International Travel Checklist for Departures From JFK and Newark

Before an international trip from JFK or Newark, check five things: passport validity (many countries require at least six months), entry requirements such as visas or electronic travel authorizations, airline check-in and baggage rules, phone and payment arrangements, and airport timing — arrive about three hours before departure, and book your ride so traffic doesn’t cut into that margin. Keep documents in your carry-on, never in checked luggage.

Documents

• [ ] Passport valid well beyond your return date (often six months).
• [ ] Visa or electronic travel authorization if required — for example, many countries now require online pre-registration.
• [ ] Return or onward ticket details.
• [ ] Hotel address for arrival forms.
• [ ] Copies of passport and important documents stored securely online.
• [ ] Travel insurance details.

Health and safety

• [ ] Required or recommended vaccinations.
• [ ] Medications in original packaging, with prescriptions.
• [ ] Enroll in your government’s traveler registration program if available.

Money and phone

• [ ] Notify your bank or use a travel card without foreign fees.
• [ ] Some local currency for arrival.
• [ ] Phone plan or eSIM for your destination.
• [ ] Chargers and plug adapters.

Luggage

• [ ] Airline baggage allowance and weight limits.
• [ ] Liquids in carry-on under the limit.
• [ ] Batteries and power banks in carry-on, not checked bags.

Getting to the airport

• [ ] Confirm your terminal — JFK’s terminals are changing. Read JFK’s new terminals.
• [ ] Book your ride with enough buffer for traffic. Read best times to fly out of New York.
• [ ] Tell your car service about oversized luggage.

Coming home

• [ ] Global Entry or Mobile Passport Control for faster re-entry. Read Global Entry vs PreCheck vs CLEAR.
• [ ] Book your return pickup with your flight number. Read customs and immigration arrival times.