The first time I left the US to explore another country on an international trip, I was woefully unprepared. Excited about the trip, my friends and I forgot to do the little things. We knew what we wanted to see (kind of) and were smart enough to buy a guidebook for our destination. That said, we didn’t have a clear idea on distance between places, currency or even the availability of local transportation. We made all kinds of mistakes along the way, yet my first international trip was absolutely amazing. You might even say I was blissfully unaware.
Think you need to be a seasoned traveler to take your first international trip? Think again. With a few simple tips, you’ll know exactly how to turn those doubts into confidence and get ready to book that dream adventure.
Making the decision to travel abroad for the first time is not something that many people take lightly. Some plan for months to get all the details right. Personally, I think too much planning can also be a problem. So how do you get it right and make sure your first international trip is unforgettable for all the right reasons? Ultimately, it’s a skill you can build just like any other.
Don’t Underestimate The Value of Good Research
This might sound like travel 101 but I don’t want to underestimate the importance of familiarizing yourself with the destination. In today’s world there are blogs, videos and all types of social media available to help you get comfortable with the destination you’ve chosen. I’ve even seen some virtual reality options that make you feel like you are actually there. But that may be going a bit too far.
A few things to check: language, currency, cultural nuances and layout of the city. On my first international trip, we picked a hotel that was way too far outside of the city which meant we spent an incredible amount of valuable time just getting to and from popular sites. Don’t just browse pictures, or look up weather and safety tips. There’s a bit more you want to understand.
Do enough research to avoid disaster but leave some space to discover on your own. The truth is social media and blogs might romanticize the destination and only show you the good stuff. Flashy photos and quick videos of people having the time of their lives might be an over exaggeration of reality. With that in mind, shop around to form a well rounded opinion before you head out.
Guided Tours Can Be a Wise Investment
Guided tours can be a lifesaver on your first trip to a country but only if you choose wisely. No one wants to be stuck on a big tour bus with 50 other people all following the one lady with the umbrella. On my first international trip, I chose a hop-on hop-off bus tour to get me through the first day. It was a great way to get a layout of all the top sites in the city without committing to anything.
The downside was once we arrived at a destination we didn’t have anyone to give us insight on the ground and for some locations this would have been helpful. Imagine trying to figure out if you should pay the extra fee to get to the top of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. Do you need it or not? A tour guide might be able to answer that question and save you some time.
Pro Tip: If you don’t want to incur the cost of a private guided tour, look for small group tours that only take a portion of the day and include access to some spots that are on your must see list.
Other Travelers Have Valuable Insight
Believer it or not, there’s a travel community for every type of traveler in nearly every major city. Your best option is to find a community ahead of your trip to get advice from other travelers similar to you. They may have insights into local events or cool activities that are not on the traditional radar.
I’m not a Swifty but happened to be in London right after her tour and there were activations all over the city including some museums where you wouldn’t expect to find events. People were doing scavenger hunts and trading bracelets all over the place. This wasn’t in any guidebook.
The point is learn as much as you can about the weather or even cultural norms related to clothing from people on the ground. Insights from others can help to ensure you pack smart, bring versatile clothing, and leave unnecessary items behind.
Travel Apps Can Be the Most Important Resource You Have
There were no travel apps when I took my first international trip. I was walking around with guidebooks, maps and translator books. I’m so glad things have changed. Now you have apps for everything. While I love a great guidebook, having a currency convertor in the palm of your hand can save you a lot of effort (and money). Most importantly, they stay up to date so you don’t have to wonder if that one store you’ve been eyeing for souvenirs is still around.
Before you travel, download the following apps:
Google Maps
You can use this one offline when you don’t have a wifi signal or just don’t want to use your data.
This is your go to resource for navigating a city and even finding local transportation options. The key is to put in the destination before you are offline and then follow the track.
XE Currency Convertor
You can get up to the minute conversions for every currency out there. This is helpful when you are trying to get money from the ATM or simply trying to determine if a restaurant is within your budget or not.
Add the local currency and use it whenever you need to figure out the cost of anything.
Google Translate
This is just one of many translation apps available. Download the one you feel the most comfortable with to help you communicate with locals and learn basic phrases in the local language.
I like this one as you can use the camera to point and translate signs or documents. It’s not always 100% accurate so you should use your best judgement.
Rome2Rio
This one is a lifesaver if you will be moving between cities or countries during your trip. It combines flights, trains, buses, ferries and even driving routes into one app so you can compare prices and times.
