Tips for Traveling Abroad

Making plans to travel abroad? Here are a few tips to assist you with your comfort and safety along your journey. 

Before you go

Safeguard Your Documents! Make copies of all your travel documents.  Leave one copy with a trusted friend or relative and carry the other separately from your original documents.  Also take a photograph of your travel documents with your phone to have an electronic copy.

Medications: Some prescription drugs (including narcotics) and some U.S. over-the-counter medications are illegal in other countries. Check with the embassy of your destination(s) about regulations and documentation before you travel.

Importance of Travel Insurance

The U.S. government does not provide insurance for U.S. citizens overseas. They do not pay medical bills or unexpected costs and highly recommend that you purchase travel insurance before you travel to cover emergency medical care, either as part of or separate from trip cancellation insurance.

Get Informed

Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP): Enroll at step.state.gov to receive travel and security updates about your destination and make it easier for the U.S. State Department to reach you in case of an emergency.

Money Matters: Before going abroad, notify your bank and credit card companies of your travel, and check exchange rates. For information about using cash, debit/credit cards, and ATMs overseas, read the country information page for your destination.

Beware of scams

U.S. citizens can become victims of scams at home or abroad. Many scams exist. They all share a common goal: monetary gain for the scammers. Visit the travel.state.gov website for more information on scams common in your destination country. 

 

Download the U.S State Department Traveler's Checklist (pdf)

Download the U.S. State Department Handout for Older Travelers (pdf)

 

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Source: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/before-you-go/travelers-checklist.html