From Dreams to Departure: How to Plan Your First International Trip

How to Plan Your First International Trip from India? The 5-Step Process of Travelling Abroad

If prepared properly, the first international trip for Indians can go smoothly and stress-free. These five easy steps can help you organise your first foreign tour. Every step will lead to the adventure of a lifetime, so don't skip any!

Step 1: Choosing the Right Country

It can be hard to decide which of the 195 countries in the world to visit first! Here are some important factors that will help you choose one.

• Personal Preferences: Your first foreign destination should match your interests. If you enjoy relaxing on golden beaches, you can go to Thailand; if you enjoy art, history, and modern vibes, you can travel to Europe. If you like skyscrapers and huge cities, you can visit Singapore.
• Budget: Let's face it, international travel is expensive! You must consider your savings to check which countries fall within budget. Countries lthat ike Thailand, Vietnam, Nepal, Bhutan, and Malaysia are affordable for most. On an average, they may cost Rs. 50,000- Rs. 1,00,000 for 3 to 4 days trip. However, an international trip to the USA may cost you anywhere between Rs. 2,00,000 to 4,00,000 or 5,00,000 for a trip of 2-3 days depending on the cities you choose to visit, your accomdodations and flights.

  Pro Tip: You can plan a budget-friendly trip to most countries with hacks like flight deals, credit card points, shoulder-season travel, or staying in hostels.

• Distance from India: Since this is your first travel abroad, you can choose destinations closer to India. This implies more direct flights may be available at a lower cost and with less travel time.

Step 2: Chalk Out a Detailed (and Realistic) Itinerary

Once you finalise a country, you need to figure out the trip's details. You need to decide on points like which cities to visit, how many days to spend there, which places to cover every day, how you will transport within the country, whether you need tickets and special permissions for any attractions, etc.

Pro tip: Schengen countries require you to submit your detailed travel plans to get a visa, so this step is non-negotiable.

Step 3: Arrange Visa and Travel Documents

You must get a valid tourist visa before you visit a foreign country. The visa application process is different for every country, so you must thoroughly research how to apply for a visa from India to that particular country. Here is a general visa application process:

• Visa Exemptions: Some countries, like Thailand, have exempted Indian citizens from their visa requirements. In such cases, you only need to submit relevant documents like your passport after arrival.
• Visa On Arrival: Indonesia and several other countries offer visas to Indian citizens after they arrive there.
• E-Visa: In some cases, you need to apply for an electronic visa before travelling to a country. Countries like Cambodia and Vietnam offer e-visas to Indians.
• Physical Visa Application Process: Some countries have a more elaborate physical visa application process. For example, you need to submit your biometric data and physical documents for Schengen visas and appear for an interview for a USA visa.

Step 4: Get Travel Insurance

No matter how carefully you plan your trip, some things are not in your control. You may face challenges during your trip, and dealing with them abroad can take a toll on your finances. Travel insurance is a policy that covers travel-related risks like emergency hospitalisation, loss of checked-in luggage, passport theft, accidents abroad, and missed connecting flights.

Some nations, such as 27 Schengen countries and Australia, have made travel medical insurance compulsory for international travellers. However, you should consider getting an overseas travel insurance policy even when it's not mandatory because it is a crucial financial safeguard against travel risks.

Step 5: Pack Smart (And Light!)

The last (and most fun) part of travelling abroad is packing! When you shop for clothes, accessories, and other essentials for your trip, consider the following factors.

• Weather: Check if it is sunny, wet, or chilly when you are planning to visit. Pack appropriately to prevent weather-related health problems.
• Prohibited Items: Make sure that you have not accidentally packed an item that is prohibited in the country you are visiting to avoid any trouble at the airports after landing.
• Weight: You are allowed to carry a limited amount of luggage on flights. Weigh your luggage before heading to the airport to avoid last-minute troubles. Try to pack lightly with travel-sized products and lightweight clothes.
• Food: Pack some ready-to-eat or easy-to-cook food items in case you need a quick bite while travelling. This is an essential tip for vegetarians visiting countries where veg options are limited.

Why Travel Insurance is a Must-Have for Travelling Abroad

If you want your first foreign trip to be stress-free, consider securing it with international travel insurance. Here's why a travel insurance policy is an integral part of the flying abroad process.

• Protection from Expensive Healthcare Abroad: Hospitalisation and medical care can get extremely expensive abroad. Travel insurance covers emergency medical treatments, and some insurers offer cashless hospitalisation benefits as well.
• Covers Flight-related Issues: Travel insurance financially covers you against common flight-related issues like missed connecting flights, delayed delivery or loss of checked-in luggage, and flight cancellations.
• Provides Travel Assistance: Most travel insurance companies offer 24/7 assistance to their customers through their telephone helplines. You can use this channel whenever you need assistance during your trip.
• Tailored Plans Available: Depending on your travel preferences, you can buy tailored policies like student travel insurance, individual travel insurance, family travel insurance, and so on.

Start Your First International Journey with Confidence!

Planning the first foreign vacation can initially look stressful for Indian travellers, but taking things one step at a time can help it plan smoothly. Before finalising your trip details, ensure you do plenty of research on the country, its visa requirements, seasons, currency, weather, and transportation. Also, don't forget to secure your trip with overseas travel insurance to ensure no travel-related challenges disrupt your finances.