Check visa and entry requirements
Check the visa requirements for entry and the allowed length of stay.
Many countries now require an ETA travel form (Electronic Travel Authorization). It's usually a pretty simple form that you need to fill out online no sooner than 3 days before your entry into the country. You will be provided an approval letter/QR code to show at immigration.
Many countries have the requirement that your passport is valid for at least 6 months from date of travel.
Check your passport
As soon as you start planning your trip, you should make sure you can locate your passport and also make sure it is not expiring soon.
Triple check that you packed your passport! It may sound silly, but I actually had this happen with a friend of mine. We were on our way to the airport and she realized that her passport was still at home in the copy machine!
US Citizens register with STEP
The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service to allow U.S. citizens and nationals traveling and living abroad to enroll their trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
Check your cell phone plan (foreign travel)
Some plans allow international use for an extra daily charge, some allow unlimited text and data but charge for calls, and some will simply leave you with a quick bill costing hundreds of dollars. Have a strategy in place. See Using Your Phone While Travelling Internationally
Switch to airplane mode or install eSIM
Depending on your cell phone plan, install your eSIM or change your phone to airplane mode while you are still in your home country (or turn off data roaming). That way you don't incur hefty roaming fees when you land. See Using Your Phone While Travelling Internationally
Set a travel plan with your bank(s)
Not all credit/ATM cards require you to let them know if you plan on using a credit or ATM card abroad, but some do. If you don't, they will be very helpful and shut your card down thinking it has been stolen and absconded to a foreign country!
Credit card info
Make sure you are aware of foreign transaction fees, ATM fees, and possible ATM reimbursements for each of your cards.
Either print out and/or put digital copies on your phone of credit card numbers along with the corresponding financial institution phone numbers in case your cards get lost or stolen.
Download maps for offline use
Maps.me and Google Map apps allow you to use these GPS maps while you're on the road without needing WiFi or cell signal. You just need to download the specific areas ahead of time.
Download languages for offline use
With the Google Translate app, you won't use any data or WiFi to translate with offline languages. And just wait until the first time you use your camera to translate a sign realtime!
Download airline entertainment apps
Airlines are making the move to using apps for access to in-flight entertainment on your mobile device, but you typically have to download their app ahead of time.
Install a VPN
A VPN not only protects your internet connection and privacy online, but allows you to connect to some streaming services not otherwise available abroad. Get 3 free months of NordVPN by using my referral code. *If you have any problem connecting to, say, airplane WiFi, turn off your VPN then connect.*
Bring cash as needed
If you need to pay for a visa on arrival in the country you're visiting, make sure you either have enough of whatever type of cash they accept (sometimes they take US $, sometimes Euros are okay, etc.). Hopefully if you needed to apply for a visa ahead of time, you have done that already!
Make sure your arrival airport has an ATM so you can get money for your first transportation. That or bring enough cash to exchange at the airport or even change money ahead of time at home.
Stash emergency info & cash
Hopefully you will never need them, but leaving a copy of your passport both at home and in your luggage (separate from your actual passport) will make it much easier to get a replacement passport if yours ever gets stolen.
Keep some emergency cash hidden separately from your other money (deep in your luggage somewhere) in case you get mugged.
Plan/print your first hotel info
Be ready for your first destination. Know how you plan on getting from the airport to your hotel and have the name, address and phone number of the hotel printed out. If you can print it out in the local language (some reservation sites such as Booking.com have this option built in), even better. That way the bus or taxi driver can easily get you to where you want to go.
Download/organize copies of any reservation confirmations
I never want to risk not having access to email to show someone where I'm going or prove a reservation. Download receipts (for hotels, tours, flights, travel insurance, etc.) to your phone (or print them) before you leave to lessen any risk. I also like to keep all trip-related emails organized in a specific sub-folder in my email app to easily find them when I'm on WiFi.
Weigh your luggage
Make sure you are not at risk of overweight luggage since the airlines charge so much for this now! If you have to, wear your heaviest clothing and shoes.
Set your email auto-reply
If you will not be checking your work and/or personal email (yeah right), set up an auto-reply that tells people you are away.Change your voicemail greeting
Depending on your cell provider plan, WiFi calling, etc., although unlikely, you may not be able to check your voicemail. Some people like to keep the message vague like "My phone will not be in service from x to y...." so it's not obvious that your home is empty.
Have handy plane goodies
Make sure your inflatable pillow, book, compression socks, headphones, pen, and other essentials are handy in your under-seat bag.
Take care of things at home
Hold your mail, put water bulbs in your plants, have a light set on a timer.
Pack your travel snacks :)
Of course you will want your yummy snacks! Nuts, pre-cut fruit, peeled hard-boiled eggs, snack bars, cookies, cheese & crackers, pb&j sandwiches, are all good things.
If you will be in an airport that has free drinkable water (water fountains), bring an empty water bottle to fill once you are through security.
