Important Information For International Travel
Make sure your passport is up to date and apply for a new one if needed!
Remember: many countries require that your passport be valid for at least 6 months after your scheduled departure date from the country and has at least 2 blank visa pages - so make sure you are planning ahead! (example: going to Paris from September 1-10, 2020? Your passport must be valid through March 10, 2021 at a minimum)
U.S. State Department - Country Information
Visit this site for the latest visa and passport requirements of your destination(s).
U.S. State Department - Travel Advisories
Obtain the latest worldwide travel announcements and advisories straight from the State Department.
Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)
Enroll in STEP before each time you travel internationally to make sure the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate is aware you are visiting the country. This is a free service for all U.S. citizens that allows you to receive important information from the local Embassy about safety conditions in your destination country in real time, and alerts them that you are on the ground in case an emergency occurs.
Full list of all U.S. Embassies and Consulates around the world - because you just never know when you may need to contact one!
Make sure you are clear on the Center for Disease Control's recommended health precautions and warnings for travelers to destinations worldwide.
Check this list to see if you need any vaccinations or should take any medications before/while visiting certain countries
Does the CDC say you should get a vaccination? Are you confused as to what vaccines are required vs. recommended? Passport Health can help. Make an appointment at one of their clinics across the U.S. and they will help you navigate your options, provide you with the vaccines that are right for you, and can write prescriptions for travel medications such as malaria pills, motion sickness medicine, etc. While you may be able to get popular vaccines such a tetanus shots at your local doctor, not all doctors offices carry on hand the necessary vaccines you may need - so don’t leave wait till the last minute to get your travel immunizations in order.
Navigate the Airport Like A Pro
Get through security faster by signing up for an annual CLEAR membership
US Customs & Border Protection Trusted Traveler Programs
No more taking off your shoes through security or waiting in long customs line getting back from abroad - find full program details and application links to TSA PreCheck and Global Entry
Don’t want to invest in Global Entry yet? Navigate through customs quickly with the Mobile Passport App.
Authorized by US Customs and Border Protection, Mobile Passport allows you to bypass the lines at over 24 US airports, making re-entry a breeze. Complete your profile within the app before traveling and use it as your immigration form upon your return from overseas. Simply open the app, answer a few questions, receive a time stamped receipt, and follow the signs to the designated Mobile Passport Control line. Show your passport to the Customs officer, scan the barcode on the receipt and you’re done - it’s as easy as that!
Looking for time to kill before your flight or during a layover? No better time to find a peaceful place to rest in an airport lounge. LoungeBuddy provides access to 170 lounges worldwide on a pay-by-use basis. Just search where you are, book a lounge, and relax!
Many classic travel credit cards, such as the Amex Platinum and Chase Sapphire Reserve, offer members Priority Pass memberships. If you are a lucky member, you can use the site search lounges before and download the app to never forget your membership card at home again!
Never find yourself in a non-reclining seat or without an electrical plug again! Use Seat Guru to find everything you ever wanted to know about various aircrafts and seat assignments.
Discover where in the world your flight (or family/friends) is, and make sure it is running on-time!
For AvGeeks and data lovers - track all of your flights in one consolidated place for a complete overview of your flying history. Our favorite statistic - see how close you are to flying the distance to the Moon (or Mars!).
Helpful Travel Tools
Navigate most of the world’s major cities with Citymapper. From best walking, public transport or driving routes - you won’t be left wandering aimlessly.
Plus signs and multiple 0s can get confusing. Find the best way to dial an international phone number here.
Markets can be volatile. Stay up to date with the latest currency conversions with XE Currency Converter.
If you have a severe food allergy or dietary restriction, download and print a Food Allergy Chef Card in the foreign language of where you will be traveling. This will make sure you can accurately communicate your food requirements to a restaurant chef or manager, no matter where you go.
Google Translate - also available for iPhone or Android
Don’t be left lost in translation! Google Translate can actually be a lifesaver on the road. For best use, be sure to download languages to be able to use in offline mode, even when you don’t have your phone data on.
Have a menu in Cyrillic? Place the app’s camera over the menu and watch the letters rearrange like magic to translate into English right before your eyes. Not communicating well with your taxi driver? Speak into the app’s microphone to have your conversation translated instantly. Seriously do not be caught abroad without this.
Check out Wanderful Journeys’ packing lists to make sure you don’t forget any essentials at home, no matter where you are headed!
Connect with friends, family and your tour guides/hotels via the free secure messaging app - you just need internet or data and you can text/call/video message with anyone worldwide. Great for group chats and keeping those back home updated while you travel.
Check what time it is back home before waking someone up in the middle of the night! Or see if restaurants in Sydney are open to make reservations. The world time zone list is surprisingly handy while traveling or preparing for your trip.
Need to know what kind of electrical converter you need while abroad? Find the full global list of converters by country here and never be surprised when you arrive in a destination.