Pick your destination!
This is one of my favorite activities. Planning and anticipation are as much a part of the joy as the travel itself for me.
Book travel
For best availability and pricing, plan to purchase flight tickets 3-6 months ahead for international travel. Domestic travel can be booked a bit closer to your departure date.
Research customs
Before you start packing, research the customs in the country to which you are heading. Respecting etiquette and dress customs can make a difference in how you are received.
Learn some words
Just knowing how to say “good morning”, “yes/no”, “please” and “thank you” will go a long way with locals.
I have often found that after I get a head shake to my “do you speak English?” query and I stumble around trying to express myself in the local language, suddenly that same person will jump in with enough English that we can communicate sufficiently together. Plus, I'm pretty good at Pictionary and Charades.
Consider TSA Precheck and Global Entry
TSA Precheck (https://www.tsa.gov/precheck) and Global Entry (https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry) allow you to skip some of the lines and more extensive security-screening.
Global Entry is now equipped with facial recognition, so on entry back into the US I just breeze by the kiosk without even needing to pull out my passport while glancing over at those poor souls, who are just as jet-lagged and exhausted as I am, waiting in that long, long passport control queue.
Some credit card companies will reimburse the charges for these programs, currently $120 for Global Entry, which includes TSA Precheck, and is good for 5 years. You may also be allowed to access some priority security lanes domestically and internationally if flying Business or First.
Look into lounge access at the airport
If you are flying Business or First, you often have lounge access for international flights. Some credit card companies allow access to lounges for premium card holders (American Express Platinum, Chase Sapphire Reserve, Capital One Venture X).
A crowded lounge with marginal food choices may not be much of a benefit when you are in an international hub with other premium food choices and comfortable seating, but I was sure glad to have it in the tiny airport in Iquitos, Peru where I found quiet and comfortable chairs for my wait.
Pack!
Make a packing list and actually pack several days ahead of time. Check out my Packing Tips and Packing List Template for helpful suggestions. Making your list helps you consider whether you are missing something you need some lead time to acquire. Packing at least several days to a week in advance allows life to happen around you without needing to panic-pack at the last minute in the midst of unplanned chaos.
Prevent an expensive surprise when you touch down
Shut off cellular data before you leave the ground. Once you take your phone off airplane mode at your destination, any texts you received while flying will come flying through via the roaming network, all at a charge to you. Just wait until you are in the terminal and access free wifi to get texts and emails. You can even make and receive FaceTime and phone calls through wifi.
Cash or cashless
I used to stop at a bank's ATM at the airport and withdraw cash in the local currency. Now it depends on my destination, as much of the globe has gone cashless. You may want to research your destination regarding this. My last trips to Europe, Scandinavia, Mexico, and Peru I used zero cash. Coffee shops, street food vendors, market stall sellers all had portable card readers and many did not take cash at all, probably for their own safety. If you take out cash in advance I wouldn't withdraw much. And, I would always use an ATM associated with a bank for best rates and security.
Have fun!
Remember some of the benefits of solo travel. Exhausted and jet-lagged? Sleep in another hour or two. Loving that museum? Have another walk-through. Bored with the castle tour? Duck out and take yourself to lunch. Not ready to get up from that cute cafe table? Pull out your journal and do some writing or sketching. Enjoy yourself!