It’s quite helpful to keep you organized for multi city trips.
Splitwise
I love this app for traveling with friends. It takes the drama out of who paid for what during the trip so you never walk away feeling like you spent more than someone else.
You set up the group at the start of the trip an enter expenses as you go. At the end of the trip, you can settle up to make sure group expenses are evenly divided.
These are a few of the apps that I can recommend that have become staples of my travels. There are so many more out there, like Flush that helps you find public toilets or International SOS which is great for international emergency assistance. Just do some research before you travel to get the ones that work best for you.
Protect Yourself and Your Belongings
With technology things have become a lot simpler and thieves have become a bit savvier. Gone are the days where you only had to worry about getting pickpocketed or getting in an unlicensed taxi. You still have to watch out for these threats. And now you have to worry about your full identity being stolen, your credit card being skimmed and your safety. On my first international trip, my wallet was stolen. Luckily for me, I had separated my cash and my passport was safe in the room. They only got a credit card and my drivers license which was still a hassle to replace and I felt violated.
From grabbing snapshots of your boarding pass to tapping into usb ports to steal your passwords, there are so many things to look out for when you are traveling. Make sure you read my blog on How to Avoid Tourist Scams when Traveling Internationally for more details on what to keep on your radar.
Pro Tip: Register with the state department ahead of your trip and read the travel warnings for the destination. It will cover the big stuff like known safety issues, warnings for different categories of travelers and where to find the US Embassy if there is a major incident.
Embrace Local Experiences
Don’t be the tourist that goes to Paris and eats breakfast everyday at McDonalds. The reason you selected the location was because of the cultural dynamics that were attractive. Step away from tourist traps and immerse yourself in the everyday life of the city. Grab a croissant or a baguette and don’t complain about the difference between what you know at home.
Going to a foreign country and not immersing yourself in the local experience is a waste of time. Enjoy a night out eating tapas at 6pm, go to a flamenco show at 8pm and have dinner at 10pm. It wouldn’t be Spain if you didn’t. Strike up a conversation with a local on the street to learn more about their lives and perhaps you will learn a few things too. You may even make a new friend for life.
Get off the tourist trail and safely explore your destination. You are certain to have a more authentic experience if you do.
Pack Any Essential Medications And Be Aware of Local Health Risks
Nobody wants to get sick on vacation and you definitely don’t want to have to visit a pharmacy to search for medicine. I still have a bottle of medicine that we picked up in Japan when someone had some digestive issues. We couldn’t read the label and could only hope that the sign language between us and the pharmacists translated well and wasn’t offensive.
Digestive issues are common when you’re traveling. Sometimes you are introducing new foods to your system and other times it could be you weren’t suppose to drink the water. Whatever the case, you want make sure you bring along any medicines that might be needed during your trip. I’m not saying you need a full medicine cabinet with you but you should bring some of the more common ones and anything that is a part of your regular regimen.
My Perspective: From Rookie to Pro — Growing as a Traveler
Remember mistakes are part of the journey. Learn from them and keep going. Embrace the idea that not everything will go perfectly — and that’s okay. And while you won’t want to make big mistakes that put you in danger, you will make a few along the way and will likely laugh about them later. I have some great stories and amazing memories from my first trip that have made me a much better traveler today. Reframe your mistakes as learning experiences and make sure you learn the lessons along the way.
Confidence comes from preparation, practice and community. The more you do it, the more confident you will become. Use your newfound knowledge to plan your future trips with greater confidence and purpose. Soon you’ll be the one offering international travel advice to the next generation of travelers.
Travel doesn’t have to be intimidating, and you’re more ready than you think! Follow for more tips to turn your travel dreams into reality. Got a destination in mind for your first trip? Check out my destinations page for a little inspiration and let’s start planning together! 🌍✈️
FAQs About Building Confidence for First-Time International Travelers
What’s the best destination for first-time international travelers with no experience?
The best destination is one that feels manageable for you, such as a nearby country, an English-speaking location, or a place with strong tourist infrastructure like Mexico, Canada, or Western Europe.
How can I avoid feeling overwhelmed when planning my first trip?
You can avoid feeling overwhelmed by breaking the planning process into small steps, like booking flights first, researching accommodations, and then planning activities one at a time.
How do I travel internationally for the first time?
To travel internationally for the first time, get a valid passport, research a beginner-friendly destination, and book flights and accommodations early. Check visa requirements, set a budget, and pack essentials like travel adapters.
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