page international travel

You are using an outdated browser. Upgrade your browser today or install Google Chrome Frame to better experience this site.

Routine Vaccines

It’s important to be up to date on recommended routine vaccines prior to travel, including Flu, RSV and COVID-19.

Find a Clinic

Advice for Travelers

Personalized Health Information Tool for Global Travel

Disease Directory

Frequently Asked Questions

CDC Yellow Book

Pre-travel Rapid Evaluation Portal for Patients

Clinician Resources

Research and Surveillance                                                     

• Medical Tourism
• Cholera Information for Health Care Professionals
• COVID-19 Travel Information
• Travel Industry Resources

Learn about CDC’s Traveler Genomic Surveillance Program that detects new COVID-19 variants entering the country.  

Sign up to get travel notices, clinical updates, & healthy travel tips.

See the full list of  Travel Health Notices , including:

Level 2 - Practice Enhanced Precautions

• Mpox in the Democratic Republic of the Congo June 10, 2024
• Chikungunya in Maldives May 28, 2024
• Global Polio May 23, 2024

Level 1 - Practice Usual Precautions

• New   Global Dengue June 20, 2024
• Oropouche Fever in the Americas June 05, 2024
• Salmonella Newport in Mexico May 30, 2024

There are no Warning , Alert, Watch, COVID-19 Very High, COVID-19 High, COVID-19 Moderate, COVID-19 Low, COVID-19 Unknown, Level 4, or Level 3 notices currently in effect.

File Formats Help:

• Adobe PDF file
• Microsoft PowerPoint file
• Microsoft Word file
• Microsoft Excel file
• Audio/Video file
• Apple Quicktime file
• RealPlayer file
• Zip Archive file

Exit Notification / Disclaimer Policy

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website.
• Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website.
• You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link.
• CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website.

We’re sorry, this site is currently experiencing technical difficulties. Please try again in a few moments. Exception: request blocked

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock Locked padlock icon ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

U.S. citizens traveling abroad

Learn about visa requirements, Trusted Traveler Programs like Global Entry, emergencies, and more.

International driver’s license for U.S. citizens

If you are a U.S. citizen planning to drive while traveling abroad, find out if you need an International Driving Permit (IDP) for the country you are visiting.

Do you need a passport to travel to or from U.S. territories or Freely Associated States?

Whether you need a passport as a U.S. citizen to travel to or from a U.S. territory or Freely Associated State depends on your destination.

COVID-19 international travel advisories

If you plan to visit the U.S., you do not need to be tested or vaccinated for COVID-19.

Visa requirements for U.S. citizens traveling abroad

If you are a U.S. citizen planning to travel outside the U.S., you may need a visa to enter a foreign country. Learn how to find your destination's visa requirements.

Save time getting through airport security with Trusted Traveler Programs

Trusted Traveler Programs, like TSA Precheck and Global Entry, can help reduce airport security and border crossing wait times. Learn about applying for and managing memberships.

Emergency help for Americans abroad

Find out what to do in an emergency in another country, including assistance, money and more.

Authenticate an official document for use outside the U.S.

Apostilles and authentication certificates show U.S. documents are genuine. Learn when to use each.

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Newsletters
• Sweepstakes

We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.

• Travel Products
• Packing Lists

The Ultimate International Trip Packing List

Here’s everything you didn’t know you needed to make your international trip as seamless as possible.

In This Article

• Packing Checklist

Frequently Asked Questions

• Why Trust T+L

Travel + Leisure / David Hattan

We don’t tend to complain a whole lot when it comes to planning and preparing for travel. Sure, there are bad parts, boring parts, and stressful parts… but all the negative aspects of the travel process give way to some of the best and most memorable life experiences. The packing process may fall into the less-fun side of preparing for travel but, with the right mindset and strategy, it can make the whole trip.

Packing for an international trip specifically requires careful planning; sure, you can probably find forgotten items while abroad in many destinations but having everything already secured in your suitcase will make your trip a whole lot easier. Nobody wants to spend a half day of travel searching for something they forgot at home.

Packing Checklist for an International Trip

This guide will help ensure you’ve packed everything you could possibly need for an international trip, whether it’s your first time leaving the country or you’re a seasoned traveler. Having these items on hand — along with the appropriate clothing and shoes for your destination — will help make your trip as smooth and seamless as possible.

• Best Adapter: Epicka Universal Travel Adapter
• Best Wi-Fi Hotspot: Simo Solis Lite 4G LTE WiFi Mobile Hotspot
• Best Camera:   Nikon ZF
• Best Tripod: Phopik Aluminum Extendable Tripod Stand
• Best Portable Power Bank: Nimble Champ
• Best Noise-canceling Headphones: Apple AirPods Max
• Best Luggage Tracker: Eufy SmartTrack Link

Accessories

• Best Passport Cover: Paravel Cabana Passport Case
• Best Travel Wallet: Leatherology Travel Wallet
• Best Luggage Belt: Cincha Travel Belt for Luggage
• Best Reusable Water Bottle: Memobottle A5
• Best Packing Cubes: Gonex Compression Packing Cubes
• Best Neck Pillow: Cabeau TNE S3
• Best Money Belt: Raytix Money Belt
• Best Compression Socks: Comrad Compression Socks

Luggage and Bags

• Best Lightweight Backpack: Longchamp Backpack Le Pliage
• Best International-sized Carry-on: Away The Carry-on
• Best Checked Bag: July Checked Plus
• Best Belt Bag: Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag
• Best Travel Laundry Bag: Miamica Travel Laundry Bag
• Best Tote: MZ Wallace Medium Metro Tote Deluxe
• Best Toiletry Bag: Away The Toiletry Bag
• Best Rolling Duffel: Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler Wheeled Duffel

We know, we know. You’re not setting out on an international trip to be consumed by your tech, but there are certain essentials that can make a good trip even better, whether aiding an itinerary, ensuring your safety, or simply entertaining you while in transit. Packing things like a reliable wi-fi hotspot and a portable power bank means you’ll always have access to your smartphone for emergencies (or just to use Google Maps to navigate your self-guided walking tour without having to pop into a cafe every few blocks).

Best Adapter

Epicka universal travel adapter.

• Ease of Use 5 /5
• Effectiveness 4 /5

Traveling abroad with a good adapter like the Epicka Universal Travel Adapter is non-negotiable. It comes equipped with plugs for more than 150 countries but the convenient sliding design means you won’t have to fuss with (or be responsible for) multiple attachments. During the testing process, we particularly appreciated that this option comes with so many USB ports (four USB-A and one USB-C) as it cut down the need for multiple adapters and made it incredibly easy to charge all our tech at the same time.

Best Wi-fi Hotspot

Skyroam solis lite.

Do you remember the days of traveling before Google Maps? It’s hard to imagine a time when we’d actually have to ask locals for directions or hope we’re reading a paper map properly. The Solis Lite 4G LTE WiFi Mobile Hotspot makes modern travel even easier by ensuring you’re always connected to a reliable Wi-Fi network, wherever you are. It doesn’t require a SIM card or a contract and functions seamlessly in more than 135 countries around the world. It can also support up to 10 devices at a given time — which means your travel buddies will thank you, too.

Best Camera

Nikon zf mirrorless camera.

The Nikon ZF immediately catches the eye with its beautiful, retro-inspired body. Don’t let the decidedly cool aesthetic fool you though — this camera also makes it super easy to channel your inner photographer. The 24-megapixel, full-frame mirrorless camera is very simple and user-friendly but offers enough bells and whistles to quell more advanced photographers. It’s also incredibly small and lightweight which makes it great for throwing into your day bag (no oversized camera bag required!).

Best Tripod

Phopik aluminum extendable tripod stand.

Another way to ensure great vacation photos? Investing in a decent tripod stand. Selfies have their time and place but being able to set up a tripod to get group shots in idyllic settings will ensure frame-worthy visual souvenirs. The Phopik Aluminum Extendable Tripod Stand is a great option for those who travel with both a digital camera and a smartphone as the convertible device can actually be used as a selfie stick and tripod for smartphones while also extending into a more stable tripod suitable for a heavier camera. It also packs down ultra-small when not in use so you won’t have to run around all day with a full-sized tripod under your arm.

Best Portable Power Bank

Nimble champ portable charger.

The Nimble Champ is a game changer for long travel days when you might not have the chance to wait by an outlet for your smartphone to refuel; the 10,000 mAh battery is more than enough to charge the average smartphone between three to five times in full. If you’re concerned about having your phone for safety purposes (like to grab an Uber, use Google Maps, call for help, etc.), a compact lightweight charger will also offer serious peace of mind. We like that this option is made using 99 percent certified recycled plastic so you can feel good about the sustainable choice. And, if you need even more juice, there’s a more powerful Nimble Champ Pro with a 20,000 mAh battery instead.

Best Noise-canceling Headphones

Apple airpods max.

• Comfort 4.5 /5
• Sound Quality 5 /5
• Battery Life 5 /5

The AirPods Max are admittedly a bit expensive but they’re worth the price point for the quality and overall ease of use, especially if you’re a lover of Apple devices. During the testing process, we found the user experience to be the best out of all the headphones we tried. We really like how easy they are to connect to an iPhone or MacBook without having to go searching into the Bluetooth settings (there’s a simple pop-up that’ll ask you if you want to switch and that’s that). We found the headphones very intuitive to use and the sound quality is excellent as well with a strong enough noise-canceling feature to provide serenity everywhere from the airplane to the subway.

Best Luggage Tracker

Eufy smarttrack link.

• Ease of Setup 5 /5
• Accuracy 5 /5
• Functionality 5 /5
• Design 4.5 /5

Popping a luggage tracker, like the Eufy SmartTrack Link, into your checked luggage will allow you to track a suitcase in real time which offers peace of mind and can help expedite the return of lost-in-transit baggage. This tiny tracker was our top pick during testing due to its ease of use and convenient size and shape. The durable square comes equipped with a hole in the top corner that makes it easy to add a carabiner or key ring onto the tracker to attach to internal zippers or other items, too.

It can be tricky to strike a healthy balance between actual travel essentials and products that seem useful in theory but actually just end up taking up precious space in your suitcase or carry-on. The following items are designed to make travel as easy and comfortable as possible and are all compact, easy to pack, and won’t end up weighing you down. They’re also highly practical for staying organized and put together while making your way through passport control or while taking public transport from the airport to your hotel.

Best Passport Cover

Paravel passport case.

• Capacity 5 /5
• Quality 5 /5

You might not think you need a passport cover, but this Paravel Cabana Passport Case is a particularly great option since it not only keeps your passport safe and secure but holds up to eight cards, too. During the testing process, we found the luxe material to also be durable, and it was very easy to get our cards and passport in and out of the slots without having to stretch things out. We also like that this one comes in several colorways and can be customized with a hand-painted initial as well.

Best Travel Wallet

Leatherology zip around travel wallet.

If you’re hoping to score something with a little extra space, the Leatherology Travel Wallet is a particularly great choice as it’ll keep all your stuff organized without becoming too bulky or heavy. The compact design has a slot for pretty much everything you could need including your passport, cards, printed boarding pass, coins, cash, and even a pen. During the testing process, we found that this option stood out for its buttery soft leather that feels much more expensive than it is, and for the expansive interior that could easily hold more than a couple of passports. 

Best Luggage Belt

Cincha travel belt.

The Cincha Travel Belt is one of those travel accessories that you don’t realize just how much you need until you have it on-hand while on the go. The travel belt is designed to attach your personal items — like a coat, shopping bags, and even your handbag — to the handle of your rolling luggage without worrying about it sliding around or falling off the top of your luggage. This is a particularly handy option to have on hand while changing terminals or taking trains to the city center when you don’t want to have to worry about lugging multiple loose pieces.

Best Reusable Water Bottle

Memobottle a5 the flat water bottle that fits in your bag.

There are certain things that all responsible travelers should consider when setting off on a trip — and being a more sustainable citizen of the world is one of them. The easiest way to cut down on your carbon footprint while traveling? Investing in a reusable water bottle. The Memobottle A5 makes it easy to ditch single-use plastic while traveling without feeling like, you know, you’re carrying a massive water bottle around with you. It’s designed to be ultra thin and can fit in a briefcase or handbag. However, don’t let the thin size fool you. This water bottle fits a standard 750 milliliters which is the exact same as the single-use bottle of Smartwater in the airport shop.

Best Packing Cubes

Gonex compression packing cubes.

• Design 5 /5

Packing the right amount of clothing for an international trip can be a bit of a daunting task which is why we’re such major advocates for the Gonex Compression Packing Cubes . The set of four cubes comes in a variety of sizes to help keep garments in order while planning for your trip. The compression cubes are also designed to squish down into the smallest size possible so you can fit even more into that carry-on roller without worrying about taking up too much space in the overhead bin or running out of room for souvenirs.

