We travel a LOT. Are there times when we forget something we need? Of course! But we’ve compiled this checklist to help prevent that happening to you! Read on to see the top things you need to do before traveling.
- Get your passport. Do you need a passport to get to your destination? If so, make sure your passport is valid and up to date for at least six months after your travel is supposed to end! Some countries will not let you in if it expires before then.
2. Get your IDP. Are you planning on renting a car? If so, it’s safest to bring your IDP with you to avoid any travel hiccups along the way. If you have no clue what this is, head over here to find out what it is and how to get one!
3. Arrange any visas. Having a U.S. passport definitely makes getting visas for other countries easier, and a lot of the time visas can be obtained upon arrival. However, sometimes this does need to be done in advance! Be sure to look up the countries entry requirements and give yourself a few weeks to work on this if need be.
4. Remember your essentials! Although we provide suggested packing lists for every itinerary, here are a couple things to pay extra attention to:
- Debit card that you can use abroad
- Headphones for the plane
- Travel pillow, especially if its a long flight!
- Any medications you normally take
- Packable towel
- Sunscreen, sunglasses or sun hat
- Bug spray or wipes
- Chargers for any electronics
- Foldable backpack
- Personal care items like deodorant, toothbrush/paste, etc.
- A good book
5. Don’t forget your Covid vaccination card! Even if it is not needed for the flight, sometimes it is needed to get into restaurants or shows on the other end.
6. Speaking of vaccines…Make sure you’re up to date on your recommended travel vaccines. We always check out the CDC’s website here before we travel!
7. Make sure your airline is updated with any TSA Pre-Check or Global Entry information before your flight. You don’t want to miss out on that expedited screening!
And there you have it, the ultimate guide to the top things you must do before traveling to another country. If you think we forgot anything, comment below and let us know!