27 Tips for Traveling Abroad for the First Time (2025)

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Here are some of my top tips for people who are planning to travel abroad for the first time. Whether you’re traveling solo, with friends, or on a study abroad program, I hope these practical tips will help you to feel more prepared for your trip. 

I love encouraging people to travel abroad for the first time. Traveling abroad is like anything else in life: scary until you’ve done it a time or two. Going abroad forces you to step a bit outside of your comfort zone and to explore the world in a slightly (or sometimes dramatically) different way. 

I traveled abroad for the first time in 2011 as a college student. Two friends and I visited Guatemala for a month during our school’s optional winter term, so we were able to get credit for the experience. We studied for three weeks at the Proyecto Lingüístico Quetzalteco school in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala and then for a week in a rural area at the Mountain School.

I was definitely nervous before I traveled abroad for the first time. I was afraid that I’d be unsafe, that I didn’t have all of the documents that I needed, or that something would simply go wrong. The trip went off (mostly) without a hitch, luckily! 

Still, I wanted to share the following tips to help you plan your first travels out of the country so that you can feel confident and informed.

Tips for traveling abroad for the first time

Here are my top tips for traveling abroad for the first time. I tried to cover all of things you’ll need to prepare before traveling abroad, from logistics like getting your passport to determining if you’ll need a visa to trying local foods. 

Apply for a passport as early as possible

Apply for your passport as soon as you know you want to travel abroad – here is the link to apply for a US passport. The process for getting a passport can be long and involved, and you don’t want to risk holding up your travel plans while you wait for your documents. There is usually a fee associated with getting this document, so be sure to factor that into your budget if money is tight. 

Choose a destination that fits your budget

I have written many times in this blog about ways to save money while traveling, but at the end of the day there’s only so much you can do if you choose an expensive destination. All of the best budget tips in the world probably won’t make your trip to Abisko, Sweden cheaper than a budget trip to Mexico City. 

You can quickly research these items for a sense of how much your trip will cost:

• Flights to and from your destination
• Average price for a hotel or hostel during your stay
• Average price for an entree at a restaurant you’d actually visit (look on Google Maps for a few restaurants, then compare the prices)
• Google average transit costs 
• Cost to rent a car, if applicable
• Costs of any tours or experiences you know you want to try

Confirm if you’ll need a visa

Depending on your passport and where you’re traveling, you may need a visa for your trip. Always confirm visa requirements before flying, as you’d hate to be turned away at the airport or get stuck in a border control line. It only takes a few minutes to Google, so it’s worth a quick search if you’re not 100% sure of the requirements. 

A note on visas: Many times people will say you don’t “need” a visa to travel to some countries (for instance, if you have a US passport and travel to Ireland). This isn’t technically true – you are actually issued a visa for free upon arrival. In this case, there’s nothing you need to do before you travel to obtain the visa, so long as you’re visiting as a tourist.  

Open a credit card that is good for international travel

Visa and MasterCard are accepted in many parts of the world, but I’ve found Visa to be the most reliable. Whether you’re able to use credit cards on your trip will depend on your destination – in Ireland, for example, you can use a credit card to pay for nearly everything you might want. By contrast, there are many shops and restaurants in Berlin, Germany that won’t accept cards. 

One big advantage of using a credit card for your purchases while traveling is fraud protection. You can always ask your credit card company for their fraud protection coverage, but usually you’ll have at least some protection. 

Let your bank(s) know that you’ll be traveling

Some banks will decline unanticipated transactions abroad. So, depending on your bank, you may want to let them know that you’ll be traveling. This is usually as simple as calling the customer service line and telling them the dates you’ll be away and which countries you’ll be visiting. 

While you’re talking to them, it’s a good idea to ask how much you can expect to pay in foreign transaction fees. Typically this will be a flat rate, a percentage of your purchases, or a combination of both. 

Book flights directly through the airline

If you search for flights on Google Flights or similar sites, they might direct you to buy the tickets through a sketchy third party service. The issue with these third party sites is that they offer little, if any, reprieve or support if anything goes wrong. Avoid the hassle and purchase directly from the airline. 

