So, you want to get out of your homeland.
So, you’ve never done that before.
So, it feels very scary…
So… what are you waiting for?
Traveling is one of the most rewarding activities anyone can undertake. People who travel the world on any level are enriching their lives at every step. You’ll learn so much, from new words in new languages to incredible new cultural insights.
But traveling for beginners is a unique, intimidating beast, even if you’re eager to get yourself out into the world. It can be hard to know where to begin with your travel planning. Where should you go? What do you need to get there? Overwhelming probably doesn’t even begin to describe it.
We’ll take getting started off your plate with a helpful list. Not an exhaustive list, just little travel tips and tricks for the beginner traveler that at least give you a moment to breathe and get started with a bit less stress.
You’ll notice our recommendations skew heavily towards European travel; in our experience, European countries tend to feel less intimidating due to their smaller size, abundance of public transit options, and large English speaking population.
6 Essential Tips for the First Time Travelers
1. Choosing a Vacation Destination
How to decide where to go on vacation? Simply looking at a map offers too many choices at once. One of the most helpful travel tips is to figure out your travel priorities by answering a few questions.
- How important is language for you? Some first-time travelers find it easier to aim for a country with whom they share a target language. It makes shopping, public transport, and restaurant dining easier.
- What do you want to focus on? Are you a foodie who wants to try new things? A history buff? Maybe you delight in exploring the more underrated charms of a city? Do you love sports like skiing and snowboarding? Figuring out what you want to get out of your trip can help narrow things down.
- How long do you want to spend getting there and back? Your actual transit time is always going to eat into your vacation time. And travel is exhausting! It may be less stressful to keep your first international trip somewhat close to home.
- Is your travel time flexible? Traveling in the off-peak season is nearly always the most cost effective and least crowded time to travel.
Answer these questions honestly and you may find that it helps lend clarity to the choosing process. as well as in deciding when might be the best time to visit a city, such as Paris. For inspiration on what to see and do to truly experience its beauty, consider exploring some of the top photo spots in Paris. But if you’re still undecided, we have some options for you.
2. Ideal Destinations for First Time Travelers
Dublin, Ireland – Ireland’s capital is a wonderful city with a rich history, tons of cultural interest and easy access to some of Europe’s most beautiful nature. The DART rail system and Dublin’s comprehensive bus network make getting around a snap, and the primary language being English is often very reassuring for native speakers who are traveling to another country for the first time.
Utrecht, the Netherlands – Want beautiful canals and Dutch delicacies without being nervous about the crowds and bustle of Amsterdam? Try Utrecht instead. An easy 30-minute train ride from the station underneath Schiphol Airport, Utrecht is a lovely city for solo or family travelers. You can explore the gorgeous medieval city center, take a canal tour, admire the Dutch architecture, and eat all the stroopwafel you want with a greater degree of peace and quiet.
Paris, France – An almost irresistible draw for travelers of all experience levels, Paris is an incredible destination for food, history, culture, and more. Between the city’s expansive Métro system and generally good walkability, it’s easy to get around and see a lot; this is especially handy if you’re only able to get there for a handful of days. And while many Parisians do prefer to speak French, if you don’t know the language, you can still get by with a few polite words in the language and Google Translate.
Madrid, Spain – From foodies to sports fans, Madrid is a fantastic city for first time travelers. In fact, with a friendly and welcoming population, amazing food options, and extremely comprehensive public transportation, Madrid is among the top cities for first time solo travelers! You can take in football matches, explore museums, admire the incredible architecture, and enjoy a thriving nightlife all in one city, making it a super complete travel experience in a few days.
Phuket or Bangkok, Thailand – Where you go in Thailand really depends on what you prefer. If you’re into beaches, aquatic sports, and a super relaxed vibe, then Phuket is for you. Spiritual travelers, shoppers, and culture hounds will love Bangkok. Either way, Thailand is amazing for cheap and delicious food, incredible historical and cultural sights, and cool night markets. As a bonus, many origin countries do not require you to pre-apply for a visa to visit Thailand (but always double check to be sure for yours).
3. Bring Important Legal Documents with yourself
Once you know where you’re going, organization is key. But again, don’t stress. The most important points can be broken down and addressed one thing at a time.
