Felling overwhelmed before starting an international trip is quite common, especially when you aren’t a frequent traveler. And you may end up asking and looking for the answer on how to prepare yourself for an international trip.
Don’t worry this traveling abroad checklist has got you covered so instead of feeling overwhelmed you can feel relaxed before your trip. As the list contains all the essentials that you must need on your international trip. But first I recommend opting for reliable VPN services like ExpressVPN or NordVPN, They will help you in many aspects.
Let’s know how to prepare yourself for an international trip
Start with passport
The foremost important thing before traveling abroad is getting your passport prepared. Essentially, before booking a flight from USA to London or anyplace else. If you already own one go through its expiration date and if it’s near fill up the application for a new one. Before traveling abroad, remember that your passport expiration date should be later than 6-months. And if it is before that then applying for a new one as soon as possible would be the very best option.
Generally, you get your passport made in one month but sometimes it can take longer, like 3-months, so applying right away is the best choice.
Get done with your visa
While some countries provide a visa on arrival, others will want you to have it first before traveling to the country. For example, if you are planning to take a flight from London to USA then you have to apply for a visa before and after it gets approval, then only you can visit the Polish country.
Look for the visa norms of the country that you are visiting to avoid any confusion as each country has different arrangements for a visa and its eligibility.
Look for a travel insurance provider
Both online and offline market is filled with travel insurance providers but instead of just going with any of them look what are the services they are going to provide. Also, consult with your medical insurance provider that is your insurance plan valid in the country that you are visiting too. This will help you save money if you fall sick during your trip or got theft by a goon.
Pack up your medications
The most important thing to carry with you while traveling abroad is a box or kit of your daily medications. If you are not taking any regular medication then containing charcoal tablets, pain-relief tablets, paracetamol, and some vitamins along with you would help you greatly during your trip.
Check the list of required vaccinations
There is a list of vaccinations maintained by every country that every traveler should have taken to visit the country. Look for the list of vaccinations that are required to visit your desired destination and check on how many of them you have taken already. If there is a vaccination that you haven’t taken before but you need to, get it done and make sure all your vaccination details are mentioned on your yellow card.
Look for a credit card that doesn’t charge currency conversion fees
If you are still using the old-school magnetic-strip cards, then it is time to switch to the chip ones. As many countries have credited the magnetic strip cards as outdated and the chip ones are the only ones that are functional there.
Also, check with your credit card company and make sure that your card doesn’t charge you currency conversion fees. Because if it does you will end up paying more for everything than you have to. If your card doesn’t provide a free currency conversion service, then it is time to switch one.
Let your bank know about your traveling plans
Informing your bank about your travel plans is a good idea. This way your bank will keep a smooth run of transactions so you won’t face any money-related problems while staying overseas.
Avoid any outstanding bills
Leaving outstanding bills of your credit cards and insurance companies is the worst choice you can make before traveling abroad. Keep all your accounts cleared with no credit accounts to ensure a smooth run of transactions during your trip.
Check about the departure and arrival fees
Do you know some countries charge entrance and departure fees from the travelers visiting them? Yes, and the amount of fee charged can go up to $200. And this fee will not be a part of your airplane ticket charges, thus, you should pay it separately.
Look if the country you are visiting to have any such provisions and if it does, then what is the number of fees charged by it. And if it does, then prepare your budget accordingly as it is a mandatory payment that you have to pay to enter the country.
Buy air tickets early
Buying air tickets before arriving always land a passenger with noble offers and good discounts that can be beneficial to reduce the traveling cost. Thus, instead of booking tickets at the airport for at least a minute where you may have to pay a higher amount booking them earlier online should be the preferred option. Use a VPN provider to get cheap air tickets.
Always have a paper map
Along with google maps and e-maps like Route4Me of the place that you are visiting, carry a paper map of that place as well.These maps are foldable and can easily fit inside your pockets, so carrying them along won’t be a task. Although e maps work efficiently, there are many places where you can’t find ample internet connectivity to be helped from e-maps. In such times, a paper map always comes handy and rescues you from getting lost on an unknown land.
Get a registration done with your embassy
If the country that you are visiting faces an unforeseen problem during the time of your visit there, then the embassy will inform the government of your country and you will be rescued within time. Thus, after registration always keep the contact details of the embassy along with you to ask for help during times of need.
Communicate your travel plans
Instead of keeping your travel plans to just yourself share them with a trusted friend or a family member. Provide them your flight details such as the flight number, stops, and check-in and check-out timings along with your staying details and a copy of your planned travel itinerary. In this way, they will reach out to you and help you in situations of difficulty.
