AARP Hearing Center
What to Know Before Taking Your First International Trip
Travel pros offer advice to help make overseas adventures smooth and stress-free
7-minute read
We have the answers to some common queries about foreign travel. Here, the Charles Bridge across the Vltava river in Prague.
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In this story
Language apps | Traveler’s checks | Public transportation | Visas | Local food | Cellphones | Avoiding pickpockets, scams | Health preparations | Traveling with a disability
Strolling through age-old architectural treasures, seeing stunning new landscapes and encountering intriguingly different cultures: The joys of venturing beyond U.S. borders are countless. But many Americans age 50 and up haven’t experienced them. According to a recent AARP survey, 34 percent have never traveled internationally for leisure.
If you’re itching to see a new part of the world, we’re here to help. With these expert answers to common questions, you can get out there with confidence and gusto. It’s time to make that dream trip a reality.
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Knowing how to say some important words and phrases about health information and food can be a lifesaver.
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“I tried using a language app to learn some phrases, but I didn’t get very far. How can I talk to people?”
It’s simple to find free online translations of basic phrases, such as “Hello,” “Thank you” and “Where is the bathroom?” You’ll also want to translate important health information, including medications and any chronic conditions. Knowing how to say “I’m on blood thinners” or “I have diabetes” can be lifesaving.
Nina Ivanichvili of All Language Alliance suggests making small notes in the local language to hand to the person you’re trying to communicate with. “Ask them to do certain actions,” Ivanichvili says, for example, showing you how to get to a ticket counter or a museum entrance.
Free translation apps, such as Google Translate and Apple’s Translate app, have become game changers. Download the app, if not pre-installed, to your smartphone, then simply speak or type what you want to communicate, and the app immediately creates a spoken or written version in the language you select. You can even use it to hold conversations and translate signage.
Old-school pocket-size guides can still be useful too, especially if you’re having internet connection issues. They might also include illustrations that can help convey meaning alongside words.
“In the old days, we used to purchase traveler’s checks. Do I still need to do that?”
Traveler’s checks are mostly obsolete. There are now far more convenient ways to pay for things abroad.
Pauline Frommer, publisher of Frommer’s travel guidebooks, says credit cards are often used, even for small transactions like buying coffee. “You can pay in Europe very much like you can in the United States,” she says. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted, while American Express can be more limited. Your cards will usually work outside Europe too, but options vary.
You may be asked whether you want to pay in the local currency or in U.S. dollars. Always choose local currency, Frommer says, because you’ll get a better exchange rate.
It might be easier to use public transportation in bigger cities, such as Tokyo. In rural areas, you may want to rent a car.
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“It seems like people in other countries use public transportation more. Should I rent a car?”
Jessica Parker, founder of travel consulting agency Trip Whisperer, says that if you’re visiting a big city, public transportation might be the answer.
“If you’re going to Paris or London, they do really have a great transportation system,” Parker says. Taxis and ride-sharing services can be handy, “but sometimes it’s much quicker to hop on the subway to get across town,” she says, “and it’s less expensive.” Allianz Partners recommends looking into tourist passes, which might save you money too.
In rural areas, consider renting a car. Parker advises getting an International Driving Permit through AAA. Required in some places, it translates your license into different languages. Remember that certain countries drive on the left side of the road. “It takes a little getting used to, but most people adjust more quickly than they expect,” she says. Also, be aware that cars with manual transmissions are more common abroad than in the U.S., and their rental rates are usually less than those of automatic cars.
“I have a passport. Will that let me visit any country, or do I need a visa too?”
You don’t need a visa to visit many destinations that are popular with Americans, but you should confirm this well in advance of your trip. Showing up at the airport without a required visa could mean you can’t board your flight.
If you’re going on a group tour or using a travel adviser, they’ll likely give you a heads-up on visas, and some airlines will send a notification if you need additional documentation, like a visa. But it’s always a good idea to visit the U.S. State Department’s online travel advisories. Select the country you’re visiting from the dropdown menu, and scroll down to see whether a visa is needed. If it is, there’s usually a link to the application website or guidance on where to get more information.
Another thing to note: Many countries require at least six months of passport validity, so check your passport’s expiration date and renew it if necessary. You can do this through the State Department site.