Best Neck Pillow

Cabeau tne s3 travel pillow.

• Quality 4.8 /5
• Portability 5 /5
• Durability 5 /5

Think of the Cabeau TNE S3 as the neck pillow for travelers who hate carrying a neck pillow. The compact neck support folds down into a tiny bag that can easily be stored away in your carry-on or handbag while on the go. We loved this neck pillow during the testing process for its memory foam material and 360-degree support. It’s designed to attach to your seat and will keep you from that annoying head bobbing that can often happen when trying to sleep upright.

Best Money Belt

Raytix rfid money belt.

• Comfort 5 /5
• Performance 5 /5

Money belts might not be the most exciting of travel gear — but having this under-clothes accessory can offer major peace of mind if you’re nervous about carrying your valuables out in the open while on the go. The Raytix Money Belt was our top pick during our tests because of its smooth material that feels comfortable on the skin and a discreet size that doesn’t bulge when placed properly under your clothing. We also really liked that it was wide enough to comfortably fit a passport without having to wiggle the zipper in order to close the pouch.

Best Compression Socks

Comrad compression socks.

The Comrad Compression Socks do the impossible: make compression socks look cool and stylish. The double-dip ombre design is fun and aesthetically pleasing — especially compared to your average drugstore alternative — and the socks themselves are extremely soft to the touch. During the testing process, we found they offered gentle compression without being uncomfortable. They were breathable and we could easily wear them on a long-haul flight without any itchiness whatsoever either.

Selecting the right luggage for your international trip is half the battle. For example, if you’re hoping to avoid checking a bag at all costs, you’ll want something that is no bigger than 21.5 inches, and as lightweight as possible. If you’re looking for a suitcase that’ll handle the arduous checked baggage process, you’ll want to look for a hard-sided spinner with enough give that it won’t crack or puncture while in transit.

Choosing the right personal item and day bag is an equally important decision. Handbags and backpacks should be lightweight and multi-purpose, meaning that you’ll be able to use them at multiple times, like day trips to the country, jaunts around the city center, and evenings out.

Best Lightweight Backpack

Longchamp le pliage backpack.

Given the brand's reputation for high-quality bags, it's no surprise the Longchamp Backpack Le Pliage is forever our go-to travel bag when we’re aiming to pack light but stylish. Longchamp Le Pliage in general is kind of the perfect bag concept for travel as it packs down ultra small when not in use but can expand to a full-sized bag as needed. The backpack is no exception; it’s small and lightweight but stylish and large enough to fit a day — or night — of essentials without screaming tourist or looking too bulky. We also like that this option is made from a durable nylon and can withstand the bright sun and heavy rain without getting damaged.

Best International-sized Carry-on

Away the carry-on.

Packing for international air travel can sometimes be a little dicey, especially if you’re going to be flying on budget airlines with little wiggle room on suitcase sizing. The Away The Carry-on sits just below most international carrier limits so you won’t run into any surprises at the gate, but we also found that it’s incredibly roomy. During the testing process, we were able to fit everything we needed for a four-day trip with room to spare. The hard plastic shell is also incredibly durable — even when clobbered with a baseball bat — so it will hold up with heavy duty use, too.

Best Checked Bag

July large luggage.

• Organization 4.5 /5
• Maneuverability 5 /5

The July Checked Plus is our top choice when it comes to the best checked luggage for international travel , especially if you tend to be an overpacker as it fits 110 liters worth of items. Even if you don’t fill it to the brim, we particularly like the number of pockets and organizational features inside to keep things sorted. During our testing process, we found it was incredibly easy to pack a fair amount while giving everything a designated spot. We also found the wheels and handle to be the smoothest we’ve found in a suitcase which made it easy to trolley the suitcase around through the airport and into the city.

Best Belt Bag

Lululemon everywhere belt bag.

The Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag is, well, kind of everywhere, but it’s easy to see why. It’s incredibly lightweight and durable while offering a discreet but stylish solution to storing your daily essentials in a safe and secure manner. It’s also made of water-repellent polyester so you can get caught in the rain with less issue than a leather or cotton alternative. This option also comes in a huge variety of colorways to best suit your style, but we’re major fans of the classic black. During the testing process, we particularly appreciated how easily the zipper glides; it doesn’t pull or stick which makes it easy to quickly grab items like a wallet or passport out without having to use two hands. Plus, if you have even more to carry, there’s a 2-liter version 404 , too.

Best Travel Laundry Bag

Miamica travel laundry bag.

The Miamica Travel Laundry Bag is another one of those items that is easy to forget or brush off as being unimportant but can actually make such a big difference while on the go. This lightweight laundry bag will take up no room in your luggage but makes staying organized while traveling so much easier. Whether you’re doing your own laundry in your hotel room or planning on sending the essentials off for dry cleaning, having a separate bag to store your dirty clothes in means you won’t have to rifle through your suitcase trying to decipher what is clean versus what needs to be washed.

MZ Wallace Deluxe Tote

• Portability 3 /5
• Ease of Use 3 /5

Don’t underestimate the power of a great tote while traveling as options like this lightweight MZ Wallace Medium Metro Tote Deluxe won’t take up much space in your luggage but can be a lifesaver if you somehow find yourself with more stuff to pack on your way home. We found this bag to be super roomy without overpowering us with a ton of built-in pockets and even a removable pouch to keep gear organized on the go. It’s also worth noting that this tote comes in a few different sizes from mini to large if you’re looking for something a bit bigger or smaller instead.

Best Toiletry Bag

Away large toiletry bag.

There are a lot of utilitarian toiletry bags out there but options like this one from Away both get the job done, and look good in the process. We found it very easy to pack and organize, thanks to an abundance of pockets and pouches to store everything from makeup brushes to delicate bottles. The material feels high-end and sleek but we found it to be secure and waterproof so nothing spilled out while in transit either.

Best Rolling Duffel

Eagle creek cargo hauler.

• Design 4 /5
• Maneuverability 3 /5
• Durability 4 /5

The Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler Wheeled Duffel is our top pick for the best rolling duffel for international travel since it’s huge yet still incredibly easy to roll through the airport or tote by hand on public transit. We particularly loved that this bag came with its own packing cubes and could easily convert from duffel to backpack to rolling suitcase. Despite its multi-functional design, it really excelled at everything. We found the bag very smooth to roll and just as easy to grab and go when needed. The material also feels very durable; like it could withstand heavy use without having to be too precious with it.

Unfortunately, yes, there are quite a few items that you can’t bring on your international trip depending on the country you’re heading to. Take this into consideration when shopping for travel products. Some destinations don’t allow certain tech — like drones — while others are very strict about the medication you’re allowed to bring into the country. If you have any doubts or concerns about what you can and cannot bring to a certain locale, be sure to check the official TSA security screening rules and the screening rules of the specific country you’re planning to visit.

Every airline has its own set of rules when it comes to carry-on and checked baggage size and weight restrictions. The standard carry-on size outside of the United States tends to be a lot smaller, so you’ll want to ensure your hand baggage doesn’t exceed the restrictions of the airlines you’re flying. It tends to be about 26 pounds and 21.5 inches in height for most European carriers, for example, but always check with the exact airlines you plan to use.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

For this article, Kaitlyn McInnis used her experience as a full-time travel writer to curate the best options to suit most needs and international destinations.

Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we’ll send you our favorite travel products each week.

Related Articles

Discover story-worthy travel moments

Where to next.

Best in travel 2024

Travel stories and news, explore our latest stories.

Neighborhoods

Jun 24, 2024 • 5 min read

One of Honolulu’s oldest neighborhoods, Chinatown is a must-see. Get to know it with our guide.

Jun 24, 2024 • 11 min read

Jun 24, 2024 • 6 min read

Jun 24, 2024 • 7 min read

Jun 23, 2024 • 6 min read

Jun 22, 2024 • 5 min read

Jun 22, 2024 • 6 min read

Jun 21, 2024 • 6 min read

Jun 21, 2024 • 7 min read

Jun 21, 2024 • 5 min read

shop our books

Our guidebooks & travel books

Whether you’re interested in traveling to a new city, going on a cruise, or cooking a new dish — we’re committed to inspiring you to experience travel in a whole new way. Lonely Planet’s collection of 825+ travel and guidebooks is sure to inspire the traveler within.

#lonelyplanet

Follow lonely planet:.

Expedia Rewards is now One Key™

Expedia travel: search hotels, cheap flights, car rentals & vacations, search for travel.

• Things to do

Add a flight

Save 10% or more on over 100,000 hotels with Member Prices. Also, members save up to 30% when you add a hotel to a flight

Discover your new favorite stay.

The Big Summer Sale. Book by July 14

Save 25%+ with Member Prices

Image gallery for The Orleans Hotel & Casino

The Orleans Hotel & Casino

Image gallery for hollywood hotel.

Hollywood Hotel

Image gallery for hotel riu plaza fisherman's wharf.

Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf

Image gallery for holiday inn express new york city times square, an ihg hotel.

Holiday Inn Express New York City Times Square, an IHG Hotel

Image gallery for aston waikiki beach tower.

Aston Waikiki Beach Tower

Image gallery for vista mirage resort.

Vista Mirage Resort

Image gallery for fiesta inn tijuana otay.

Fiesta Inn Tijuana Otay

Image gallery for hotel atmospheres.

Hotel Atmospheres

Image gallery for mediterranean inn.

Mediterranean Inn

Image gallery for the delaney hotel.

The Delaney Hotel

Image gallery for 1 hotel nashville.

1 Hotel Nashville

Image gallery for wyndham houston near nrg park/medical center.

Wyndham Houston near NRG Park/Medical Center

Image gallery for grand fiesta americana coral beach cancun - all inclusive.

Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach Cancun - All Inclusive

Image gallery for east miami.

Image gallery for Legacy Vacation Resorts - Kissimmee/Orlando

Legacy Vacation Resorts - Kissimmee/Orlando

Image gallery for hotel van zandt.

Hotel Van Zandt

Explore stays in trending destinations.

Puerto Vallarta

South Lake Tahoe

Last-minute weekend deals

Image gallery for fontainebleau las vegas.

Fontainebleau Las Vegas

Image gallery for the wayfarer san diego.

The Wayfarer San Diego

Image gallery for palihouse west hollywood.

Palihouse West Hollywood

Image gallery for argonaut hotel.

Argonaut Hotel

Image gallery for hotel beacon.

Hotel Beacon

Image gallery for prince waikiki.

Prince Waikiki

Image gallery for silver legacy resort casino at the row.

Silver Legacy Resort Casino at THE ROW

Image gallery for harrah's lake tahoe resort & casino.

Harrah's Lake Tahoe Resort & Casino

Image gallery for sands hotel and spa.

Sands Hotel and Spa

Image gallery for quartz hotel & spa.

Quartz Hotel & SPA

Image gallery for hotel de la tamise.

Hotel de la Tamise

Image gallery for chaminade resort & spa.

Chaminade Resort & Spa

Image gallery for cypress pointe resort.

Cypress Pointe Resort

Image gallery for trump international hotel & tower chicago.

Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago

Image gallery for mint house at the reserve - nashville.

Mint House at The Reserve - Nashville

Image gallery for hotel clermont.

Hotel Clermont

Image gallery for hotel saint vincent.

Hotel Saint Vincent

Image gallery for the lancaster hotel.

The Lancaster Hotel

Explore these unique stays, image gallery for cottage on armstrong.

Cottage on Armstrong

Image gallery for naturluxe & stars.

Naturluxe & Stars

Watkins glen, image gallery for elk springs resort.

Elk Springs Resort

Monterville, image gallery for moon river cabins.

Moon River Cabins

Image gallery for walden retreats.

Walden Retreats

Johnson city, image gallery for cougar ridge resort, llc.

Cougar Ridge Resort, LLC

Image gallery for y.o. ranch headquarters.

Y.O. Ranch Headquarters

Mountain home, image gallery for cottages at healdsburg.

Cottages at Healdsburg

Image gallery for stone meadow resort.

Stone Meadow Resort

Eureka springs, image gallery for zion mountain ranch.

Zion Mountain Ranch

Mount carmel, image gallery for happily ever after.

Happily Ever After

Image gallery for white stallion ranch.

White Stallion Ranch

Image gallery for opossum creek retreat.

Opossum Creek Retreat

Image gallery for hill country casitas.

Hill Country Casitas

Dripping springs, image gallery for come friday cottages on the bay.

Come Friday Cottages on the Bay

Image gallery for gorgeous margaritaville cottage w/private patio.

