There’s nothing worse than sitting back on the plane, heading towards your holiday destination, and realising you forgot to do something.
Maybe you forgot to get a travel sim. Maybe you left your adapter sitting on the kitchen counter. Maybe your passport expired six months ago and you've been blissfully unaware…
We've all been there. And it’s the worst!
So, whether you're a first-timer or a frequent flyer who's gotten a little complacent, here’s a comprehensive list of 37 things you simply have to do before travelling overseas to make sure you never experience that dreadful feeling again.
what should i do before going overseas?
To be honest, there’s a lot you should do before heading overseas. Surprisingly, more than most people think!
Preparing for international travel goes well beyond packing a bag. There’s all sorts of things to consider like what documents you need, your health, your finances, your phone plan, your accommodation… And leaving any of these too late can seriously derail a trip.
To make sure you’re completely prepared, here's everything you need to do before travelling overseas:
1. Check your passport expiry date
Do this before anything else. Many countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates. A passport expiring in three months might be fine for some destinations, but it'll get you turned away at the gate for many others. Renewal times vary from a few weeks to a couple of months, so don't leave this one late.
2. Apply for any required visas
Once your passport is sorted, look into whether you need a visa for your destination, and any layover countries, which people regularly forget. Some visas can be obtained on arrival, others need to be arranged weeks or months in advance. The Australian Government's Smartraveller website is the most reliable place to check.
3. Register with Smartraveller
Speaking of Smartraveller, registering with their service takes about five minutes and means the Australian government can contact you in an emergency. It also helps authorities know you're in a country if something serious unfolds. Worth doing every single trip.
4. Check the current safety rating for your destination
Political situations, natural disasters, and health outbreaks can change quickly. Smartraveller will flag any risks worth knowing about before you commit to bookings.
5. Book flights well in advance
Prices almost always increase closer to departure, and you'll have far more flexibility on times and routes if you book early. Use flight comparison tools to track pricing, and consider whether a longer layover might actually give you time to explore a bonus city.
6. Take out travel insurance
This is non-negotiable. A single hospital visit overseas can run into the tens of thousands of dollars before you even factor in medical evacuation. Take out a policy as soon as you book your trip, because most cover cancellation from that date. Read the fine print carefully, specifically the exclusions around pre-existing conditions and adventure activities.
7. Book your accommodation
Secure at least your first few nights before you arrive. Trying to find somewhere to stay after a long-haul flight in an unfamiliar city is genuinely unpleasant. For longer trips you might leave things more flexible down the line, but having a confirmed place for arrival night removes a lot of unnecessary stress.
8. Visit your doctor or a travel health clinic
Do this at least six to eight weeks before departure. Many vaccines are given in courses over several weeks, and your doctor will want to review your full history before making recommendations. Don't leave this to the week before you fly.
9. Get all recommended vaccinations
Different destinations carry different health risks. Some vaccinations are required for entry, while others are strongly recommended based on local conditions. Common ones for international travel include hepatitis A and B, typhoid, and Japanese encephalitis, but this varies significantly depending on where you're going.
10. Get a dental check-up
Nobody thinks about this one, which is exactly why it's made the list. Dental emergencies overseas are expensive, complicated by language barriers, and genuinely difficult to manage mid-trip. A quick check-up before you leave can catch anything brewing before it becomes a problem 10,000 kilometres from home.
11. Organise enough prescription medication for the full trip
Carry enough to last your entire trip plus some extra in case of delays. Bring a letter from your doctor explaining what it is and why you take it. Some medications legal at home are controlled substances elsewhere, so research this carefully for every country you'll transit through.
12. Pack a basic first aid kit
Band-Aids, antiseptic, pain relief, antihistamines, diarrhoea tablets, rehydration sachets, and blister pads. Nothing elaborate, just the things that are hard to find quickly in a foreign country when you actually need them.
13. Notify your bank and credit card providers
Banks frequently flag international transactions as suspicious and freeze cards without warning. A quick call or online notification before you leave tells them you're travelling and for how long. Do this for every card you plan to use, and ask about international transaction fees while you're at it.
14. Organise some local currency
Don't arrive anywhere with no cash at all. While cards are widely accepted in many countries, you'll often need cash for taxis, small vendors, and tips. Research whether your destination is primarily cash or card-based, and either get some local currency before you leave or use a travel money card with decent exchange rates.
15. Set up a travel-friendly bank card
Speaking of travel money cards, a dedicated travel card can save you a significant amount in fees and give you access to far better exchange rates than your regular bank. Options like Revolut, Up, and Ubank are consistently rated among the best travel debit cards for Australians, while Wise is another popular choice worth comparing. It's worth doing a quick comparison before you leave rather than relying on your everyday card and copping the fees.
16. Make copies of all your important documents
Photograph or photocopy your passport, visa, travel insurance policy, itinerary, and accommodation bookings. Store digital copies somewhere you can access from anywhere, and leave physical copies with someone at home. If your passport is stolen, having a copy makes replacement significantly faster.