If you already booked your flight through a third party site like “GotoGate.com” or something similar, you might want to buy third party travel insurance to protect yourself. I like to use Allianz or World Nomads, depending on which one is cheaper and offers better coverage. 

Learn about culture shock

Culture shock can happen to anyone while they’re traveling, and it can definitely keep you from enjoying your trip. By reading a bit about culture shock, you’ll know what to expect and can respond more quickly. 

If you ever find yourself feeling unusually irritable or angry while traveling, it’s a good idea to check in with yourself. Travel and being in a new culture is stressful, and if you’re able to be compassionate with yourself you can avoid some of the most painful parts of culture shock. 

Get a haircut before you go

Consider getting a haircut before your big international trip, especially if you’ll be studying abroad or away for several weeks. Your hair will be easier to take care of while you’re on the road, and it will look better in photos. I like to specifically tell my hairdresser to give me a low maintenance haircut. 

If you are traveling somewhere warm and have long hair, you might want to go a little shorter than normal. The easier your hair is to maintain away from home, the less you’ll have to worry about it. 

A hair tip I learned on TikTok: braids and low buns are much less likely to tangle than high buns. Consider braiding longer hair for a lower maintenance hairstyle while traveling, especially at night. 

Choose outfits that will blend in

When I travel abroad, I tend to choose outfits that will help me to blend in as much as possible. My style is more neutral, but you can wear whatever you feel comfortable in. 

This helps you to avoid being targeted for tourist schemes and scams, and you’ll probably feel more comfortable if your style resembles the locals. There’s no “perfect” here, just try to loosely fit the style. If this isn’t possible, just be a little conservative and wear clothes that aren’t overly flashy. 

Remember that you can always pick up an outfit while you’re on the road, if needed. 

Pack a pair of comfortable walking shoes

More than likely, you’ll spend some time sightseeing when traveling abroad for the first time. For the best experience, be sure to pack a pair of walking shoes that will keep you comfortable as you put in the miles walking through a city. You can always bring a second pair of shoes for going out, but you don’t want them to be your only option. 

Leave your flashy jewelry at home 

Similar to choosing outfits that will help you blend in, you’ll want to leave especially expensive or sentimental pieces at home. Not only will you avoid becoming a victim of petty theft, you’ll feel a little lighter knowing that you don’t have to worry about your belongings while on the road. 

The obvious exception to this rule is if you’re going to any sort of event, like a wedding. In this case, you may have to bring flashier pieces, but I still wouldn’t wear them while you’re wandering around and sightseeing.

Get to the airport 3 hours before your flight

When I travel, I like to arrive at the airport 2 hours early for domestic flights and 3 hours early for international flights. This gives me time to handle any issues at check in, get through security, and find my gate. Some airports are larger and/or more complicated than others, so I like to give plenty of time just to be safe. 

I always go more or less directly to my gate when I arrive at the airport. Although the process is usually straightforward, I have run into some pretty weird international airports in my travels! Sometimes the setup is simply not what you’re expecting, so it’s better to have some leeway in your plans. 

Plan a chill first day or two in your destination

Traveling abroad for the first time can be tiring. Depending on where you fly, you might be suffering from jetlag when you first arrive. If you’re going somewhere with a new language, you might experience a lot of fatigue trying to navigate the new systems. Be patient with yourself and give yourself plenty of room in your itinerary to relax and rest. 

It’s also a good idea to set aside a bit of your itinerary for self-care so that you don’t burn out or get sick. 

Learn a few words and key phrases in the new language

It’s always a good idea to learn a few key phrases in the national language of the place you’ll be visiting. Not only is it polite, it can also help you to connect with people while you’re on the road. 