Gorgeous Margaritaville Cottage W/private Patio!

Image gallery for schlafmans hollow solar cabins.

Schlafmans Hollow Solar Cabins

Image gallery for the wilderness inn.

The Wilderness Inn

Image gallery for scoot by avantstay brand new condo in austin w/ amazing amenities.

Scoot by Avantstay Brand New Condo in Austin w/ Amazing Amenities

Image gallery for ship's wheel resort.

Ship's Wheel Resort

Image gallery for verde valley rv & camping resort, a thousand trails property.

Verde Valley RV & Camping Resort, a Thousand Trails Property

Image gallery for little lake lookout.

Little Lake Lookout

Sevierville, image gallery for watchman villas.

Watchman Villas

Image gallery for grandview cabins & rv resort.

Grandview Cabins & RV Resort

You could earn more OneKeyCash from top-rated stays

Long weekend thrills without the long journey

When you book flights with Expedia, you have an edge.

Book your flight + hotel together and save more

Flight deals ready to take you to the most-loved places

• Explore a world of travel with Expedia

Top Hotel Deals on Domestic Destinations

• Top Hotels in Boston, MA
• Top Hotels in Houston, TX
• Top Hotels in Chicago, IL
• Top Hotels in Pigeon Forge, TN
• Top Hotels in Myrtle Beach, SC
• Top Hotels in Los Angeles, CA
• Top Hotels in Nashville, TN
• Top Hotels in San Francisco, CA
• Top Hotels in Miami, FL
• Top Hotels in New Orleans, LA
• Top Hotels in Atlantic City, NJ
• Top Hotels in Orlando, FL
• Top Hotels in Las Vegas, NV
• Top Hotels in Anna Maria Island, FL
• Top Hotels in New York, NY
• Top domestic Hotels

Top Hotel Deals on International Destinations

• Top All-inclusive Resorts in Turks and Caicos
• Top All-inclusive Resorts in Puerto Rico
• Top Hotels in Paris
• Top Hotels in Puerto Rico Island
• Top Hotels in Rome from $35
• Top All-inclusive Resorts in Bahamas
• Top Hotels in San Juan
• Top Hotels in Cabo San Lucas
• Top Hotels in Tokyo
• Top All-inclusive Resorts in Mexico
• Top Hotels in Cancun
• Top All-inclusive Resorts in Cancun
• Top Hotels in London
• Top Hotels in Niagara Falls
• Top Hotels in Toronto
• Top international Hotels

Top Domestic Flights

• Flights to Las Vegas
• Flights to Hawaii
• Flights to New York
• Flights to Orlando
• Flights to Miami
• Flights to Los Angeles
• Flights to Maui
• Flights to Houston
• Flights to Dallas
• Flights to Denver

Top International Flights

• Flights to Puerto Rico
• Flights to Tokyo
• Flights to Kannur
• Flights to Mexico City
• Flights to London
• Flights to Cancun
• Flights to Manila
• Flights to Cabo San Lucas
• Flights to Bali
• Flights to Bora Bora

Save today on vacation packages

• Las Vegas Vacation Packages
• New York Vacation Packages
• Miami Vacation Packages
• Orlando Vacation Packages
• New Orleans Vacation Packages
• Williamsburg Vacation Packages
• Portland Vacation Packages
• Laughlin Vacation Packages
• Tampa Vacation Packages
• Atlantic City Vacation Packages
• Austin Vacation Packages
• St. Thomas Vacation Packages

Book international flights & hotels together to save

• Cancun Vacation Packages
• Punta Cana Vacation Packages
• Aruba Vacation Packages
• Bahamas Vacation Packages
• London Vacation Packages
• Paris Vacation Packages
• Cozumel Vacation Packages
• Playa Del Carmen Vacation Packages
• Toronto Vacation Packages
• Quintana Roo Vacation Packages

Top places to visit domestically

• Visit Los Angeles
• Visit Las Vegas
• Visit New York
• Visit Chicago
• Visit Orlando
• Visit Dallas
• Visit Atlanta
• Visit Phoenix
• Visit Miami
• Visit Houston

Visit places internationally

• Visit the Bahamas
• Visit Vancouver
• Visit Mexico
• Visit Cabo San Lucas
• Visit Cancun
• Visit Punta Cana
• Visit Australia
• Visit London
• Visit Aruba
• Visit Paris

Airport & car rental deals

• Car rentals in Los Angeles
• Car rentals in Orlando
• Car rentals in Las Vegas
• Car rentals in Denver
• Car rentals in Phoenix
• Car rentals in Chicago
• Car rentals in Fort Lauderdale
• Car rentals in New York
• Car rentals in Atlanta
• Car rentals in Houston

Find cheap car rentals at international airports

• Car rentals in Dublin
• Car rentals in Vancouver
• Car rentals in Toronto
• Car rentals in Dubai
• Car rentals in Paris
• Car rentals in Cancun
• Car rentals in Puerto Rico
• Car rentals in Rome
• Car rentals in Calgary

Top Deals on Vacation Rental Destinations

• Search all Vacation Rentals
• Top Myrtle Beach Vacation Rentals
• Top Vacation Rentals in Florida
• Top Vacation Rentals in New Jersey
• Top South Lake Tahoe Vacation Rentals
• Top Galveston Vacation Rentals
• Top Miami Vacation Rentals
• Top Tampa Vacation Rentals
• Top Orlando Vacation Rentals
• Top Daytona Beach Vacation Rentals
• Top Gulf Shores Vacation Rentals
• Top Oahu Vacation Rentals
• Top Geneva-on-the-Lake Vacation Rentals
• Top Oregon Coast Vacation Rentals
• Top Jersey Shore Vacation Rentals
• Top South Padre Island Vacation Rentals

Popular cruise destinations

• Cruises to Bahamas
• Cruises to Mexico
• Cruises to Hawaii
• Cruises to Alaska
• Cruises to Caribbean
• Cruises to Europe
• Cruises to Bermuda
• Cruises to Africa
• Cruises to Australia & New Zealand
• Cruises to Canada & New England

Cruise departure ports nearby

• Cruises from Galveston
• Cruises from Miami
• Cruises from New York
• Cruises from Tampa
• Cruises from Long Beach
• Cruises from Boston
• Cruises from Charleston
• Cruises from Port Canaveral
• Cruises from San Francisco
• Cruises from Norfolk

Other Vacation ideas

• Travel Trends 2024
• Christmas Vacation Deals
• Weekend Getaways
• Plan your Vacation
• Vacation Payment Plans
• Expedia Group wildlife guidelines
• All Inclusive Vacations
• Ski Vacations
• Beach Vacations
• Golf Vacations
• Kid Friendly Vacations
• Luxury Vacations
• Romantic Vacations
• Honeymoon Vacations
• Adventure Vacations
• Cheap Vacations
• Last Minute Vacation Deals
• Best Travel Destinations by Month

More destinations

• All Destinations

• Car Rentals
• Airport Transfers
• Attractions & Tours
• Flight + Hotel
• Destinations
• Trip.com Rewards

Trip.com Recommendations

Popular Flights

• Flights from Cairo to Jeddah
• Flights from Dubai to Riyadh
• Flights from London to New York
• Flights from London to Dubai
• Flights from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore
• Flights from Dubai to Jeddah
• Flights from Orlando to San Juan
• Flights from Dubai to Mumbai
• Flights from Cairo to Riyadh
• Flights from Dubai to Delhi
• Flights from Bangkok to Chiang Mai
• Flights from Bangkok to Phuket
• Flights from Shanghai to Beijing
• Flights from Sanya to Shanghai
• Flights from Guangzhou to Shanghai
• Flights from Tokyo to Seoul
• Flights from Cape Town to Johannesburg
• Flights from Toronto to Delhi
• Flights from Bangalore to Delhi
• Flights from Edinburgh to London

Featured Hotel Destinations

• Best Hotels in Shanghai
• Best Hotels in Hong Kong
• Best Hotels in Macau
• Best Hotels in Bangkok
• Best Hotels in Singapore
• Best Hotels in Dubai
• Best Hotels in Sanya
• Best Hotels in Beijing
• Best Hotels in Guangzhou
• Best Hotels in Shenzhen
• Best Hotels in Las Vegas
• Best Hotels in London
• Best Hotels in San Diego
• Best Hotels in Chicago
• Best Hotels in New York
• Best Hotels in Paris
• Best Hotels in Rome
• Best Hotels in Edinburgh
• Best Hotels in Boston
• Best Hotels in Nashville

Featured Guides

• JR Pass Guide
• eSIM Guide for Tourists
• Trip.Best 2024 Global 100
• Best Things to do in Bangkok
• China 24/72/144-Hour Visa Free Transit
• Shanghai 24/144-Hour Visa Free Transit
• Tokyo Vacation
• Universal Studios Locations
• Disney Parks & Disneylands
• Best Bars in Bangkok
• Best Bars in London
• Japan Travel
• China High Speed Rail
• China Train Ticket
• China Train Booking
• China Bullet Train

Popular Attractions

• hong kong disneyland tickets
• Universal Studios Beijing Tickets
• typhoon lagoon water park
• Ngong Ping 360 Tickets
• Van Gogh Museum Tickets
• Discovery Treks
• Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Hyderabad
• Tomorrowland
• Guangdong Science Center
• Wufeng Mountain Horse track
• Guishan Han Dynasty Tombs
• Gold Water Cave
• Thousand Buddhas Mountain
• Day Tour Athens
• Day Tour Zurich
• Day Tour Perth
• Day Tour Dublin
• Hong Kong SIM Card

Popular Airlines

• Flights to London
• Flights to Rome
• Flights to Paris
• Flights to New York
• Flights to Tokyo
• Flights to Las Vegas
• Flights to Miami
• Flights to Bali
• Flights to Amsterdam
• Flights to Atlanta
• Turkish Airlines Flights to Istanbul
• Turkish Airlines Flights to Singapore
• American Airlines Flights to Hawaii
• American Airlines Flights to Cancun
• United Airlines Flights to Mumbai
• United Airlines Flights to Tel Aviv Yafo
• Singapore Airlines Flights to Delhi
• Singapore Airlines Flights to Sydney
• Philippine Airlines Flights to Manila
• Philippine Airlines Flights to Davao

Popular Guide

• eSIM South Korea
• weather in Japan in August
• China Train Ticket Price
• Switzerland trip cost
• Germany esim
• Keisei Skyliner
• Portugal eSim
• Ghibli Museum Tickets
• disney locations
• tokyo disneyland tickets
• Gardens by the Bay
• N Seoul Tower
• Cheap Train Tickets China
• hong kong disneyland
• walt disney studios park
• animal kingdom
• Featured Events in Denver in June 2024 (Continuously Updated)
• Featured Events in Otter Tail County in 2024 (Continuously Updated)
• Toronto Sports Events 2024
• Featured Events in Singapore in May 2024 (Continuously Updated)
• Featured Events in Shanghai in July 2024 (Continuously Updated)

Trip.com Links

• Trip.com App Android
• Trip.com App iOS
• Trip.com on Facebook
• Trip.com reviews
• Customer Support
• Service Guarantee
• More Service Info
• Website Feedback
• About Trip.com
• Terms & Conditions
• Privacy Statement
• About Trip.com Group

Other Services

• Investor Relations
• Affiliate Program
• List Your Property
• Become a Supplier

• LATIN AMERICA & CARIBBEAN
• MIDDLE EAST
• US & CANADA

The Complete Beginner’s Guide to International Travel

So you’ve decided to travel internationally, have you? Traveling to another country is something I wish for everyone to experience at least once in a lifetime.

Unfortunately, not everyone has the privilege to do so. But for those of us with passports that allow us such opportunity, it’d be a shame to never explore an international destination in our great, big, beautiful world !

It might seem a bit scary to take your first international trip, but I promise it’s not that bad. To help you, I’ve put together this thorough guide on everything you need to know in order to have a successful international trip ! Let’s get straight to it.

Before You Depart for Your Trip

There’s quite a bit to get ready before your international trip. But, don’t worry. It’s all doable, and it’ll all be worth it!

Apply for a Passport

First things first. In order to travel internationally, you’ll need to have a valid, unexpired passport . On top of that, many countries require you to also have at least three or even six months validity left on your passport from your date of travel. So, if you don’t have a valid, unexpired passport or your passport is expiring in three to six months, it’s time to get a new passport before your trip. This process can take a couple months! So plan ahead, and submit your passport request early to save yourself stress and/or expediting fees closer to your departure date.

If this is your very first passport, your last passport was from when you were under 16 years old, your previous passport was lost, stolen, or damaged, or your last passport was from 15 or more years ago, you will need to apply for your passport in person. Here are the official steps for the new passport process .

