International travel can bring exciting opportunities, but it comes with risks that aren't always obvious, from unfamiliar laws to accessibility issues to the potential for crime. However, with a little preparation, you can enjoy your trip with confidence and peace of mind. Whether you're a first-time explorer or a frequent flyer, planning ahead will help you stay safe while making lasting memories.
Know Your International Travel Destination: Before You Go
Understanding your destination before you travel can help you avoid problems and make informed decisions.
Learn about local customs, laws, and etiquette. What might be normal at home could be frowned upon or illegal abroad.
Research the local language and currency so you know what to expect and how you'll handle the practicalities of travel.
Check government travel advisories, and sign up with the U.S. State Department's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to stay informed.
Research any required visas, vaccinations, or entry restrictions well in advance. Requirements can change quickly depending on political or health-related developments.
Helpful Resources:
Apply for a New Adult Passport: If you don't already have a passport, be sure to apply for one well in advance of when you plan to travel internationally.
Border Security Tips for Travelers: Make sure that your documents are in order to avoid delays during your trip or when returning home.
Cultural Differences in the U.S. and Abroad: Understanding the cultural norms of your destination is an important part of adapting to your surroundings and having a positive travel experience.
World Health Organization Advice for Travelers: Find out how you can protect your health while you're out of the country.
Gear Up for Travel With a Safety Mindset
Packing with security and safety in mind can save you from major headaches while traveling internationally.
Use luggage with TSA-approved locks.
Keep a digital backup of all essential documents, just in case you lose the originals.
Consider bringing a portable door lock or wedge for hotel room doors, especially in unfamiliar accommodations.
Pack clothing with pockets and zippered closures; avoid using open-topped bags or stashing your wallet in your back pocket.
Carry a first-aid kit with basics like adhesive bandages, pain relievers, and medicine for digestive issues, since these aren't always easy to find abroad.
Helpful Resources:
What to Pack When You Go Abroad: Read practical advice on clothing, documents, and essential gear for international travel, including tips for adapting your packing to the climate and cultural norms.
Tips for Hotel Room Safety: Follow this advice to keep yourself and your belongings safe while you're staying in a hotel.
Travel Safe With Cash and Credit Cards
Covering your expenses while you travel can open you up to potential risks if you're not careful.
Use a mix of payment methods. Keep a small amount of local currency on hand, but rely on credit cards with fraud protection for larger purchases.
Only use ATMs inside banks or secure buildings, and check for card skimmers before inserting your card.
Notify your bank or credit card company before traveling internationally to avoid blocks on your account.
Helpful Resources:
ATM Safety Tips: ATMs are convenient tools to access your money while you travel, but they can also be targets for thieves.
Cardholder Travel Tips: Know what to do before, during, and after a trip to make sure that you have access to your money and credit without putting yourself at financial risk.
Currency Exchange Rate Converter: Use this tool to see how much your money is worth when you need to buy foreign currency abroad.
There's a Travel App for That
Smartphones can help you with just about everything, including having a safe and enjoyable trip.
Install offline maps and translation tools before you leave, in case you're in an area with poor service.
Use apps that allow real-time check-ins with family or travel companions.
Add a VPN to help you use public Wi-Fi networks without compromising your personal data.
Consider safety apps that include local emergency numbers and embassy locations.
Helpful Resources:
The Only Apps You Need to Survive Abroad: Read recommendations from a student abroad to find out some apps that could be helpful during your trip.
Google Translate: This website and app can help you translate many different languages into English, including text in images of things like signs or restaurant menus.
Safety Tips for Traveling Alone
Solo travel can be empowering, but it also adds a layer of vulnerability. That doesn't mean that you should never travel alone: Just be sure to take appropriate precautions.
Avoid sharing your location or travel plans with strangers or on social media.
Always let someone you trust know your itinerary, and check in with them regularly.
Choose well-reviewed accommodations in safe neighborhoods, and avoid walking alone at night in unfamiliar areas.
Helpful Resources:
Seven Tips for Safe Solo Travel: Learn about some things you should do to protect yourself if you're traveling alone in another country.
Travel Safety Advice for Solo Women: Women traveling alone are especially vulnerable to sexual harassment or even assault.
