baggage — one policy can save you thousands.
Some Internationally Trusted Options are:
- Allianz Travel Insurance – One of the largest and most reliable worldwide.
- World Nomads – Great for backpackers and adventure travelers.
- AXA Assistance – Offers Schengen visa-approved plans.
- AIG Travel Guard – Popular for US-bound travelers.
Some Good Options for Indian Travelers are:
- Tata AIG Travel Guard – Widely recommended for international trips.
- ICICI Lombard Travel Insurance – Covers medical, baggage, and trip delays.
- HDFC ERGO Travel Insurance – Offers comprehensive family and student plans.
- Religare (Care) Travel Insurance – Affordable policies with worldwide coverage.
NOTE: You must check what’s included and excluded in your policy. Some plans don’t automatically cover adventure sports, pregnancy-related care, or pre-existing conditions — so read the fine print before you buy.
6. Make Copies of Important Documents
Always take a print out of your documents like flight tickets, passport copy of your spouse in case he/she is already there and you are visiting them. Copies of your marriage certificate are also asked sometimes, keep the kids’ birth certificates handy. It’s not asked but just in case keep it digitally available with you. Other documents that can be asked for are visa printouts, hotel confirmations, or even bank statements. Keep both digital copies (on your phone/email) and a few physical copies in your bag.
7. Research and Plan Your Itinerary
You don’t need to plan every minute, but having a rough itinerary helps you make the most of your trip. Look up must-see attractions, local experiences, and even restaurants you don’t want to miss. You can read more about it over here. Advantages and Disadvantages of Having an Itinerary on Vacation
8. Pack According to the Weather
Packing according to the weather is one of the most important tips to a great travel hack. Check the weather forecast before you go. Traveling to Europe in winter? Pack layers. Heading to Bali? Don’t forget swimwear and breathable clothes. Going to Mauritius or Seychelles? Don’t forget sunscreen and umbrella. Buy and pack items commonly used in your destination so you don’t end up overspending there. Get a travel packing checklist so you don’t have to keep reminding of things to your self. Just check the checklist and you are good to go. Recently we visited Azerbaijan. And i had packed according to the weather forecast. One of my friend had to buy a jumper from the Baku Mall for that extra layers.
9. Sort Out Skincare & Duty-Free Purchases
I don’t know about you, but I have noticed my skin going crazy when we are in different countries. Those kinds of experiences have taught me to pack my essentials. Basic, toner, serum and moisturizer and sunscreen. Loreal products have been working fine for me so I am not taking the risk of changing them anymore at 37 years old. These skincares are a must now. Your skin reacts differently in different climates. Pack the skincare you actually use. I always make a note of what I can grab at duty-free — perfumes, moisturizers, or even sunscreen can sometimes be cheaper.
10. Carry Prescribed & Basic Medicines
I always pack my prescribed and basic medicines before travelling. Can’t trust the other countries’ chemist shops will have the same. Basic essentials like paracetamol, motion sickness tablets, vitamin tablets, and rehydration salts. There were times when I was a new traveller and had no idea of keeping these medicines and had to suffer bad motion sickness on the winding road trips or on the boat. Sometimes hot and cold weather outside gives us headaches so we must have a tablet for that too.
Keep the kids’ medicines in a separate bag. Ever since I became a mom I have been doing this. Whether he is sick or not, we can not predict the future, so I keep basic kid’s fever and flu paracetamol syrup, bandage and cuts and scratches cream. Keep them in your cabin bag for easy access. Don’t depend on foreign pharmacies. Pack your prescribed medicines, also keep the copy of the prescription in case the airport check wants to see them.
Final Tip: Start Early
The key to stress-free international travel is preparation. Start checking off this list a few weeks before your trip. That way, when the day arrives, all you’ll need to worry about is which snack to pick for your flight!
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