International Travel Tips for Adoptive Parents

Prior to Travel

Obtain your passport(s). Copies of your passport will be needed for your dossier and for the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (formerly the INS).
Plan your trip as early as you know the travel dates to capture the best rates.
Remember, in some case you can use rail service to get to a major airport hub, which will save you money.
Check to make sure your medical coverage applies to international travel and for your new child. Obtain additional medical coverage for you and your soon-to-be-adopted child if standard coverage does not apply to overseas travel.
Investigate travel insurance. This protects you in the event of sudden unforeseen circumstances associated with travel.
Obtain visa(s) if required by the country in which your adoption will take place.
Make sure to obtain all immunizations and inoculations for the country to which you are traveling.
Research the country to which you are traveling. “In Your Pocket” booklets are great guides for foreign city information.
You may wish to buy one prepaid phone card before leaving the States. A card purchased in the United States may not work in the country to which you are traveling. Verify that the phone card will work in all foreign countries you will be visit during your travels. It is also possible to purchase an international phone card once you arrive in the country. You can also obtain an international cell phone.
Purchase a money belt to protect your money from pick pockets and to carry your passport. Two money belts are best to separate your funds between two people.
Learn some of the language of the country. Even though you will have professional translators with you, it is very helpful and important that you learn your child’s native tongue. This will make you feel more at ease in the country and allow you to communicate and bond with your child.
Bring a Polaroid camera so you can take pictures of you and your child for the child to keep while they are waiting for you to return.
Bring a little photo book filled with pictures of your child’s new family and home. He or she will treasure this during the waiting period and even afterwards.
Before leaving the U.S., purchase small gifts for your child, for the children in the orphanage, caregivers, orphanage director, social worker, doctor, driver, and coordinator. Do not buy expensive gifts. Small and thoughtful gifts are best. You may also purchase gifts while you are there, but most parents prefer to do so prior to travel because of the time constraints while you are in country.
Please make sure our California office has received your post placement obligation for Adoption ARK!

Clothes / Packing / Weather

The Soviet Union and former Soviet Union countries typically wear less vibrant colors. If you wear shorts with brightly colored shirts and sneakers, you are sure to stand out in the crowd. Baseball style caps are great neon signs to say, "Hey I'm a foreigner."
Pack light, and monitor weather conditions for a week or so before you travel so you won't pack too much. Make sure to pack clothing for your adopted child. Orphanages typically do not have extras, and it is a nice gesture to bring your own clothing for the child. Bringing extra clothing to donate to the orphanage is a plus. Disposable diapers will need to be considered for infants and toddlers.
Don’t forget to pack your money belt.
Pack an electrical converter for your hair dryer, camera, etc.
Place a name label inside of your luggage.
Pack items of each person in separate luggage bags in the event one of the bags gets lost (i.e. split your underwear into two pieces of luggage). Ideally take some underwear and a change of clothes with you in your carry-on luggage. Also carry with you your toiletries, important papers, and medications.
Use Ziplock bags for each liquid item.
Cut back on shoes; one or two pairs are all you need, this will reduce weight significantly.
Leave your jewelry at home, except for maybe a watch.
Obtaining medicine is not a problem, and you will find it much cheaper in other countries. Make sure if you have prescription drugs to take enough for the journey. Do not pack these in your checked luggage; take them with you on board.
A car seat may be necessary and helpful unless you wish to hold your child for 10+ hours on the plane. An umbrella stroller is also a good idea if adopting a baby or young child.
Tie a ribbon or brightly colored string around the handle of your checked luggage so you and the luggage personnel can quickly identify the bag. (This comes in handy if your bag gets lost too.) A bright strap around the bag or suitcase is good for identification and added security. If you have keys and locked luggage, give a duplicate key to your travel partner. Most locks are common keyed and act as a small deterrent to theft.
Pack easy-to-open canned fruit, for many countries do not have fresh fruit like we enjoy openly in the United States.
Make sure to pack your toothbrush!
Bring some toilet paper. Most of the toilet paper used in these countries is not what we are used to. Also carry some with you at all times, for many public restrooms do not provide toilet paper.
Bring toys and small snacks for your newly adopted child to occupy themselves in the hotel or on the plane.

View and print our itemized International Travel Packing List.

