AARP Smart Guide to International Travel

PACKING

20. Rewear your wardrobe

When it comes to what to pack for international travel, Rylander has a tip: “Don’t be afraid to rewear things,” she says. “I think people tend to overpack because they want options, but you’re traveling and you’re not going to see most people more than once.” Even if you do, she notes, they know you’re on the road. Opt for a mix-and-match wardrobe instead of a brand new outfit each day. Use packing cubes or vacuum-seal bags (most come with a small pump) and save room for souvenirs!

21. Study the weather

Nothing’s worse than getting to a destination and realizing you packed for the wrong conditions. “Check the extended weather forecast,” Rylander says, noting she looks at both long-term destination weather trends via Google and the extended forecast via her phone’s weather app, which is typically available seven to 10 days in advance. A plastic poncho and small umbrella may save a lot of grief.

22. Always bring a carry-on

More travelers in transit means there are more opportunities for your bags to get lost. “During a season when airports are busy, it’s important to pack in a carry-on, especially if you’re not staying in the same place the whole time,” Rylander says. If your bag gets lost, it can take a few days to reach you. Pack an extra pair of clothing, toothbrush and other essentials such as medication in your carry-on in case checked luggage is late or lost. Either take a carry-on if you’re destination hopping or build extra time into your arrival destination if you can’t avoid a checked bag. This allows time for a missing bag to reach you.

23. Have your tech figured out

It’s highly likely you’ll need a universal power adapter to charge devices, and there are multiple models to choose from. Most cost about $50 or less. Although you’ll save on space by purchasing a universal adapter, most don’t have grounding — so your best bet may be on getting a pack of individual adapters. Don’t forget a set of USB-C charging cables. If you’re going to try to sleep on the plane or just need to feel more isolated, bring along noise-canceling headphones. 

24. Monitor luggage

After 2022’s frenzy of misplaced luggage, travelers rely on small tracking devices to keep tabs on their checked belongings. This provides peace of mind when you’re checking a bag, says Kaleigh Kirkpatrick, founder of luxury travel agency The Shameless Tourist. That said, knowing where the luggage is may not expedite your receipt of it. “Airlines have their systems and procedures they must follow when locating lost luggage,” Kirkpatrick says. “It can be extremely frustrating, but it is helpful knowing when it does finally reach its final destination.” AirTags connect to your Apple devices. Similar brands include Tile Stickers, Cube Trackers and Chipolo ONE Point devices.

25. Print your travel essentials

“I make copies of all of my travel documents: credit cards, driver’s license, Global Entry and passport,” Sandberg says. Keeping copies in your luggage — but away from the original documents — is important, especially if your valuables or wallet gets stolen. If you lose your passport, you will have to go to the nearest embassy to report it. Having a copy of your passport, either printed or digital, will help expedite the cumbersome and potentially lengthy process of obtaining a new one.

26. Understand international airline baggage restrictions

U.S. airlines can sometimes be lenient in regard to carry-on bag sizes, but don’t expect the same treatment abroad. “Always read the fine print,” Kirkpatrick says. Rules can vary by country and by airline. Look at the restrictions ahead of time and prepare yourself, or look at baggage alternatives, such as upgrading for additional luggage allowance, if needed.

27. Consider wrapping your luggage

International airport terminals often feature kiosks such as Seal & Go, TrueStar and Secure Wrap, which offer to wrap a layer of cellophane around your luggage for about $20. It feels more secure, but is it necessary? To some, yes. The wrap can keep bags from opening and provide an extra layer of protection — staving off bad weather, nicks and scuffs and potentially deterring would-be thieves. But it’s not TSA-proof. If checkpoint screeners see something questionable in their scanner, they’ll cut off the wrap. And from an environmental perspective, always dispose of the wrap in a recycling bin, or you can save and reuse the plastic wrap for other flights. 