To dine like a local, consider taking a food tour or a cooking class, like this one in Marrakech, Morocco.
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“Let’s say I reach my destination and I don’t like the food. What should I do?”
If you’re staying at a hotel, consult the concierge or front desk. “They have a list of where they feel comfortable sending people, and they know the experience,” Parker says.
This can be especially helpful if you have allergies or dietary restrictions. Parker advises writing these down on paper in the local language to help you communicate with the restaurant. Many hotels also offer American-style breakfasts, where you can fill up on familiar foods.
Travelers renting an Airbnb should choose one with a kitchen, advises Jennifer Lynn of the travel blog Bistro Chic. Then you can prepare meals with ingredients you prefer.
If you do want to dine like a local, consider signing up for a food tour. Parker says it’s a great way for tourists to sample a variety of dishes and learn what they like. The tour will explain the context of why a dish is culturally relevant and will likely focus on the most popular ones, which are “probably going to be pretty good.” If all else fails, you’re bound to find a McDonald’s, KFC or Subway in any major destination.
“Will my phone work overseas?”
Many U.S. smartphone carriers offer service abroad, but international roaming fees — for calls, text messages and data usage on a foreign network — can add up fast. You can avoid these by taking some simple steps. One option is to keep your phone in airplane mode during the trip and use it only when connected to free WiFi — at your hotel, for example.
If you want the convenience of using your phone as you would at home, buy an international plan from your carrier in advance. Many offer plans that include talk, text and data. For instance, AT&T and Verizon charge a daily rate of about $12 or less, and you pay only for the days you use the service. Some carriers offer plans that cover specific time frames, such as several days or a month, or are geared toward types of trips like cruises. Go to your carrier’s website or app to see the options.
Wearing the right clothes helps you blend in and look less like a tourist. Here, the Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral.
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“I’m concerned that looking like a tourist might make me more vulnerable to pickpockets and scams. What can I do to blend in?”
Just because you’re an American doesn’t mean you have to look like a tourist. Mike Matranga, a former Secret Service agent who runs M6 Global Defense, says one of the best strategies is wearing the right clothes. Even if your physical appearance signals that you may be a tourist, following the local style of dress can show — and earn — respect.
Another way to avoid standing out is to steer clear of large gatherings of Americans. If you travel with a tour company, consider one that has smaller group sizes.
Some of Matranga’s other safety tips: Avoid areas with dense crowds, leave flashy jewelry at home and keep your phone in your front, rather than back, pocket. If you’re out drinking alcohol, don’t draw attention to yourself with behavior fueled by one too many. “Make sure you’re consciously aware of what you’re doing, who you’re with and your surroundings,” Matranga says.
“How should I prepare in terms of my health?”
As a first step, make an appointment with your primary care provider for a pretravel assessment, says Dr. Claudiu Moisa of UofL Physicians in Kentucky. That doctor can review any chronic conditions, ensure your prescriptions are up to date and advise you on vaccinations you might need.
You can also check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for travel health notices and recommended vaccines.
Next, get a list of your medications to carry on your trip. Then review your health insurance plan to see what type of international coverage it may offer, and consider buying travel insurance for emergencies.
If you plan to venture into remote areas, you may want to look into insurance that includes medical evacuation.
Dig into the details to ensure a location can accommodate your specific needs. Here, a promenade in Çanakkale, Turkey.
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“I have a disability. Will I be able to take an international trip?”
Travelers with accessibility needs may face some challenges, but that shouldn’t be a deterrent to making the most of a trip.
Paz Bepmale, accessible travel expert for Wheel the World, says careful planning is important. Just because a hotel or museum is labeled as accessible doesn’t mean it’s prepared to accommodate your specific needs, she says: “Go beyond that label and dig into the details.” Wheel the World allows travelers to set up a profile that helps them find places to meet their needs.
Some guided tours provide accessibility tools such as visual descriptions via audio headsets, an American Sign Language interpreter or an assistive listening device. There are also smartphone apps for deaf and hard-of-hearing travelers.
Airports, too, offer a range of options, including free wheelchair assistance and programs for those who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Karen Morales, accessibility program lead for Fora, a platform for travel advisers, encourages people not to limit what they can experience. “Everything is figure-out-able,” she says. “It really is possible.”
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