Updated 2026-06-23 · 13 minute read
How to Prepare for International Travel
A complete international travel preparation guide covering documents, emergency contacts, money, devices, insurance, and destination research.
Documents and entry requirements
Confirm passport validity, visa rules, entry forms, onward travel requirements, vaccination documentation, and child travel documents before booking nonrefundable plans. Some destinations require passports to be valid for months after arrival, and airlines may deny boarding when documents do not match entry rules.
Store digital copies in a secure cloud account and offline on your phone. Carry paper copies separately from original documents. If a bag is lost, this small habit saves time with police reports, airlines, hotels, and consular services.
Money, devices, and communication
Check the destination currency, card acceptance, ATM availability, tipping customs, and common payment apps. Bring more than one payment method and keep them separated. Notify banks when necessary and know how to freeze cards from abroad.
Use the plug type finder before packing chargers and medical devices. Add a compact power bank, offline maps, translation access, and a plan for mobile data. For important calls across borders, check calling codes and time zones before you dial.
Health and emergency preparation
Review travel insurance coverage, medication rules, prescription documentation, and clinic access. Pack essential medication in carry-on luggage and keep a copy of prescriptions. If you have allergies or a medical condition, carry a short note in the destination language when possible.
Save emergency numbers and embassy details for each country. Print or screenshot the GlobeSafely emergency card so it is available when data service is not.
Country planning links
Use these country pages to save local emergency numbers, calling codes, currencies, time zones, plug types, and printable cards.
United Kingdom
GB · +44
- Police
- 999
- Ambulance
- 999
France
FR · +33
- Police
- 17
- Ambulance
- 15
Italy
IT · +39
- Police
- 112
- Ambulance
- 118
Spain
ES · +34
- Police
- 091
- Ambulance
- 061
Germany
DE · +49
- Police
- 110
- Ambulance
- 112
Japan
JP · +81
- Police
- 110
- Ambulance
- 119
Thailand
TH · +66
- Police
- 191
- Ambulance
- 1669
Vietnam
VN · +84
- Police
- 113
- Ambulance
- 115
Indonesia
ID · +62
- Police
- 110
- Ambulance
- 118
Australia
AU · +61
- Police
- 000
- Ambulance
- 000
Canada
CA · +1
- Police
- 911
- Ambulance
- 911
Mexico
MX · +52
- Police
- 911
- Ambulance
- 911