Travelling makes life a lot more exciting, and when you’re planning an international trip, you’ll need a preparation checklist. Taking the step to travel abroad takes a well sought out plan to make your trip hassle-free.
In addition to flights and accommodation bookings, international travels call for research to ensure an enjoyable experience. Luckily for you, we’ve gathered a few tips from pro-travelers to make this happen.
Get a Health and Travel Insurance
If your health insurance doesn’t include international coverage, you’ll need to buy a short-term health insurance for your own safety. Travel insurance is also a smart way to protect your money and your trip should anything happen to you. Insurance guarantees your money in case your trip is cancelled or cut short.
Notify Your Bank of Your Travel Dates
Call your bank and inform them of your travel dates. Since most banks may interpret overseas transactions as fraud, notifying your bank of your plans will keep your debit or credit card from being locked when you use it in another country.
Leave Your Car Somewhere Safe
When you’re about to travel, it is crucial you find out where you plan on leaving your car. You’ll need to store your car somewhere safe and secure. Fortunately, if you live in Seattle, parking near Seatac airport can be pre-planned with online booking. If you’re planning a long term trip, this option can be cost effective and cheaper than airport parking lots.
Tip: make sure you do not keep any valuable personal belongings in your vehicle when you leave for a trip.
Make Copies of Your Passport and Bookings
We highly recommend you make copies of your passport and bookings. If your passport gets stolen or lost, you’ll need to make sure you find a way to be able to prove your citizenship for your trip back home.
It wouldn’t hurt to keep a copy of your reservations too, in case your phone battery died or the hotel’s Wi-Fi wasn’t working during check-in.
Download Offline Maps
This tip is a life savior! Offline maps can be very useful abroad, especially after landing when you’re trying to find your way to your hotel. Although Wi-Fi services are almost everywhere now, you might want to play it safe and download offline maps in case you lose internet connection.
Check the Restrictions on Carry-on and Luggage
You wouldn’t want to head to the airport only to find your bags unsuitable for boarding. If you’re traveling on budget airlines, make sure you check their luggage restrictions online beforehand. Pack light if you plan on shopping, and check your carry-on dimensions on the airline’s website.
Pack a Survival Kit
We highly advise you to keep these tools with you to avoid any hassles:
- Painkillers
- Prescribed medications
- Band aids
- Hand sanitizers and wipes
- Sleep aid
Traveling is fun, but only good planning can ensure a good trip. Remember to talk to your friends who’ve traveled abroad, listen to their experiences and avoid their mistakes. You can make your dream trip come true with a few simple preparation guidelines. Next time you travel, follow these tips for a stress-free journey.