Navigating the airport for your first international flight can feel scary, especially if you are flying alone for the first time. Some airports are enormous, and finding your way through a maze of terminals and gates may seem like a labyrinthine task. I promise that it’s much easier than it appears. If you are ever unsure of which direction to go in the airport, look up at the signs and screens. These informational displays are numerous and everywhere.
I’ve flown overseas several times, and in this guide on navigating the airport, I’ll tell you what I’ve learned during my travels and provide tips for making the process as smooth and easy as possible for your first international flight. I’ll cover what to do before going to the airport, handling parking or drop-off, checking in for your international flight, checking your bags, going through airport security and finding your gate. I’ll also cover the entry process in foreign countries and the reentry process at customs when returning to the United States.
1. Things You Need Before Your First International Flight
My first tip for international travel is to have all your documents in order before heading to the airport for your first international flight.
Passport
Have a valid passport. Most countries require that your passport be valid for at least six months after your departure date.
If you don’t have one, apply for a new passport. Check if your local AAA office offers passport photo services; it's often free to AAA members. If you are short on time, use your AAA member discount on RushMyPassport's expedited service to obtain a passport within six weeks.
Renew your passport if it's expired or is about to expire soon.
Real ID
As of May 7, 2025, you must have a REAL ID to board a plane for domestic and international flights. If you are unsure if you have a REAL ID, check your driver's license or state ID for a star surrounded by a yellow circle in the top right corner. If your ID has the star, it’s a REAL ID.
If your ID doesn’t have that star, you have to update it in person. For full details on the required documents, check with your state government on how and where to get a REAL ID.
Visa
Many countries do not require visas for U.S. citizens on vacation but do require visas for business travel and extended stays. When planning your international trip, check entry requirements for the country you are visiting.
Electronic Travel Authorizations
Electronic Travel Authorizations — called an eTA or an ETIAS — are forms that you fill out and submit online before traveling to be approved to enter a country.
Currently, the United Kingdom and Australia are among the countries requiring an eTA for U.S. citizens. In the last quarter of 2026, U.S. travelers to most European Union countries will have to apply for an ETIAS and be approved to be granted entry.
Return Ticket
Most countries require travelers to have a return ticket booked before being granted entry.
Travel Insurance
Consider purchasing travel insurance when traveling abroad. Travel insurance can offer coverage in the event of illness or injury, lost or missing luggage, and some cancellations or travel delays.
Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)
STEP is a free, optional program that U.S. citizens and nationals can enroll in to notify the U.S. Department of State of when and where you’ll be traveling outside of the U.S. You’ll receive travel advisories and security alerts from the local U.S. embassy. In the case of a disaster, it will help embassy officials contact you to coordinate evacuation.
2. When to Arrive at the Airport for an International Flight
The general recommendation is to arrive at the airport three hours before an international flight instead of the two that is recommended for domestic flights. More people check luggage on international flights, so the wait times at check-in counters tend to be longer. You also need ample time to get through the security line, which can be long, especially during peak travel times. Boarding for international flights usually starts earlier than for domestic travel because international flights are often on larger planes with more passengers.
You will not always need all three hours, so I suggest packing a book or something else to pass the time in the airport. If everything goes well, you'll have plenty of spare time before your flight.
3. How to Get to the Airport
There are a few options to get to the airport. If you live near an airport, a family member or friend might give you a ride, but if that’s not the case, review the available options and decide what’s best for you based on cost and convenience.
Airport Transfer
Private car services and shuttle services provide airport transfers. Private cars pick you up from your home, and shuttles have set pickup locations. If you opt for an airport transfer, remember that you may need to prearrange pickup from the airport for your return.
Taxi or Ride-Hailing Service
Taxis and ride-hailing services (such as Uber and Lyft) vary from area to area. Some airports don’t allow ride-hailing services to pick up or drop off at airports, and often there is a base fee for both taxi and ride-hailing service pickup and drop off at airports, increasing the cost. You may also need to arrange pickup service at least a day before departure, especially if you need to arrive at the airport early in the morning.
Public Transportation
Depending on the airport you are flying out of, you may be able to take a bus, train or light rail to the airport. This option can be convenient and inexpensive. Check with your airport or your local public transit provider for availability and routes.
Driving Yourself
If you drive yourself, consider the parking options at and near your airport. You can reserve parking in airport garages for a daily or weekly fee.
The Parking Spot, which offers a discount to AAA members, operates parking lots at several major airports. Reserve a parking spot ahead of your flight, and after arriving, The Parking Spot shuttle will pick you up at your parking space or a nearby area and take you to your departure terminal.
If you live far from the airport, consider booking a night at an airport hotel that offers long-term parking. Park your car the night before your flight, and after waking up in the morning, take the hotel shuttle to the airport.
