Taking a trip abroad is a wonderful experience. Alone or with others, it is an opportunity to discover a new culture, practice a different language, and enrich yourself personally… But, to ensure everything goes smoothly, it is important to prepare this trip well in advance! Here is our checklist on the subject to help you organize your getaway abroad.
The different administrative formalities
Depending on where you plan to go, you will need a valid passport. You will not need one in Europe or in countries within the Schengen area. However, for a trip to Asia, America, Africa, or Oceania, you will need to apply for a passport if yours is not up to date or if you do not have one.
So remember to check the expiration date of your current passport to renew it if necessary.
Another obligation to consider: whether or not you need a visa. Some countries require one to enter their territory, others require one for long-term stays.
Japan, for example, does not require a visa for stays under three months. Again, be proactive by applying for your visa several weeks in advance. This is done in France, at the embassy or consulate of the foreign country where you plan to travel.
For safety, consider scanning all your documents (ID, passport, visa…) to keep a digital copy easily accessible from your phone, computer, or on a secure Cloud.
Plane tickets or other transportation
If you plan to travel quite far, it is very likely that you will need to take a plane or at least a train. It is difficult to get to Argentina by car or bike… Again, anticipation is key. Researching well in advance will allow you to benefit from fares sometimes half as expensive as usual on your tickets.
Ideally, choose dates outside of tourist seasons if possible. To give the example of Japan again, know that by traveling in October, you will find much cheaper tickets than in May for example, and you will avoid both the August/September heatwave and the winter cold from December to March.
Once there, you will need to be able to get around. Do you plan to rent a car? Or use public transportation? This brings us to our next point: the itinerary.
The importance of the itinerary
While some of us love to go on an adventure without a specific goal and discover everything “as we go,” it is still advisable to organize an itinerary. Why? To avoid missing out on must-see places, picturesque spots, or temporary events that might take place during your stay!
Perhaps you will even choose your travel dates based on the festivities available in the destination country?
Organizing your itinerary will allow you to better optimize your routes, spending less time in cars or subways and more time visiting what you want to discover!
Moreover, a predefined itinerary is crucial for booking your accommodations and tickets for certain attractions such as museums or shows.
Planning your accommodation
When traveling for several days, weeks, or even months, you will definitely need somewhere to stay! To find the right accommodation(s), don’t hesitate to consult relevant websites. You can also ask friends or family who have been to the same country and city.
These recommendations also apply to knowing what to visit during your upcoming trip.
There are many types of accommodation: hotel, bed and breakfast, Airbnb, as well as more “traditional” lodgings, such as Japanese Ryokans.
It’s up to you to decide whether you are looking for comfort, simplicity, or closeness to the locals. For example, a room in a local’s home can be interesting if you speak the country’s language and want to practice it! Traditional accommodation will allow you to better immerse yourself in the country’s culture.
Finally, for a very short stay, and if you are only there to sleep, a hotel might be more suitable.
However, it all depends on your desires, your way of doing things, and of course your overall budget!
