We’re T-minus two weeks from our biggest adventure yet: 24 days in Southeast Asia with a one-year-old and a preschooler. For the first time in years, we’re booking all our flights instead of flying standby. Our kids aged out of those benefits, which means we’re committed to specific dates – and that makes knowing how to prepare for an extended international trip even more critical.
And honestly? The logistics of leaving for three weeks with kids are no joke. We’re not just packing – we’re finding care for an anxious miniature dachshund, winterizing the pool, making sure the chickens don’t freeze, getting our baby his Global Entry, and figuring out visas for multiple countries.
If you’re staring down an extended international trip and feeling overwhelmed by the prep, I get it. Here’s everything we’re doing (and wish we’d known to do earlier) to actually pull this off.
When to Start: The Timeline That Actually Works
Start when you book the trip. We started planning about three months before departure, and honestly, that’s the sweet spot. Global Entry appointments book out 6-8 weeks in some cities. Some visas take 4-6 weeks to process, though many are faster now. Passport renewals can take 6-12 weeks if you don’t expedite. Good pet boarding fills up during holidays. And travel insurance is way cheaper when you book it early.
Start with the stuff that has actual deadlines or requires other people’s schedules. Everything else can happen closer to departure.
The Big Stuff: Travel Documents
Passports First
Check expiration dates right now. Many countries require your passport be valid for 6 months beyond your travel dates.
If you need renewals:
- Standard processing: 8-11 weeks
- Expedited: 5-7 weeks (extra $60 per passport)
- Emergency same-day service exists but it’s stressful and more expensive (we did this with our first)
Do You Actually Need a Visa?
This is where people panic, but it’s usually simpler than you think. Google “[country name] visa requirements US citizens” (or your citizenship). Check the official government website for that country – don’t trust random travel blogs for this (including mine – go to the source!). Most countries now offer visa on arrival (pay at the airport), e-visa (apply online, get approved in days), or visa-free entry for US citizens.
We used Vietnam’s e-visa system. We applied online, uploaded passport-style photos of each person, paid $25, and got approved in 3 business days. Super simple. Thailand doesn’t require a visa for US citizens for stays under 30 days. Make sure you get one for each family. Some things are required for individuals, some only need one per family.
Screenshot or print your visa approval. Don’t rely on your phone working at customs.
Global Entry: Worth It for Kids?
We’re getting our one-year-old his Global Entry before this trip. Yes, really. It’s good for 5 years, includes TSA PreCheck, and makes re-entry to the US so much faster. Plus, you can’t add it once you’re already traveling internationally; it has to be done before you leave.
The interview is quick with babies – they literally just look at them and take a photo. Book appointments early, though; they fill up fast in major cities. There are options for an interview on departure and arrival (sometimes this is a hack to expedite the line in airports like LAX).
Home & Pet Care While You’re Gone
Our Anxious Dog Situation
We have a miniature dachshund who has… feelings about everything. We are his emotional support. Our nanny usually watches him when we travel, but 24 days is too long to ask anyone to commit to daily dog care. So we’re doing a combo:
- Freinds we rely on other small dog parents to take him in when they can. We know he is most comfortable with them, and we love seeing photos!
- Nanny checks on the house 2-3 times per week
- Neighbor as backup in case of emergencies
The trial sleepovers are KEY. We had him boarded at a kennel when he was younger, and they ended up keeping him with the bunnies, not the dogs. He needs a snuggle buddy!
The Chickens (Yes, Really)
When you think of how to prepare for an extended international trip, you might not normally think of the chickens, but we do! We have backyard chickens, and here’s what winter prep looks like for three weeks away:
- Heated water (they can’t drink frozen water)
- Extra bedding in the coop
- Someone checking daily (our nanny)
- Backup person who knows chicken basics (neighbor)
If you have livestock, find someone who actually knows what they’re doing. “Just throw food at them” doesn’t cut it.
Winter-Proofing When You’ll Be Gone
We’re leaving in winter, which adds another layer. We’re moving all the sensitive plants inside and setting up a watering schedule with our nanny. Thermostat stays at 60°F minimum; never turn the heat completely off. USPS will hold mail for 3 weeks for free if you set it up online. We have our holiday lights on timers for now, but I would suggest getting a timer for a lamp inside.
Reach out to trustworthy neighbors and let them know your dates. Give them any plants to take care of, or groceries that won’t keep while you’re gone, and have them keep an eye on things. It’s worth it for peace of mind.
We’re a Costco family, so food is a big one for us. We try to dwindle the fresh food in the fridge in the week leading up to the trip so we don’t have to throw too much out or leave anything that could go bad. I’ll freeze any berries or greens for smoothies (we usually have none, but that is an idea I had, hahaha).
Don’t forget you can bring your own food to the airport. With kids, mini cucumbers, blueberries, pistachios, and meat sticks are all a big hit and much healthier option than what you can buy there.
The Packing Strategy
I’m not going to write a full packing list here (I have a master packing guide for that), but here’s what’s different for extended trips.
Bring less than you think. We’re packing for 4-5 days max and planning to do laundry. Hotels have laundry service, Airbnbs have washers, and in SE Asia, our home has a full staff to help.
Pack a small first aid kit – I bring some of our most commonly used homeopathics, I wouldn’t be able to find. And download everything before you leave: Netflix shows, maps, confirmation emails, and photos of important documents. Assume your data won’t work everywhere (I’ve had terrible experiences with Airilo and I’ll be testing a new eSIM this trip).
Financial Prep
Use a credit card without international transaction fees – they add up fast. You know I’m a stan for the AmEx Platinum. Depending on the country, you’re sometimes better off with cash for in-person transactions (not your flight and hotel, but everything else). Get some local currency before you leave – not a ton, but $100-200 worth for taxis, tips, and small vendors who don’t take cards.
The Final Week
This is when things get real. About a week out, we confirm all reservations (flights, hotels, tours), print or screenshot everything, and actually start packing the last few days. We confirm the pet boarding drop-off time and stock the house with easy meals for the nanny. Here is my baseline packing list for every trip.
Two days before we leave, I do all the laundry. Get a deep clean of the house because coming home to mess is the worst. Day-of (or night before if it’s early) take out all trash, run the dishwasher one last time, water all the plants thoroughly, and pack carry-ons.
Set the thermostat, unplug non-essential electronics, put mail on hold if we haven’t already, drop the dog at boarding, get cash for the trip, and charge all devices.
A Few Things I’ve Learned
Start earlier than you think. Even with 3 months to prep, we’re scrambling on a few things. Everything takes longer with kids – packing, appointments, all of it. Build in buffer time. The mental load of tracking all this is real, so make lists. I use a shared note with my husband so I’m not the only one keeping track of everything.
You’ll forget something. It’s fine. You can buy almost anything anywhere. Except prescription meds and passports – don’t forget those.
The dog will be fine. I’m mostly saying this to myself, but you probably need to hear it too.
Preparing for an extended international trip with kids is a lot, but it’s also exciting. Every task checked off is one step closer to the adventure.
What’s your biggest stress about leaving for an extended trip? The pets? The house? The packing? I’d love to hear what I’m forgetting to worry about!
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