10 Things We Always Do Before We Go to a New Country

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Travel has taught me to love the process—not just the destination. Nothing gets me more excited, well almost nothing, than researching a new destination. Over the years, Steven and I have learned that a bit of planning on the front end makes for fewer headaches on the back end. These aren’t rules. They’re habits we’ve picked up after missed details, long layovers, and more than a few frustrating mistakes I’d rather not repeat. Some of these steps are second nature now. Others were added after things went wrong. Together, they shape how we move—intentionally and more easily.

Table of Contents

• Things to Do Before Travel
• Check Travel Advisories
• Check Visa Requirements Early
• Download Maps and Local Apps
• Buy a SIM Card at the Airport
• Keep WhatsApp Installed
• Use ChatGPT for Early Planning
• Read the 3-Star Reviews
• Set Up Auto Bill Pay
• Prepare Travel Documents
• Charge Essentials and Keep Them Close
• Pack Electronics Together

Check Travel Advisories

I don’t do itineraries anymore. I do make a list of things I may want to do before traveling, so the list can be very long. We always start with the U.S. State Department website. We’re not looking for horror stories, just the facts—entry rules, safety notices, and health advisories. I just discovered AA Sherpa and it seems to do the same thing but for all the countries on the planet. Then we look for the horror stories, lol, jk. However, because Steven is still active-duty military, we also check if there are DoD travel restrictions with his command. Some countries that are open to the public aren’t open to military personnel. It’s a step we can’t afford to skip, and, honestly, no traveler should.

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Check Visa Requirements Early—and Again Before We Fly

One of the smartest things I do before any trip now is confirm the visa requirements—again. I used to check once while planning and move on, assuming the rules wouldn’t change. That mindset shifted after we flew to Vietnam and found out the visa fee had jumped from $30 to $100—just a week before we arrived. I hadn’t double-checked. There was no Wi-Fi in the airport, so I couldn’t pull up anything to verify the increase. Thank goodness the trip didn’t fall apart. But it sure as hell added stress we didn’t need—and that uneasy feeling we were being taken advantage of. In a world where things change quickly, I’ve learned to double-check everything—just in case.

I go straight to the country’s official immigration or embassy site to check for application forms, fees, proof of accommodation, or anything else that’s required. If anything feels unclear, I take screenshots or email it to myself so I have access offline. No more guessing. No more surprises at the airport.

Download Maps and Local Apps

I always download Google Maps offline for every city we plan to visit. It only takes a few minutes and gives me peace of mind if we land somewhere with no Wi-Fi or patchy signal. It’s especially helpful after a long flight, when we’re disoriented or just trying to find the hotel without stress.

We also install essential apps ahead of time—Grab, Uber, Google Translate, and any country-specific rideshare or delivery platforms. I make sure the language pack is downloaded too. We’ve landed late in unfamiliar places with no signal more than once—having maps and tools ready saved us from scrambling. On one of those late arrivals, we met Suwat, our Grab driver in Chiang Mai. He was kind, patient, and full of great local advice. That short ride turned into a friendship—we’ve now visited him two more times. He’s not a Grab driver anymore, but he always takes some time off to hang out with us. You never know who you’ll meet when you travel, but having the right tools helps open those doors.

I also create a custom map of everything I want to see before we travel. It helps me visualize the city, group activities by neighborhood, and avoid wasting time zigzagging across town. I include cafés, markets, landmarks, scenic viewpoints—even quiet corners to sit and rest. Having everything in one place makes the day flow more naturally.

Buy a SIM Card at the Airport

We’ve used eSIMs before, but not always. Most of the time, we just pick up a local SIM card at the airport. It’s not the cheapest option, but the convenience matters more after a long flight. We’ve also bought SIMs in town when we had the energy to shop around—but if you land late and all the vendors are closed, having an eSIM already installed can save you the hassle. When you’re tired or trying to find your hotel in the dark, having data immediately is worth the few extra dollars.

Do You Have WhatsApp?

WhatsApp is our go-to for communicating abroad. Many hotels, tour guides, and service providers prefer it. This has been a great way to connect with the hotel or activities before we arrive—we’ve even used it to arrange airport pickups directly through the front desk. During our trip to Vietnam, we used WhatsApp to order meals, check opening hours, and schedule pickups while we were in town. It’s also been the easiest way to call or text across borders without worrying about international fees or confusing phone plans.

Use ChatGPT for Early Planning

One of the tools I started using in recent years is ChatGPT. I use it in the early planning stage to suggest activities, efficient routes, food to try, and ideas that match the way Steven and I like to travel. Sometimes, I ask for scenic walking routes or low-key places to recharge that don’t always appear in guidebooks, TikToks, or YouTube videos.

It doesn’t replace personal research, but it gives me a strong foundation and saves the time I used to spend scrolling through endless tabs and travel forums. Once I have a rough plan, I organize everything into my custom map so I can carry it with me on my phone. Even if we change our minds mid-day, we never feel lost.

Read the 3-Star Reviews

I rely more on 3-star reviews than 1s or 5s. They’re usually written by people who paid attention, who tell you what’s good and what’s not. I’ve found the most accurate cleanliness, noise, and neighborhood safety descriptions in those middle-of-the-road reviews. Five-star reviews often say everything was “perfect,” and one-star reviews are usually fueled by one bad moment. But the 3s? They tend to feel more accurate and helpful.

Set Up Auto Bill Pay

We travel for weeks or even months at a time. So, before we go, I double-check that all our bills are on autopay. Most of this I can manage right from my bank app in a few minutes. I don’t want to be hiking in Thailand or boarding a train in Europe while stressing over a missed payment. It’s one of those unglamorous steps that makes the rest of the trip lighter.

Prepare Travel Documents

I keep both digital and printed copies of our travel documents. That includes flight confirmations, hotel addresses, visa paperwork, and any QR codes we might need at the airport. If we’re headed somewhere with a language barrier, I include the hotel address written in the local language. It makes it easier to hand it to a taxi driver or ask for directions.

I also save essential contact numbers, like the U.S. embassy, airline customer service, and our travel insurance provider. Steven keeps a folder with his military ID and travel orders in case we need them at check-in, customs, or for special rates. Having everything organized means we don’t scramble when we land tired or face an unexpected delay.

Charge Essentials and Keep Them Close

I learned this the hard way during a long travel day in Seoul. We were delayed, the plane was full, and I had to gate-check my carry-on. My charger, passport, earbuds—everything I actually needed—was now out of reach. I spent hours with a dying phone, no snacks, and no way to zone out. Since then, I pack differently.

I try to keep my power bank fully charged. But I also fully charge my phone and earbuds the night before. I keep my passport, money, and charger in a small pouch in my laptop bag I never store overhead. I learned that the hard way when someone walked off with my camera bag. If my carry-on has to be stashed, I still have what I need within reach. I also download shows from YouTube and my favorite streaming apps, so I have something familiar to watch if we’re delayed or stuck in a noisy terminal.

Pack All Electronics and Accessories Together

I have a dedicated pouch for all our chargers, cords, converters, and power banks. The night before we leave, I double-check that everything is in it—and that it’s sitting right next to the suitcase. We travel with a lot of tech, and forgetting just one adapter or charging cable can mean wasting time or money tracking one down later or going without it.

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