Here are some phrases to learn:

• Hello
• Can I please order…
• How much does it cost?
• Thank you
• Where is the bathroom
• Goodbye

Remember that traveling abroad is new to you

One of my yoga teachers once taught me to try reframing anything that feels “hard” as something that is new. So, if you’re frustrated trying to figure out the public transit system in London, remember that it’s your first time and it’s OK if you don’t already know how to do it. Allow yourself to be new at traveling abroad, and give yourself grace when you make mistakes.

Learn as much as you can

Try to think of every travel experience you have as a chance to learn and grow. If you meet other travelers who have recommendations or hacks, you might be able to learn from them! It’s perfectly fine to not know everything, so be a sponge and absorb as you go. 

Go to museums, take walking tours, read the plaques, listen to podcasts, make connections between the things you see. This will help you to start to find the threads between the places you visit and place them in their historical and cultural contexts. Don’t worry if it’s not easy at first, you’ll start to make exciting and interesting connections as you add in more information. 

Try to make friends

One of the best parts of travel are the people you meet along the way. If you’re staying in a hostel or shared accommodation, try to push yourself to be social and meet new friends. Go to the free events, strike up conversations over breakfast, and invite people to join you for the day. 

If you’re staying in a hotel or Airbnb, you’ll need to try a little harder to meet people. Strike up conversations with people you meet at restaurants or museums. I recently traveled to Scotland with a friend I made while killing time and waiting for a night bus in Huaraz, Peru. 

Be sure to actively stay in touch with anyone you’d want to see again – this is the key to turning a travel buddy into a friend. Get their information and send them little updates on the rest of your trip. Make a plan to meet up again in another time and place. Then, actually do it. 

Watch your stuff

No one wants to lose any of their belongings while on vacation, so take care to secure your bags whenever possible. I keep a hand or foot on my bags at all times when I’m in train stations, sitting outside, or otherwise just in public with my bags. If I’m sitting in a chair, I will sometimes buckle my backpack to the chair leg to make it easier to swipe. 

Read about the country you’ll be visiting

I love to read about destinations before I visit them, if I can. Before I traveled to Colombia, I read Oblivion: A Memoir by Héctor Abad, and I felt that it offered me valuable insight into the culture and history of the country. Similarly, I read Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland by Patrick Radden Keefe before moving to Ireland. 

Having some foundational knowledge about the place you’re visiting makes it easier to be respectful of the new culture and to understand the significance of the places you visit. Sure, you’ll learn a lot while you’re there, but you’ll pick up on subtleties much more quickly if you do a little homework before you go. 

I’d recommend that you choose a book that matches your interests, at least somewhat. You don’t necessarily need to read a history book if history isn’t your thing – a memoir from a prominent local artist would still offer plenty of cultural insights. 

Ask for help when you need it

Remember that you don’t need to know everything. If you get stuck or can’t figure something out, it’s perfectly fine to ask for help. Just be sure that you strike a balance between doing things on your own and soliciting outside advice. 

Often the staff at hostels will know the area or be experienced travelers themselves. They may not know the answer, but it’s worth asking in case they can share some insight. 

Be curious

Approach your entire trip with curiosity. Humbly accept that you don’t know what you don’t know, and get curious about what there is for you to experience. Curiosity can help you to bypass some feelings of culture shock, fear, and self-consciousness. 

Instead of making statements about people, places, histories, or emotions, ask instead how they came to be. This will help you to keep from jumping to conclusions and you’ll likely be more open to learning with a curious mindset. 

Take photos of people

Travel blogger Nomadic Matt one posted a set of travel tips from his many years on the road. One of those tips was to take photos of people, and I think it’s some of the best travel advice I’ve ever heard. 

While you’re traveling, take photos of the landscapes, sure, but remember that those photos will be far less precious to you in a few years than any photo with people in it. Take photos with your fellow travelers – the person you talk to during a long train ride, the friend-for-a-day you meet at a hostel, and, of course, your travel companions. Say “Yes” when people offer to take a photo of you. 

Keep all of those photos in a folder or a safe place so that you can look back on them in a few years or a few decades and remember how much fun you had. 

