Top Five Steps for Traveling
Everything you need to know to apply for a passport can be found on the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs. Apply for your passport several months in advance. Processing for a passport application can easily take six weeks to two months. If you already have a passport, it should be valid for at least six months after you return home and have two or more blank pages, depending on your destination. Otherwise, some countries may not let you enter.
You may need to get a visa before you travel to a foreign destination. Visit U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs to learn about your destination. They provide safety and security information for every country of the world to help you assess for yourself the risks of travel. Also contact the embassy of the countries you will be visiting for more information.
Read the Travel Advisory and Alerts for the countries you will be visiting to help you assess for yourself the risks of travel. Review entry/exit requirements, visas, local laws, customs, medical care, road safety, etc. Write down contact details for the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate to carry with you in case of emergency while traveling. To receive travel and security updates about your destination, enroll for free at the U.S. Smart Traveler Enrollment Program.
And safeguard your documents. Make two copies of all your travel documents in case of emergency. Leave one copy with a trusted friend or relative at home and carry the other separately from your original documents. To help prevent theft, do not carry your passport in your back pocket, and keep it separate from your money.
Many foreign medical facilities and providers require cash payment up front and do not accept U.S. insurance plans. Check your U.S. health-care policy to see if it will cover you overseas. If not, consider buying supplemental insurance. Make sure the insurance you purchase covers any special medical needs or risks you anticipate on your trip. Read Your Health Abroad for more information, and check out recommendations for vaccinations and other health considerations at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization.
Trip interruption or cancellation, flight delays, lost or stolen luggage and other unexpected travel costs can add up. Check with your credit card and homeowner’s insurance companies to see if they provide coverage. If not, consider additional insurance. Another resource is CoverTrip's Student Travel Insurance.
