When you are planning a trip to an international destination, you likely spend most of your time looking up all the amazing places you want to go, where you’re going to stay and how much everything will cost. But there are other factors to consider during your trip planning process. Taking some time to think about what you could encounter when you get to your destination can save you from having a major issue in a foreign country. Here are 7 things to research while planning your next international trip:

1. Visa, health & safety and other entry requirements
2. Weather
3. Local holidays and celebrations
4. The best way to get around
5. Common safety issues
6. Customs and culture
7. Dress code

Now let’s get into each of the 7 things to research while planning an international trip in more detail.

1. Visa, health & safety and other entry requirements

You’ve got your passports, but each country has their own visa requirements, as well. The rules differ depending on which citizenship you have. Those rules can also change at any time. Your visa application might cost money and could take a certain amount of time to process before you get it. The visa also tells you how long you are allowed to stay on your visit. Be sure to check the most updated rules during your planning.

A man we met on our travels told us that he once had to cancel a trip with his wife. He assumed the visa requirements for their destination were the same for everyone. He got his visa but was unable to get one for his wife. She was from a different country and had different visa requirements. They ultimately rescheduled their trip, but they definitely lost some money in the process.

Additionally, you should look for rules about health precautions. Several countries require you to have certain vaccines before you are allowed to enter. As many of us are familiar with now, some countries will require you to provide your COVID-19 vaccination card, produce a negative test and/or wear a mask in public places. Look for these and other entry requirements in plenty of time so you can get your appointments scheduled if necessary.

Since we are U.S. and Irish citizens, here are links to entry requirements for U.S. citizens and visa requirements for Irish citizens.

2. Weather

This one may seem obvious, but it goes a little beyond your basic forecast. What is the weather typically like during the time of your trip? Do they have different seasons like dry, wet, dark, light, etc.? This could change the dates you’re looking to go. For example, it’s probably not the best idea to go to a beach destination during hurricane season. If it’s supposed to be rainy, does it usually clear up after 20 minutes or go on for days? Is the rain mostly light or heavy? All of these can impact your itinerary.

3. Local holidays and celebrations

Check your destination’s calendar for holidays and events to see how your trip may be affected. If you are going to a Muslim country during Ramadan, several restaurants may close because of the fasting. If you’re traveling to the U.S. around a national holiday like Thanksgiving, ticket prices, crowds and traffic will be significantly higher than usual. Should you happen to hit Carnaval in Brazil, there could be lots of unique and fun events worth attending!

4. The best way to get around

We like to rent a car and drive when we can. We find it gives us the flexibility to go more places, especially things that are off the beaten path. It relieves a little pressure knowing that we aren’t tied to a specific departure time to catch a certain train, plane, bus, etc. (which can make a big difference when you’re traveling with little ones). It also gives us some freedom during our trip to use all the extra space we have and not have to worry so much about re-packing every time we move to a different place.

That said, some destinations just aren’t well suited to driving. In most major cities in Europe, you can reach anywhere you need to go by efficient public transportation or even by simply walking. Somewhere like southeast Asia, however, might have majorly crowded roads with aggressive scooter and tuk-tuk drivers with traffic norms that are completely unfamiliar to tourists.

When you have your list of places you want to go, make sure you also have a plan for how to get to them.

5. Common safety issues

Be aware of the most common safety concerns for tourists in your destination. The tap water might make you sick. Maybe certain popular tourist areas are also popular among thieves who can easily snatch bags while zooming by on a moped. When I traveled to Beijing as a student, my local guide told me not to eat food from the street vendors because it was not prepared safely. My personal rule is that I will try anything once, but not if I’m explicitly told to avoid it. You always want to be alert when you travel, but knowing specific things to look out for is helpful.

6. Customs and culture

Different cultures have different meanings associated with various things, from big to small. Something that you say in casual conversation in your own country might be considered offensive in another part of the world. Certain ways you place your plate or utensils after you eat might symbolize something bad. Kissing your spouse in public could be a huge error. Know the basics before you go.

I once went out to dinner with a friend in Malaysia. Our food was served on a banana leaf. He told me when we were finished eating that I needed to fold the banana leaf a certain way. If I didn’t fold it correctly, it would have signified to the chef that I didn’t like the food. Thank goodness he told me because the food was delicious and I certainly wanted the chef to know that I thought so!

7. Dress code

Of course you have thought about what clothes are most appropriate given the weather and type of activities you plan to do, but there may also be clothes that are considered inappropriate for reasons you didn’t know existed. For example, most people know that you are supposed to cover your shoulders, legs and sometimes head when you visit a place of religious importance, but in some cultures, women must cover their arms at all times and men should never wear shorts.

I accidentally forgot to think about this when we last visited the Vatican. We were only in town for the afternoon and I was wearing a short, sleeveless romper. I was stopped at the entrance and needed to cover both my shoulders and legs before I could go in. Thankfully, we had the diaper bag so I was able to fashion some cover-ups out of a spare jacket and baby swaddles, but I looked ridiculous. If I hadn’t had those things, I would have either had to buy other clothing or miss out on the Vatican, which would have been a huge bummer.

The colors of your clothing may also play a role. For example, if you are in Australia and are feeling bright and cheerful, you might put on a bright yellow outfit. In some parts of the world, however, yellow is only supposed to be worn by royalty. For some it symbolizes envy and for others it symbolizes death and mourning. Though the symbolisms might not be a huge concern these days, it is still good to check if there is something you might typically wear on vacation that you should avoid. When in doubt, opt for modesty.

Preparation now can avoid trouble later

Sometimes these things need to be learned the hard way, but that can also mean you have some good stories to tell later. If anything from this list reminds you of your own travel experiences, I would love to read them in the comments!

Planning an international trip can already be daunting and time consuming without having to think about all the points listed above. It is easy to get swept up in the excitement of planning all the activities for your trip. Just don’t forget to add a little extra research time for the 7 things to research while planning an international trip and you’ll feel more confident about your travels. I promise you won’t regret being extra prepared and extra aware.

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Anxious about taking a flight with your baby? Check out our 10 Helpful Tips for Air Travel with a Baby.