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Overseas Travel Checklist

Five Things to Do Before Departure

By Sophia MoorePublished 5 years ago 4 min read
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Traveling overseas is one of the most thrilling experiences for anyone. You might feel a mix of happiness, excitement, and anxiety as you’re about to fly and set foot to a different country with a different culture, people you don’t know, and places and things you’re unfamiliar with. But as long as you are prepared, you greatly lessen the risk of fear and anxiety, increasing your chances of having an enjoyable, relaxing, and fun trip abroad!

The question now is: What’s the best way to prepare for an overseas travel? You have to look no further. This checklist is for you.

Documents and Paperwork

Topping the list, of course, are all the paperwork you need to deal with. The documents you’ll need might vary slightly depending on where you want to go, but generally, you will need the following:

Passport: You want to make sure that your passport is valid for at least six months after the time you visit another country. If it’s your first time getting one, you want to submit your application way ahead of time to ensure that you will have your passport ready before your intended travel dates. Head to the US Department of State for the requirements and instructions.

Visa: Another thing is a visa. Not all countries require tourists to have a visa, but most do, so take some time checking out the Department of Tourism website of the country you are visiting for specific information regarding visas.

IDs: Bring at least two valid or national IDs for identification purposes, from the time you enter the airport up until the time you show up to the hotel or other destinations to confirm your booking. Also, if you plan to rent a car, be sure to bring your driver’s license.

Travel Health Preparations

You can’t enjoy travel when you’re sick! Consider getting vaccinations, malaria protection, and immunizations months ahead. Visit your doctor for a physical and dental check-up. Get advice for safe and healthy traveling. Take your own first aid and medical kit. Take out insurance, too. A full-coverage insurance is essential. If you have any pre-existing medical conditions, make sure you have enough medications for your entire trip.

Financial Preparations

Traveling means fun. But it also means spending. One of the biggest things you have to be prepared for is your finances. You want to make sure you have enough money to spend on your trip. As early as now, decide on your budget. It will greatly be affected by where you plan to visit, how long a trip it will, the type of accommodations you choose, and the activities you’ll have. Do check if your credit card will work in the country you’re visiting. And while having a credit card is convenient, you also want to bring some cash, especially if you’re traveling to far-flung destinations where merchants don’t accept cards. Also, be prepared for unexpected expenses. There sure will be. Another thing: Before you leave, try to settle your current and upcoming bills so that you won’t have anything to worry about; here is why most people consider cash advance online as an option. This also ensures that you have your bills covered, even if you fall a little short on budget when you return from vacation.

Destination Research

Traveling to a foreign country is both exhilarating and frightening as you are venturing on something entirely new and different. The best way to deal with the anxiety is to get to know as much as you can about the place, the people, safety guidelines, and of course, the top destinations. For this, the internet is your friend and you will definitely find a lot of resources. That includes travel blogs from people who have been there. You get firsthand information about traveling in that country, plus personal tips to get the most out of your trip. Most blogs have comment sections where you can also post your questions. You can email them if you need anymore details. Join travel groups on Facebook for more tips and suggestions, including recommendations, and travel websites such as TripAdvisor, or even Reddit, are great resources.

Staying in Touch While Abroad

Your safety should be your number one priority. Do make sure that you share your travel plans with your family. If you’re using a new phone number upon arrival to your destination, let them know right away. Take time to update your family at least every day regarding your travel activities. If something unexpected comes up, such as a problem with your travel papers, call your embassy. It is important that you register with your embassy so you can easily get help when needed.

Taking your first trip abroad can be both fun and challenging. By being prepared—from the documents to your health and safety, finances, and security—you are likely to have the best trip of a lifetime.

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