International Travel

By Jon Scott

US State Department

The first place to look when traveling is the US State Department’s Travel page. This page provides information on all the most important documents and security updates as far as traveling. Let’s start with the first element needed to travel.

Passport

A passport is the most important document when it comes to travel, and it’s crucial to have it on your person or to have it in a secure location whenever you are abroad. For those who have never applied for a passport, you can do so by going here (for those who need to renew their passport, you can start the process here). Applying for a passport takes about 7 to 10 weeks, while the expedited process takes 4-6 weeks, so allow ample time to receive a new passport before scheduling international travel.

Pick a location (or locations) and Check Travel and Lodging Options

The next step is to check the travel and lodging options for the location(s) you’ve chosen. The elements you are looking for are affordability (this could depend on dates), the ease of travel (how difficult it is to get there and back), and dates.

There are many options when it comes to scheduling travel. In fact many credit cards have travel portals where you can book flights and hotels including American Express, Chase, Capital One, Discovery, among others.

There are also many flight scanners where you can find deals on flights including Google Flights, Skyscanner, Scott’s Cheap Flights, Momondo, Hooper, amongst others.

In Q2 of 2022, the average international round trip flight cost $810. Now as of April 2023, roundtrip flights to both Europe and Asia average more than $1,000.

Cost of lodging will widely vary depending on the country (as well as city) and the quality of hotel, hostel, or other type of lodging you choose. Many countries in Europe have hostels, which are cheaper places to stay, however they are usually not luxurious and offer minimal privacy.

With any place you are staying, you will want to do very vigorous research to make sure the location is safe and also has positive reviews. Do not skip this step.​

Visa

Though most popular tourist destinations for US citizens do not require a Visa for stays under 90 days, there is still a sizable number of countries that require a Visa in order to visit as a tourist. Let’s say you wanted to travel to Bolivia. You would need to visit the Bolivian Consulate website to see the necessary items in order to apply for a Bolivian Visa. Here are the steps below:

Exchanging Currency

Not all vendors in foreign countries accept US dollars. Additionally, it will likely be more advantageous to pay for items and services in foreign countries with the local currency. Banks and credit unions in the US are the best place to exchange currency. If you need more money once abroad, try to use your financial institution’s ATM if possible.

Be advised that exchange rates vary by country and fluctuate daily. For example, at the beginning of 2022, one euro was equal to more than one US dollar. In October, 2022 one dollar was worth more than one euro. Pay attention to the exchange rate as it will affect how far your currency goes in the country you are traveling to. Lastly, it may be advantageous to plan trips based on exchange rate. For example, if a foreign country’s currency is becoming drastically cheaper versus the US dollar, then consider planning a trip there in the near future opposed to a country whose currency is appreciating versus the US dollar. In 2022, Europe’s drastic reduction in currency value versus the dollar proved very advantageous for US travelers in Europe.

Using Credit Cards

As always, credit cards are the best way to purchase items and services, and if you’re buying from a vendor that accepts cards this is also the case in foreign countries. However, there are some steps to take before traveling. Here’s a summary of the most important rules

  1. Travel with a Visa and/or Mastercard

    1. These cards are accepted in countries across the world whereas American Express and Discover are accepted by fewer merchants.

  2. Tell the card provider you are going

    1. If you do not tell the card issuer you are going, they may flag any usage of the card as fraud and lock the card

  3. Bring at least two cards

    1. You will want two cards in case one does not work or is declined

  4. Bring Cash

    1. If merchants do not accept cash or your card does not work, you will want to have cash as a safety net

  5. Check if your card has access to airport lounges

    1. Many cards come with perks such as access to airport lounges to include cost-free membership to TSA precheck. You will want to check if your card has these benefits and utilize them when traveling.

In some cases, a travel itinerary (including plane ticket) and place you are staying while in the country is required. In this case, you will need to book travel before. If you book before, make sure you have travel insurance or can easily cancel your plans and receive a refund.

Travel Advisories

Once you have a passport, selected your intended destination, and checked to see if you need a Visa to visit, it is important to check the State Department’s Travel Advisories. Travel Advisories are informational reports from the State Department updating US citizens of the conditions in the country the advisory covers. Examples of advisories include warnings like “Exercise Increased Caution - Contains Areas with Higher Security Risk” all the way to “Do Not Travel” recommendations. You will want to stay up to date with Travel Advisories for the location(s) you are traveling to in case of new updates.

Returning to the US

Be aware that there is a process of re-entry upon returning to the US. This process includes an interview with US Customs and Border Patrol, where they will ask you questions about your trip. Be aware you may be required to pay duties on the items you bring back to the States.

Have Fun

International travel should be fun. Though it takes a degree of planning, traveling abroad is an enriching experience that should be a time of pure enjoyment.