 

IN TRANSIT

28. Drink water, pack snacks and wear compression socks

One of Al-Hazzá’s keys to touching down in a new country fresh and healthy? Proper hydration. “Drink plenty of water and bring a few healthy snacks to eat instead of the carb- and sodium-heavy airplane food,” she says. According to Richard, it’s wise to get up from your seat regularly for a stroll. “Long plane rides can wreak havoc on your body,” she says. “Don’t be shy about standing up and walking or shaking your legs every couple of hours.” Consider bringing along hydration powder packets, which are easy to add to a bottle of water and give a bit more of a hydrating boost. Pedialyte, Gatorade, Propel, DripDrop and Liquid I.V. are just some of the options. In addition, compression socks can be extremely helpful for maintaining blood flow and reducing swelling.

29. Clean your seat

The airport crews may disinfect the plane before boarding, but Al-Hazzá recommends taking hygiene into your own hands — particularly on long flights where your seat becomes your makeshift bed. “Cleaning off your armrests and tray table when you first sit down with antibacterial wipes makes a difference and only takes two minutes,” she says.

30. Avoid jet lag

You may feel like a dishrag after a long-haul overnight flight, but Richard says it’s important to stay awake so you can adjust to the local time zone and avoid jet lag. “It’s not fun, but it works,” she says. Once in your seat, set your watch to your destination’s time, and eat meals on local time. To give yourself a reason to stay awake, try booking an easy walking tour for your first day. Al-Hazzá suggests adjusting your time zone back at home in the days leading up to your trip. “It helps a lot,” she says. When flying west, look to arrive in your new time zone in the evening, closer to bedtime. To help reset your internal clock, avoid naps longer than 30 minutes.

31. Leave adequate time for airport lines

Preparing for airport crowds and long lines at security and customs checkpoints is important. “When you book a flight, make sure you have enough time for customs,” Al-Hazzá says. “I’d say a minimum of two hours. You don’t know what kind of customs lines you’ll run into.” Equally important: Build in plenty of time for your return flight, especially if you’re used to breezing through your home airport’s TSA Pre-Check lane, as this service is not offered at overseas airports.

32. Don’t pack souvenirs in checked luggage

Be strategic about your souvenirs, and if you’ve acquired a valuable or potentially breakable item, Al-Hazzá says to hand-carry it. Packing a fold-up duffel or spare canvas bag is particularly helpful for safely toting souvenirs home.

33. How to get a flight-delay refund

While the U.S. doesn’t offer refunds or reimbursements for flight disruptions, you are entitled to compensation for delays in Europe, Sandberg says. “There are companies that focus on that exact thing, and they can determine whether you’re owed compensation or not, based on travel times of a particular flight,” he says, noting they process the reimbursement application for a fee. Some services that offer this include AirHelp, Skycop, and ClaimCompass. You can also apply for a reimbursement directly with the airline.

34. Hire a VIP meet-and-greet service

One of the best ways to get your trip off to a good start? Hire help. “I recommend splurging on VIP meet-and-greet services that are offered internationally to expedite the [customs] process,” Kirkpatrick says. Adding to the arrival ease, book a car service to get you from the airport to your hotel, so you can avoid navigating train systems or rideshare regulations after a long flight.

 

SMART TRAVEL

35. Mind your manners (and voice level) 

Travel is a time to let loose and have fun, but while you’re doing so, remember to be polite and monitor your voice volume, Al-Hazzá says. “Don’t be loud when having conversations,” she says. “It screams tourist.” This is particularly important in enclosed places, such as museums or restaurants, so be sure to read the room and be mindful of others around you.

36. Know your surroundings

It’s easy to get lost in the moment — that’s what travel is all about — but don’t get too distracted, Al-Hazzá says. “Always look people in the eye and know who’s around you,” she says. “This should be a given, but also don’t go to deserted areas at night.” Additionally, be smart about your belongings. You don’t have to use a money belt, but use bags and purses that have locking zippers and or compartments or can be worn cross-body style — anything to deter a potential pickpocket. Large cities such as Barcelona, Paris, Madrid and Rome boast busy city centers with many distractions — and a lot of opportunities to be separated from your phone and wallet.

