Tips for Travelling Abroad for the First Time

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In this post, I discuss my best tips for travelling abroad for the first time. I know it can be daunting, especially if you’re on your first solo trip, but I’m here to reduce some of those first time travel nerves!

Whether you’re travelling abroad for the first time, or want to get over your solo travel anxiety, taking the plunge and travelling away from home can be scary!

Clicking through Skyscanner and booking your first flight behind a computer screen is different from actually packing your bag and leaving your front door.

All the pre-trip jitters will be sinking in, and you’ll likely come across some first time travel nerves. This is normal to feel this way!

Just remember that all the feelings you’re having are fleeting. They will pass. You’ll be laughing with your new travel buddies on the beach in no time.

This post is for anyone travelling internationally for the first time, or backpacking for the first time (whether it’s solo or in a group!) 

Let’s be honest, you may have had a few family holidays to Spain as a child, but it’s not really the same as your first backpacking trip, is it?

So, let’s get down to the best tips for travelling abroad for the first time, and beat those travel anxieties the best we can!

• How To Know If You’re Ready To Travel Solo
• Tips for First Time Flyers (+ Solo Travel Advice!)
• Shared Hostel Rooms: 8 Ugly Truths & Harsh Realities
• Making Friends in Hostels: A Complete Guide
• Tips for Staying in Hostels: A First Timer’s Guide

7 Tips for travelling abroad for the first time

1. Feeling anxious about travel? Remember, nothing is permanent.

This is one tip I tell new travellers all the time. 

For some reason, some of us think booking a backpacking trip or some kind of long term travel means you’ll be away with what seems like forever.

It’s not, and it doesn’t have to be.

Those goodbyes you may be dreading aren’t goodbye forever.

You’ve decided to travel for a reason (and a very exciting one too), and worst comes to very worst (if you absolutely hate it) you can come home! 

It’s unlikely you will, as you’ll be having the time of your life, but if you aren’t enjoying yourself, you can leave.

Nothing is permanent, especially travel!

If you don’t like it, you can be back home within a matter of hours!

Flying for the first time, or worried about flying solo for the first time? Check out my top tips for flying solo here.

2. Check your passport expiry date

A bit of a boring one, but this is so important if you’re travelling internationally.

Not only do you need a passport to get into a new country, but some countries don’t even allow you to enter if it doesn’t have at least 6+ months to a year left of validity. 

You do not want to be stuck at a border in the middle of an unknown continent without a valid passport!

🗺️ My worldwide must-have:  I use my Insta Mini 11 to take photos on all of my trips. As they print instantly, they’re perfect for making a scrapbook and writing in all your favourite and funniest memories. I’ve even got my boyfriend joining in on it now too!

3. Pack at least 48 hours before departure

Ok, ok, I might not be the best at this, but if it’s your first time travelling internationally, you’re going to want to be prepared.

If it’s your first time travelling solo, then you’re going to need to be super organised because you don’t have anyone else to rely on.

Make sure you’ve got all of your travel documents, everything from my essential backpackers checklist, and clothes for at least the first part of the trip. You can always pick up extra clothes along the way.

🗺️ My worldwide must-have: A wheelie backpack! Check out my favourite, the Osprey 65L wheeled backpack. It’s dreamy for long-term trips and when you need more than a carry-on!

4. Plan your arrival

This is one of my biggest tips for travelling abroad for the first time.

One thing that always goes through my mind, especially if I’m solo travelling, is ‘what do I even do when I get to the airport?!’

If you work out a rough way of making your travel from the airport to accommodation, it will put your mind at ease. The anxiety of finding your way will be lessened and you’ll be able to focus more on planning your trip!

🗺️ My worldwide must-have: If you’re solo travelling, don’t forget to take earphones for busy public transport. Listening to a podcast or tuning out from the noise is a lifesaver on a busy city trip!

5. Invest in travel insurance

It’s a boring one, but it will help you out in the long run.

Now we’re not in the EU, getting healthcare abroad is even harder.

And if you’re in a different continent, it’s a whole different ball game.

I recommend getting travel insurance if you’re planning on a long term trip. It doesn’t have to be expensive, but it’s definitely worth spending some of your travel savings on.

Check out cheaper companies like Tesco, the Post Office and Aviva for the best deals.

Travelling for the first time? Be sure to check my backpacking checklist before you go!

6. Download all of the necessary travel apps for first time international travel

Before going abroad for the first time, especially if you’re travelling solo, download all of the necessary travel apps.

These range from supporting you with speaking the language to keeping yourself safe.

I will go into detail about my favourite apps in a different blog post, but for now, here are my top 5 travel apps for first time travel.

1 – Google Translate: Foreign languages can be translated within a few seconds using Google Translate. This includes scanning text with your camera!

2 – XE: Perfecty for quick and easy money conversions

3 – Flush: For those of us who need to find a toilet frequently 😅

4 – CityMapper: CityMapper covers roughly 36 cities and has in-depth ways of how to travel around different cities

5 – Hostel Word/Sky Scanner: any of the regular apps you use to book flights and accommodation so you can keep booking at the click of a button!

Worried about staying in hostels? I’ve got you covered. Check out my best hostel tips here.

7. Prepare yourself mentally (and know everything might not always go as planned!)

Last but not least, prepare yourself.

Whether you’re travelling solo for the first time, or just travelling internationally for the first time, things are going to go wrong, be different, and push you out of your comfort zone.

Prep yourself for this!

But travel is amazing.

Pushing yourself out of your comfort zone is life-changing.

🗺️ My worldwide must-have: Solo travelling on your worldwide trip? Stay safe by carrying your cash or card in a money belt. I know it sounds silly, but cities can be chaotic and pickpockets are known to work in busy areas. it’s better to be safe than sorry!

Tips for travelling abroad for the first time: In a Nutshell

Preparing yourself for travel is a big thing! You’re probably going to a destination you haven’t been to before, so along with excitement, there are bound to be a few nerves!

This is normal, and being nervous about a new country or location is expected. That’s why it helps to be prepared and read up a little about the country you’re travelling to.

Just remember, that unfamiliarity brings learning and personal progress.

And ultimately, this leads to you being a much better human being.

Have you got a tip for travelling abroad for the first time? Let me know in the comments below!

Happy travelling 🙂

Jennie x

Hey you! 🙋‍♀️ I quit my job in 2021 to become a full-time travel blogger + visit as much of the globe as possible. Come and join me on my chaotic and hilarious travel journeys!

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