If the above doesn’t apply to you, you simply have to renew your passport. You can do this via mail. Here are the official steps for the renewal process .

Choose Your International Destination

Yipee! Now that you’ve either already got your passport or have applied for a new one, you can choose your international travel destination. This is largely based on your own interests. But as this is your first trip internationally, keep in mind things like language, similarity in culture to back home, and ease of travel-related infrastructures (like trains or buses).

Apply for Any Visa(s)

Once you have chosen your destination(s), check whether you need visas or not . A visa is basically permission from a foreign government for you to be in their country. Some countries may grant you a free visa upon arrival with a simple stamp on your passport. Some countries simply require you to fill out a form online and pay a small fee before you can board your flight. And some countries require expensive visas which you must apply for months in advance. It all depends on that country you are visiting, your passport country, and how long you plan to stay. I love using Travisa ‘s free search tool to quickly and easily check what requirements exist for me before I book a flight. 

Get Any Necessary Vaccines

Before confirming your destination, you should check if any vaccines are necessary for that place. Some vaccines are simply recommended for your own health, while others are requirements before you will be allowed into the country , or even allowed into other countries afterwards (like yellow fever). The CDC website is an easy way to check this. Some vaccines, like yellow fever, are low in supply and hard to get last minute. Others, like malaria pills, require a doctor’s prescription. So don’t leave this step until the last minute !

Check Travel Restrictions

Lastly, make sure there are no travel restrictions or decision-altering political tensions for your destination. Do this by checking the Travel Department site . Simply type in your destination country’s name into the search bar on the left hand side of the screen. 

Preparing Your Finances

Now that your passport is on its way and you’ve settled on your international travel destination(s), it’s time to start thinking about finances.

Some destinations are very credit card friendly. Others operate on only cash and debit cards. And some don’t even have ATM machines! So you’ll need to do a bit of planning before departure to make sure you’re not stressing during your trip, and to save yourself transaction fees.

Get a No Fees Credit Card

Most banks charge a 3% fee every time you use your credit card to pay for a foreign transaction. As you can imagine, this adds up to a lot over the course of even a one week international trip. The good news is, many banks offer credit cards without foreign transaction fees . Do a quick internet search to see if your bank offers such a card. 

Get a No Fees Debit Card

Most banks charge a 3% fee and $5 each time you withdraw foreign currency from an ATM. Especially if you are traveling to a mostly-cash destination, this is a surefire way to rack up unnecessary travel costs. To avoid this, consider opening a free brokerage account with Charles Schwab to also receive their debit card with zero transaction fees . I first heard about this card when moving to London to study abroad, and I have to say it’s served me well. 

Get Foreign Currency Beforehand

Sometimes, but not often, it’s necessary to have cash in your destination’s currency either before you depart home or right when landing . This might be because your destination does not have ATMs, or because you just want to feel prepared.

If you need foreign cash before leaving home, head to your local bank and exchange currencies. (Just FYI, you’ll get a bad conversion rate doing this, since the bank needs to make commission.) If the currency you need isn’t a common one, your bank won’t have it on hand. In that case, you’ll have to request the exchange online with your bank. 

Many countries that don’t have ATMs also don’t allow their currency to be taken outside their country (like Cuba). In this case, you’ll need to bring enough cash with you in a common currency (like USD, GBP, or Euro). Then, when you arrive at your destination’s airport, you can exchange your cash from home for the local currency.

Sign Up for Airline Rewards Programs

You might already know this if you fly domestically, but most airlines have rewards programs. These allow you to accumulate “miles” in your rewards account each time you fly. Eventually, you might rack up enough to redeem those miles in exchange for a flight !

Consider Travel Hacking

Now, some people use airlines rewards programs and racking up miles on steroids, and this is called travel hacking. Many airlines and banks offer huge amounts of miles when you sign up for a card, or offer miles every time you use that card for a purchase. This allows you to rack up enough miles for a free flight or hotel stay more quickly (or sometimes immediately!). I personally have no energy for travel hacking, as I’m not convinced the miles rewards are worth more in dollars than my current card’s cash reward system. But I would be amiss to not mention travel hacking in a guide to international travel.

Planning Your International Trip

Phew! Now that you’ve got all the annoying administrative work out of the way, it’s time for the fun stuff; planning your trip .

I have a whole ten-step guide to planning a trip , so I won’t go into too much detail here. But this can be broken down into planning out your travel itinerary, booking your flight, and booking your accommodation.

Create Your Dream Itinerary

Decide everything you want to see in that destination. I love using Pinterest , Instagram , and travel blogs for inspiration. This is my favorite part of planning a trip , because it gets me so excited about what’s to come! Then, figure out how many days each spot deserves if you are moving around, and figure out how to get from point A to point B (train, cab, ferry?). 

Book Your Flight

After you’ve decided how many days you need, you can decide what your travel dates are and start looking for a flight. You can sometimes find good deals really close to the date, but that isn’t guaranteed. I recommend not leaving this until the last minute! I go into more detail how I search for cheap flights in my trip planning guide .

Book Your Housing

Once you have your flight booked, all that’s left is your housing. I love using Booking.com because of its interface, but any hotel search engine will suffice. Also consider AirBnB if you like the idea of staying in a local apartment, or Hostelworld if you’re looking for a social (and often budget-friendly) option. I go into more detail on different types of travel accommodation in my trip planning guide .

Here are some discounts if it’s your first time using AirBnB or Booking.com:

• Save 15% off your first booking by using this link  to sign up for AirBnB for the first time.
• Get  10% back  from your first booking when you use this link  for your first time using Booking.com.

Preparing for Departure

Woohoo! You’ve got your passport, your trip is planned, and all that’s left is to depart. There are a couple things you should do to best prepare for your upcoming international trip.

Scan the Front Page of Your Passport

Before leaving home, make a copy of the front page of your passport (the page with your picture). Either print it out or send it to yourself via email. In case your passport gets lost, stolen, or damaged during your international trip, this makes it easier to have your passport replaced abroad at an embassy.

Expect Cultural Differences

Every country or region has its own culture and norms, and that’s what makes traveling so great. In some places, like the US, it’s common to greet strangers “hello,” or for shop associates and waiters to be extra doting. In other places, like much of Europe, the slower cafe and restaurant culture means your waiter might not come to you unless beckoned. It’s almost seen as if the waiter is rushing you! Similarly, in Japan, it’s offensive to tip waiters, as it suggests their only incentive to do their job well is receiving your pocket change. No culture is right or wrong, but keep an open mind as you travel, and don’t assume something means the same as it does back home .

Prepare for Language Barriers

Many popular travel destinations have adopted English as a common language due to how many international tourists they receive. So, if you know English, chances are you’ll be fine getting around many travel destinations around the world. But it still doesn’t hurt to learn some basic words in your destination’s language .

Saying “hello” or “thank you” in a person’s mother tongue can go a long way in warming them up towards you. Learning common menu items or words on train station signs will also likely make your life easier and give you more confidence abroad. I love using the free version of Duolingo’s mobile app ( iOS and Android ) for a few weeks before I head somewhere new to learn a language’s basics. Alternatively, you could simply head to Google translate and jot down key words on a small piece of paper before you depart. Then, keep this paper handy while you’re out exploring for easy access.

What to Expect on an International Flight

Even if you’ve flown domestically before, flying internationally can be a whole different experience . Here are my top tips for flying internationally.

What to Pack in Your Carry On

Packing carry on luggage for an international trip is similar in many ways to for a domestic trip. The same rules apply with regards to liquid sizes and electronics. However, as international flights tend to naturally be longer than domestic flights, there are a few extra considerations.

Make sure you are comfortable. Bring your own favorite headphones instead of using the uncomfortable free or for sale ones on board the flight. Also bring an eye mask (and a neck pillow if you need that) so that you can try to sleep a bit. You’ll also want to pack clothing items like one pair of pajamas and one or two proper outfits, in case your luggage is lost or delayed . It would be super inconvenient to buy these things right after you land in a foreign country!

Common Flight Etiquette

No one likes flying. So to make it easier on everyone, here are some best practices for being polite while in the airport and on the plane.

• While in the airport, don’t stand up and crowd around the gate way before your boarding group is called. Everyone will get their chance to board.
• Once on the plane, the middle seat person gets dibs on the inner arm rests .
• Right after the plane lands, don’t rush to pull your luggage from the overhead before the plane doors have even opened (especially if you’re in the back of the plane!). If you’re in a rush to catch a connection you think you might miss, ask the flight attendants before landing if they can help you get off first. Sometimes they’ll make an announcement that everyone should stay seated until those about to miss a connection exit first!

Staying Healthy While Flying

The last thing you want is to get off your flight and feel unwell the first days of your epic trip! Here are precautions you should take to ensure you land in tip-top shape.

• Stay hydrated . Airplane air has less humidity (only about 10 – 20%!), so make sure you are drinking enough water, especially on long haul flights. I always bring a large, refillable water bottle when I fly. I fill it up at an airport water fountain right after passing security and finish it all before boarding. Then, I refill it again to have a full supply while on board. This is important not only for headaches and such, but also to prevent skin breakouts in the days after landing.
• Keep the blood flowing . Not only are you not moving for hours upon hours when flying internationally, but your feet are flat on the floor the entire time, too. This isn’t great for blood circulation, and can cause swelling in your ankles and feet the days after your land. (It’s also just not good for your health to not move!) So, make it a point to get up and walk around the plane. Since you’ll be drinking a lot of water anyways, maybe walk up and down the aisles for some minutes each time you finish using the toilets. Do some stretches , like pulling your feet up to your booty one at a time and holding, or lifting each knee up and holding. If you have a layover with enough time, walk around the terminal for some time before boarding your second flight.
• Stay clean . Even pre-Covid-19, planes and airports have never been the cleanest places to be. Wash your hands frequently with soap, use hand sanitizer , and consider disinfecting your food tray, screen, and arm rests right after getting on board. Make sure not to touch or pick your face too much, especially since it’s already dealing with the dehydrating air!

Flying with Dietary Restrictions

Airplane food is pretty much never great, especially if you aren’t flying first class. But if you’re on a particular diet or have dietary restrictions, you’ll need to plan ahead of time. Consider packing some of your favorite nutritious snacks instead of relying on the salty pretzels you can expect on board. If you have a specific need, like vegan meals, call the airline 24 hours before your flight to put in your request for a special meal . You might also want to double-check the meal request before take off at the gate.

Staying Safe While Traveling Internationally

While the world isn’t the big, bad, scary place we’re often made to believe, that doesn’t mean travel is free of risks.

A lot of the safety precautions and considerations you should take while traveling abroad are similar to those you take at home. But a few aren’t. Here are my main safety tips for international travel.

Solo Travel

By its very nature, traveling alone is more risky than traveling with a companion. Is it significantly more risky? I think not. But that’s not to say you shouldn’t take any extra precautions when traveling alone.

One precaution I take is to always let someone know where I am . If I have a full itinerary planned, I send my mom a summary of each city and accommodation I plan to stay at. If I’m doing something like a hike without any new friends I’ve met, I’ll let the front desk know my plans before I head out. I also try to be confident . Even if I don’t know where I’m going, I try to look like I do! If I need to look directions up on my phone, I might do it before leaving the hotel or shop or restaurant.

Another thing to remember is that traveling solo is not traveling alone . Especially if staying in hostels, you’ll meet other people traveling solo like you are, and you can do activities with them.

Solo Female Travel

Something my loved ones tell me often is how it’s so unsafe to travel alone as a woman. But the truth is, is it perfectly safe to be a woman anywhere in the world? Even when I’m in in the comfort of my home country, I rush to my car when in public garages at night, receive uncomfortable comments from strangers on the street, and face the potential of sexual harassment or even assault. Sexism exists everywhere, not just abroad. Of course, I do take extra precautions as a solo female traveler compared to a male solo traveler. But I also take extra precautions as a female in my home country, too.

These are some of the precautions I take while traveling as a woman, in addition to the precautions I take for traveling solo in general:

• I never walk alone past dark . Ever, ever. Even if I “feel” safe in a place (which is most of the time), it’s just something I’ve promised myself I wouldn’t do.
• I try to dress conservatively in certain destinations. Especially as a Californian, I’m used to super short shorts and low-cut shirts being totally normal. While these are still often acceptable abroad, they definitely cause a lot of stares that I personally have decided I’d rather avoid if I can. So, I’ll wear looser, longer shorts instead of tight short-shorts, or midi skirts and dresses instead of what I consider normal length. This isn’t so much because I feel unsafe, but because I’ve realized it decreases bothersome male comments and advances immensely.
• I haven’t actually done this yet, but it’s a trick I have in my back pocket. Bring a fake wedding ring . Depending on the destination, this can help ward off some comments (and even playful marriage proposals!).