37. Get cash from a trustworthy ATM

Don’t get your cash supply from that sketchy side-of-the-road ATM. Instead, Richard says, head to the local bank. “Use an official bank ATM, preferably one inside the bank with cameras for safety,” she says. Additionally, look for debit cards that offer international fee-free withdrawals before your trip.

38. Purchase in the local currency

Before you go to pay for a meal or souvenir, heed Richard’s payment advice: “When a store lets you choose between being charged in local currency or U.S. dollars, go for the local currency. Your credit card will adjust the cost for you automatically based on the official exchange rate of the day.”

39. Download offline maps

If you’re the navigator of your travel group, or you’re heading out solo, make sure to download offline maps of your destination before you leave home, Rylander says. On Google Maps, you can download a full city map or even a country map to use without cell service. To do this, open the app and search for the location, then below the location (and to the right of “Directions”), scroll to the right and select “Download Offline Map.” Once the map is downloaded, click on your profile photo near the search bar and scroll down to “offline maps.” Other apps with downloadable maps include HERE WeGo Maps & Navigation and Sygic GPS Navigation & Maps.

40. Connect on the go

When the need for internet arises, Rylander has tips for snagging Wi-Fi on the go. “Wi-Fi is prevalent in cafes, hotel lobbies and sometimes even in grocery stores,” she says, but connecting to public Wi-Fi gives savvy hackers easy access to your personal information, so use a VPN or a virtual private network service to protect yourself. A VPN costs $30 to $100 per year. Alternatively, use your smartphone’s hot spot to connect to the internet more securely.

41. Take food reviews with a grain of salt

Review sites can help you avoid problematic hotels or meals, but Rylander suggests keeping an open mind. “Don’t get too hung up on reviews,” she says. “They’re great for a general reference, but people have different tastes. Don’t be afraid to try a place even if the reviews are, say, a 4.1 instead of five stars.”

42. Ask before you photograph

With smartphones, snapping photos has become second nature, but it’s important to remember photography etiquette when you’re traveling. “Ask people before you take a photo of them, and don’t just walk into a restaurant and stick your camera in a person’s face,” Rylander says, noting the same goes for street performers, animals and especially children.

43. Use your phone carrier abroad

These days, you don’t necessarily need a new international phone or special SIM card to use your smartphone internationally. According to Kirkpatrick, most phone carriers offer international day passes for $5 to $10 per day. “It’s easy to just add this plan onto your current cellular phone plan and not worry about the SIM card,” she says.

 

HAVE FUN

44. Hit the local market

See the city like a local with a trip to your destination’s neighborhood markets. “You can meet locals at markets, or by taking classes, like cooking or pottery, hosted by locals,” Al-Hazzá says. You can research the markets ahead of time, or ask your concierge, restaurant hostess or shopkeepers for tips throughout your trip.

45. Try a food tour

Food is the heartbeat of a city. To soak up the local flavors, and the cultural history, book a food tour, Rylander says. “I love a food tour, usually on day one or day two of the trip, because it helps you get oriented around the city, and you get an introduction to the local food,” she says. Even better: If you really love the dish, you’ll have time to try it again.

46. Ask for local recommendations

You may be tempted to plan your entire trip before even touching down, but Dawit Habtemariam, global tourism reporter at Skift, suggests leaving room for local recommendations from people who don’t necessarily work in the tourism industry. Another place he finds out-of-the-box recommendations is through TikTok. “It’s a search engine for a lot of people now,” Habtemariam says.

47. Look for events in the local newspaper

Habtemariam may be a fan of TikTok for travel, but he also recommends sticking to the classics: newspapers. “When I was in Reykjavik, I found a local newspaper with music listings, and I kept going to these cool live music shows,” he says, noting he also found restaurant and bar ideas via print papers. “This old-fashioned way has some hidden gems.”