4. Check in for Your International Flight
Checking in for your flight can sometimes be done online, a convenient option to check in and obtain your boarding pass; though, some airlines may require you to check in at the airport. Follow your airline’s instructions for specific details on how and when to check in.
Online Check-In
Online check-in usually opens 24 hours before your flight, but it might open sooner depending on your airline. I suggest checking in as early as possible, especially if you don’t have an assigned seat. Typically, the most desirable open seats are assigned to the people who complete check-in the earliest. Also, if you have a connecting flight, you may need to check in for the second flight separately. Read and follow the guidelines from your airline.
In-Person Check-in
Airline check-in counters open three to four hours before an international flight. If using a shuttle or car service, your driver will drop you off at the entrance closest to your airline’s check-in counter. If you are parking at the airport garage, follow the signs for your terminal and your airline’s counter.
Some airlines offer curbside check-in outside the entrance, and some offer check-in at self-serve kiosks. Others require you to go to the counter; if there are multiple lines at the counter, follow the signs to know which one to use. Consult your airline's instructions for their procedures.
You can get a printed boarding pass at check-in, and you can also check your luggage at this point if needed.
5. Checking Luggage
If packing more than can fit in a carry-on suitcase, you’ll have to check one or more pieces of luggage. Checked luggage gets stowed in the airplane’s cargo hold and cannot be accessed until after landing.
How to Check Your Luggage Before an International Flight
Before packing, consult your airline’s guidelines for your flight. Many international flights include checked bags in the fare, but some do not. There is a weight limit on checked bags. Weigh your suitcase after packing to avoid an unexpected fee.
You can weigh your luggage with a bathroom scale; no special equipment is needed. If your bathroom scale is too small, weigh yourself, then weigh yourself holding your packed suitcase. Subtract your weight to get the weight of the suitcase.
What if I Don’t Have Checked Luggage?
If you aren’t checking any luggage, have checked in online, and printed your boarding pass at home or downloaded it to your phone, skip the check-in counter and go to security.
How and When to Retrieve Your Checked Luggage
When and where you retrieve your checked luggage depends on whether you have any layovers and where they are. On an international trip, you most likely will not have to pick up your checked luggage until you land in your destination country. The flight attendants on the plane announce which carousel to retrieve your luggage from. If you miss the announcement, like I frequently do, don’t fret. Go to baggage claim and look for the signs that indicate which carousel the luggage from your flight will be on.
On your return flight, you will repeat this process at the first airport in the U.S. that you land in, whether or not you have another flight.
What to Do if Your Luggage Isn't at Baggage Claim
Most of the time, luggage makes it to the destination, but sometimes things go wrong. If your luggage doesn't show up on the carousel, track your checked luggage on the airline's app if you can. If you don't get answers from the app, head to your airline's baggage desk. Let the agent at the desk know that your luggage didn't arrive. You may need to provide the receipt you received when checking your bags in.
If the agent is able to locate your bag, arrange for the airline to send it on to your hotel or your home. If the agent cannot locate your luggage, work with them to fill out a missing baggage claim report. In either instance, ask the agent what compensation is offered by the airline and how to submit for reimbursement in case you have to purchase anything, like clothing, while waiting for your luggage to arrive. Travelers insurance may also cover lost luggage, and you may have some coverage from a travel credit card and your homeowners or renters insurance.
6. What to Expect at Airport Security
Once you’ve checked in and checked your luggage, it’s time to head to the airport security lines. While the security line at the airport may seem intimidating, like most of the processes at the airport, it’s easier than it looks.
Which Airport Security Line to Enter
There are three kinds of lines at security. Pay attention to the signs to see where you need to go.
- TSA PreCheck and Clear Plus – If you are enrolled in either program, enter the security line for your program. These lines are often shorter, but they do have an application process and a fee to enroll.
- Reserve lines – If you aren’t enrolled in TSA PreCheck or Clear Plus, find out if your airport offers security line reservations. The program, available at a limited number of airports in the United States, allows you to reserve a time window to pass through airport security. Only a limited number of spots are available, so you’ll be able to pass through a reservation line more quickly than in the general line. The name of the program varies by airport.
- General line – If none of the above options are available, go through the general line.
Tips to Make the Airport Security Process Smooth
Follow TSA guidelines on what is and is not allowed to avoid having noncompliant belongings confiscated, including liquid toiletries that exceed the permitted limit. Procedures at airports vary slightly, so listen to TSA officers’ instructions and read posted signs.
When you enter the security line, have your boarding pass and passport out for a TSA officer to scan. After your passport and boarding pass are scanned, tuck both away in your luggage or purse and place your suitcase on the conveyor belt of the luggage scanner. Put the rest of your belongings, including anything in your pockets, into a bin to be scanned.
Pack your electronics in a way that you can easily access them. I've had to remove my electronics at some airports, but I've also been allowed to leave them packed at others. It's not fun forgetting to take out your e-reader, then having to wait in security longer while your things are sent back through the luggage scanner.
