Why a Checklist for International Travel?
So, we leave for Europe in two days.
I should preface by saying that I have, essentially, two speeds when travelling – Speed number 1: See and do as much as possible in the time available. And, speed number 2: Sitting on a beach collecting food and drinks. This upcoming trip definitely falls under “speed number 1” territory. We are departing from Denver and in the span of fourteen days, we will be visiting Iceland, London, Edinburgh, Dublin and Portugal.
So, yes…we are stressed. Couple that with the fact that this is my first International trip since before COVID (save for a road trip up to BC in Canada, last year – but, that hardly counts) and you can paint me in borderline panic mode.
You may be asking yourself: “If you are in panic mode before an Intercontinental trip, why should I take travel advice from you?”. The answer is simple – it is not about NOT overthinking or panicking. On the contrary, this site, our Facebook Community and Forums (as well as all of my recommendations) are all about getting out of your comfort zone. Expect a bit of panic. The key is having systems in place that help support you in those times of stress. With that in mind, I bring you my Ultimate Checklist For International Travel.
Checklist For International Travel: Do As Soon As Possible
Get Your Passport In Order
This may seem like a no-brainer – but most the important tip is: Have a Passport. Your trip will be *very* short, otherwise. Jokes aside, the key point here is, time is of the essence. The average wait time for receiving a Passport (in the US) is 4-6 weeks. This range can shift, however, dependent on an array of factors. Also, it only starts after you have already purchased photos, filled out the online application and sent in for processing. Instructions for applying in the United States can be found HERE, and there is a small fee associated. My advice would be to apply sooner rather than later (even if you do not have any trips planned). There is a 10 year expiration on US Passports, and you certainly do not want to be caught without one.
Apply For a Visa if Required
Don’t know if your trip requires a visa? This one is a bit more tricky as the rules are different for every Nationality of tourist, entering every country. For instance, I can enter Portugal for up to 90 days with a valid Passport and no Visa. However, when traveling to Vietnam, I will require both to enter. You can check for Visa requirements HERE, but in this case, check Google, more thoroughly.
Travel Insurance
Do NOT go out and purchase travel insurance without taking stock. Many of you already have trip coverage (and many of those probably do not realize it). If you are reading this blog, and if you have read previous blogs on this site – it stands to reason that you may own a travel credit card. If you do not, you should. In fact START HERE.
The simple fact is, that most of the “good to great” travel cards offer travel insurance in some forma or fashion. Probably two of the best offerings are with cards that are on my constant short list of best travel cards: Chase Sapphire Preferred (CSP) and American Express’s Platinum Card (which, as of writing, this referral still offers a WHOPPING 150k bonus points). The CSP offers up to $20,000 per trip in trip cancellation, baggage delay and lost bag benefits, trip delay benefits, car rental insurance etc. The Amex offers very similar. There are other insurance offers on different cards, so check what you have. If, for some reason, you are not covered – I would highly recommend getting a card that offers coverage or, if you want that extra level of comfort – buying third party insurance to cover losses.
Checklist For International Travel: Within a Month of Travel
Inform Your Bank and Credit Card Companies of Your Plans
This is one of those things that many people forget to do, and could prove disastrous. Your bank wants to protect your account, when possible, from both a customer service perspective and for self-preservation. Any transactions made in a new country run the risk of being flagged as suspicious and could be denied, challenged or outright frozen. In most cases, it is an easy fix when something like this occurs. Call or text the company and authorize the payment to go through. Why risk the potential downside, however, when you can do the same thing proactively, allowing your card company to note that you will be making purchases abroad?
Notify Your Mobile Phone Carrier of Your Plans (and Consider Purchasing an International Data Plan)
Similar to the above entry, you can save yourself a bunch of hassle by making a simple phone call prior to traveling. In today’s world, there are apps for free text and calling over wifi. My first suggestion is to download WhatsApp and use that as your primary source of communication. If, however, you need to have access to your phone’s data plan, for calls or otherwise – adding international data to your plan usually runs about $15/mo and can be removed after you return to avoid any unnecessary extra charges. Check you carrier for prices and instruction.
Get any Vaccinations or Medications for the Destination Country
Look – I am not going to get into a preach-fest on making sure you vaccinated prior to traveling. All I will say is that, depending on where you are traveling, how long your stay, the activities you are planning – you may be at higher risk of preventable sickness. Understand the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommendations and stay informed. My recommendation would be to make sure you are up-to-date on, not only your routine vaccinations – but any recommended by WHO for your destination. You also want to make sure that you have full refills of any necessary medications, that will cover both your travel plans and a few weeks afterwards (as sometimes they take some time to refill).
Make Travel and Transit Reservations
Make sure you have a rough itinerary mapped out that, at the very least, highlights where you will be staying and how you intend to get around. Book your hotels and look into local transit options. Some might require you to buy a prepaid card ahead of time, others might offer digital payment wallet payments through Apple or Google. Have a plan. If you are renting a car, make sure you look into any traffic laws or things to know about driving locally. Do you need an International Driver’s Permit? Now is the time to find out!
Checklist For International Travel: Within a Week of Travel
Confirm Your Reservations
This is a good time to call and confirm any reservations you may have made for over the course of your travel. While your at it, check to see what forms of payment they accept. Check your flights and transfers, and do any necessary checking in ahead of time.
Check Local Weather and Pack Accordingly
Weather Happens – there is no avoiding it. That being said, nothing can disrupt your trip quite like being ill prepared for unexpected weather conditions. Conversely, nothing can enhance your trip quite like experiencing the local conditions while being adequately prepared. This is an easy thing to check and prepare for shortly before you depart, so don’t forget it.
Final Thoughts
The bottom line, is that “Ultimate” or not – no list like this can be truly exhaustive. The determining factors of what needs to be done, lay in the details of your particular travel plans. Start here and create a final list that works specifically for you, and help alleviate some unnecessary stress factors. Traveling is meant to be fun. Keep it that way by putting a bit more effort into the planning.
What do you think? Did we miss anything crucial? Did we hit it right on the head?
Let us know below!
