The essentials every international traveler should know before the first booking: documents, money, timing and the checklist that ties it together.

A short checklist covers most of it: passport, entry rules, insurance, money, phone and a copy of key documents.

Begin two to three months before a first international trip.

Start with:, International travel checklist

Part of Travel Tips, Packing, Money, Documents & Safety guides. Browse the other topics there to keep planning.