Taking your first trip to a foreign country can be very exciting — and also very intimidating.

After visiting more than 120 countries on all seven continents, we have plenty of experience planning trips. And aside from getting your first passport, most of the preparations are the same whether you’re visiting your first country or your fiftieth.

We shared our tips for planning your first international trip with ABC TV’s The Daily Refresh. Click to watch the video, then read on to learn more.

Planning your first international trip and not sure where to start? We have you covered!

• Apply for your passport. This is the first step for international travel. Applying early means you can avoid paying extra fees for expedited service or having to travel to a federal office or embassy to have a passport issued at the last minute. In the U.S., you can schedule passport appointments at post offices and many public libraries.
• Research your destination. Avoid the stress that comes with the unknown by doing some basic research about your destination:
  • Visa requirements. Visit the country’s official government website for up-to-date information about required entry documentation, including visas. Some require sending your passport to an embassy, some can be obtained online, while others may be visa on arrival (VOA) that are issued when you land at the airport. Information is also available from the U.S. Department of State website.
  • Immunization requirements. Many countries require proof of immunization against illnesses that are common to the region, such as yellow fever or MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella). They may also recommend additional immunizations to keep you healthy from local threats such as malaria. Check the country’s official government website and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for requirements and recommendations.
  • Culture and customs. Being a good traveler means being a respectful traveler. Learning about the culture and customs of your destination will help you be prepared for what you’ll encounter when you arrive, and it also helps you pack smarter.
• Order local currency. One of the best ways to save money when you travel internationally is to avoid unnecessary fees, including currency conversion fees and ATM charges. Visit a local branch of your bank a few weeks before your trip to place an order for foreign currency. Most will charge a flat fee for the service, and you’ll arrive at your destination prepared for taxis, tips, and other transactions that may be cash-only.
• Download travel apps. Don’t rely on local wifi or blow through your phone’s data downloading travel apps after you arrive. Plan ahead by installing them on your phone before you leave home. We recommend starting with Google Translate, Google Maps, and a local ride share service (Uber, Lyft, Grab, iTaxi, or whatever service works for your destination) so you can make a seamless transfer from the airport to your hotel and then on to your adventures.
• Learn a few foreign words. Concerned about not being fluent in the local language? Don’t worry about it. Download the free Google Translate app along with the language pack for your destination, and even without cell service or wifi you’ll be able to type or speak into your phone and translate on the fly. You can also use your phone’s camera to translate signs, menus, and other printed information. But it’s still nice to know how to say “hello,” “thank you,” and other basic phrases off the top of your head. Most locals will appreciate the effort, even if your pronunciation isn’t perfect.

We asked other travelers what they wish they’d known prior to their first international trip, and they shared some great tips.

“I always make it a point to learn a few phrases in the destination language,” Jessie M. said. “One not everyone thinks of is ‘beautiful’. A baby can be beautiful, a picture you took and showed to someone, an ethnic outfit someone is wearing, a work of art, a fruit stand, etc. ‘Beautiful’ and a smile creates a lot of goodwill and can often lead to a meaningful interaction.”

“[W]hat you’ve learned in school or watched on TV isn’t always what you will encounter while abroad,” Nolan T. said.

And things change over time, Alice O. noted.

“My first trip was with my parents while I was in high school. I didn’t know a damn thing but learned a lot, so when I went back during college, I was pretty well prepared,” she said. “What I needed to know back then (things like how travelers cheques and overseas calls work) are not the same things one needs to know now (how to make your phone work in other countries, when to use credit cards vs. debit cards, etc.).”

Rachel D. said she wished she’d known how to best navigate transportation and service strikes, which can be common in some countries. She also wished she’d known how to maximize exchange rates — several travelers mentioned this — and how to avoid fees. Rachel also wished she’d known how to best react when approached in person by scammers, especially as a solo traveler. Each of these issues and their solutions will vary from country to country, so be sure to research your specific destination in advance.

“Depending where you are going, you may need to realize that the local people there aren’t necessarily a big fan of Americans (as most of us like to think),” Misty H. said, and Nicole B. agreed. “Leave the USA t-shirts and hats at home. Try not to speak loudly and stand out. Americans are usually not super-welcome or ‘number one’ like we tend to think we are.”

Americans aren’t the only travelers who have learned things the hard way on their first trips to foreign countries. “My first international trip would have been when I was a baby, but I guess the fact that public transport works differently in every city and country is something I learnt along the way, sometimes the hard way,” Karlien V. said.

James W. also first traveled internationally as a child, and he offered an idea that would be terrific for traveling families. “As a kid, I wish I had known more about what sites we would see when we got there,” he said. “Like a fun research project about each of the sites and why they are cool/important. That way when we arrive, I’m actually excited to see the places I had researched!”

Many of the recommendations had a common theme, which Konstantine X. summed up in a single word: “Flexibility!”

Here are some additional suggestions from seasoned travelers to consider before your first adventure abroad:

• “Google Translate is the best thing ever to happen to international travel!” — Heather D.
• “[Y]ou need a coin for many public bathrooms in Europe, even in nice department stores.” — Ronna-Renee J.
• Raymond R. recommended that people who are new to international travel should be aware of common scams, particularly when it comes to taxis. He also said to be prepared when locals don’t speak English, protect yourself against theft, and understand local culture and customs so you are respectful and abide by laws.
• Whitney A. suggests international travelers schedule pre- and post-travel medical consultations with their physicians, and she reiterated the need for travelers to check cdc.gov for international travel recommendations.
• “Prepare for time differences and plan accordingly. We like to travel during the night and arrive in the morning hours of our destination. Also, American Express is not accepted in some countries. Most places in England accept it, but France and some others do not.” — Denise T.
  • (Note: always check with your credit card providers before you travel to be sure your card will work at your destination. Traveling with multiple cards can help avoid these kinds of issues.)
• “I didn’t realize I would have such terrible jet lag. It caused me to lose a full day.” — Shawn W.
• “[Know] what to expect in the international side of the airport. No one prepared me for all the checkpoints and paperwork I would have to deal with. Just an outline of what to expect would have been amazing!” — Kelsey C.
• “Most people are friendly and nice, but there are always scammers ready to rip you off, so explore but be wise. I also go to the State Department website and read any warnings or alerts they may have as well as current events search to see what’s going on where we’re going.” — Keith R.
• “I think visas in general can be somewhat of a mystery! Though U.S. citizens are privileged in not needing them much of the time (even if they’re technically ‘required’), it seems like that may be changing over the next few years.” — Katarina R.
• “Never exchange money at the airport or right outside the airport! Always do it locally, and not in super touristy areas or you’ll get ripped off in the exchange rate.” — Nicole B.
• “It’s okay to say NO to people when being asked to purchase items. [Learn] how to find and access ATMs abroad and not be charged out the wazoo by both the country you’re visiting AND the U.S.!” — Angie H.
• “SIM card.” — Clay T.

What do you wish you’d known before your first international trip? Or if you’ve never traveled to a foreign country, what would help you feel prepared for your first international adventure? Leave a comment below!