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Before you pack your bags, a little preparation goes a long way. Our ‘Know Before You Go’ guide covers the essentials travelers should understand before departure: from money and tipping customs to technology, health, and arrival tips, so you can travel confidently, avoid surprises, and focus on enjoying the journey.

 

  • Check Travel Requirements for the country/ies you are traveling to and be sure you are familiar with international requirements.
  • Travel Insurance: peace of mind by protecting your trip investment & covering the unexpected.
  • Passport: Make sure it’s valid for six months beyond your trip and you have at least two blank pages. 
  • Immunizations: Some countries require proof of specific vaccines for entry  and others strongly recommend certain immunizations based on health risks. Requirements can change, so consult your doctor or an official source like the WHO before traveling.
  • Check Your Prescriptions: do you have enough to last your entire trip? It’s strongly recommended you keep them in the original Rx bottles to prove the medication is legally prescribed to you and can prevent issues with customs, security, or local authorities.
  • Money Matters:
    • Credit cards: Notify your bank of travel dates, bring at least two cards, and know which cards have no foreign transaction fees.
      ATM/debit cards: Confirm your PIN works internationally, check daily withdrawal limits, and identify partner banks abroad to reduce fees.
    • Cash: Carry a small amount of local currency for arrivals and emergencies, but avoid traveling with large sums of cash.
    • Backups: Keep cards in separate places and store bank contact numbers in case of loss or fraud.
  • Mobile Phone: Confirm whether your current plan includes international roaming and understand any daily fees or data limits.
  • Plug Adaptors/Convertors: Electrical outlets vary by country - here’s a list detailing  which plug adapter is needed for your destination.
  • First Aid: be sure to pack a few first-aid essentials like band-aids, bacitracin, Tylenol and Advil. It’s likely you’d be able to find them at your destination, but it’s much easier to have them on hand. (SFT expert tip: we also typically pack antacids, anti-diarrheal medication, motion sickness tablets, rehydration/electrolyte packets, probiotics, laxatives, blister care, zinc, melatonin and hydrocortisone cream.)
  • Luggage: Check your airline's website for size & weight restrictions for both carry-on & checked bag allowances. If you can, just carry-on!
  • Join the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program on the U.S. Department of State website — it’s easy and free!  This will help you if your passport is lost or stolen while traveling, or if there is an emergency. This program will also send you alerts and updates so that you can stay informed.
  • Share Your Itinerary with friends and family! It’s a fun way for them to “travel along with you” and it’s also a great safety measure.

  • Make Mail Arrangements: Set up a mail hold with the USPS or have a trusted someone pick it up for you while you’re away.
  • Tidy up: While it may seem like one big extra step you don’t want to take before leaving, trust us, there is nothing better than coming home to a clean house. So empty out the fridge, run a vacuum and put some fresh sheets on your bed. You’ll thank us later.
  • Unplug/Switch Off: You won’t need to keep your coffee-maker or microwave plugged in while you’re away. Be sure to unplug that and any other non-essential electronics…and don’t forget to turn off the water supply to the house to prevent any accidental leaks.
  • Water Your Houseplants…they’ll be thirsty while you’re away!
  • Charge Your Electronics: Be sure to fully charge whatever electronics you’ll be bringing with you (phone, camera, Kindle, etc) and don’t forget to also pack the charging cords.
  • Take a Deep Breath! We know that getting ready for a big trip can be exhausting but you’re almost there and your trip is going to be fantastic!

  • Stay Hydrated: Drinking water helps prevent fatigue, headaches, and jet lag, keeping your energy up so you can enjoy your trip.
  • Tipping:  Guides, Drivers, Restaurants, Hotels: Tips are always appreciated no matter where you travel, but tipping is different abroad, and in many countries, tips aren't expected at all. As a rule, you should tip based on your experience.
  • Plan to Arrive Early for transportation (planes, trains & transfers) as well as your tours (10 minutes prior to start time).
  • Brush up on Travel Etiquette for the locations you are visiting. What might be acceptable in some countries is not in others. This is especially great to know for taking pictures and local interactions.
  • Have Patience & Stay Flexible: Things often move slower and may be less efficient than you are used to. In addition, sometimes your day might not go as planned. Try to keep an open mind and go with the flow.

  • Customs & Declarations: Know what must be declared (food, alcohol, purchases over duty-free limits) and keep receipts handy.
  • Restricted Items: Many foods, plants, and animal products are prohibited - don’t pack them “just in case.” (We considered bringing home some Iberian ham from Spain because it was vacuum sealed, but after some research, determined  it was still a no-no!)
  • Get Some Rest: With time changes and exciting days abroad, you’ll need a day (or two) to get back to your normal schedule.
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