Traveling as a Person of Color

Similar to the solar female travel issue, a lot of my family fear that I’ll stand out like a sore thumb as a black woman. Also similar to the solo female travel issue, racism is simply something that exists everywhere, not just abroad . Of course, I do take extra precautions as a black solo traveler compared to a white solo traveler. But I also take extra precautions as a black person in my home country, too.

The main extra consideration I take while traveling as a person of color is to research the experiences of other black people or black women in destinations I know less about , or that I know have few black people or tourists. I recommend you do the same for whatever race or ethnicity you might identify with, as destinations might be used to one group but not a different group. This, of course, can be difficult, as the voices in the travel sphere are mostly white men, and next white women. (This is why it’s important to have better representation.) If you can’t find the insight you need online, consider directly emailing or messaging any travel writers or influences whose experiences you’d like to hear.

Traveling with Cash and Valuables

Like you would in certain areas of your home country, don’t flash valuables while traveling. Be cognizant as you withdraw or exchange any cash . Being a tourist can make you a target already, so don’t give pickpockets any extra incentive!

Be careful not to carry all your cash and cards in one place. If you can, take some with you as you explore, and then leave back up cards, unneeded cash, and your passport back in a safe in your accommodation . That way, if anything gets stolen or lost while out exploring, you have back ups to hold you over.

Bring Locks for Hostels

If you are planning on staying in hostels, definitely purchase a lock before your trip. Hostels usually have lockers, but charge a couple bucks to rent a lock. It’s much more economical to purchase once and not pay each time.

Register with Your Country’s Embassy

This is a step I never usually did before, but one I’ll be doing every time in the future! I was “one of those” people who got stranded abroad in a foreign country when the world started closing borders in response to Covid-19. I always thought registering with the local embassy for my country was a waste of time, but this turned out to be the best way to get up-to-date information on the situation. After missing out on crucial info once, I signed up. And it’s thanks to that I was able to eventually get home!

You never know what could happen when you are abroad, whether that is a pandemic, weather-related disaster, local protests, or political tensions. It’s near-impossible to keep up with your foreign destination’s news while traveling. So registering with your embassy is an easy way to get a simple email for key things you should know . For Americans, this program to register is called the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) , but other countries have pretty much the same thing.

Get Travel Insurance

I’m not sure I believe “everyone” should “always” get travel insurance. But for a first trip abroad, it’s worth considering. I typically never purchased it when I traveled places I knew well. But these days, as I’m no longer on my parents’ good insurance, and as I travel mostly solo, I do purchase travel insurance. It often only costs a couple dollars a day , and usually covers lost baggage, medical visits for accidents or illnesses, theft, and more. Especially if you are planning adrenaline activities or traveling somewhere distant, you should consider it! 

What Do You Think About My International Travel Guide?

And there ya have it, folks! Are you feeling prepared for your international trip! I hope this guide was helpful. If you still have more questions before your trip abroad, definitely comment below and I’ll answer. Or, if you have any advice you think I missed that others should know, please also comment below!

Save This Guide to Return to Later on Pinterest

Further Reading...

The Beginner’s Guide to Staying in Hostels

Complete Guide to Flying RyanAir (& Not Getting Ripped-Off)

20 Trips to Take in Your 20s

Do you have any recommendations on types of luggage/bags to pack? I’ve heard Europe can be not suitcase friendly but I didn’t know if that has been your experience as well?

That Travelista

Hi Brittany,

It’s really up to personal preference, your destination, and your trip length/time of year. Even within Europe, the roads will be varied. Will you be walking, or taking cabs/ubers to your accommodation? Will you be in a hilly and/or cobblestone historical center, or a more modern city? Will you be packing a lot due to a long trip length or needing winter gear? Will you be taking your things on any overnight hikes, or only staying in cities?

I’ve personally only ever traveled with a suitcase so far. I like that it’s healthier for my back and that it’s easy to open and rearrange things on the go, and that the case is durable for when I have to check it in (I have certain liquids I like). But others of course love backpacks. There are also combos (backpacks that open like suitcases and have wheels), but they tend to be carry-on size.

My general advice would be to pack as light as you can.

I hope that helps!

Leave a Reply Cancel Reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

13 Top Attractions and Things to Do in Vienna, Austria

25 top attractions and things to do in san francisco, that travelista.

Compare flights from 100s of sites.

Big names, great deals, filter for what you want, track prices, more than flights, search cheap flights by destination, find cheap flights.

Save money on airfare by searching for cheap flight tickets on KAYAK. KAYAK searches for flight deals on hundreds of airline tickets sites to help you find the cheapest flights. Whether you are looking for a last minute flight or a cheap plane ticket for a later date, you can find the best deals faster at KAYAK.

New York Flights

• Flight Fort Lauderdale - Newark (FLL - EWR) $39+
• Flight Miami - Newark (MIA - EWR) $40+
• Flight Atlanta - New York (ATL - LGA) $47+
• Flight Miami - New York (MIA - LGA) $73+
• Flight Atlanta - Newark (ATL - EWR) $75+
• Flight Orlando - Newark (MCO - EWR) $75+
• Flight Orlando - New York (MCO - LGA) $77+
• Flight Dallas - New York (DFW - LGA) $78+
• Flight Fort Lauderdale - New York (FLL - LGA) $78+
• Flight Dallas - Newark (DFW - EWR) $82+
• Flight Houston - Newark (HOU - EWR) $86+
• Flight Houston - New York (HOU - LGA) $101+
• Flight Chicago - New York (ORD - JFK) $109+
• Flight Miami - New York (MIA - JFK) $111+
• Flight Dallas - New York (DFW - JFK) $159+
• Flight Los Angeles - Newark (LAX - EWR) $162+
• Flight Los Angeles - New York (LAX - LGA) $164+
• Flight Houston - New York (HOU - JFK) $176+
• Flight San Francisco - New York (SFO - LGA) $184+
• Flight Los Angeles - New York (LAX - JFK) $233+
• Flight Seattle - New York (SEA - JFK) $233+
• Flight San Francisco - New York (SFO - JFK) $240+
• Flight San Francisco - Newark (SFO - EWR) $246+
• Flight Seattle - Newark (SEA - EWR) $260+

Orlando Flights

• Flight Atlanta - Orlando (ATL - MCO) $35+
• Flight Philadelphia - Orlando (PHL - MCO) $43+
• Flight Houston - Orlando (IAH - MCO) $49+
• Flight Charlotte - Orlando (CLT - MCO) $51+
• Flight Baltimore - Orlando (BWI - MCO) $52+
• Flight Cleveland - Orlando (CLE - MCO) $52+
• Flight Detroit - Orlando (DTW - MCO) $52+

London Flights

• Flight New York - London (JFK - LGW) $334+
• Flight Boston - London (BOS - LGW) $345+
• Flight New Windsor - London (SWF - STN) $351+
• Flight Baltimore - London (BWI - LHR) $364+
• Flight Washington, D.C. - London (IAD - LGW) $365+
• Flight New York - London (JFK - LHR) $379+
• Flight Washington, D.C. - London (IAD - LHR) $383+
• Flight Boston - London (BOS - LHR) $427+
• Flight Atlanta - London (ATL - LHR) $438+

Fort Lauderdale Flights

• Flight Atlanta - Fort Lauderdale (ATL - FLL) $38+
• Flight Cleveland - Fort Lauderdale (CLE - FLL) $40+
• Flight Dallas - Fort Lauderdale (DFW - FLL) $40+
• Flight Newark - Fort Lauderdale (EWR - FLL) $40+
• Flight Philadelphia - Fort Lauderdale (PHL - FLL) $40+
• Flight Raleigh - Fort Lauderdale (RDU - FLL) $43+
• Flight Atlantic City - Fort Lauderdale (ACY - FLL) $45+

Boston Flights

• Flight Chicago - Boston (ORD - BOS) $50+
• Flight Charlotte - Boston (CLT - BOS) $62+
• Flight Newark - Boston (EWR - BOS) $63+
• Flight Orlando - Boston (MCO - BOS) $68+
• Flight Dallas - Boston (DFW - BOS) $69+
• Flight Baltimore - Boston (BWI - BOS) $75+
• Flight Philadelphia - Boston (PHL - BOS) $76+

India Flights

• Flight San Francisco - Mumbai (SFO - BOM) $581+
• Flight San Francisco - Bengaluru (SFO - BLR) $596+
• Flight Newark - Ahmedabad (EWR - AMD) $614+
• Flight San Francisco - New Delhi (SFO - DEL) $620+
• Flight Washington, D.C. - New Delhi (IAD - DEL) $631+
• Flight Newark - Hyderabad (EWR - HYD) $634+
• Flight New York - New Delhi (JFK - DEL) $652+

Japan Flights

• Flight Los Angeles - Tokyo (LAX - NRT) $611+
• Flight San Francisco - Tokyo (SFO - NRT) $624+
• Flight San Francisco - Tokyo (SFO - HND) $759+
• Flight Los Angeles - Tokyo (LAX - HND) $765+
• Flight Seattle - Tokyo (SEA - NRT) $766+
• Flight Burbank - Tokyo (BUR - NRT) $817+
• Flight Ontario - Tokyo (ONT - NRT) $818+

Phoenix Flights

• Flight Ontario - Phoenix (ONT - PHX) $38+
• Flight Salt Lake City - Phoenix (SLC - PHX) $43+
• Flight Dallas - Phoenix (DFW - PHX) $56+
• Flight Denver - Phoenix (DEN - PHX) $57+
• Flight Portland - Phoenix (PDX - PHX) $60+
• Flight Los Angeles - Phoenix (LAX - PHX) $62+
• Flight Minneapolis - Phoenix (MSP - PHX) $64+

Honolulu Flights

• Flight Los Angeles - Honolulu (LAX - HNL) $162+
• Flight San Francisco - Honolulu (SFO - HNL) $209+
• Flight San Jose - Honolulu (SJC - HNL) $209+
• Flight San Diego - Honolulu (SAN - HNL) $217+
• Flight Ontario - Honolulu (ONT - HNL) $259+
• Flight Oakland - Honolulu (OAK - HNL) $265+
• Flight Las Vegas - Honolulu (LAS - HNL) $310+

Los Angeles Flights

• Flight Las Vegas - Los Angeles (LAS - LAX) $38+
• Flight Oakland - Los Angeles (OAK - LAX) $50+
• Flight Salt Lake City - Los Angeles (SLC - LAX) $55+
• Flight San Francisco - Los Angeles (SFO - LAX) $59+
• Flight Seattle - Los Angeles (SEA - LAX) $65+
• Flight Portland - Los Angeles (PDX - LAX) $68+
• Flight Atlanta - Los Angeles (ATL - LAX) $77+
• Flight Philadelphia - Los Angeles (PHL - LAX) $88+
• Flight Dallas - Los Angeles (DFW - LAX) $93+

Chicago Flights

• Flight Atlanta - Chicago (ATL - MDW) $37+
• Flight Boston - Chicago (BOS - ORD) $40+
• Flight Philadelphia - Chicago (PHL - ORD) $48+
• Flight Dallas - Chicago (DFW - MDW) $50+
• Flight Atlanta - Chicago (ATL - ORD) $54+
• Flight Dallas - Chicago (DFW - ORD) $57+
• Flight Denver - Chicago (DEN - ORD) $58+

Denver Flights

• Flight Chicago - Denver (ORD - DEN) $47+
• Flight Austin - Denver (AUS - DEN) $48+
• Flight Ontario - Denver (ONT - DEN) $53+
• Flight Los Angeles - Denver (LAX - DEN) $57+
• Flight Houston - Denver (HOU - DEN) $58+
• Flight Houston - Denver (IAH - DEN) $58+
• Flight Baltimore - Denver (BWI - DEN) $63+