Be present

When you’re abroad for the first time, try to practice being present. Soak in the experience. Let yourself get totally awestruck by the places you visit. Actively try not to worry about the past or the future, because they’ll mentally and emotionally pull you out of your trip. 

If you’re having a hard time being present, try to notice four things that you can see, hear, and touch. This little grounding exercise can pull you back into your body, helping you focus on the present instead of the things that you can’t control. 

Don’t sweat the small stuff

There are so many things that can go wrong when you travel – try to let the small ones go, when you can. You might fall for a scam and lose $50 or be in the wrong place at the wrong time – it truly can happen to any of us. Unless you’re hurt or there’s a way to fix what happened, try to let it go. 

It can be easy to spend an entire trip dwelling on one negative interaction, so be intentional about letting it go. Don’t let someone else’s negativity follow you around on your travels. Likewise, don’t rake yourself over the coals for a mistake you made, especially if you were doing your best. 

Spend money on experiences

Part of the joy of traveling is trying new things and making memories. I like to focus my trips and itineraries on experiences, from sightseeing to museums to visiting friends. Leave room in your budget for exploring.

I’d rather spend money on experiences than, say, a nice hotel room or an expensive (but not memorable) dinner. That said, some of my favorite travel experiences have been nice dinners that showcased the local cuisine. Convenience is expensive, so be wary of things that look too easy or too polished if you’re traveling on a budget. 

Try the food

One of the best parts of travel is getting to try foods from around the world. When you travel abroad for the first time, make a point of trying some local dishes, preferably from a restaurant off of the tourist track. Ask locals you meet to recommend their favorite restaurant, and then be sure to ask what they like to order (this isn’t foolproof, but I’ve gotten some great tips this way!).

Avoid anywhere near major tourist attractions and places where the menu is printed in multiple languages. Also pass on any restaurants with a person who stands outside and tries to usher you in – the pushier the usher, the faster you should run. 

Advice for studying abroad

I studied abroad in Amman, Jordan when I was in college, and it was one of my favorite ever travel experiences. While I was there, I completed a program with the School for International Training about modernization and social change in Jordan. I also lived with a wonderful host family in a residential area of Amman.

If you’re going to be studying abroad, I have several posts dedicated specifically to the topic. From mentally preparing to study abroad to living with a host family to choosing a gift for your host family, I want you to feel fully prepared. You can read all of my travel tips here, or check out any of these specific study abroad posts:

• The Ultimate Homestay Gift Guide
• How to Mentally Prepare to Study Abroad: 14 Tips to Set Yourself Up for Success
• What is a host family? Your Complete Guide
• Is it Normal to be Scared to Study Abroad?
• Is Studying Abroad Lonely?

FAQs: Tips for traveling abroad for the first time

Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about traveling abroad for the first time. 

What things do you need to prepare before traveling abroad?

There are two types of things you need to prepare before traveling abroad: yourself and your home. What I mean by that is you’ll need to get yourself ready by ensuring you have a passport, packing, choosing a destination, booking your flights and hotels, and that you take care of all of the necessary trip planning tasks. 

Then, you’ll need to get your home ready for your absence. Clean your house, find a subletter if you’ll be gone for several months, let people know when you’re leaving and returning, figure out petsitters, etc. Be sure that you can leave your car wherever it is currently parked. Sit down and think through anything that you do on a daily basis and ensure that either a) it won’t need to happen, or b) someone else can and will do it for you. 

Which country is best for a first time traveler?

There’s no single country that is best for a first time traveler, but most countries in Europe are accessible, safe, and easy to navigate in English. I’d specifically recommend Italy, England, Ireland, Scotland, and Mexico (specifically the Yucatan Peninsula) for first time travelers. Each of these destinations have significant tourist infrastructure and should be easy enough to navigate, even without much experience. 

Although there are destinations that are a bit easier, I want to note that my first trip abroad was to Guatemala. I spent a month studying in a language school and traveling with a few friends, and my second trip abroad was to Jordan for a study abroad program. Neither Guatemala nor Jordan are likely to show up on a list of best places for first time travelers, but both were fabulous learning experiences that I’m grateful to have had. 