Airplane Tips

Request assigned seats next to the window so you can sleep against a surface. Try to get extra pillows to pack the gap between the wall of the plane and the seat.
Avoid the exit rows for they are typically drafty, and the seats may not recline.
Avoid the last set of seats in the back of the plane.
Avoid seats around the lavatory.
Specify a Kosher meal (the food is typically better) or a dietary meal if necessary.
Request seats on the left side of the plane traveling to Eastern Europe from the United States to avoid the sun glare in the morning. “Red Eye” flights offer about four hours of night travel.
Do not take off your shoes during the flight unless you don’t want to get them back on again. Your feet will swell with altitude.
Drink plenty of water before the flight. Start hydrating yourself two to three hours before take-off, and drink non-carbonated and non-alcoholic drinks to avoid dehydration. Continue drinking water while on the flight. (Bring a large bottle of water.) Dehydration and fatigue can occur more quickly on an airplane.
Get up and move around every couple of hours to avoid dangerous blood clots forming in your legs. Wiggling your toes is an excellent way to prevent this too.
Take a good book, a deck of cards, and/or a laptop with DVDs for entertainment. Your DVDs will not play on devices other than your own in the foreign country. Their DVDs will not play on your device either.
Inform the head fight attendant that you are newly adoptive parents and may need additional assistance and would appreciate not having attention being brought to the fact that your child is adopted. (Unless you and the child want this be known).
Take a few toys and picture books for the child to be entertained with on the return trip.
Ask the airline for bulkhead seats for the return trip which have the deployable shelf on which a baby can be placed.
Reduce your own personal carry-on items, and focus on the child and items he or she will possibly need on the return trip.
Have respect for other passengers, and do not change diapers in the cabin area. Changing tables are readily available on larger planes.
Take turns watching the child. Remember to take walks and stretch every few hours. The trip back is typically one to two hours longer. Drink plenty of water.
Acquire formula or mild foods in the country for your child. Remember, their diets are basic, and rich foods will upset their stomach and may cause problems.
Avoid juices for children. Water and milk are best.
When altitude changes occur during take off and landing, make sure to clear your ears by yawning or chewing gum. Have the child drink from a bottle or laugh to keep their little ears open too.
Airplane travel is stressful for many children. It is common for children to throw up or throw tantrums on planes. Bring candy, treats, and games to keep him or her occupied.
Bring over-the-counter children's medications such as Ibuprofen, Tylenol, Benadryl, and medications for settling upset tummies.
If the child cries or becomes upset, try to entertain and distract him or her.
Bring extra changes of clothing, diapers, or pull-ups on board in case of accidents.
If your child becomes distraught, try to find a native speaking flight attendant or passenger to help translate for you. Remain calm.
When you book your tickets from Russia, your luggage should be no heavier than 32 kilograms (70 pounds), no larger than 62” (LxWxH), and no more than two bags per passenger. If the luggage is overweight, you will have to pay extra per kilo/pound.
When you purchase your return flight tickets or in country flight, the requirements are different. Each bag can weigh no more than 20 kilograms (about 40 pounds), and that includes your carry-on. The extra charge can be around $3 per kilo. Usually if an in-country flight is booked as an additional segment of the international booking, the overweight luggage fee can be waived.

In-Country Tips

Watch you luggage enter the X-ray machine at the airport. Do not simply place it in the opening and walk away. Make sure you see it go completely into the machine, and keep an eye on it at the other end. Ideally have your travel partner go through the metal detector first and wait for the bags at the other end of the X-ray machine.
Stay aware of your surroundings, avoid crowds, and if groups of people (especially teenagers) crowd around you, immediately move away. This is a typical pick pocket maneuver.
Do not make eye contact with beggars, and DO NOT give money to beggars. They all watch each other and will quickly pick up on your generosity.
If you didn't purchase a money belt for each person, keep your belongings in your front pants pocket or in a zippered compartment. Do not keep items in a hand bag or any bag that could easily be snatched or accidentally left behind.
Ask the hotel if they have a safe for belongings.
Keep your passport with you at all times.
Check in with the U.S. Embassy at the location you will be staying for an extended period of time to let them know you are there for an adoption. Provide them with phone numbers and your basic itinerary or hotel name, address, and phone number at a minimum.
Provide the hotel desk with your passport numbers. Many hotels will ask for this at check-in.
Ask for directions to the closest grocery market and pharmacy. The pharmacy in most countries is the doctor, and the pharmacist can help you with medical needs if they arise.
Purchase bottled water and keep drinking after the flight to regain fluids lost in the plane.
Avoid fried foods, for many poorer countries use lower grade vegetable oils, and after a few days you will have a burning stomach and major heartburn.
Realize that long showers are an American luxury. Respect hot water usage, or you may leave your partner with a cold surprise!
If a bathroom is shared, you may wish to pay a little extra and acquire both rooms so you will have the bathroom to yourself (more hot water). Many times the cost is worth the convenience.
Sleep as much as possible. The jet lag and excitement of your journey can be exhausting which may break down your immune system and make you sick.
If there is a long car ride involved, the child may have to use the bathroom or become nauseous. Please ask the driver what is best for the child. It is best to stop, at least for a few minutes, and get out of the care to stretch and get some fresh air or use the restroom. Bring bottled water for you and your child.
If it is country requirement, please register your child with the consulate while in country!

Meeting Your Child

There is an increased awareness and concern about the potential parents’ behavior when interacting with the child they want to adopt. Even if the child or children does not cooperate or listen, do not raise your voice or try to force them to do something they do not want to do.
You need to act like patient, respectful, and loving parents. This will appeal to the foreign officials and increase your potential for bonding with your child.
If there are any conflicts with the child, please inform the Adoption Ark representative immediately.
Give the gifts and picture book you bought for your child to him/her and play with the child if he/she is receptive to it. Some children are very outgoing while others may seem shy at first and warm up later. Others may appear frightened. All these reactions are normal; please act accordingly.
Thank the orphanage staff for their care of your child or children. Give them little gifts. This is a custom in most countries and a sign of respect and friendship.
Say something nice to the child in their native language.
Try to kneel down to the child’s level and interact positively with them.

Travel Insurance

Adoption ARK recommends that all of our families look into purchasing travel insurance when you travel overseas for your adoption. Travel insurance is extremely affordable. It can cost as low as 80 cents per person, per day. Coverage includes reimbursement for airline ticket changes and cancellations, medical coverage for hospital and doctor bills, and coverage for baggage loss and baggage delay.
Contact Travel Protectors for more information toll-free at: 1.877.515.9055 or email Myra@travelprotectors.com.