Check Visa Requirements. Knowing your destination's visa laws is crucial before arrival. Some airlines may even deny your boarding at the airport if you don't have a proper travel visa issued in advance. Laws vary country by country and even change frequently. Don't assume that you can get a visa on arrival issued in every country—know the current rules before you go.

Note: Visa regulations can vary between nationalities, and rules change faster than some websites can keep information updated. If you aren't sure, contact the country's embassy.

Contact Your Banks. Seeing new charges pop up in foreign countries, particularly on a different continent, may trigger your bank to issue a fraud alert and suspend your card. Having your debit and credit cards suspended while abroad can be a terrible inconvenience. Avoid the hassle by contacting your banks for any cards that you plan to carry so that they can add travel notifications to your account.

Know the Exchange Rate. Know the current exchange rate and a little about the local currency before you arrive, particularly if you plan to exchange money rather than use the local ATMs. Know how to spot fake banknotes and know about any devalued currency denominations before you wind up with money you can't spend! When exchanging money, count what you receive before leaving the counter, and keep your receipt. Before exchanging unspent money back into your home currency, some countries require proof that you didn't earn anything while there.