Traveling Internationally for the First Time

Here’s What You Really Need to Know

The first time you travel internationally, it can feel like a mix of excitement and nervous energy—equal parts adventure and overwhelm. You’re imagining the Eiffel Tower, Caribbean beaches, or bustling street markets in Asia, but your mind is also racing with questions: Do I need a visa? What if I can’t speak the language? How do I get through customs?

Let me tell you something upfront: You are not alone. As a travel advisor, I help people navigate their first international trip—some just getting their passport for the first time, others stepping out of the country after decades. It’s a big step, but with the right preparation and guidance, it doesn’t have to be intimidating. In fact, it can be one of the most rewarding decisions you’ll ever make.

One of the first questions I ask when someone tells me they want to travel abroad for the first time is: What kind of experience are you hoping for? That helps me steer you toward destinations that align with your comfort level. Some travelers want to dive straight into a new culture, while others would rather start somewhere that feels a little more familiar, like the U.K., Ireland, or a Caribbean island where English is widely spoken and travel infrastructure is tourist-friendly.

Once we land on a destination, my job is to break down the “scary stuff”—the logistics. I walk you through what passport validity rules apply (did you know many countries require your passport to be valid for six months after your travel dates?), help you understand whether a visa is required, and make sure you're prepared for things like currency exchange, electrical adapters, and tipping customs. I also recommend travel insurance, especially for international trips, because even a minor health hiccup abroad can get expensive fast. Some policies even offer translation assistance and emergency evacuation services—something you hope you never need, but it’s peace of mind you’ll be glad to have.

Another area that causes anxiety for first-timers? Airports. Specifically: customs and immigration. Here’s the short version—when you land in another country, you’ll go through immigration first, where an agent reviews your passport, asks a few questions, and then welcomes you in. It’s usually straightforward if your documents are in order and you know the address of where you’re staying. On the way home, you’ll go through U.S. customs after landing, where you declare any items you purchased abroad. I always give my clients a cheat sheet on what to expect, how to fill out customs forms, and what you can and can’t bring home.

Language is another big worry for many new international travelers. While learning a few polite words in the local language is always a good idea (and appreciated), don’t let fear of a language barrier keep you from going. In major tourist areas, English is often spoken or understood, and many places are used to helping travelers find their way. With apps like Google Translate and maps you can use offline, navigating in a new country is more accessible than ever. Plus, I often work with hotels and tour companies that have bilingual staff or English-speaking guides to make the experience smoother.

Technology also helps a lot. I help my clients set up international phone plans or recommend reliable Wi-Fi hotspots they can take with them. I also advise them on credit cards that don’t charge foreign transaction fees and how to notify their bank about travel plans, so their card doesn’t get frozen the first time they swipe it in Rome.

Perhaps the most underrated benefit of using a travel advisor for your first international trip is that you don’t have to go down the Google rabbit hole. When you try to plan it all on your own, you can quickly find yourself with 47 open tabs and no idea which information is accurate. I take that off your plate. I give you a personalized itinerary, help with restaurant reservations and tours, and give you tips for how to pack, how to tip, what scams to watch out for, and what local customs to respect. It’s like having a cheat sheet, concierge, and travel coach rolled into one.

But here’s the most important thing I want you to know: You can do this. The world is wide and welcoming, and you don’t have to figure it out alone. I’ll be here to walk you through it, every step of the way—from getting your first passport photo to making sure you’re sitting in the right terminal, headed somewhere amazing.

You don’t have to know everything before your first international trip. You just have to start. And I’ll help you take it from there.