The Pain of Paperwork – It’s tedious but it has to be done: check your passport validity and the requirements for the country you’re going to. Some countries may require a minimum amount of time to be left on your passport before expiration, and if you don’t meet that they won’t let you in. And if you don’t have a passport, don’t leave applying for one to the last minute; depending on your country, it can take anywhere from a few weeks up to several months to receive a new passport.
As for visas, it’s always worth checking whether you need one, and to make sure you don’t need to pre-apply for it before you go if you do. Some countries allow on-arrival applications, but most don’t. A quick Google search can save you a lot of pain.
Level Up Your Language Skills – A great travel tip for beginners is to learn a few words in the language of your destination–it’s both useful and polite. Thanks, please, sorry, excuse me, hello and goodbye are always a good place to start. If you have dietary needs, taking the time to learn the relevant words for those can be a big help as well. Download a relevant Google Translate dictionary ahead of time as well so you have it on hand even if you don’t have wifi.
Keep A Weather Eye – Key in the prevention of over packing, checking weather patterns for your destination will help you know what clothing to wear, what shoes to bring, and what foul weather accessories will be most useful.
4. What to Pack for your First Trip
Pack Light, Pack Organized – It’s tempting to want to bring everything you can think of on your first international trip out of the country, but that’s a one-way ticket to stress and exhaustion. Try to keep yourself to one checked or carry-on bag and one personal item like a backpack. Use packing cubes to keep things organized: Use a packing guide to help you get your suitcase efficiently organized and leave a little space for souvenirs. You will thank yourself later when you’re not dragging a huge wheelie suitcase uphill in Lisbon!
Read More: How to Pack a Suitcase
Triple-Check Your Electronics – No matter your destination, a universal travel converter is key, since plugs vary around the world. More importantly, check the voltage of the electronics you want to take with you. Many phones, laptops and tablets are dual-voltage and will work just about anywhere; most hairdryers, electric shavers, hair straighteners and other small personal devices are single-voltage. US-based travelers especially will run the risk of burning out their grooming tools and other single-voltage devices, so always, always check and check again.
Sunscreen, No Matter What – Always take and wear sunscreen wherever and whenever you travel. UV rays are present even on the coldest and grayest days, so keep yourself protected.
5. Choose Travel Accommodations for first Trip
As with picking a destination, figuring out where to stay can be narrowed down by the simple expedient of answering a few questions.
- Center of the action or peaceful outskirts? Where you stay in a city largely depends on how close you want to be where everything is happening. If you want to be able to walk out of your hotel or airBNB and right into the thick of things, then the city center is fantastic, but it might cost more. If you prefer to be a little removed from the hustle and bustle, don’t mind using public transportation, and want to save some money, then going further out could be your thing.
- What kind of perks do you like? Some hotels include a breakfast, which is great for budgeting since you can tuck away a few bits to nibble on later. Others have gym facilities, a great bonus for those devoted to routine. And of course, family travelers love hotels with pools! When you’re searching for accommodations, make sure to specify the amenities you need.
- Complete privacy or okay to share? If you want your own space, a hotel or whole house/apartment airBNB is great, but they come at a higher cost. If you enjoy being around other people and don’t mind sharing facilities, renting a room from a local or some space in a hostel can be fun, and easier on the wallet.
It can also be helpful to consult a detailed city guide, such as this one focused on Paris, that can provide specialized insight on the pros and cons of areas you might be considering.
6. Money, Money, Money: Budgetary Tidbits
Keep Your Cash and Phone Close – Using a money belt or small crossbody bag you can wear close to your body can help cut down on the risk of theft.
Buy the Travel Insurance – This upfront expense can save you money and heartache later if you need to cancel your trip for any reason, or you get hurt, or robbed.
Transaction Fees and Conversion Rates – When you get a credit or debit card for travel, try to get one that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees. And if you have to use an ATM or credit card machine, don’t use the conversion rate the machine offers; it’s never in your favor. Withdraw in the local currency, always.
Oh, the Places You’ll Go!
While it can be intimidating to leave your home country for the first time, the rewards make it totally worth it–you get to see more of the world, learn more about different cultures, taste fantastic new foods and make indelible memories. It’s time to do the thing that scares you, pick a destination and go! Soon enough you’ll already be deciding where to travel next, and the world will be your oyster.