Washington, D.C. Flights

• Flight Orlando - Baltimore (MCO - BWI) $57+
• Flight Atlanta - Baltimore (ATL - BWI) $60+
• Flight Boston - Baltimore (BOS - BWI) $91+
• Flight Atlanta - Washington, D.C. (ATL - DCA) $93+
• Flight Dallas - Baltimore (DFW - BWI) $96+
• Flight Atlanta - Washington, D.C. (ATL - IAD) $99+
• Flight Chicago - Baltimore (ORD - BWI) $104+
• Flight Miami - Washington, D.C. (MIA - DCA) $127+
• Flight Boston - Washington, D.C. (BOS - DCA) $133+
• Flight Minneapolis - Washington, D.C. (MSP - IAD) $136+
• Flight Boston - Washington, D.C. (BOS - IAD) $139+
• Flight Los Angeles - Baltimore (LAX - BWI) $150+
• Flight Seattle - Baltimore (SEA - BWI) $158+
• Flight Chicago - Washington, D.C. (ORD - DCA) $162+
• Flight Minneapolis - Washington, D.C. (MSP - DCA) $169+
• Flight Dallas - Washington, D.C. (DFW - DCA) $173+
• Flight Los Angeles - Washington, D.C. (LAX - DCA) $173+
• Flight San Francisco - Baltimore (SFO - BWI) $183+
• Flight Seattle - Washington, D.C. (SEA - DCA) $183+
• Flight San Francisco - Washington, D.C. (SFO - DCA) $186+
• Flight Los Angeles - Washington, D.C. (LAX - IAD) $191+
• Flight Dallas - Washington, D.C. (DFW - IAD) $228+
• Flight Seattle - Washington, D.C. (SEA - IAD) $277+
• Flight San Francisco - Washington, D.C. (SFO - IAD) $309+

Atlanta Flights

• Flight Chicago - Atlanta (MDW - ATL) $37+
• Flight Fort Lauderdale - Atlanta (FLL - ATL) $39+
• Flight Houston - Atlanta (HOU - ATL) $43+
• Flight Houston - Atlanta (IAH - ATL) $43+
• Flight Orlando - Atlanta (MCO - ATL) $46+
• Flight Chicago - Atlanta (ORD - ATL) $47+
• Flight New York - Atlanta (LGA - ATL) $47+

United States Flights

• Flight Newark - Miami (EWR - MIA) $35+
• Flight Dallas - New York (DFW - LGA) $66+
• Flight Newark - Orlando (EWR - MCO) $67+
• Flight Dallas - Las Vegas (DFW - LAS) $68+
• Flight New York - Orlando (LGA - MCO) $70+
• Flight New York - Miami (LGA - MIA) $74+

Hawaii Flights

• Flight Los Angeles - Hawaii (LAX - USHI) $162+
• Flight San Francisco - Hawaii (SFO - USHI) $163+
• Flight San Jose - Hawaii (SJC - USHI) $209+
• Flight San Diego - Hawaii (SAN - USHI) $217+
• Flight Seattle - Hawaii (SEA - USHI) $245+
• Flight Ontario - Hawaii (ONT - USHI) $259+
• Flight Oakland - Hawaii (OAK - USHI) $265+

Tampa Flights

• Flight Atlanta - Tampa (ATL - TPA) $42+
• Flight Raleigh - Tampa (RDU - TPA) $47+
• Flight Baltimore - Tampa (BWI - TPA) $57+
• Flight Cincinnati - Tampa (CVG - TPA) $58+
• Flight Philadelphia - Tampa (PHL - TPA) $59+
• Flight Cleveland - Tampa (CLE - TPA) $62+
• Flight Dallas - Tampa (DFW - TPA) $64+

Houston Flights

• Flight Dallas - Houston (DFW - IAH) $39+
• Flight Atlanta - Houston (ATL - IAH) $43+
• Flight Orlando - Houston (MCO - IAH) $43+
• Flight Fort Lauderdale - Houston (FLL - IAH) $58+
• Flight Miami - Houston (MIA - IAH) $58+
• Flight Chicago - Houston (ORD - IAH) $59+
• Flight Charlotte - Houston (CLT - IAH) $67+

Las Vegas Flights

• Flight Burbank - Las Vegas (BUR - LAS) $24+
• Flight Los Angeles - Las Vegas (LAX - LAS) $33+
• Flight Chicago - Las Vegas (ORD - LAS) $36+
• Flight Portland - Las Vegas (PDX - LAS) $39+
• Flight Oakland - Las Vegas (OAK - LAS) $44+
• Flight Santa Ana - Las Vegas (SNA - LAS) $47+
• Flight San Francisco - Las Vegas (SFO - LAS) $55+
• Flight Seattle - Las Vegas (SEA - LAS) $68+
• Flight Houston - Las Vegas (HOU - LAS) $74+
• Flight Houston - Las Vegas (IAH - LAS) $74+
• Flight Philadelphia - Las Vegas (PHL - LAS) $103+
• Flight Denver - Las Vegas (DEN - LAS) $104+
• Flight Fort Lauderdale - Las Vegas (FLL - LAS) $106+

Miami Flights

• Flight Dallas - Miami (DFW - MIA) $40+
• Flight Philadelphia - Miami (PHL - MIA) $40+
• Flight Atlanta - Miami (ATL - MIA) $50+
• Flight Chicago - Miami (ORD - MIA) $50+
• Flight Detroit - Miami (DTW - MIA) $50+
• Flight Baltimore - Miami (BWI - MIA) $54+
• Flight Boston - Miami (BOS - MIA) $70+
• Flight Raleigh - Miami (RDU - MIA) $76+
• Flight Houston - Miami (HOU - MIA) $81+
• Flight Houston - Miami (IAH - MIA) $81+
• Flight Cleveland - Miami (CLE - MIA) $115+
• Flight Denver - Miami (DEN - MIA) $116+
• Flight New York - Miami (JFK - MIA) $117+
• Flight Cincinnati - Miami (CVG - MIA) $119+
• Flight Washington, D.C. - Miami (DCA - MIA) $127+
• Flight Washington, D.C. - Miami (IAD - MIA) $127+
• Flight Minneapolis - Miami (MSP - MIA) $137+
• Flight Los Angeles - Miami (LAX - MIA) $147+
• Flight Salt Lake City - Miami (SLC - MIA) $174+
• Flight Ontario - Miami (ONT - MIA) $180+

San Francisco Flights

• Flight Ontario - San Francisco (ONT - SFO) $38+
• Flight Los Angeles - San Francisco (LAX - SFO) $57+
• Flight San Diego - San Francisco (SAN - SFO) $73+
• Flight Phoenix - San Francisco (PHX - SFO) $87+
• Flight Denver - San Francisco (DEN - SFO) $108+
• Flight Atlanta - San Francisco (ATL - SFO) $127+
• Flight Seattle - San Francisco (SEA - SFO) $137+
• Flight Austin - San Francisco (AUS - SFO) $140+
• Flight Dallas - San Francisco (DFW - SFO) $142+
• Flight Miami - San Francisco (MIA - SFO) $159+
• Flight Houston - San Francisco (HOU - SFO) $164+
• Flight Houston - San Francisco (IAH - SFO) $164+
• Flight Chicago - San Francisco (ORD - SFO) $165+
• Flight Minneapolis - San Francisco (MSP - SFO) $170+

Seattle Flights

• Flight Ontario - Seattle (ONT - SEA) $63+
• Flight Denver - Seattle (DEN - SEA) $65+
• Flight Los Angeles - Seattle (LAX - SEA) $68+
• Flight Phoenix - Seattle (PHX - SEA) $80+
• Flight Santa Ana - Seattle (SNA - SEA) $100+
• Flight San Diego - Seattle (SAN - SEA) $106+
• Flight Dallas - Seattle (DFW - SEA) $115+

Paris Flights

• Flight New Windsor - Paris (SWF - CDG) $285+
• Flight Washington, D.C. - Paris (IAD - CDG) $286+
• Flight Baltimore - Paris (BWI - CDG) $288+
• Flight Boston - Paris (BOS - CDG) $288+
• Flight Chicago - Paris (ORD - ORY) $353+
• Flight New York - Paris (JFK - CDG) $363+
• Flight New York - Paris (JFK - ORY) $372+

Europe Flights

• Flight New York - Barcelona (JFK - BCN) $319+
• Flight Newark - Barcelona (EWR - BCN) $319+
• Flight Newark - Paris (EWR - CDG) $377+

Florida Flights

• Flight Newark - Florida (EWR - USFL) $35+
• Flight Philadelphia - Florida (PHL - USFL) $43+
• Flight Atlanta - Florida (ATL - USFL) $50+
• Flight Baltimore - Florida (BWI - USFL) $54+
• Flight Chicago - Florida (ORD - USFL) $57+
• Flight Boston - Florida (BOS - USFL) $69+
• Flight Dallas - Florida (DFW - USFL) $69+

Dallas Flights

• Flight Houston - Dallas (HOU - DFW) $39+
• Flight Houston - Dallas (IAH - DFW) $39+
• Flight Fort Lauderdale - Dallas (FLL - DFW) $45+
• Flight Miami - Dallas (MIA - DFW) $53+
• Flight Atlanta - Dallas (ATL - DFW) $54+
• Flight Phoenix - Dallas (PHX - DFW) $55+
• Flight Chicago - Dallas (ORD - DFW) $57+

San Diego Flights

• Flight San Jose - San Diego (SJC - SAN) $49+
• Flight Oakland - San Diego (OAK - SAN) $59+
• Flight Phoenix - San Diego (PHX - SAN) $59+
• Flight Portland - San Diego (PDX - SAN) $67+
• Flight Houston - San Diego (HOU - SAN) $68+
• Flight Houston - San Diego (IAH - SAN) $68+
• Flight San Francisco - San Diego (SFO - SAN) $72+

Frequently asked questions

What do i need to know before booking a flight.

There are various factors to consider when booking a flight including cost, fare classes, baggage policies, the complications of flying long haul, and complying with airport regulations. To make your booking journey smoother KAYAK has developed a comprehensive flight guide including insights on finding affordable flights, packing efficiently, and utilizing the best travel tools.

What is the cheapest day of the week to book a flight?

The best day to book your flight depends on a number of factors, but there are general trends that you can follow to increase your chances of cheaper plane tickets. Based on an analysis of KAYAK data for all flights departing from inside United States over the last 12 months, the cheapest day to fly for domestic flights is Wednesday. For international flights, Tuesday had the cheapest tickets on average.

Which month of the year are flight prices lowest?

It’s well established that flights in the low season are generally cheaper than ticket prices during the high season. That means that knowing which month to find the lowest priced plane tickets will depend heavily on seasonality and your destination. While avoiding peak travel times can help you keep costs down, our data shows that the month with the lowest priced plane tickets for domestic flights based on all searches made on KAYAK in the last 12 months was January, while the most expensive was July. If you’re booking an international flight, then January is the cheapest month to fly and June the most expensive.

When is the best time to buy plane tickets - Last minute or in advance?

Last minute flight deals are definitely up for grabs but when exactly to purchase your plane tickets will depend on where you’re traveling to and from. Based on all data for flight searches made on KAYAK over the last 12 months, prices for domestic flights remained below the average price up to 1 weeks before departure. For international flights, deals could still be had up to 1 weeks prior to the departure date, with prices remaining below average. If you’re flexible, KAYAK brings you both advance and last minute one-way and round-trip flight deals.

Can flying international flights with a layover save money on airfare?

For many long-haul international flights, flying non-stop is not possible and you will have to fly with a layover. Some routes will offer both and you could consider flying with a layover for a number of reasons. Firstly, breaking up what would otherwise be a long-haul flight, taking a rest and then completing the journey might make the flight more manageable. Secondly, prices can also be lower than non-stop flights, so while it might take longer for you to reach your destination, you could save money. We’ve looked at prices over the last 12 months for the 100 most popular international destinations for KAYAK users and on average, prices for non-stop flights were cheaper than flights with a layover.

How does KAYAK find such low flight prices?

KAYAK processes over 2 billion flight queries annually and displays results from hundreds of airlines and third party sites, allowing it to find a variety of flight prices and options. It also displays results from 2M+ properties along with rental cars, vacation packages, activities and millions of verified reviews so users can see as many available travel options as possible.

How do I find the best flight deals on KAYAK?

A simple flight search at https://www.kayak.com/flights scans for prices on hundreds of travel sites in seconds. We gather flight deals from across the web and put them in one place. Then on the search results page you can use various filters to compare options for the same flight and easily choose the best flight deal from all of the deals coming straight from the travel sites to your screen, with no extra fee from KAYAK.

How can Hacker Fares save me money?

Hacker Fares allow you to combine one-way tickets on different airlines when it can save you money over a traditional round-trip ticket.

Does KAYAK query more flight providers than competitors?

Yes, KAYAK has access to more data and information than online travel agencies and consistently outperforms the competition in accuracy, globally.

How does KAYAK's flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy?

KAYAK's flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a given destination and date is likely to change within 7 days, so travelers know whether to wait or book now.

What is KAYAK's "flexible dates" feature and why should I care?

Sometimes travel dates aren't set in stone. If your preferred travel dates have some wiggle room, flexible dates will show you flights up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. That way, you can see if leaving a day or two earlier will find you a better deal. You can also select the flexible "weekend" or "month" search options to widen your search range and find the cheapest price that works for you.