Be a Global Citizen
Being respectful and aware of your impact on local communities helps ensure safe and enriching experiences.
Dress appropriately for cultural norms and religious sites.
Avoid behavior that could be considered disrespectful or disruptive.
Learn a few local phrases to build goodwill and reduce misunderstandings.
Work to minimize your impact on the environment while you travel.
Helpful Resources:
The World's Ten Best Ethical Destinations: If you want to travel somewhere a little more off the beaten path and give your tourism dollars to countries that will use them ethically, consider these destinations.
Responsible Travel and Ethical Tourism: Trends and Issues: This article from the Journal of Responsible Tourism Management explores how responsible tourism evolves and how travelers, businesses, and governments all play a role in lessening the negative impacts of tourism on destinations.
What Does it Mean to Be a Global Citizen? Global citizenship is built on the idea that people can work together to make the world a better place.
International Travel: Planning for Personal Needs
Accessibility Needs
People with disabilities can experience the joys of travel just like anyone else, but accessible travel typically requires extra preparation to make sure that the necessary accommodations are made.
Check whether your airline and hotel offer wheelchair access, accessible restrooms, and other accommodations. Call them yourself: Don't rely on their websites to be accurate.
Carry medical documentation for any assistive devices or medications.
Research the accessibility laws of your destination country, as they can vary widely.
Plan for your transportation needs, such as transfers from the airport and public transit options in your destination, before you go.
Verify the accessibility of attractions you want to visit, and plan some extra options for your itinerary in case you arrive to discover that a site can't accommodate you safely.
Resources for Accessible Travel:
U.S. Airline Passengers With Disabilities Bill of Rights: Under federal law, American airlines must provide accommodations for passengers with disabilities.
Navigating an Overseas Trip With Mobility Issues: Learn practical advice for international travel using a powered wheelchair, from booking flights to managing transit between terminals.
Accessible Destinations: Explore this guide to find out about the accessibility of more than a hundred popular places to visit, both here and abroad.
TSA Passenger Support: When going through security screening at an airport, you can request assistance from a TSA support specialist.
How Solo Travel Helped My Personal Development as an Autistic Young Person: Travel to new environments can be taxing for an autistic person, but it can also build self-confidence.
Travel Tips for People With Disabilities: These tips can help you get the accommodations you need for a safe and comfortable customer experience.
Hearing Aid Travel Tips: Travelers with hearing loss can find valuable tips for flying and staying connected with hearing devices on this page.
Tips for Travelers in Europe With Limited Mobility: The age of many sites in Europe makes accessibility challenging, but careful planning can ensure that your trip is a success.
Flying With Hearing Loss: The Hearing Health Foundation shares tips on handling the potential pitfalls of flying with hearing loss, including selecting quieter seats, using earplugs, and bringing entertainment or captioned media to ease communication and reduce fatigue.
Guide to Staying Safe and Healthy for Travelers With Disabilities: The CDC advises travelers with disabilities on medical documentation, travel accommodations, and their rights under U.S. laws on this page.
Age 65+ Travelers
Older adults face unique challenges while traveling, including managing prescriptions, securing travel insurance, and choosing senior-friendly destinations.
Pack all medications in their original containers, and bring extra in case of delays.
Choose travel insurance plans that cover pre-existing conditions.
Avoid overly strenuous itineraries; build in time to rest.
Resources for Senior Travelers:
U.S. State Department Tips for Older Travelers: Follow these simple steps to make sure that you're prepared for international travel.
Senior Travel Checklist: This list can help you stay organized so you don't forget anything important before your trip.
Top Accessible Vacation Destinations for Older Adults: If you're worried about the difficulties of planning a vacation, try visiting these destinations that are easy to enjoy for older travelers.
Safe Travel Tips for Older Adults: Proper planning can keep you safe and healthy while you travel.
Destination Aging: The Health Benefits of Travel: Traveling is a little trickier as you get older, but it also improves physical movement, reduces stress, and boosts confidence for older adults.
How Traveling Helps Seniors Stay Active and Engaged: Having new adventures after retirement can help you stay mentally and physically healthy.
Leveraging Travel as a Catalyst for Healthy Longevity: Travel opportunities can play a key role in healthy aging.