17. Check the baggage allowance for every flight
This matters especially if you're flying with multiple airlines on the one trip. Budget carriers are strict about weight limits and the fees for exceeding them can be significant. Check both checked and carry-on limits, and confirm your bags actually comply.
18. Research local customs and laws
What's perfectly acceptable at home can be offensive or illegal elsewhere. Dress codes, tipping culture, photography restrictions, alcohol laws, and general public behaviour norms all vary significantly between countries. Understanding the basics before you arrive shows respect and will keep you out of trouble.
19. Learn a few words in the local language
You don't need fluency. Even just learning hello, please, thank you, and excuse me in the local language makes a genuine difference in how people respond to you.
20. Sort out your phone plan
Check whether your current plan includes international roaming and what it costs, because the answer is often yes but at a significant premium. Many travellers find it easier to buy a local SIM on arrival, but this requires an unlocked phone. Research your options before you leave so you're not figuring it out while exhausted at the airport.
what do you need before travelling internationally?
Beyond the preparation steps above, there are things you need to physically have with you when you travel:
21. A valid passport
We’ve already covered that your passport needs to be valid, but you need to have it physically with you throughout your trip. Passports are of the utmost importance when it comes to overseas travel, hence why it’s on our checklist twice!
22. All required visas
Have printed and digital copies of any visa approvals or e-visas. Some countries will ask for proof at the border even when it's electronically linked to your passport.
23. Your travel insurance policy details
Know your policy number, the 24-hour emergency assistance number, and the process for making a claim. Save this in your phone and your email so it's accessible even if you lose your physical documents.
24. Proof of onward travel
Many countries require you to show a flight out before they'll let you in. Have your return or onward booking accessible, either printed or on your phone (or both).
25. Accommodation confirmation for your first night
Have the name, address, and confirmation number for your first night's stay easily accessible. Customs forms often ask for your local address, so have this ready rather than scrambling at the counter.
26. The right power adapters
Plug types vary by country and region. Research what adapter you need for your destination and pack it in your carry-on so it's accessible immediately on arrival. A universal adapter is worth the investment if you travel often.
27. Offline maps downloaded to your phone
Download your destination through Google Maps or Maps.me before you leave. When you're navigating without a local SIM and your roaming is off, offline maps are genuinely invaluable.
28. Emergency contact numbers saved somewhere accessible
You should have the phone numbers of your accommodation, your country's embassy or consulate at your destination, your travel insurer's emergency line, and at least two people at home saved in a way that doesn't require internet access.
29. A backup credit card kept separately
Carry at least two payment methods but store them in different places. That way, if your wallet is lost or stolen, a backup card somewhere else means you're not completely stuck.
30. Carry-on compliant toiletries
If you're travelling carry-on only, your liquids need to be in containers of 100ml or less, packed in a clear resealable bag. Different airports interpret these rules slightly differently, so err on the side of caution.
31. Clothing appropriate for the climate and local customs
Check the weather forecast for your travel dates, but also think about cultural expectations. Conservative dress is required at many religious sites and in certain countries, and it's worth planning for this rather than realising on arrival.
32. A neck pillow and earplugs for long flights
These feel like an indulgence until you've done a 14-hour flight without them. Sleep on long-haul travel makes an enormous difference to how functional you are on arrival.
33. Snacks for the journey
Airport food is expensive and not always available when you want it. Pack a few things in your carry-on, but check the food import rules for your destination as many countries are strict about what comes through customs.
34. A printed copy of your itinerary and key addresses
Your phone dying or losing signal shouldn't leave you without access to your plans. A single printed sheet with your key bookings, addresses, and contact numbers is old-school but comes through when technology doesn't.
35. An international driving permit if you plan to hire a car
Many countries require an International Driving Permit in addition to your regular licence. These are straightforward to obtain through your local motoring authority and typically cost very little. Don't assume your domestic licence alone will be accepted.
36. A portable security device if staying in hostels or guesthouses
A small portable door lock or TSA-approved luggage lock gives you peace of mind in shared accommodation where you're less certain about room security.
37. Entertainment downloaded for long travel days
Download podcasts, shows, books, or games to your device before departure. In-flight entertainment systems can be unreliable, delays happen, and long layovers are considerably more bearable when you have something to keep you occupied.
We recommend you start working through this list at least two months before any international departure. The visa and vaccination side of things in particular takes longer than most people expect, and leaving either to the last minute is how trips get derailed before they even start.
Another tip: On the day you leave, give your place a quick once-over; unplug things, lock windows, pause the mail if you're gone a while, and let a neighbour know if you'd like someone keeping an eye on things.
And finally, remember to keep a flexible mindset. Things will go wrong on any trip of reasonable length. Flights get delayed, plans change, weather doesn't cooperate. Approaching it with some degree of flexibility means those moments become part of the experience rather than defining it.
Bec Milligan
Bec is a Content Writer at Compare Travel Insurance, where she creates in-depth guides to help Australians find the right cover for every kind of trip. With a background in journalism spanning some of Australia's most respected publications (including WHO Magazine, The Australian Women's Weekly and DMARGE) she brings sharp editorial instincts and a knack for making complex policy details genuinely readable.