Search cheap flights with KAYAK. Search for the cheapest airline tickets for all the top airlines around the world, airports around the world and the top international flight routes . KAYAK searches hundreds of travel sites to help you find cheap airfare and book a flight that suits you best. Since KAYAK searches many plane tickets sites at once, you can find cheap tickets from cheap airlines and for trains and buses quickly.

KAYAK also helps you find the right hotels for your needs.

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock A locked padlock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

What International Travelers Should Know Before Visiting

Trusted traveler programs.

Which one is best for you?

CBP One™ Mobile Application

A single portal for multiple CBP services to streamline your experience.

CBP Releases Trade and Travel Fiscal Year 2021 Report

Agency Adapts to Secure and Facilitate Essential Trade and Travel amid Pandemic.

Almost a million times each day, CBP officers welcome international travelers into the U.S. In screening both foreign visitors and returning U.S. citizens, CBP uses a variety of techniques to assure that global tourism remains safe and strong. Descriptions of CBP processes and programs are available for first-time and frequent travelers.

For U.S. Citizens/Lawful Permanent Residents

If you are a U.S. citizen traveling abroad, get the information you need to smoothly navigate your return back into the U.S.

For International Visitors

If you are a visitor to the U.S. coming to work, study, conduct business or immigrate, get the Information you need to smoothly navigate the process and procedures to enter the U.S.

CBP's Trusted Traveler Programs provide expedited travel for pre-approved, low-risk travelers through dedicated lanes and kiosks.

Ready Lanes

If you are a traveler coming to the U.S. through a land border Port of Entry and have a Ready Lane-eligible document, get the information you need to experience significantly faster processing.

If you are a traveler coming to the U.S. through a land border Port of Entry and have a Ready Lane-eligible document, get the information you need to benefit from dedicated primary vehicle and pedestrian lanes and experience significantly faster processing.

EXPLORE. DREAM. DISCOVER.

Explore. dream. discover..

TRAVEL BLOG

DESTINATIONS

Thanks For Looking!

I'm David Leiter , the guy behind this website. I'm an American who's been traveling the world full time for 8 years now.

I started this travel blog in 2019 to document my own international trips, share my photos, and help others learn how to travel the world and find some really good spots off the beaten path.

I'm currently based in Bali , Indonesia , where I met my wife Intan, who’s a Bali local. Now she joins me on these wild and crazy adventures too.

Together, we've done some bucket list hikes , climbed active volcanoes , seen exotic wildlife , and visited some spectacular castles , temples , and monuments around the world.

I've worked with and been featured by BBC Travel , NBC News , Time , and other companies.

I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list. I hope this world travel blog can help and inspire you in your own journeys as well!

Travel Guides

Popular travel blog posts & guides

HOW TO VISIT THE PYRAMIDS IN EGYPT

NUSA PENIDA ISLAND GUIDE FOR BALI

22 BEST THINGS TO DO IN JAPAN

10 BEST THINGS TO DO AT MACHU PICCHU

PETRA JORDAN TRAVEL GUIDE

18 BEST WATERFALLS IN INDONESIA

25 BEST ISLANDS IN INDONESIA

37 BEST THINGS TO DO IN OAHU HAWAII

CORON PALAWAN ISLAND GUIDE

EL NIDO PALAWAN ISLAND GUIDE

KOMODO ISLAND GUIDE FOR INDONESIA

15 AMAZING WATERFALLS IN ICELAND

ANGKOR WAT GUIDE FOR CAMBODIA

BALI WATERFALLS MAP

24 BEST THINGS TO DO IN INDONESIA

HOW TO VISIT THE BALI MONKEY FOREST

HOW TO VISIT CHICHEN ITZA FROM CANCUN

BAGAN MYANMAR TRAVEL GUIDE

ZAKYNTHOS ISLAND GUIDE FOR GREECE

CAPPADOCIA TURKEY TRAVEL GUIDE

ANG THONG THAILAND GUIDE

PHI PHI ISLAND GUIDE FOR THAILAND

IGUAZU FALLS ARGENTINA & BRAZIL GUIDE

TIKAL TEMPLE GUIDE FOR GUATEMALA

FLYING OVER THE GREAT BLUE HOLE IN BELIZE

SANTORINI TRAVEL GUIDE FOR GREECE

ROCK ISLANDS SCENIC FLIGHT IN PALAU

Bucket list hiking guides

EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK IN NEPAL

ANGELS LANDING HIKE IN ZION

HUAYNA PICCHU HIKE IN PERU

25 BEST HIKES IN INDONESIA

TONGARIRO CROSSING IN NEW ZEALAND

TIGER'S NEST MONASTERY HIKE IN BHUTAN

26 BEST HIKES IN OAHU HAWAII

18 BEST SLOT CANYONS IN UTAH

STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN HIKE IN HAWAII

MOUNT FITZ ROY HIKE IN PATAGONIA

MOUNT BROMO CRATER IN INDONESIA

KAWAH IJEN VOLCANIC LAKE IN JAVA

PERITO MORENO GLACIER WALK

ACATENANGO VOLCANO HIKE IN GUATEMALA

HALF DOME HIKE IN YOSEMITE

23 BEST HIKES IN UTAH

Recent posts, fulidhoo island guide: shark & stingray beach in maldives, how to visit dhigurah island: budget paradise in maldives, 10 best hikes in aruba: family friendly trails, how to visit tanjung puting national park in indonesia, lower antelope canyon tour review & photos, sanur bali travel guide: 24 best things to do, coron vs el nido: which is better all differences explained, banggai islands travel guide & itinerary for sulawesi, destinations.

Pick a country and start exploring!

UNITED STATES

PHILIPPINES

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

Get In Touch

Feel free to contact me if you have travel questions, comments, or suggestions! I'll try to get back to you!

• Best overall
• Best for exotic trips
• Best for trip interruption
• Best for medical-only coverage
• Best for family coverage
• Best for long trips
• Why You Should Trust Us

Best International Travel Insurance for June 2024

Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate insurance products to write unbiased product reviews.

If you're planning your next vacation or trip out of the country, be sure to factor in travel insurance. Unexpected medical emergencies when traveling can drain your bank account, especially when you're traveling internationally. The best travel insurance companies for international travel can step in to provide you with peace of mind and financial protection while you're abroad.

Best International Travel Insurance

• Best overall: Allianz Travel Insurance
• Best for exotic travel: World Nomads Travel Insurance
• Best for trip interruption coverage: C&F Travel Insured
• Best for medical-only coverage: GeoBlue Travel Insurance
• Best for families: Travelex Travel Insurance
• Best for long-term travel: Seven Corners Travel Insurance

Compare the Best International Travel Insurance Companies

As a general rule, the most important coverage to have in a foreign country is travel medical insurance , as most U.S. health insurance policies don't cover you while you're abroad. Without travel medical coverage, a medical emergency in a foreign country can cost you. You'll want trip cancellation and interruption coverage if your trip is particularly expensive. And if you're traveling for an extended period of time, you'll want to ensure that your policy is extendable. 

Here are our picks for the best travel insurance companies for international travel.

Best International Travel Insurance Overall

Allianz travel insurance.

Allianz Travel Insurance  offers the ultimate customizable coverage for international trips, whether you're a frequent jetsetter or an occasional traveler. You can choose from an a la carte of single or multi-trip plans, as well as add-ons, including rental car damage, cancel for any reason (CFAR) , adventure sport, and business travel coverage. And with affordable pricing compared to competitors, Allianz is a budget-friendly choice for your international travel insurance needs. 

The icing on the cake is Allyz TravelSmart, Allianz's highly-rated mobile app, which has an average rating of 4.4 out of five stars on the Google Play store across over 2,600 reviews and 4.8 out of five stars from over 22,000 reviews on the Apple app store. So, you can rest easy knowing that you can access your policy and file claims anywhere in the world without a hassle.

Read our Allianz Travel Insurance review .

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Good option for frequent travelers thanks to its annual multi-trip policies
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Doesn't increase premium for trips longer than 30 days, meaning it could be one of the more affordable options for a long trip
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Some plans include free coverage for children 17 and under
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Concierge included with some plans
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Coverage for medical emergency is lower than some competitors' policies
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Plans don't include coverage contact sports and high-altitude activities
• Single and multi-trip plans available
• Trip cancellation and interruption coverage starting at up to $10,000 (higher limits with more expensive plans)
• Preexisting medical condition coverage available with some plans

Best International Travel Insurance for Exotic Trips

World nomads travel insurance.

World Nomads Travel Insurance  offers coverage for over 150 specific activities, so you can focus on the adventure without worrying about gaps in your coverage. 

You can select its budget-friendly standard plan, starting at $79. Or if you're an adrenaline junkie seeking more thrills, you can opt for the World Nomads' Explorer plan for $120, which includes extra sports like skydiving, scuba diving, and heli-skiing. And World Nomads offers 24/7 assistance, so you can confidently travel abroad, knowing that help is just a phone call away. 

Read our World Nomads Travel Insurance review .

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Coverage for 200+ activities like skiing, surfing, and rock climbing
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Only two plans to choose from, making it simple to find the right option
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. You can purchase coverage even after your trip has started
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. If your trip costs more than $10,000, you may want to choose other insurance because trip protection is capped at up to $10,000 (for the Explorer plan)
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Doesn't offer coverage for travelers older than 70
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. No Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) option
• Coverage for 150+ activities and sports
• 2 plans: Standard and Explorer
• Trip protection for up to $10,000
• Emergency medical insurance of up to $100,000
• Emergency evacuation coverage for up to $500,000
• Coverage to protect your items (up to $3,000)

Best International Travel Insurance for Trip Interruption

C&f travel insured.

C&F Travel Insured offers 100% coverage for trip cancellation, up to 150% for trip interruption, and reimbursement for up to 75% of your non-refundable travel costs with select plans. This means you don't have to worry about losing your hard-earned money on non-refundable travel costs if your trip ends prematurely. 

Travel Insured also stands out for its extensive "reasons for cancellation" coverage. Unlike many insurers, the company covers hurricane warnings from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Read our C&F Travel Insured review .

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Offers 2 major plans including CFAR coverage on the more expensive option
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Cancellation for job loss included as a covered reason for trip cancellation/interruption (does not require CFAR coverage to qualify)
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Frequent traveler reward included in both policies
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Up to $1 million in medical evacuation coverage available
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Medical coverage is only $100,000
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Reviews on claims processing indicate ongoing issues
• C&F's Travel Insured policies allow travelers customize travel insurance to fit their specific needs. Frequent travelers may benefit from purchasing an annual travel insurance plan, then adding on CFAR coverage for any portions of travel that may incur greater risk.

Best International Travel Insurance for Medical Coverage

Geoblue travel insurance.

GeoBlue Travel Insurance offers policies that covers emergency medical treatments when you're abroad. While GeoBlue lacks trip cancellation coverage, that allows it to charge lower premiums than the other companies on this list. 

GeoBlue plans can cover medical expenses up to $1 million with several multi-trip annual plans available. It offers coinsurance plans for trips within the U.S. and 100% coverage for international trips. It also has a network of clinics in 180 countries, streamlining the claims process. It's worth noting that coverage for pre-existing conditions comes with additional costs. 

Read our GeoBlue Travel Insurance review .

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. A subsidary of Blue Cross Blue Shield
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Offers strong medical plans as long as you have a regular health insurance plan, but it doesn't have to be through Blue Cross
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Offers long-term and multi-trip travel protection
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Multiple complaints about claims not being paid or being denied
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Does not provide some of the more comprehensive coverage like CFAR insurance
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Buyers who do get claims paid may need to file multiple claim forms

Best International Travel Insurance for Family Coverage

Travelex travel insurance.

Travelex Travel Insurance offers coverage for your whole crew, perfect for when you're planning a family trip. Its family plan insures all your children 17 and under at no additional cost. The travel insurance provider also offers add-ons like adventure sports and car rental collision coverage to protect your family under any circumstance. Got pets? With Travelex's Travel Select plan, you can also get coverage for your furry friend's emergency medical and transportation expenses. 

Read our Travelex Travel Insurance review .

Trip cancellation coverage for up to 100% of the trip cost and trip interruption coverage for up to 150% of the trip cost

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Options to cover sports equipment
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Option to increase medical coverage
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Can cancel up to 48 hours before travel when CFAR option is purchased
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Affordable coverage for budget-conscious travelers
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Includes generous baggage delay, loss and trip delay coverage
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Optional "adventure sports" bundle available for riskier activities
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Only two insurance plans to choose from
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Medical coverage maximum is low at up to $50,000 per person
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Pricier than some competitors with lower coverage ceilings
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Some competitors offer higher medical emergency coverage

Travelex travel insurance is one of the largest travel insurance providers in the US providing domestic and international coverage options. It offers a basic, select, and America option. Read on to learn more.

