8 expert tips for first-time travelers

Many first-time travelers ask, “How long does it take to get a passport?” According to the U.S. Department of State, expect to wait four to six weeks (this estimate is the same for the passport renewal timeline). If you’ve never had a passport, you’ll want to review these guidelines and instructions. While first-time applications must be sent by mail, passport renewals can be completed online. Plus, don’t forget to review the passport photo checklist to avoid any hiccups.

Don’t forget, some countries require visas or travel authorization forms for entry, as well. Beginning in late 2026, U.S. and Canadian passport holders will need to apply for an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) before visiting many countries in Europe. For more destination-specific information, you can read about requirements in the “Passport, Visa & Entry Requirements” section under the FAQ on your tour’s itinerary page, or get info on visas from our Help Center. These resources include advice on getting an E-visa vs. a visa on arrival and more.

Pro tip: Be like first-time traveler Linda. “I always wanted to visit Italy ever since I was little—so when a good friend asked six months ago if I wanted to go with her, I was all in… and I applied for my passport the next day!”

The best advice out there is always to pack light. You’ll probably want to bring home souvenirs, and you definitely won’t want to lug around a heavy suitcase between airports and hotels.

Making a first-time international travel packing list is a must, especially for longer trips. It’ll keep you from overpacking things you don’t need and help ensure you’ve got everything you do need, like your carry-on essentials for long flights. You’ll want to pack anything important—think: identification and medications—in your carry-on, just in case.

Wondering what not to pack for international travel? This can vary depending on your destination. If you’re already booked, you can find packing suggestions tailored to your itinerary in the “Getting Ready” section of your online account or on our free mobile app. A good rule of thumb, though, is to leave high-voltage electrical items (think: hair dryers, straighteners, etc.) at home, as these often cannot be used abroad. On this note, be sure to bring power adapters and voltage converters for your first international trip (you can find which type you’ll need in the itinerary FAQ as well).

Not sure how to notify your bank of international trip you have coming up? Just give them a call! We also recommend clueing your credit card companies in on your travel plans. This will help you avoid card declines abroad. If you don’t have one already, we also advise you consider signing up for a card with no foreign transaction fees.

Picking up local currency is a great idea, too, especially for tipping your local guides and drivers. In most cases, this is as simple as visiting a local ATM while on tour and using your regular debit card. (Pro tip: The ones outside banks typically have the best exchange rates and lowest fees.)

Wondering how to stay connected while traveling? From buying an international SIM card to getting an international plan through your provider, it’s easy to find a solution to using your phone abroad. Just give your provider a call in advance to chat through your options. Or, just keep your phone on airplane mode and stay connected through Wi-Fi by sending iMessages on your iPhone, or downloading a free app like WhatsApp to text.

Though it’s amazing to learn, you don’t have to master a whole new language before your trip. Just picking up a few essential travel phrases will do. Try “hello” and “thank you” to start—being friendly and polite will get you pretty far. You might also want to memorize a few phrases for travel like “How do I get to…” and “Do you speak English?” Don’t forget, your Tour Director can always assist with translating while you’re on tour.

If your first trip is to Germany, France, or Italy (some of the best places to travel for your first trip abroad), check out a few key foreign language expressions in Deutsche, and Francais, and Italiano.

“I found the Parisians to be very friendly and accommodating. With a few simple phrases like ‘Bonjour,’ ‘Parlez-vous anglais?’, ‘S’il vous plait,’ and ‘Merci,’ you’re making a lot of headway with international relations,” said first-time traveler Holly of her experience on our Paris: The City Experience tour.

You took a seven-hour plane ride, navigated your way through Heathrow, hopped on the tube to King’s Cross and made it to your hotel—it’s been a busy day already and it feels like you stayed up all night. Curling up in bed seems like a brilliant idea, but this first day is critical when thinking about how to avoid jet lag.

Wondering, “Should I sleep on the plane?” Most of the time, yes! When flying to Europe from North America, most flight options are overnight, so sleeping on the plane can be a good first step. Just be sure to drink plenty of water throughout your travels—this really helps!

Once you arrive, you don’t have to head out immediately and see all the sites. Take it easy, explore the neighborhood and stop for a coffee (or two). Staying awake until a “normal” bedtime (even if it’s a bit on the early side) and sleeping through the night, instead of the afternoon, will set you up for success the next day.

Whether you’re jetting off on your first trip or your 10th trip, you probably have ideas in your head of what you want to see, where you want to go, and things you want to experience. As you should—daydreaming about your upcoming trip is seriously fun! But, don’t let these plans stop you seizing moments to embrace the unexpected.

Sometimes, the highlight of the trip ends up being the charming little hole-in-the-wall restaurant you end up ducking into that serves you the best meal of your life, or the perspective-changing conversation where you exchange life stories with a friendly local, or the piece of art that unexpectedly moves you to tears.

Take it from a Go Ahead staffer: “We got to see and learn all about the ‘big hits’ like the Colosseum, but some of my favorite moments were when we explored something unexpected, like street art in Capri or a hidden courtyard in Venice,” said Jamie after her Grand Tour of Italy.

You might ask, “What does a Tour Director do?” In short, a little bit of everything! On every Go Ahead tour, these local experts are there every step of the way, overseeing your trip’s details, sharing local insights, and helping your group seize unique travel experiences. They’re true travel superheroes, and they’re at the top of our list of advantages of guided tours for first-time travelers.

Take it from a traveler like you: After his A Week in Italy: Venice, Florence & Rome tour, first-time traveler Anthony remarked, “To make [your tour] an experience to always remember, you need a Tour Director like Stefania. She didn’t just give you facts, she brought each location to life. She shared secret hideaways and extra details on how to make the most of our tour. She took the time to get to know all of us and make it personal. Plus, all the behind the scenes work she did to keep things running smoothly when there was a change.”