After placing your things on the conveyor belt, follow the line to pass through a body scanner or metal detector. Follow the TSA officers’ instructions on when to pass through and exit. Once you have been scanned, pick up your belongings and repack as needed.
7. Where to Go After Exiting Airport Security
If you aren’t already in the correct terminal, follow the signs to your terminal. Depending on the layout and size of the airport walking might not be an option. If that's the case, the airport will provide transportation, such as a bus or monorail to the terminals. To know which terminal and gate your flight is departing from, check your online boarding pass or the departure boards — the electronic signs that cycle through the day’s flights providing departure times, flight numbers, terminals and gates.
Once you’re in the correct terminal, head to your gate, grab a bite to eat, or wander through the airport shops if you have time. If you are feeling anxious, head to your gate first to know exactly where it is.
If you are interested in spending the time before boarding in an airport lounge, there are a few ways to obtain access. Airlines may offer lounge access to first- and business-class passengers on international flights, as well as to premium loyalty club members. Many travel credit cards include lounge access, but if none of these perks apply to you, some airport lounges sell day passes. They are subject to availability, so you may have to join a waitlist if the airport lounge is full.
8. Boarding the Plane
Boarding for flights begins 45 minutes to one hour before the scheduled takeoff and closes 15 minutes before takeoff. Keep an eye on the time, and be at your gate for boarding.
Flight attendants call passengers by group to board the airplane. Your group, typically a letter, will be listed on your boarding pass. Have your boarding pass out and ready to scan when your boarding group is called. Boarding procedures may vary between airlines, but most often people with disabilities and people traveling with small children who need assistance board the plane first. After that, flight attendants usually load planes from front to back, starting with first-class and business-class passengers. If you missed your boarding group, board with the next group.
9. Landing at Your Destination
Before exiting the airport at your destination, you have to go through that country’s version of border control. A border control officer will look at your passport and likely ask your reason for visiting. If on vacation, answer that you are taking a vacation or on leisure travel. If you are on a business trip, say so. If you obtained a visa for your trip, have that ready to show the officer.
Border control officers may also ask additional questions, including when and where you are departing from, cities you plan to visit, names of hotels you’ve booked and other similar questions about your travel plans.
10. Customs and Border Patrol when Returning to the U.S.
When returning to the United States from abroad, you have to pass through customs and declare the items that you’ve acquired while abroad.
Items Permitted and Banned at Customs
In general, you are not permitted to bring plants, animals, and some foods like meats, cheeses, honey, fruits and vegetables with you into the U.S. Most souvenirs, though, are okay to return with. For full guidelines, check with U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
How Much Can You Bring Back to the U.S.?
The maximum value of goods that individuals are permitted to bring back for personal use without having to pay duty (a tax) depends on the country you are returning from. The maximum value is most often $200 worth of goods. However, the maximum value is $800 when returning from many Caribbean and some Central and South American countries.
When Do You Go Through Customs?
You go through customs at the first U.S. airport that you land in, even if it’s a layover flight.
How Does Customs at Airports Work?
Once you land, you have to fill out a form to declare what items (or goods) you acquired abroad and are returning with. There is a paper form, but to make your experience at customs easier and to avoid filling out the paper form, download the Mobile Passport Control (MPC) app (accepted at several international airports). You can set up the app before your trip and fill out the declaration form on your phone while on the plane, after landing in the U.S. The line at customs for MPC app users is usually shorter and moves faster.
Questions on the declaration form include your reason for travel (business or leisure), whether you are carrying $10,000 or more in currency, if you have any merchandise intended for commercial use, and the total value of goods that you’ve acquired abroad.
After exiting the plane, retrieve your checked bags and go through customs. TSA officers occasionally pull people aside to inspect their luggage. It can feel frustrating because it lengthens the process, but it's most likely a routine procedure.
In the line at customs, once you reach the desk, an officer will review your declaration form, scan your passport and take a picture (if you haven't done so on the MPC app). They may ask you a few questions, like where you traveled and what items you acquired.
If you are at your destination, follow the signs to the airport exit and continue home. If you have another flight, check your luggage back in. There will be a counter to do so before leaving the customs area. You might exit customs outside of security. I'm sorry to break the news, but it's possible you'll have to go through airport security one last time before your next flight. Luckily you are a pro at this point, and you've nearly finished your journey home.
12. Plan Your Travel with AAA
When planning your first international trip, plan with the help of AAA Travel. Trip Canvas is a travel planning tool that you can use to find and book hotels, restaurants and things to do, in addition to helpful articles.
AAA members also get exclusive savings and benefits to help make travel more affordable. Members get exclusive discounts on car rentals and on hotel stays with AAA’s preferred hotels. Also find exclusive savings and benefits on cruises and more. Plus, get help planning your vacations with a AAA Travel Agent, a free service for members.