2–3 months before
- Check passport validity (many countries require 6+ months)
- Research visa / entry rules and apply early if needed
- Set a rough budget and start watching flight prices
- Book flights and the first few nights of accommodation
- Check recommended/required vaccinations
1 month before
- Book the big-ticket tours and skip-the-line attraction tickets
- Sort travel insurance (medical + trip cancellation)
- Make copies of passport, tickets, and bookings (cloud + printed)
- Tell your bank you’re traveling; check card foreign-transaction fees
- Download offline maps and a translation app
1 week before
- Buy an eSIM or check roaming so you land connected
- Get some local currency / confirm your cards work abroad
- Check the weather and finalize packing
- Confirm airport transfers and check-in times
- Share your itinerary with someone at home
Carry-on essentials
- Passport, boarding passes, booking confirmations
- Phone, charger, power bank, plug adapter
- Medications + a small first-aid kit
- A change of clothes and basic toiletries
- Payment cards + a little cash
On arrival
- Activate your eSIM / connect to Wi-Fi
- Get from the airport with a pre-booked transfer or official taxi
- Save your accommodation’s address in the local language
- Note local emergency numbers and your embassy
- Grab a transit card and learn one or two key phrases
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