Planning a trip abroad?Whether you’ll be there for pleasure, work, or to volunteer your time, you want to plan ahead and make sure you have a cohesive checklist so you don’t miss important items.This list goes beyond what clothes to pack and delves into other categories that are often overlooked.Are you planning a trip overseas? What should you do before traveling? Consult with this international travel checklist for help!
We’ve curated an international travel checklist so you don’t leave anything behind.
Read on to learn more and have a stress-free trip with these essentials.
Ever thought about what you would do if you got sick while out of the country? Would your health insurance work? These are some of the important questions people usually don’t even think about.
But planning ahead is easy and it’s always better to be prepared.
Be sure you have the following covered when it comes to your health and safety in a foreign country:
Copies of Your Passport
You need to make at least 3. Two to bring with you and one to leave behind either with a friend or family member or at an accessible place in your home or office.
You’ll want to bring these with you in case your passport gets lost or stolen on your trip. This is how you’ll prove your citizenship. You can keep one in a safe at the hotel if that’s an option or hide it somewhere away from your original passport.
The copy you leave at home should be easy for a friend or family member to access if you don’t leave it with them personally. You can also email yourself a copy so you have it at the ready on your phone or computer.
Register with Your Embassy
Most countries will let you register with your own embassy before you travel. If you live in the U.S., for example, you can register easily through STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program).
Once registered, the embassy will know where you’re going. You can also get alerts if there’s a problem like a severe storm or any kind of security threat so you can exit the country safely.
Health Insurance
Check with your doctor at home to see if you need any vaccines or special medications before heading to your destination. They can help you determine this and administer those items.
You also want to call your health insurance company to ask if your coverage transfers out of the country in case of an emergency.
If your coverage does not work out of the country, you should consider a supplemental plan to guarantee you’ll be covered should an issue arise. Check out some of the best medical plans to make your selection.
Banking & Money
This is an important one. If your credit cards aren’t working or you can’t access cash for some reason, you’re going to find yourself in a tricky situation.
Here’s how to prepare:
Call Your Credit Card Company
You want to make sure your card will work in the country you’re visiting. Some credit card companies even require a call so they know you’re traveling and your card wasn’t just stolen and taken abroad.
Check the Conversion Rate
No one wants the surprise of entering a country only to find out their money doesn’t get them far when it comes to the currency conversion.
Research the rate ahead of time so you aren’t shocked.
This information will also help you plan the rest of your trip and could determine what you do and how much it will cost.
Withdrawal Cash
It’s important to have cash on you (but not too much) when you travel abroad. Some places may not take credit cards.
If you want to get a small amount of cash in the local currency before you leave, you can. But know that whether you’re exchanging at home or at the airport, you’re probably going to end up paying a little more than you would at an ATM in the country you’re visiting.
Do Your Research
You don’t have to plan every inch of your trip beforehand, but you should do some research so you have a general understanding of what to do, where to go, what to eat, how to get around and any devices or special items you’ll need to pack.
Here are some tools:
Guidebooks
They may sound like a thing of the past; after all, isn’t everything on the internet? The reality, however, is that guidebooks can be extremely helpful before and during travel.
They are updated nearly every year so you will have the most current version. Lots of information on the internet is old or not updated to reflect the current situation.
Not only do they have where to go and what to do, but they will also usually include advice on interacting with locals such as key phrases and information about the local culture, transportation or getting around the city.
If you don’t have an unlimited data plan on your phone, carrying a guidebook around is an excellent alternative to the internet.
Electronics
Figure out if you’ll need to bring adapters to your destination in order to charge your electronics or use things like a blowdryer. Many countries have different outlets so you’ll need to look it up and purchase them ahead of time.
If you have multiple electronics to charge at once like your phone, iPad, and computer, you could purchase a power strip with the voltage and outlet requirements you’ll need.
Packing
Check out the weather and pack accordingly. You should also take into consideration what kind of activities you’ll be doing throughout the trip. A general rule of thumb is “less is best” when it comes to what you bring.
You can mix and match pieces and research how easy it is to have laundry done where you’re staying. If it’s readily available and affordable, it could mean the difference between bringing a carry-on or checking a bag.
Use This International Travel Checklist Today!
With the international travel checklist above, you’re ready for your big adventure! You’ll be as prepared as possible so that no hiccup can slow you down.
Planning ahead will alleviate the stress that’s sometimes associated with travel abroad so you can enjoy every moment and completely soak in the new culture.
Be sure to check out the rest of the blog for more essential travel tips!