48. Find niche-interest events

To meet local people in an authentic way, join a niche event. “I’m a big improv person, so I look up social gatherings around this hobby,” Habtemariam says. “In Berlin, I went to an improv comedy café and got to perform with the locals.” You can find these kinds of events for all sorts of interests: photography, painting, pottery, cooking, history, running — you name it.

49. Be a savvy souvenir shopper

It may be tempting to scoop up every souvenir in sight, but Al-Hazzá cautions against overdoing it. “Think about if this is something you’ll want in five years,” she says. “The local attire is probably beautiful, but will you actually wear it back home?” If you’re deciding between items, aim to purchase something that’s unique to the country.

50. Leave room for spontaneity

It’s helpful to start your trip with an agenda, but leave room for spontaneity. “Be willing to abandon the agenda if something else comes along,” Al-Hazzá says. “Those are usually the most memorable experiences. If you have the opportunity to do something with the locals, do it, because then you gain an authentic experience.”

51. Be in the moment

From new architecture to interesting food, it can be easy to take hundreds of photos without even realizing it. There’s nothing inherently wrong with this, but Rylander suggests being intentional about how you photograph so you don’t miss the moment. “Don’t feel like you need to capture every second,” she says. “Think about whether this is something you personally will want to look back on.”

52. When to snag a restaurant reservation

In some places, restaurant reservations are a must. In other cities, they’re a rarity. Rylander suggests researching your destination’s stance on them; if they’re common in your getaway, snag them early — especially come summer. “If you really have your hopes set on a place, make a reservation,” she says.

 

DESTINATION ALTERNATIVES

The bounce-back of international travel has left some destinations struggling from overtourism. To help you avoid the crowds, we asked travel professionals for their recommendations on alternatives to the most popular (read: busiest) destinations. Their destination swaps include:

53. Instead of Mallorca, Spain, try Menorca, Spain

Mallorca’s powder-soft beaches and teal waters may be alluring, but for another captivating and less busy escape, try Menorca, Spain, Al-Hazzá says. This low-key destination is like a postcard from paradise, with clear turquoise waters, secluded shorelines and an abundance of marine life.

54. Instead of Rome, try Puglia

Sure, Rome is iconic, but the crowds can feel overbearing. As an alternative, Al-Hazzá recommends Puglia in southern Italy. You’ll find ancient villages, fresh-grown fare and access to the Adriatic, sans big-city crowds.

55. Instead of Santorini, try Milos

There’s a reason Santorini tops bucket lists. The Cyclades island dazzles with whitewashed villages perched atop crystal waters, but heavy throngs of tourists can dim the magic. Instead, Al-Hazzá suggests Milos, another Greek island with paper-white abodes overlooking the shimmery sea, a laid-back beachcombing culture, otherworldly cliffs and caves and most important: a fraction of the Santorini crowds.

56. Instead of Tanzania’s Serengeti, try South Africa’s Sabi Sand Nature Reserve

“Rather than the Serengeti, we recommend South Africa’s Sabi Sand Nature Reserve to our clients because of the easy airlift from the U.S., and it offers a great value of the rand currency against the USD right now,” says Sunit Sanghrajka, founder and CEO of Alluring Africa, a boutique travel-planning team focused on Africa. This alternative is not only a quick flight from Johannesburg; it also has a lower malaria risk, and the chance to see all of Africa’s famed animals, such as lions, elephants and leopards. “You can get close to the game without the overcrowding seen lately in Kenya,” Sanghrajka says.

57. Instead of Munich, try Nuremberg

Charming Munich attracts tourists with its diverse architecture, bucket-list sights and famous frivolity, but Rylander recommends a less-crowded — yet equally charming — German escape: Nuremberg, a haven for art, architecture and history.

58. Instead of Prague, try Ostrava

Cobblestone-adorned Prague may be a fairy-tale destination, but it’s also one of Europe’s most visited cities. For an alternative, Rylander recommends less-trodden Ostrava in the Czech Republic. The getaway, near the border with Poland, delights with a colorful main square, a three-nave Neo-Renaissance basilica and buzzing pubs and restaurants.