Let’s Pack For This!
1-Passport
Most countries require that your passport be valid for six months after your return date. The U.S. State Department recommends that you renew your passport no less than nine months before it’s set to expire. This is still cutting it a little close in our opinion. If your passport falls into the “Need to Renew” category, allow up to six weeks for the passport application to be processed. If you need the passport faster than that there is the expedited service for an extra fee. You then receive your passport in two to three weeks. Out of everything you do to prepare, this is the most important of the 11 tips before your International trip!
Check the expiration date of your passport now. If you need to renew, check the U.S. Department of State’s website to find your nearest passport facility. https://iafdb.travel.state.gov/
2-Visa
A number of countries require a Visa to enter, even as a tourist. You can really expedite your trip through Customs upon arrival by preparing yourself for this circumstance. For instance, we did our research and upon arriving in Cambodia we had exact change in the required currency and two passport photos ready to go… our entry process was FAR quicker and easier than other travelers on our flight. They were also so kind to us and appreciative for having done our research!
The State Department’s country information site provides important facts about your destination, such as whether you need a visa and the process to get it. Don’t let this intimidate you. Often the process is VERY easy and occurs at their customs area upon arrival in a matter of minutes! This is one of the most important out of the 11 tips before your international trip.
3- International Driving Requirements (international Driver’s License)
If you plan to rent a car or drive while abroad, find out whether an International Driver’s License is required or if your own country’s license is legal. If you have questions or need guidance, AAA or CAA are helpful places to start and can even issue such a license. They charge a $20 fee and require you to fill out an application and submit two passport photos. These permits are valid in 150 countries and the info it translates your information into 10 languages. Not all countries (many do not in fact!) require such license so check before you go! Be advised, you must carry your native (ie-American/Canadian) driver’s license along with the International Driver’s Permit at all times.
4-Photocopy and Photograph Passport and Credit Cards
One of the 11 tips before your international trip is to make a photocopy of the information page of your passport and the visa page(s) for your destination(s). Pack them separately from your passport. We like to protect this by laminating or placing strips of packing tape over the images and roll them. Once rolled, they slide nicely into your money belt where your emergency money is kept. This way it is with you at all times.
When you photograph your credit cards, lay them all out on a table and snap a photo of the front and back. Send that image to an accessible email account and this way you can always access the emergency contact numbers if you need to cancel them. Credit card companies will accept collect calls at a designated number.
5- Alert your Bank of your Travel Plans
Sometimes you can do this online. Visit your bank’s website or call them at least 1 week before you leave to let them know: 1- what your travel dates are and 2- the countries you will be traveling to. A quick way to dampen your travel experience is to have your card locked on your first day!
6-Check for Travel warnings Before You Go
Find out whether your government has issued a Travel Warning for your destination. Many travel insurance policies will not cover travel to countries that are under travel warnings. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html/
7- Buy a Travel Adapter
Look into the type of plugs there will be in the country you are traveling to. Read the reviews of the adapter/converter you are buying. Atravel power adapter or European converter adapter
8 – Vaccinations and Medications
Go to the Center for Disease and Prevention website to find out health information and vaccination requirements for your destination. For maximum protection, you should get any required shots six weeks before departure. If you’re traveling to a country where disease is rampant, consult a travel nurse or physician. We booked an appointment through our local pharmacy and sorted it all out through a travel nurse. We made sure our Hepatitis vaccines were up to date and opted to take the recommended Malaria pills.
The CDC website also is a good source of information on the health risks of consuming the water and food.
If you need to pack medicine for your trip, it is smart to check the “Confiscation of Prescription Drugs and Other Medicine” on the U.S. Department of State’s Country information page to learn which prescription drugs are illegal in your destination country.
Bring photocopies of your prescriptions, packed separately from your medicine, and note the generic drug name. Always pack your medicine, in its prescription bottles, in your carry-on bag. If you need to use syringes, make sure that you have a letter from your doctor. Always declare the syringes before you go through security.
Pack more than enough medicine to last your trip, as it may be difficult to get your prescription filled abroad.
9- Pack Your Wallet (or should we say UNpack it!)
Choose one or two credit cards to take with you, leave the rest at home. Contact the issuers shortly before you leave to inform them of which countries you will be visiting. Having your credit card could be denied is a great way to ruin your first day of vacation! This can happen if they don’t know you are abroad and may find international activity suspicious. Take out ANYTHING you won’t need. That Costco card can stay at home if you are going to Southeast Asia. That coffee hut punch card is bulky and taking up valuable real estate. Take Health Insurance card, Credit cards, Driver’s License, Debit cards, another form of photo ID if you have it, and some cash in the relative currency for incidentals/tipping, etc.
Traveler’s checks are no longer universally accepted… welcome to 2019. Instead, use your bank card to withdraw money from ATMs, which can be found in even the most exotic destinations. Generally, your most favorable exchange rate will be through the ATM, although most companies will charge a transaction fee. See our post on Best Travel Credit Cards.
10-Travel Insurance
It is possible that your health insurance will cover you while you’re traveling abroad. Depending on where you’re going, you may consider buying additional medical evacuation and emergency medical insurance. Also, if your trip requires a large down payment or is booked many months in advance, trip interruption and cancellation insurance can provide valuable protection from the unexpected. Should you require purchasing Travel Insurance, here are the top 10 companies of 2019 offering it. Check out this Travel insurance review.
11-Register Your Trip
One option, especially if you are traveling outside industrial countries or to remote areas, is register with the U.S. Department of State. This is done online easily by entering your itinerary. In case of an emergency, the U.S. government will know about your presence in the country and where to contact you. Also, if specified that your travel information can be shared with third parties, your family and friends can contact the Department of State to locate you if necessary. Registration is free. We would not recommend this for all travels, yet can’t hurt if you feel more comfortable doing it routinely as you travel.
Let’s Unpack This!
Preparedness is the key to success in most cases in life. Travel is no different! Some trips will be HITS and some trips will be MISSES. Our GOAL at A Suitcase Heart is to help you increase your batting average! If you follow these 11 tips before your international trip, you can consider yourself ahead of the game! Aside from these essential steps to take leading up to your trip, here are a few extra nuggets to help you pack!
Outtakes and bonus footage!
-Put your mail on hold or have a neighbor organized to pick it up. You can put your mail on hold through the Postal Service website.
-Other than the necessary electronics, don’t bring valuables with you. Expensive jewelry could attract thieves who are experts at targeting tourists. If you do bring valuables, always travel with them in your carry-on, and keep them locked up in the hotel safe.
-If you wear prescription glasses, pack an extra pair.
-Use closed (protected) baggage tags to label each bag. Put your name, address and phone number both inside and outside your luggage.
– The more you know about the history and customs of your destination countries, the more you will enjoy and benefit from your journey. If you know what the dress codes of a country are, you won’t be stuck with inappropriate outfits (sleeveless, open-toed shoes, short skirts, etc). If you know you will be removing your shoes a lot to enter places, lace-up boots will become a pain!
Learn about tipping and how much is customary. Learn some simple phrases such as “Thank you” and “Excuse me”.
A great quote to Travel by is this: ‘When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money. Take half the clothes and twice the money! ‘ ~Susan Heller
Check out our Packing Tips article for more great information.
