Hello friends! If you’re wondering how to travel internationally for the first time, I will guide you through everything you need to know. I will explain the essential guidelines you should follow for a smooth and hassle-free travel experience, ensuring you feel confident and prepared for your journey abroad.
In this post, I will cover each step in detail, from entering the airport to exiting the airport in your destination country. This post might be a bit long, but I promise that by the end of it, you will have no doubts. So, don’t forget to watch till the end!
How to travel internationally for the first time before you go
First of all, let’s understand the basic requirements for international travel.
- Passport – The most important document you need.
- Air Ticket – A confirmed flight ticket to your destination country.
- Visa – A valid visa for the country you are traveling to.
Entering the Airport
Once you reach the airport, the first step is to enter the terminal. As you can see, the airport has multiple entry gates. You can enter through any of them. At the entry gate, CISF (Central Industrial Security Force) personnel will check your flight ticket and passport. You can show a soft copy or a hard copy of your ticket – both are acceptable.
Check-in Counter in airport
The next step is to go to the check-in counter, where you have to drop off your checked-in luggage and collect your boarding pass. Now, let’s go to the check-in counter and get our boarding pass.
Facilities inside the terminal
Before that, let me mention some of the basic facilities available inside the terminal. If you feel like grabbing a quick bite, you will find ATMs, cafes, and food outlets. There are also money exchange counters where you can exchange currency for the country you are traveling to.
- I do not recommend exchanging currency at the airport, as the exchange rate here is usually much higher than outside.
- To save money, it is best to exchange your currency outside the airport in advance or at a better rate.
- If you exchange currency here or even after arriving in your destination country, you may end up paying a lot more.
Check-in process for every traveler
Let’s proceed to the check-in counter to get your boarding pass to drop off your luggage.
How to find your check-in counter?
Check your ticket – Find out which airline you are flying with.
View the flight information screens – Large digital screens display flight details, including which check-in counter you need to go to.
Ask at the information desk – If you are unsure, you can contact one of the information desks located in the terminal for assistance.
If you have any other questions about your flight or air travel, you can also seek help from the information desks at the airport.
Heading to the check-in counters
Now, head to the check-in counters . Our flight is an Air India flight from Delhi to Phuket, so we will proceed to the designated Air India check-in counter. There, we will drop off our checked-in baggage and collect our boarding passes.
Check-in process complete
The check-in process is finally complete! I have dropped off my checked-in baggage, and I have also received my boarding pass. However, the check-in process can take a long time if there is a long queue.
I highly recommend that if you are traveling internationally, you should arrive at least 4 hours before your flight. The check-in process itself can take a significant amount of time. After check-in, you still have to go through security checks and immigration, both of which can take a long time.
If you’ve traveled domestically before, you probably already know that at the check-in counter, you need to:
- Show your flight ticket
- Show your passport
- Drop your checked baggage
- Get your boarding pass
- At the check-in counter, you can also request a preferred seat, such as a window or aisle seat, if available.
Baggage Rules
I’ve made a separate video explaining the baggage rules in detail. If you’re traveling for the first time and are unsure about what you can and can’t take in your checked and hand baggage, check this out.
Next Step: Security Check and Immigration
Now that check-in is complete, the next step is security check and immigration.
- Security Check and Immigration Complete
- Total time: 45 minutes
- Immigration took about 10-15 minutes (it’s pretty quick).
- Security check took about 30 minutes (a little more due to the queues).
As I said before, always arrive at least 4 hours before your flight to make sure you have enough time for all these procedures.
What happens during immigration? At the immigration counter, the officer will:
- Check your boarding pass and passport
- Check your visa (if the country you are visiting requires a pre-approved visa)
- Ask a few basic questions (if necessary)
Some common questions you may be asked during immigration:
- How long are you staying?
- What is the purpose of your visit?
- Where will you be staying?
In our case, the officer didn’t ask us any questions, but it’s good to be prepared just in case. Now that immigration and security checks are complete, we are ready to head to the departure area! Stay tuned for the next steps.
Immigration Questions & Security Check
During immigration, the officer may ask you:
- When will you return?
- Do you have a return ticket?
- Do you have hotel bookings or travel vouchers?
Though such questions are not always asked, it’s good to be prepared. If you are asked, there’s no need to worry—just answer honestly and confidently.
After immigration, the next step is security check. If you have traveled domestically before, you might already know how it works. The process is the same for international flights:
- Your hand baggage goes through scanning
- You must remove electronics (laptops, chargers, etc.) for separate screening
- You may need to remove belts, jackets, or shoes depending on airport rules
Once you clear security check, you enter the duty-free shopping area.
Duty-Free Shopping Area
we are now in the duty-free shopping area, which is huge—almost like a mall. If you have time before boarding, you can shop here. Some of the things available include:
- Cosmetics
- Chocolates
- Fragrances & accessories
If you have extra time, this is a good place to explore.
Food Court & Lounge Access
Next, let’s talk about food options. There is a food court where you can buy meals, but I don’t recommend eating at the airport food court because prices are 3-4 times higher than outside.
Alternative: Airport Lounge Access
A better option is to access the airport lounge using a credit or debit card that offers lounge access. Many banks provide this facility, and you can enter the lounge for just ₹2 using an eligible card.
Benefits of airport lounges:
- Buffet meals (similar to 3–4 star hotels)
- Unlimited drinks
- Comfortable seating, free WiFi, charging stations
Airport Lounge Experience & Flight Boarding
We spent around an hour in the lounge, and it was a great experience. If you have a credit or debit card that offers lounge access, I highly recommend taking advantage of it. Even if you don’t have such a card yet, it’s a good idea to get one, as it makes international travel much more comfortable. You won’t be disappointed with the lounge experience!
If you are flying internationally, using the lounge is a great way to relax and enjoy premium services without spending too much at overpriced airport restaurants.
Heading to the Boarding Gate
Now, it’s time for the next step—boarding the flight. Before heading to the aircraft, you should:
- Check your boarding pass to see your boarding gate number
- Proceed to the mentioned gate for boarding
At the boarding gate, your passport and boarding pass will be checked again. Once verified, you are allowed to enter the aircraft.
Flight Takeoff & Journey Duration
Our flight has now taken off, and it should take us approximately 4 hours to reach Phuket, Thailand. I will share more details about arrival procedures, immigration, and entry requirements once we land.
Arrival at Phuket International Airport
It’s now 7:00 AM local time, and we have landed in Phuket. We have also exited the aircraft, and the first step after landing is immigration clearance. Let’s walk through the process.
Immigration Process at Phuket Airport
Immigration at Phuket International Airport is similar to what we experienced at Delhi Airport. The steps include:
- Presenting your passport and boarding pass
- Fingerprint scanning (in some cases)
- Possible questions from the immigration officer, such as:
- Purpose of your visit
- Duration of stay
- Hotel booking confirmation
- Return flight details
In our case, no questions were asked, but it’s always good to be prepared. Once everything is verified, the officer will stamp your passport, and you are officially allowed to enter Thailand(travel guide).
Collecting Checked-in Baggage
After clearing immigration, the next step is baggage claim. Simply proceed to the baggage carousel, locate your flight details on the screen, and collect your checked-in baggage. Once you have your luggage, you are free to enter the country and begin your trip!
In this post, I have given tips for How to travel internationally for the first time, when to arrive, luggage, everything from A to Z. If there is any information missing or any questions, feel free to ask in the comments.
