Travel guide
First trip abroad: a 60-day countdown checklist
Everything people skip on a first trip abroad — from the passport to insurance, baggage rules to airport timing — as a countdown that starts 60 days out.
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What makes a first trip abroad hard is rarely the unknown rules — it's the details you notice too late. The passport looks valid enough, the visa appointment is booked late, insurance is forgotten. The list below puts every step on a countdown; do each item in the right week and there are no surprises by the day you leave.
60 days out: documents
- Check the passport's validity. Many countries, including the Schengen area, want at least 3 months remaining from your return date, and the passport issued within the last 10 years.
- Confirm visa requirements on the destination country's official consulate page. A connection country may need a transit visa of its own.
- Book the visa appointment immediately. In busy periods, finding a slot takes longer than the application itself.
- List the documents the visa application needs: flight reservation, hotel booking, travel health insurance, bank statement, letter from your employer.
45 days out: flights and accommodation
- Book the flight in this window. On European routes, 6–12 weeks before departure is usually a good price window.
- Compare fares with baggage included; on low-cost airlines the headline price is often just a small cabin bag.
- Choose accommodation by closeness to the city centre and public transport, not the airport.
- Prefer a cancellable rate; the price difference is usually small and the flexibility is worth a lot.
30 days out: insurance, money and tickets
- Take out travel health insurance. It's required for a Schengen visa, and still a strong idea in countries that don't need a visa.
- Confirm with your bank that the card works abroad, and check the overseas transaction limit.
- Book museums and landmarks that need timed tickets; Sagrada Familia, Vatican Museums and Anne Frank House top that list.
- Check whether there's a concert, festival or match in the city on your dates. It enriches the plan and flags price spikes in advance.
14 days out: practical prep
- Save digital copies of the passport, visa, tickets and insurance documents on your phone and in email.
- Plan the airport transfer: which one, how many minutes, how much it costs.
- Set up an overseas data pack or eSIM. In most countries an eSIM is noticeably cheaper than a roaming pack.
- Download an offline map of the city you're visiting.
- Check the plug type. Continental Europe needs a C/F adaptor; the UK needs a G.
3 days out: baggage and check-in
| Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| Liquids limit | No more than 100 ml each, in a 1-litre transparent bag in total |
| Power bank | Cabin baggage only — it cannot go in the hold |
| Sharp items | Plenty of products, including nail clippers, can cause trouble in the cabin |
| Size | There's a real difference between airlines — check your own carrier's dimensions |
- Check in online and save the boarding pass on your phone and as a printout.
- Put valuables, medication and chargers in cabin baggage.
- Leave a little room in the suitcase — you'll need it for what you buy on the way back.
Travel day: airport timing
| Flight type | Be at the airport |
|---|---|
| Domestic | 2 hours before departure |
| International (Schengen) | 2.5 hours before departure |
| International (long-haul) | 3 hours before departure |
| Peak season or public holidays | Add 30 minutes to the times above |
At passport control you may be asked the purpose of the trip, how long you're staying and the address of your accommodation. Keeping the hotel booking and return ticket easy to reach on your phone turns that step into a few seconds.
The first 24 hours after you land
- Use public transport from the airport into the city; in many European cities the train or metro is less than half the time of a taxi, and far cheaper.
- Buy a travel card or day ticket; paying per ride is both expensive and a waste of time.
- After hotel check-in, take a short walk around the area — that's how you sort the first evening meal and anything you need from a shop.
- Note the emergency number. 112 works across every EU country.
Keep planning
Frequently asked questions
How valid does my passport need to be?
Many countries, including the Schengen area, want at least 3 months remaining from your planned return date, and the passport issued within the last 10 years. Confirm it on the destination country's official consulate page.
Should I buy a plane ticket before the visa is approved?
Don't buy a confirmed ticket. A cancellable flight reservation is usually enough for the visa application. Buying the confirmed ticket after approval comes through avoids losing money if you're refused.
Is travel health insurance required?
It's required for Schengen visa applications, with a minimum cover condition. It isn't required in countries that don't need a visa, but medical costs abroad can be very high, so it's strongly recommended.
How early should I be at the airport?
2.5 hours before departure for Schengen international flights, 3 hours for long-haul. Add 30 minutes in peak season and around public holidays.
