Whether you’re going away for a weekend or a few weeks, planning ahead is essential, especially if you’re going to a new nation that you haven’t been to before. We’ve put together a checklist of things to do before you fly to help you relax and enjoy your trip.
Are you ready to embark on your next long-distance journey? Here’s your ultimate foreign travel pre-trip checklist.
Check Your Passport
Someone we all know has gone to the airport with an expired passport. You may have planned your trip abroad for weeks or months in advance, so you don’t want to be told you can’t fly when you get to the airport. In some countries, your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your return date. Therefore, one of the first items on your pre-trip checklist should be to check your passport, as applying for a new one can take some time. If you need to apply for a visa to visit a new nation, you’ll already need your new passport number, so don’t put off getting a new passport too long.
Check the Visa Requirement for the Country You’re Visiting
Applying for a valid visa ahead of time is just as crucial as possessing a current passport. This should be at the top of your international travel checklist, and it should be completed as soon as you book your ticket to minimize any delays in receiving it before you depart. Each country’s visa requirements are different, so make sure to check the official visa website for the country you’re visiting. Remember that visa rules vary frequently, and just because you didn’t need a visa the last time you visited a country doesn’t imply you won’t need one this time.
Check for Gadgets You’re Allowed to Bring With You
As we mentioned before, every country has its own set of rules. For instance, you might want to bring a drone with you to take nice pictures and videos. However, double-check if drones are legal in the country you are visiting. People who break this rule may have to give up their drones at the airport. So before you fly, always check to see whether we can even carry a drone in. If you don’t want to risk anything, make it a point to research the rules of each destination. Make sure you obey the rules of countries that are more stringent than others. You don’t want to unintentionally jeopardize future droning legislation.
Insure Your International Trip for Emergencies
Never leave your house without travel insurance. Traveling is costly, and it wouldn’t make sense for you to spend a lot of money on a vacation only to lose it all in the event of an emergency, such as:
- You have to cancel your trip due to a health or family emergency
- You had to return from our trip early due to unforeseen circumstances.
- What if you were hurt due to an accident while on vacation?
- Or what if you were playing beach volleyball and knocked out a tooth?
These are some situations that you can never predict but if you file a claim for a covered reason, we may be paid for your travel expenses.
Figure Out How You’re Going to Get Your Money Abroad
Another item on your overseas trip checklist should be figuring out how you’ll receive money when you’re there. Will you accept payment in cash? Will you make the majority of your purchases with a credit card? It’s worth noting that not every hotel, restaurant, or business in less-developed nations accepts credit cards. On the other hand, certain countries, such as Iceland, are largely cash-free, and cash payments are nearly impossible to make, especially when traveling to more rural areas.
You’ll find that even petrol stations don’t have any actual workers, and you simply plug your credit card in and fill up. If you plan to use your credit card from home, let your credit card company know about your plans before you leave. They won’t be able to refuse or flag you this way.
SeaSandTravel is your go-to holiday travel agent for booking affordable holiday destinations and other travel booking services.