• Optional CFAR insurance available with the Travel Select plan
• Trip delay insurance starting at $500 with the Travel Basic plan
• Emergency medical and dental coverage starting at $15,000

Best International Travel Insurance for Long Trips

Seven corners travel insurance.

Seven Corners Travel Insurance offers specialized coverage that the standard short-term travel insurance policy won't provide, which is helpful if you're embarking on a long-term trip. You can choose from several plans, including the Annual Multi-Trip plan, which provides medical coverage for multiple international trips for up to 364 days. This policy also offers COVID-19 medical and evacuation coverage up to $1 million. 

You also get the added benefit of incidental expense coverage. This policy will cover remote health-related services and information, treatment of injury or illness, and live consultations via telecommunication. 

Read our Seven Corners Travel Insurance review .

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Diverse coverage options such as CFAR, optional sports equipment coverage, etc.
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Available in all 50 states
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Prices are higher than many competitors
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Reviews around claims processing are mixed
• Trip cancellation insurance of up to 100% of the trip cost
• Trip interruption insurance of up to 150% of the trip cost
• Cancel for any reason (CFAR) insurance available

How to Find the Right International Travel Insurance Company 

Different travelers and trips require different types of insurance coverage. So, consider these tips if you're in the market to insure your trip. 

Determine your needs 

Your needs for travel insurance will depend on the type of trip you're taking. You'll need to consider your destination and what you'll be doing there, either business, leisure, or adventure traveling. Policies covering adventure sports and activities will cost more. Longer, more expensive trips will also cost more. 

Research the reputation of the company 

When researching a company, you'll want to closely review the description of services. You'll want to see how claims are handled, any exceptions, and limitations.

You'll also want to look at the company's customer reviews on sites like Trustpilot, BBB, and Squaremouth, as this will provide insight on the quality of customer service and the claims process. You should also take note of whether companies respond to customer reviews.

Compare prices

You can get quotes through a company's website or travel insurance aggregators like InsureMyTrip and VisitorsCoverage. You'll need to be prepared to provide the following information about your trip:

• Trip destination(s)
• Travel dates
• Number of travelers
• Traveler(s) age/birthday
• State of residence
• Total trip cost

For companies that offer travel medical insurance, you'll also want to play around with the deductible options, as they can affect your policy premium. 

Understanding International Travel Insurance Coverage Options

Travel insurance can be confusing, but we're here to simplify it for you. We'll break down the industry's jargon to help you understand what travel insurance covers to help you decide what your policy needs. Bear in mind that exclusions and limitations for your age and destination may apply. 

Finding the Best Price for International Travel Insurance

Your policy cost will depend on several factors, such as the length of your trip, destination, coverage limits, and age. Typically, a comprehensive policy includes travel cancellation coverage costs between 5% and 10% of your total trip cost.

If you're planning an international trip that costs $4,500, you can expect to pay anywhere from $225 to $450 for your policy. Comparing quotes from multiple providers can help you find a budget-friendly travel insurance policy that meets your needs.

Why You Should Trust Us: How We Reviewed International Travel Insurance Companies

We ranked and assigned superlatives to the best travel insurance companies based on our insurance rating methodology . It focuses on several key factors, including: 

• Policy types: We analyzed company offerings such as coverage levels, exclusions, and policy upgrades, taking note of providers that offer a range of travel-related issues beyond the standard coverages. 
• Affordability: We recognize that cheap premiums don't necessarily equate to sufficient coverage. So, we seek providers that offer competitive rates with comprehensive policies and quality customer service. We also call out any discounts or special offers available. 
• Flexibility: Travel insurance isn't one-size-fits-all. We highlight providers that offer a wide array of coverage options, including single-trip, multi-trip, and long-term policies.
• Claims handling: The claims process should be pain-free for policyholders. We seek providers that offer a streamlined process via online claims filing and a track record of handling claims fairly and efficiently. 
• Quality customer service: Good customer service is as important as affordability and flexibility. We highlight companies that offer 24/7 assistance and have a strong record of customer service responsiveness. 

We consult user feedback and reviews to determine how each company fares in each category. We also check the provider's financial rating and volume of complaints via third-party rating agencies. 

Read more about how Business Insider rates insurance products here.

International Travel Insurance FAQs

The best insurance policy depends on your individual situation, including your destination and budget. However, popular options include Allianz Travel Insurance, World Nomads, and Travel Guard. 

You should pay attention to any limitations regarding covered cancellations, pre-existing conditions, and adventure activities. For example, if you're worried you may have to cancel a trip for work reasons, ensure that you've worked at your company long enough to qualify for cancellation coverage, as that is a condition with some insurers. You should also see if your destination has any travel advisories, as that can affect your policy. 

Typically, your regular health insurance won't cover you out of the country, so you'll want to make sure your travel insurance has adequate medical emergency coverage. Depending on your travel plans, you may want to purchase add-ons, such as adventure sports coverage, if you're planning on doing anything adventurous like bungee jumping.

Travel insurance is worth the price for international travel because they're generally more expensive, so you have more to lose. Additionally, your regular health insurance won't cover you in other countries, so without travel insurance, you'll end up paying out of pocket for any emergency medical care you receive out of the US.

You should purchase travel insurance as soon as possible after making payment on your trip. This makes you eligible for add-ons like coverage for pre-existing conditions and CFAR. It also mitigates the chance of any losses in the days leading up to your trip. 

• Main content

An official website of the United States government

Here's how you know

The .gov means it’s official. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

The site is secure. A lock ( ) or https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Keyboard Navigation

• Agriculture and Food Security
• Anti-Corruption
• Conflict Prevention and Stabilization
• Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance
• Economic Growth and Trade
• Environment, Energy, and Infrastructure
• Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment
• Global Health
• Humanitarian Assistance
• Innovation, Technology, and Research
• Water and Sanitation
• Burkina Faso
• Central Africa Regional
• Central African Republic
• Côte d’Ivoire
• Democratic Republic of the Congo
• East Africa Regional
• Power Africa
• Republic of the Congo
• Sahel Regional
• Sierra Leone
• South Africa
• South Sudan
• Southern Africa Regional
• West Africa Regional
• Afghanistan
• Central Asia Regional
• Indo-Pacific
• Kyrgyz Republic
• Pacific Islands
• Philippines
• Regional Development Mission for Asia
• Timor-Leste
• Turkmenistan
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• North Macedonia
• Central America and Mexico Regional Program
• Dominican Republic
• Eastern and Southern Caribbean
• El Salvador
• Middle East Regional Platform
• West Bank and Gaza
• Dollars to Results
• Data Resources
• Strategy & Planning
• Budget & Spending
• Performance and Financial Reporting
• FY 2023 Agency Financial Report
• Records and Reports
• Budget Justification
• Our Commitment to Transparency
• Policy and Strategy
• How to Work with USAID
• Find a Funding Opportunity
• Organizations That Work With USAID
• Resources for Partners
• Get involved
• Business Forecast
• Safeguarding and Compliance
• Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility
• Mission, Vision and Values
• News & Information
• Operational Policy (ADS)
• Organization
• Stay Connected
• USAID History
• Video Library
• Coordinators
• Nondiscrimination Notice and Civil Rights
• Collective Bargaining Agreements
• Disabilities Employment Program
• Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey
• Reasonable Accommodations
• Urgent Hiring Needs
• Vacancy Announcements
• Search Search Search

Travel Assistant

Opening and closing dates.

The Travel Assistant is responsible for providing a full range of travel services for USAID/ Cameroon, including developing, organizing, and managing official travel requirements through a travel agency; providing informed advice to Cameroon staff on USG travel rules and regulations covering all aspects of travel, including on-going changes that may affect staff travel; preparation and submission of Travel Authorizations (TAs); coordination of required vehicles and scheduling pick-up and drop-off times; coordination for temporary accommodations for TDY visitors; and ensuring all travel related files contain up to date information.

Bureau/Office

Pay scale/grade, eligibility, share this page.

Security Alert May 17, 2024

Worldwide caution, update may 10, 2024, information for u.s. citizens in the middle east.

• Travel Advisories |
• Contact Us |
• MyTravelGov |

Find U.S. Embassies & Consulates

Travel.state.gov, congressional liaison, special issuance agency, u.s. passports, international travel, intercountry adoption, international parental child abduction, records and authentications, popular links, travel advisories, mytravelgov, stay connected, legal resources, legal information, info for u.s. law enforcement, replace or certify documents.

Before You Go

Learn About Your Destination

While Abroad

Emergencies

Share this page:

Where Are You Traveling?

Additional Travel Information

List of U.S. Embassies and Consulates

Information by Travel Type

Traveler's Checklist

What the Department of State Can and Can't Do in a Crisis

Your Health Abroad

Driving and Road Safety Abroad

Lodging Safety

Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics

Afghanistan

Antigua and Barbuda

Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba

Bosnia and Herzegovina

British Virgin Islands

Burkina Faso

Burma (Myanmar)

Cayman Islands

Central African Republic

Cote d Ivoire

Curaçao

Czech Republic

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Dominican Republic

El Salvador

Equatorial Guinea

Eswatini (Swaziland)

Falkland Islands

France (includes Monaco)

French Guiana

French Polynesia

French West Indies

Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint Martin, and Saint Barthélemy (French West Indies)

Guinea-Bissau

Isle of Man

Israel, The West Bank and Gaza

Liechtenstein

Marshall Islands

Netherlands

New Caledonia

New Zealand

North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea)

Papua New Guinea

Philippines

Republic of North Macedonia

Republic of the Congo

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Saint Lucia

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Sao Tome and Principe

Saudi Arabia

Sierra Leone

Sint Maarten

Solomon Islands

South Africa

South Korea

South Sudan

Switzerland

The Bahamas

Timor-Leste

Trinidad and Tobago

Turkmenistan

Turks and Caicos Islands

United Arab Emirates

United Kingdom

Vatican City (Holy See)

External Link

You are about to leave travel.state.gov for an external website that is not maintained by the U.S. Department of State.

Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the U.S. Department of State of the views or products contained therein. If you wish to remain on travel.state.gov, click the "cancel" message.

You are about to visit:

METROLINK NEWS

Metrolink’s New ONT Connect Ticket Option Simplifies Travel to and from Ontario International Airport

Search metrolink news.

LOS ANGELES — Metrolink and local transportation partners are making car-free travel to and from the Ontario International Airport (ONT) more convenient for travelers. Beginning today, customers can purchase Metrolink tickets with ONT Connect as an origin or destination to enjoy seamless train-to-plane connections via a direct and free shuttle. This new ticketing enhancement creates a more convenient travel experience for passengers transferring between Metrolink’s San Bernardino Line and the ONT Connect shuttle service, which is operated by Omnitrans . The shuttle, free with a Metrolink ticket, provides non-stop service between Metrolink’s Rancho Cucamonga Station and ONT Terminals 2 and 4.

With this new through-ticketing integration, Metrolink is simplifying the customer experience from beginning to end. Travelers can use any Metrolink ticket machine or the Metrolink Mobile App to purchase fare to or from the Ontario Airport, designating ONT Connect as either their point of origin or destination, and will be able to board both services using a single ticket. Metrolink’s online interactive scheduling tool will also display transfers to ONT Connect shuttles to help travelers plan.

"The Metrolink and ONT Connect ticketing integration marks a significant milestone in enhancing connectivity and accessibility for travelers in our region,” Metrolink Board Director, City of Ontario Councilmember and President of the Ontario International Airport Authority Board of Commissioners Alan D. Wapner said. “We are excited to elevate the Ontario International Airport's visibility as a premier destination, improving the overall travel experience for people traveling through San Bernardino County and reinforcing our commitment to offering transportation solutions and increasing customer satisfaction."

ONT Connect was launched by Omnitrans and the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) in August 2022 to improve public transportation access to the Ontario Airport. Metrolink also connects passengers directly to the Hollywood Burbank Airport and to the LAX FlyAway ® service through L.A. Union Station. FlyAway® buses run daily, including every 30 minutes during peak hours.

To learn more about Metrolink’s airport connections, visit metrolinktrains.com/airports .

About Metrolink  ( metrolinktrains.com )

Metrolink regional passenger rail service offers reliable, safe, affordable, and environmentally sustainable transportation throughout an interconnected six-county network. Metrolink has 545.6 total service line miles and 67 stations across Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, and San Diego counties, connecting people, communities, and businesses and serving as an essential link in the region’s mobility landscape. Metrolink also operates the Arrow service, a nine-mile extension of the San Bernardino County Line linking the cities of San Bernardino and Redlands