Planning Your First International Trip: 10 Things Your Omaha Travel Agent Wishes You Knew Before Booking

You have been dreaming about it for months. Maybe years. That first international trip is calling your name, and you are ready to book flights, hotels, and experiences. But before you click "confirm purchase" on that travel site, there are a few critical things every first-time international traveler should know, things that could save you money, stress, and even prevent you from getting stuck at the airport.

Working with travelers from our Omaha-based office (serving clients nationwide), we see the same avoidable mistakes over and over. Most people do not realize how different international travel is from domestic trips until something goes wrong. The good news? A little preparation goes a long way.

Here are 10 things your Omaha travel agent wishes you knew before booking your first international adventure.

The 6-Month Passport Rule Could Ruin Your Trip

This is the number one issue that catches first-time international travelers off guard. Many countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months beyond your planned return date. Not six months from when you leave, six months from when you come back.

Check your passport expiration date right now. If it expires within six months of your return, you need to renew it before you book anything. Immigration officers will turn you away at the airport, and travel insurance typically does not cover this mistake.

Pro tip from your Omaha travel agent: Passport renewals can take 8–12 weeks during busy seasons. Plan ahead, or pay extra for expedited processing if your trip is coming up fast. Need help navigating the timeline? Learn everything about the 6-month passport rule here.

Travel Insurance Is Not Optional for Your First International Trip

You might think travel insurance is an overpriced add-on. It is not. When you are traveling internationally, insurance protects you from trip cancellations, medical emergencies, lost luggage, and evacuation scenarios that could cost tens of thousands of dollars.

Here is what surprises most people: your regular health insurance probably does not cover you abroad. Medicare definitely does not. If you get sick or injured overseas, you will be paying out of pocket unless you have travel insurance.

What to look for in a policy:

• Medical coverage (at least $50,000–$100,000)

• Emergency evacuation

• Trip cancellation and interruption

• Baggage loss or delay

• 24/7 assistance hotline

Book your insurance within 14 days of making your first trip payment to qualify for pre-existing condition coverage. Your Omaha travel agent can help you compare policies and find the right fit for your trip.

Download Offline Maps Before You Leave

Cell service gets expensive fast when you are overseas. Roaming charges can cost you hundreds of dollars if you are not careful. Even with an international plan, you might find yourself without signal in certain areas.

Before you leave, download offline maps of your destination on Google Maps or a similar app. You can navigate without using data, which means no surprise charges and no getting lost in a foreign city.

How to do it:

• Open Google Maps on your phone

• Search for your destination city

• Tap the name or address at the bottom

• Select "Download" and choose your area

• Access the map anytime without Wi-Fi or data

This one tip has saved countless travelers from panic moments in unfamiliar places.

Pack Smart: Distribute Clothes Across Multiple Bags

Lost luggage happens. Delayed luggage happens even more often on international flights. If you are traveling with a companion, split your clothes between both suitcases. That way, if one bag gets delayed or lost, you both have something to wear while you wait for it to arrive.

Other packing essentials for your first international trip:

• Keep medications, valuables, and one change of clothes in your carry-on

• Pack a portable charger and international adapter

• Bring copies of your passport, visa, and insurance documents

• Roll clothes instead of folding to save space

• Use packing cubes to stay organized

Your future self will thank you when you are not stuck wearing the same outfit for three days in Paris.

Scan and Email Your Important Documents to Yourself

Passports get lost. Wallets get stolen. Credit cards stop working. When you are thousands of miles from home, replacing these items becomes a nightmare if you do not have backups.

Take clear photos or scans of the following and email them to yourself (or save them in a cloud folder):

• Passport photo page

• Visa (if applicable)

• Travel insurance policy

• Credit and debit cards (front and back)

• Driver license

• Hotel and flight confirmations

• Emergency contact numbers

If something goes wrong, you will have instant access to everything you need without digging through luggage or calling your bank back home. It takes five minutes to set up and could save your entire trip.

Currency Exchange at the Airport Is a Trap

Airport currency exchange booths have terrible rates and high fees. You will lose a surprising amount of money if you exchange cash there. Instead, use your debit card to withdraw local currency from an ATM once you arrive at your destination.

Before you leave:

• Call your bank and credit card companies to notify them of your travel dates and destinations (so they do not freeze your cards for suspected fraud)

• Ask about foreign transaction fees, some cards charge 3% per purchase

• Find out if your bank reimburses ATM fees abroad

• Consider getting a no-foreign-transaction-fee credit card before you go

Many travelers find that using a credit card for most purchases and withdrawing small amounts of cash as needed gives them the best exchange rate and lowest fees.

You Do Not Need to Book Everything Before You Leave

First-time international travelers often over-plan. They book every tour, every restaurant, every activity weeks in advance because they are worried about missing out. But here is the truth: some of the best travel experiences happen spontaneously.

Leave room in your schedule for the unexpected. Talk to locals. Wander without a plan for an afternoon. Stumble across a hidden café that becomes your favorite memory of the trip.

What you should book in advance:

• Flights and accommodations

• Any must-see attractions that sell out (major museums, popular tours)

• Airport transfers if arriving late at night

What you can figure out when you get there:

• Most restaurants (unless it is a Michelin-star spot)

• Day trips and smaller tours

• Local experiences and hidden gems

Flexibility is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself on your first international trip.

Jet Lag Is Real, Plan for It

Crossing multiple time zones messes with your body in ways you might not expect. The first day or two of your trip, you will feel tired, foggy, and possibly irritable. Do not pack your itinerary too tight on arrival day.

How to minimize jet lag:

• Adjust your sleep schedule a few days before departure

• Stay hydrated on the flight (avoid too much alcohol and caffeine)

• Get sunlight as soon as you arrive at your destination

• Try to stay awake until a normal local bedtime

• Take short naps if needed, but do not sleep for hours during the day

Give yourself permission to take it slow on day one. You will enjoy the rest of your trip much more if you are not exhausted and jet-lagged the whole time.

Working with an Omaha Travel Agent Saves You Time and Money

Booking an international trip on your own can be overwhelming. Between comparing flights, researching hotels, figuring out visas, and trying to avoid tourist traps, it is easy to spend dozens of hours planning, and still miss important details.

A travel agent does all of that for you. We know which airlines have the best international routes, which hotels are worth the price, and how to build itineraries that actually make sense. We can often get you better rates than booking direct, and if something goes wrong during your trip, you have someone back home advocating for you.

Your Omaha travel agent has a global reach, helping clients across the country plan unforgettable international experiences. Whether you are dreaming of Italy, Japan, Costa Rica, or Iceland, we handle the details so you can focus on the excitement. Request a personalized quote here and let's start planning together.

Your First International Trip Should Be Fun, Not Stressful

International travel is not as intimidating as it seems. Yes, there are extra steps and considerations, but none of them are deal-breakers. With a little preparation and the right support, your first trip abroad can be everything you have dreamed of: and more.

You do not have to figure it all out on your own. That is what we are here for. From passport rules to packing tips to finding the perfect destination for your travel style, your Omaha-based travel agent is ready to make your first international adventure seamless and unforgettable.

Ready to turn those travel dreams into reality? Get started with a free quote and let's plan your first incredible international trip. The world is waiting.