Preparing for Overseas Travel After Two Years at Home

When the Queen (reference here) first swept across the globe, countries had no choice but to close their borders in an effort to slow the spread of the deadly disease. Two plus years later, most nations are reopened with minimal health requirements for entry. However, many people remain reluctant to travel, given the sense that things could easily change at the drop of a hat.

Sooner or later, those who haven’t traveled due to the pandemic will resume their international adventures. But after a two-year-long pause, will they be prepared?

If you’re gearing up for an overseas trip after months stuck at home, it’s essential to have a checklist for what to have planned and prepared prior to your departure.

I have traveled internationally twice since the pandemic started and have 2 more international trips this year, so here is my general list of suggestions:

Travel Documents

Most people don’t have their passport’s expiration date memorized. It’s possible you need to renew yours prior to resuming travel. Fortunately, most governments make the renewal process much easier than the original application process.

Simply mail them your old passport along with a recent photo and your renewal application. Do so with enough time left before your trip to reapply if necessary. (General rule of thumb is you need 6 months left on your passport.) You may also be required to show proof of vaccination before entering a foreign country. With this in mind, consider bringing your vaccination card.

Adequate Research

Every international traveler has an obligation to research the culture, history, and language of their destination. While you don’t need to be fluent in French or an expert in anthropology upon arrival, it pays to have a sense of local customs, etiquette, and tradition.

Doing so will limit confusion and enhance your experience. It’s also the polite thing to do!

Health Concerns

Unless there’s a legitimate medical reason for not getting vaccinated, would-be world travelers need to be up-to-date on their vaccinations and booster shots. Doing so protects themselves and loved ones from the threat of infection. It also helps strangers you’ll never know.

If anything, consider the risk of getting stuck overseas due to infection or failure to show proof of vaccination. In addition to the big C, you may also need to receive vaccinations against other pathogens, depending on the destination. Check which vaccines the CDC advises for those traveling outside the United States.

Useful Technology

Most modern smartphones act as all-in-one devices for navigation, communication, payments, purchases, and more. Given these conveniences, make sure your device has service where you’re headed.

Using apps outside the US requires data on your cell phone. Plan accordingly with your cell phone provider. If you own your phone, then think about buying a sim card for Europe (we buy ours from Amazon).

You may also want to pack additional gadgets, such as a noise machine and noise-canceling earmuffs. Both help with sleep in opposite ways.

While most hotels and restaurants have USB chargers, consider packing at least one plug adapter in case you need it in a pinch. While you don’t want to pack any bulky pieces of tech you won’t need, having a few handheld items of importance can go a long way in helping make the journey more enjoyable.

Find my suggestions in my remote tools article.

Appropriate Attire

Experienced world travelers know that climate and weather change from one region to another. For instance, the southern hemisphere experiences summer during the time of year the northern hemisphere experiences winter. If it’s snowing at home, it might be sizzling where you’re headed!

If you’re traveling someplace for the first time, check the local weather forecast. Doing so helps you pack appropriate clothing items for your trip. Smart travelers wear women or mens loungewear while going from point A to point B as it is the most comfortable in transit clothing for very long travel days!

Grab my travel planner to help organize what clothing and accessories you bring on your trip.

Realistic Expectations

A lot has changed in two years. Restaurants around the world are understaffed, hotels continue to operate below capacity, and health and safety protocols remain in place depending on the destination. It’s essential to brace yourself for these and other changes that have happened since the last time you did some traveling.

With that said, most major cities dependent on tourism have gone out of their way to make things as accommodating as possible. Even if it’s not what you expected, it’s still an experience worth enjoying as much as possible. You’ll probably only be there once in your life, so make the most of it!

If you are headed to Paris, I have written an entire article about what to expect.

The pandemic took its toll on global travel. But with borders reopened and infection rates dropping, it’s time for world travelers to resume their adventures. Just make sure to plan accordingly! And have fun!

More reading:

• Preparing for Your First Trip Overseas
• How To Prepare For A Year of Traveling at Home or Abroad
• How To Avoid Travel Drama, Disruptions And Issues

How about you? Have more tips for how to prepare for overseas travel? Do share!

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