What will you do if you are a first time traveler?

If you’re a first time world traveler, you’ll have the opportunity to learn the skill of traveling abroad. You’ll get more comfortable navigating foreign currencies and city streets, and you’ll learn more about what you do and don’t enjoy while traveling. First time travelers will inevitably make mistakes, so forgive yourself if/when you do. 

Like all of the world travelers who came before you, you’ll quickly learn that everything is figureoutable – but you do have to actually figure it out. Ask trustworthy people for help, rely on your own smarts, and have a backup plan when/where you can. Embrace the experience, and remember that the most outrageous travel disasters usually become your best stories. 

How do you travel abroad when you’re broke?

If you don’t have much – or any – travel funds but still want to go abroad, there are a few things you can do. First, you can get a side hustle and start saving as quickly as you can – things like driving for Uber or doing food delivery are common options. 

Once you go abroad, there are lots of ways that you can travel for very little money, but you usually have to take a decently long trip to be able to take advantage of them. Often, hostels will allow you to live on site as part of a work exchange. Similarly, you can WOOF or work on an organic farm in exchange for your room and board.

Another popular option is au pairing. In many European countries, families hire live-in help for a set period, usually facilitated by a third party agency. Au pairing is a great option for many travelers because you’ll receive a salary in addition to your room and board. 

What are some things you must not do when you travel abroad?

There are always some obvious things that you shouldn’t do when traveling abroad, like committing crimes or overstaying your visa. It’s also important that you are respectful of the new culture that you’re visiting, so avoid making fun of the food, clothes, or problems you see. 

How do I prepare my body for an international flight?

Most international flights are just a bit longer than domestic ones. So, you’ll want to prepare in most of the same ways. I also like to go for a short walk before I fly, even if it’s just around the airport, to keep my body moving and stay calm (I find airports stressful!). 

Eat a filling, healthy meal before you board the plane and be sure to drink plenty of water. I always bring water with me onto the plane, as some flights make you ask for water one small glass at a time. 

I prefer to avoid alcohol before flying and wear comfy clothes that won’t restrict me while I’m on the plane. Once you’re in the air, you’ll want to stand up and walk around a few times to keep your circulation moving. 

What age is best for international travel?

There’s no one age that’s best for international travel. Some people start traveling when they’re quite young, while others go abroad for the first time as adults. There’s no age that’s too late for international travel, so if you’ve always wanted to go abroad, start making your plans today!

I took my younger sisters on their first international trips when they were 17 and 19, both times to Europe. I wanted them to experience traveling in another country, navigating different currencies, and seeing new parts of the world. Both have since traveled internationally on their own! 

What to expect when flying internationally for the first time

International and domestic flights are fairly similar, but there are a few key differences. First, you’ll need to bring your passport to the airport, and it’s likely that staff at the airport will check it multiple times. International flights sometimes leave more time for boarding, so always get to your gate as early as possible and listen for boarding announcements. 

Some international flights offer free alcohol, but it’s not usually publicized. If the flight attendant offers you an alcoholic beverage, it’s OK to ask how much it costs. Similarly, you might be offered meals onboard, but it’s usually more obvious when these are free.

If you are taking a long international flight and have dietary restrictions, you can usually pre-book a meal when you choose your seats. The menu is usually preset, except for special selections that you make ahead of time. 

Final thoughts: Tips for traveling abroad for the first time

Traveling abroad for the first time is an exciting, but sometimes a bit intimidating, step! It takes courage to leave home on a trip, so don’t worry if it all feels new. After you step foot in a new place, your trip will start to feel more real and more tangible, and you’ll get the hang of it really quickly. 

The biggest thing to keep in mind when traveling abroad for the first time is that you’ll need to manage a lot of logistics. From your passport to your itinerary to your hotels, you’ll need to dedicate some time to sorting out the less exciting parts so that you can enjoy your trip. Do research before you go so that you can focus on enjoying your time abroad, instead of worrying about the smaller details.