You want to minimize frustrating travel experiences as much as you can, especially if it’s your first time traveling outside the country. From passports to jet lag, here are tips for a smooth trip abroad.

Apply for a passport early

Passports can take up to six weeks to process, and as a first-timer, you’ll have to book an appointment to apply for one in person at a passport acceptance facility, so make sure to apply early. If you need a passport sooner, you can have it expedited in two to three weeks, and it will cost you an extra $60. Your first passport will cost you around $150.

Not all facilities will take your passport photo on-site, so you might need to bring one with you. For passport photos, “the post office is a common first option,” said Elise Fitzsimmons, publisher and co-founder of the travel magazine Unearth Women, “but the lines are often long, and you may need to schedule an appointment.”

You can get a quick passport photo at most drugstore photo departments, like CVS or Walgreens.

Look into visas

You won’t need a visa in most countries unless you’re staying for more than 90 days. There are a few countries with shorter requirements. Aruba and the Philippines require a visa for tourists staying longer than 30 days, for example.

Visa information for different countries is available on the State Department’s website. Some demand a visa even for tourists to visit.

Boutique hostels save money

Despite their reputation of being grungy crash pads, some hostels are luxurious. In recent years, there’s been a trend toward boutique hostels: upscale options with cafes, activities, and well-decorated rooms.

You’ll still have to share space with others, but you’ll save a wad of cash. Some of the most upscale hostels charge only $30 a night. Start your search on sites like HostelGeeks.com and HostelWorld.com.

Talk to your bank

Before using your credit or debit card abroad, place a travel alert on your account. Otherwise, the company may mistake your foreign transactions for fraud and freeze your card.

Ask about your bank or credit card company’s policy on foreign transaction fees, too. Many cards charge a fee for customers to use the card abroad, usually a small percentage of every purchase. These fees can add up. If your card comes with this fee, consider applying for a card with no foreign transaction fees before your trip. Also look into your bank’s fees and policies for withdrawing cash at international ATMs and see if they’re part of the Global ATM Alliance Network or Allpoint network. If so, and you use an in-network ATM, you can at least avoid usage fees.

Prepare for jet lag

The most effective way to beat jet lag, according to a study published in Sleep Medicine Clinics, is to set your circadian rhythm — the internal clock that tells you when to be sleepy and when to be alert — to your new time zone as fast as possible. This can be tricky, but the closer you can get to your destination time, the better. That might mean going to bed earlier or getting up early.