There’s something so special about getting out and exploring everything that the world has to offer. This is especially true when you plan an international trip that you can go on with your family. However, we understand that getting started on planning a vacation overseas can be a bit intimidating and may even leave you feeling overwhelmed. But this doesn’t have to be the case! There are some tips that you can follow to ensure that planning your first international trip as a family goes as smoothly and easily as possible.
Ready to learn more? Let’s get started! From figuring out what travel documents you’ll need to setting a budget and more – here are 10 tips for planning your first international trip as a family.
1. Figure Out What Travel Documents You’ll Need
First things first, it’s very important to do your research and know what travel documents you’ll need to obtain for everyone in your family. Although a majority of international travel destinations require that you have a valid passport, some countries may also require that you get a visa. Unfortunately, many people forget to apply for a visa ahead of time, and end up finding that they have to cancel their trip altogether. Don’t let this happen to you!Â
If you or anyone in your family needs to get a passport or visa before your trip, we would love to help! Visit our website to start the application process so that you can get your passports and/or visas in time for your international adventure. The process is quick and easy, and we would be happy to help answer any questions that you may have along the way. Keep in mind that children may need passports, too! These applications can take longer and be a bit more difficult, so you’ll want to remember this as you plan your trip and build in enough time.Â
2. Ensure That Your Passports Are Valid
When was the last time that you checked the validity of your passport? If it’s been a while, you may want to check the expiration date as soon as possible. If you find that your passport is still valid, you’re good to go! But if it’s expired, you should consider beginning the renewal process so that you have your passports in hand before your trip.
On the other hand, if you and your family need to obtain new passports, you should consider applying for them well ahead of time. This gives you extra time to account for any potential delays so that you aren’t rushing to get your passports. When you’re ready, visit our website to get the application process started so that you can get your new passports or passport renewals right away.
3. Plan Ahead
Planning an international trip can take some time, which means that you’ll want to start as soon as you can. Planning ahead is a wonderful idea, as you can take your time, explore your options, and save up enough money to pay for your vacation. Another reason that it’s good to plan ahead is that international travel is very popular right now, and many people are planning trips overseas. So the sooner you can start making your plans and booking things such as flights, accommodations, transportation, and tickets to activities, the better.
4. Set a Budget
International travel can be expensive at times, and it’s important that you set a budget and try your best to stick to it. Fortunately, there are many ways that you can cut back on spending while planning your international trip, and you may even be surprised at how much you can save.Â
One great way that you can save money is to travel during the off-season. Do your research and look online at the busiest times to travel to your destination, and if you can, avoid traveling during this time. Another thing that you can do to save money is to use an app like Hopper. Hopper can help you save money by monitoring flight prices, and letting you know when it’s the best (and cheapest) time to purchase your airfare.
Once you arrive at your destination, you can save money by doing things such as eating at inexpensive restaurants, cooking your own meals at your vacation rental, taking public transportation or walking, and keeping your souvenir shopping to a minimum. Although international travel can be costly, as long as you monitor your spending, you should be able to stick to your budget.
5. Figure Out Your Travel Style
Knowing your travel style is a crucial part of planning your first international trip as a family, as it will help you figure out numerous aspects of your trip, including where you want to go, what types of activities you want to participate in, and how adventurous you want to be. For example, some families want to do and see everything they can when traveling, while others would rather take time to relax and unwind. Try your best to figure out what your travel style is, so that you have an easier time planning your international trip.
6. Consider Your Accommodation Options
Traveling together as a family means that you have to find accommodations that can fit your entire group. But when you take an international trip, depending on where you go, your options may be limited. For example, some countries have an abundance of options when it comes to vacation rentals, while others may not have any vacation rentals at all, or a very limited number of them at best. So if you can, we suggest choosing a vacation rental as they are usually cheaper than booking multiple hotel rooms. If you have to book a hotel, try to find one that has good deals, and that is close to local attractions so that you can walk instead of paying for transportation.
7. Prepare For a Long Flight
Another thing that you want to keep in mind is that international travel typically means you will need to take a long flight to get to your destination. And though long flights usually are no big deal for many people, they can get very boring, especially for young children. So you’ll need to be prepared, and know what you’re getting yourself into.
To ensure that your kiddos aren’t bugging you throughout the whole flight, you’ll want to bring along snacks, activities, and some forms of entertainment. You can bring coloring books, activity books, travel-sized board games, and a tablet that has your child’s favorite TV shows and movies downloaded onto it. These things will help keep your children busy and make the flight go a whole lot smoother for everyone involved.
8. Learn Some of the Local Language
If you’ll be going to a country where they speak a different language than what you’re used to, you may want to start learning some of that language. Of course you don’t have to fluently speak that language, but you should try and learn a few words to help you get by. If you aren’t sure where to begin, try an app like Duolingo or Babbel. All it takes is a few minutes of practice each day, and before you know it, you’ll learn a few helpful words and phrases.
9. Have Patience
Although traveling internationally with your family truly is an incredible experience, it can be hectic at times. There are a lot of people with you, which means that you’ll need to take their needs into consideration at all times. Some people may want to do one thing while others could want to do something completely different, and that’s okay! At the end of the day you have to do your best to try and practice patience, and remember that your international trip is going to be something that you all reminisce about for years down the road. Traveling with family can definitely be crazy, but it’s also a whole lot of fun.
10. Go With the Flow, and Have a Wonderful Trip!
Our last tip is to go with the flow and enjoy each and every moment of your international family vacation. We know that going with the flow is sometimes easier said than done, but some of the best moments of a vacation come when you don’t make plans, and just see where life takes you. Walk down random streets, ask the locals for recommendations, and enjoy spontaneity. We just know that you’re going to have a fantastic time.
Traveling together as a family can be such a wonderful experience. Not only do you get to explore the world and try new things, but you also get to spend quality time with one another. As long as you follow these tips, you are sure to have an incredible first international trip as a family, and focus on making memories that are sure to last a lifetime.
