Traveling abroad is exciting — whether it’s a vacation, work trip, or visiting family. But what do you need to do before traveling internationally? Even short trips can bring surprises like new health risks, different medical systems, or emergencies. Being ready helps you worry less and enjoy more.
Here are three important travel and health tips you should consider before traveling internationally.
1. Research your destination.
To plan an international trip step by step, start by learning about where you’re going:
- Check health and safety risks. Visit the U.S. State Department website for the latest travel advisories and enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).
- Review vaccine recommendations. Visit the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website to see what shots you may need.
- Find local medical help. Use our provider finder (located in our member app) to search an extensive list of healthcare providers around the world. You can also check the U.S. Embassy site for a more limited list of local medical listings.
- Check any safety considerations. Can you drink the water? Are there common scams? What are the safety tips for your location?
- Learn about cultural norms. Before you travel, find out what not to do, what’s expected, and how to show respect in the local culture.
- Find out what your travel experience might be like. Explore helpful tips and resources designed to support travelers of all backgrounds and identities. Tools like the Global Peace Index and Equaldex Equality Index can help you find welcoming, inclusive destinations around the world.
2. Know how you’ll pay for medical care abroad.
What should I do to prepare for an international trip when it comes to health coverage? Don’t count on your U.S. health plan abroad—most offer little or no coverage outside the country,
- Review your domestic health insurance policy. Know what’s covered (and not covered) abroad.
- Look for and purchase an international health insurance plan. Make sure it includes benefits like:
- Medical evacuation and repatriation, in case you need to go to another location to get the right treatment.
- Global telemedicine services. These services are meant to be used anywhere in the world. Your telemedicine services in the U.S. are not.
- Coverage for pre-existing conditions.
- Smart digital tools to find doctors, get translation help and security alerts.
- 24/7/365 support.
3. Prepare for known and unexpected health issues.
Here are the final tips to prepare for international travel:
- Pack your medications carefully.
- Check to make sure your destination allows your medications. Some medications you take at home may not be legal in another country.
- Carry them in your carry-on with a copy of your prescription.
- Learn the local names of your meds as they may differ in your destination. (Our app can help!)
- Include 3–5 days of extra medication in your travel bag, just in case.
- Talk to your doctor about time zone changes and dosing.
- Be ready for emergencies.
- Take photos of important documents.
- Pack a first aid kit and extra glasses or contacts along with prescription information.
- Know emergency numbers for ambulance, fire and poison control.
- Know where to find local pharmacies.
- Share your plans with someone at home.
- If you have allergies or chronic conditions, make your medical history easily available in case of an emergency. Learn key phrases to say what foods or medications you are allergic to in the local language.
Get ready for your adventure!
Grab our Pre-Travel Checklist to help you stay organized and travel with confidence.
