8 expectations for international travel from the U.S.

With summer travel in full swing, the interest is soaring. Whether you're off to see Taylor Swift in Europe, joining the Summer Olympics in Paris, or seizing the favorable dollar-to-yen exchange rate to visit Japan, be ready for packed flights, bustling hotels, and crowds at popular sites around the globe.

While seasoned international adventurers are often well-prepared, first-time travelers leaving the U.S. should keep these expectations in mind for their journey.

You might need to fill out specific travel documents beforehand.

Before embarking on any international adventure, it's crucial to investigate what paperwork is required for entry into your destination country or countries.

Here are examples of travel documents you might need to complete or submit ahead of time:

• Visa
• Customs declaration
• Health certificate
• Proof of travel insurance
• Evidence of specific vaccinations

While not every country mandates all of the above documents, arriving without the correct paperwork can result in being denied entry. Additionally, some forms might not need to be completed in advance.

Certain countries provide customs forms online or offer paper versions that can be filled out upon arrival. Therefore, it’s wise to keep a pen in your carry-on. No one enjoys waiting at customs just to borrow a pen from another traveler.

Typically, airlines will inquire about your visa status for countries that require one when you check in for your flight. Some nations, like Indonesia and Turkey, permit you to buy a visa upon arrival. If you intend to do this, inform the airline staff, and they should allow you to continue your travel. For countries such as Australia and New Zealand, however, you must apply for your visa online or via an app and receive approval before your trip.

Baggage size regulations can vary among international airlines.

Did you score a fantastic points deal to a European hub? That’s fantastic! However, once in Europe, you might need an additional short positioning flight to reach your final destination. Make sure to verify the baggage size regulations for any flights beyond the U.S.

International airlines are more likely to weigh your carry-on bags at check-in or ask you to verify that they fit in the size checker at the gate. If your luggage exceeds weight limits or doesn’t fit, you might face significant fees for checking it or for oversized bags. For instance, low-cost airline Ryanair restricts personal items like handbags and backpacks to 40 centimeters by 20 centimeters by 25 centimeters (approximately 16 inches by 8 inches by 10 inches), which is smaller than Spirit Airlines' personal item size of 18 inches by 14 inches by 8 inches.

Some items may be prohibited in the country you’re visiting.

It’s essential to know the items prohibited by the Transportation Security Administration, and you should also check what items are banned at your destination prior to traveling. This information is usually available on the U.S. Embassy website or the customs website of your destination country. For instance, this is the customs page for the United Arab Emirates.

Restricted items may include the following:

• Medications lacking a label and/or prescription
• Certain amounts of prescribed medications, such as narcotics and opioids
• Firearms and ammunition
• Food products like dairy, meats, or fresh fruits and vegetables

A surprising prohibited item for many is chewing gum in Singapore.

As per the Health Sciences Authority, "All types of chewing gum, even those intended for medical or dental use, that are purchased abroad cannot be brought into Singapore, regardless of prescriptions from your healthcare provider or if they are similar to local brands or strengths. Nicotine chewing gum can be purchased at pharmacies within Singapore if needed."

However, bringing a pack or two of chewing gum for personal use is generally considered acceptable. Just be cautious about carrying large amounts, as it could lead to suspicions of importing it for resale in Singapore.

You might find yourself jet-lagged 

After a long journey, particularly on intercontinental or overnight flights that traverse multiple time zones, you’re likely to feel fatigued and experience jet lag upon arrival. Even with a comfortable lie-flat seat in business class, it doesn’t quite compare to a full night’s sleep in a real bed. For example, traveling from the East Coast to Western Europe leaves little time for rest between dinner and breakfast services (with only about six hours of actual flight time).

Therefore, it’s advisable to refrain from scheduling activities immediately after arrival. I’ve ignored this advice in the past and certainly regretted it. Last summer, for instance, I booked a Champagne house tour and tasting in Reims, France, just a few hours after landing. While I made it to the tour, I struggled to stay awake as the guide spoke.

