What’s the first thing I should check when I book an international trip?

Triple check the entry requirements! You can check specific requirements for each country on the State Department’s site here. The site also details if any visas or immunizations are required or suggested. You can also register for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) for free to receive travel and security updates about your destination.

Help! My Passport is Expired or Expires Soon!

Many countries require that your passport is valid for 6 months past your travel dates but not all do. You can check specific requirements for each country on the State Department’s site here. Is your passport lost, expired, or going to expire too soon before your trip? You have several options:

1) You can apply for a passport renewal via the State Department. Check out current processing times here; I always recommend payng for the expedited service. You can also get issued a passport on site if you are traveling with 14 days but it’s extremely difficult to make one of these appointments. Call 1-877-487-2778 to make an appointment.

2) If you passport gets stuck at the State Department or you are traveling very soon, you can reach out to your Senator’s district office or your House representative. Many have a designated representative on their teams now to help get urgent passport applications through the queue in time.

3) If neither of these options work for you, we have had clients use the service Rush My Passport successfully to process a new or renewed passport in record time.

What should I do before I leave for an international trip?

1. Purchase travel insurance.

2. Grab some AirTags, set them up, and put one in each of your checked bags so you can track your bags if they go missing.

3. Notify your credit & debit card companies of your travel plans so that the fraud protection procedures are not triggered while you are traveling.

4. Set up a Mail Hold with USPS.

5. Send a copy of your passport and itinerary to a trust friend or family member at home. Keep digital or printed copies of your passport on you while traveling in case your passport is lost or stolen.

6. If you will be keeping your phone on airplane mode while traveling, download Google Maps, Google Translate, and streaming content in advance.

What payment methods should I bring with me on my trip?

While specific needs vary by country, I typically bring at least 2 credit cards, a debit card, and cash. You must bring the card you made your hotel reservations with as many European countries require that card be present at check-in to prevent fraud (even if you don't use it to pay for the reservation). It’s smart to bring a Visa/Mastercard in addition to an Amex because certain European countries don't accept Amex widely. Even across Europe, credit card acceptance varies widely. For instance, in Scandinavia I typically don’t use cash at all versus in Italy and Greece, I use mostly cash and credit cards only for hotel payments. Make sure to check if your credit cards charge international transaction fees and prioritize using credit cards that charge no international transaction fees or minimal fees.

The best way to get cash in most countries is to visit a local ATM once you land, NOT the currency exchange booths, which will rip you off. Make sure you notify your credit/debit cards in advance that you will be traveling so they don't shut off your cards while you are traveling. No one will ever turn down a tip in any currency although I try to do it in local currency if I can.

How do I book my trains and/or ferries in Europe?

You can either make each individual reservation with the local train company you want to use or you can make it with a central train provider, like Rail Europe. Booking with each individual local company will be cheaper but it's easier to book them all at once with Rail Europe. They do charge a transaction fee so it’s best to buy all your tickets at once. They typically give you a barcode to scan at the station to print your tickets but each company operates slightly differently. To book ferries, I use Ferryhopper. Make sure you look up your train or ferry status the night before and the morning of in case there are any last minute changes.

How do I use my phone abroad?

You have many options!

• Contact your phone carrier to find out their costs for international roaming (i.e. Verizon is $10/day, depending on your plan).

• You can get a local SIM card when you arrive. This guide is helpful for iPhones.

• You can get an international SIM card before you depart.

• Buy or rent a hotspot that works globally and connect to that network. This one is an example but read reviews to find the right one for you. You want to make sure to get one that you can just buy data as you go, not a monthly plan.

• Keep your phone on Airplane mode the entire time (this is typically what I do). Use WIFI networks at hotels/restaurants and download offline maps via Google maps and the local language via Google Translate to navigate while you are offline.