When traveling abroad, there are a lot of factors to remember to ensure your trip runs as smoothly as possible. While you may be excited about planning your itinerary and finding out about local attractions and activities that interest you, it’s always worth spending a bit of time on the essential nitty-gritty details. In-depth planning will prevent unexpected hiccups from spoiling your long-awaited trip and allow you to relax, knowing it’s all taken care of.
Whether this is your very first time abroad or you require a refresher on what to expect, this guide will provide some valuable information to keep in mind before setting off on your international travels.
- Make sure your passport and visas are up to date
Your passport should be valid for at least six months from your return date; therefore, it would be recommended to renew your passport approximately nine months before expiry to prevent complications. If you need a new passport, do be aware that it will take approximately eight weeks to process, so set aside enough time before you travel and prepare for unexpected delays.
It would be a good idea to carry a photocopy of your passport and visa on your travels, in the event that the original documents are lost, so you still have proof of your identity.
If you’re planning on driving abroad, check whether you require an international driver’s license. In most cases, your U.S license should be adequate.
- Take care of health before traveling
If you’re planning on traveling outside of the U.S, you must research the health and safety precautions for the destination you’re traveling to. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) provides useful medical advice for travel abroad and any additional regulations to adhere to, including vaccinations. To be on the safe side, you should also make an appointment with your doctor to address any underlying health conditions and make a note of local medical professionals in case you get sick on your while on your trip.
- Save time at the airport
The airport is typically one of the most stressful aspects of a vacation, but with the correct planning, you could save a significant amount of time on the commute. Before you even enter the airport, you may be faced with long queues at the parking lot, so it would be worth reserving your space before arrival with Parkon.com.
Another time-saving hack is making use of the Global Entry Program. This gives pre-authorized entry to verified travelers into the U.S, which will be useful for the return leg of your journey.
- Money
It would be recommended to take a couple of credit cards with you on your travels, should you run into financial difficulty. Always phone your bank before the trip to inform them that you may be using your credit cards abroad. If you fail to do so there, there is a very high chance that your cards will be declined when trying to make a payment, as it could be interpreted as fraudulent activity.
Leave a Comment