Get Informed
- Learn about visa requirements, local laws, customs, and medical care in the countries you are visiting.
- Be aware of anyTravel Warnings or Travel Alerts for your destination country, which describe risks to you and may affect your travel Also check the website of the U.S. embassy or consulate where you will be traveling for the latest security messages.
- Find out abouthealth precautions. The S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) provide recommendations for vaccinations and other travel health precautions for your trip abroad.
- Prepare to handlemoney Before you go, notify your bank and credit card Company of your travel, and check exchange rates.
- Carry contact details for thenearest S. embassy or U.S. consulate with you, in English and the local language. They provide help for emergencies 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, overseas and in Washington, D.C. (888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444).
- Check the country’s entry/exit fees. Some countries require you to pay a fee in order to enter or leave the country. This fee is not included in the airfare and it can range from $25-$200 depending on your destination.
- Baggage Information. Learn about the Baggage Policy since each airline has its own set of guidelines as to how many bags you can check, if there is any cost associated and weight and size limits.
- Be aware of the type of meals offered by the airline for your particular flight; if you require having a special type of meal you need to request it in advance, if it is not offered by the airline be prepared to bring your snacks.
Get Required Documents
- Apply early for a passport, or renew your old one. It should be valid for at least six months after you return home, and needs to have two or more blank pages. Otherwise, some countries may not let you enter. For adults are valid for 10 years, but children’s passports only for five. U.S. citizens must use a U.S. passport to leave and come back to the United States.
- If you are traveling by land or sea, you must show proof of both your U.S. citizenship and your identity when you return to the United States. For many land or sea trips, this means you can travel using the new U.S. passport card instead of a normal passport book.
- You may need to get a visa before you travel to a destination.
- Get a letter from your doctor for medications you are bringing. Some countries have strict laws, even against over-the-counter medications, so read about your destination before you go.
- Make two photocopies of all your travel documents in case of emergency. Leave one copy with a trusted friend or relative at home and carry the other separately from your documents in case of loss or theft.
For more information about your destination you may visit this site.