First International Trip from India? Airport to Arrival, Step by Step

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Flying abroad for the first time, whether to Dubai, Malaysia, Thailand or Europe? Here's the whole journey, step by step from your home airport to landing.

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Part 1: Documents & preparation

• Passport: valid for at least 6 months.
• Visa: the process depends on the destination. Visa-free? Many countries still require an arrival card, so check and fill it in.
• Flight tickets, including your return ticket.
• Hotel bookings.
• Travel insurance. Don't skip it.

Part 2: At the airport in India

1. Entry gate: show your passport and ticket.
2. Airline check-in counter (IndiGo, Air India, etc.): show your passport and ticket to get your boarding pass, and drop your check-in baggage.
3. Emigration: they'll ask where you're going, why, and for how long. Keep your passport, visa, return ticket and hotel booking ready.
4. Security check: just like on domestic flights.
5. Head to your gate.

Part 3: On arrival

1. Immigration again, this time in the destination country. Expect the same documents: return ticket, hotel booking, and the visa or arrival card.
2. Buy a local SIM at the airport. You'll need internet for taxis, your hotel and everything else.
3. Collect your baggage from the belt number announced on the plane.

Before you fly

If you're going somewhere with a different language, download Google Translate and offline maps, so you can communicate and navigate the moment you land.

Ready for your first trip? Try Dubai in 72 hours or Vietnam in 10–12 days.

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TAGS: TRAVEL TIPS · FIRST INTERNATIONAL TRIP · AIRPORT · IMMIGRATION · GUIDE

Written by

Prashant & Sunaina

A travel couple from Pune with Kashmiri Pandit × Maharashtrian roots, 8+ countries and counting. Every rupee shared.

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