If your flight gets delayed, you risk missing out on what could be a nonrefundable experience. With limited time in a new place, it's natural to want to make the most of every minute. Yet, sometimes, that means allowing time to relax and unwind.

Before you land, ensure you have a plan for traveling from the airport to your accommodation. After a long flight, arriving in an unfamiliar location can be disorienting. To avoid potential issues or confusion, arrange your transportation in advance or save specific directions on your phone.

You may require an adapter for your devices.

While many hotels offer universal power sockets, particularly for devices from the U.S., U.K., and EU, you may still need an international adapter in several countries. These adapters usually work in over 150 nations. If you forget yours, you can often purchase one at your destination or borrow it from your hotel. However, it’s advisable to invest in one and remember to bring it on every international trip, even if you end up not using it.

Hotel rooms frequently lack sufficient power outlets to charge the numerous devices that families tend to bring. Thus, having an adapter with various outlet types, including multiple USB ports and AC sockets, can be very useful.

Additionally, be mindful of the voltage of your devices and the type of power outlet you're using. Connecting 220-volt devices to 110-volt outlets can pose a fire risk.

You might need to pay to use the restroom.

Unlike the U.S., many countries do not offer free public restrooms. Instead, they often have "pay toilets" available. For instance, using the facilities at a European train station or outdoor public events like Christmas markets may cost 50 euro cents or 1 euro ($1.07); you might encounter a turnstile or slot at the entrance where you need to insert your coin.

However, this isn’t universally true. If you’re dining at a restaurant or exploring a museum, the restroom may be complimentary for patrons.

In some places, restrooms might be free, but you could find a lack of toilet paper in the stall or soap at the sink for washing your hands. Therefore, it's wise to either bring your own supplies or request them from the attendant at the restroom entry, often with a tip for the service.

In Egypt, I’ve encountered bathroom attendants. Even if you bring your own toilet paper and soap or hand sanitizer, remember that these attendants also clean the facilities, so you may want to tip them for their service.

Your drinks might be served without ice.

Many Americans relish ice-cold drinks, especially on hot summer days. It might seem minor, but the absence of ice in beverages was one of the biggest surprises during my international travels. I always look forward to returning home to my cold water and sodas with ice after such trips.

In various countries, drinking water might be served at room temperature, and soft drinks or other expectedly cold beverages could be only slightly cooler than room temperature. There are several reasons for this.

In some nations, tap water might be unsafe or contaminated. A notable example is Mexico, where tourists are advised against drinking the water, including any ice made from it. Therefore, it’s best to stick to bottled water. Some higher-end restaurants may use filtered or purified water for ice, particularly in cocktails, but don’t expect ice cubes in your soft drinks unless you specifically ask for them.

The absence of ice isn’t solely due to concerns about safe drinking water. In several countries, it’s simply a cultural norm not to serve ice cubes in beverages. Many European nations don’t provide ice, even if their tap water is clean and safe. Often, you can request ice, but it won’t be included automatically with your drink. Additionally, don't be surprised if your hotel lacks an ice machine.

You might not need to tip.

In the U.S., it’s customary to add an extra 15% to 20% for service-related expenses, but this expectation doesn’t apply universally across the globe.

Make sure to familiarize yourself with the tipping customs of the country you’re visiting. For instance, in Japan and South Korea, tipping is often viewed as impolite. In other nations, while tipping may not be expected, servers generally won’t refuse your gratuity.

In some establishments, a service charge is already included in your restaurant bill, so no additional tip is necessary. Additionally, in many countries, restaurant staff receive a fair wage and do not rely on tips to supplement a low salary.

Conversely, in certain countries, tips are a significant part of people's income, especially for those serving tourists; they may expect or even request a tip for any service provided. As a result, I've learned to be cautious when accepting help. In places like Egypt and Morocco, if someone offers you directions or assistance, they typically anticipate a tip in return. In other locations, some individuals may gladly help you without expecting anything in return, and might even decline your offer of payment.