Essential International Travel Checklist

Are you planning a trip abroad? Is it for the first time or the thirty-first time? There’s so much to consider and to understand. That’s why I’m giving you this International Travel Checklist.

The only constant in life is change

In travel, as in life, the only thing constant is change. We have learned this so well from the Covid-19 Pandemic that we are still in. Changes could occur for many reasons in addition to the Pandemic; because the State Department makes a change, other countries make a change, you have a change in your life.

The following Essential International Travel Checklist will help you prepare the essential items you must have and must do to travel out of the country. Don’t be caught unawares when traveling to another country.

ESSENTIAL INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL CHECKLIST

A valid U.S. Passport – This is first on the list because you should have your passport in hand when we begin to design your trip. Some countries require that your passport expiration date be at least six months after your visit has ended. Click here to go to State Department Passports website. Also check out my article called U.S. Passports Questions and Answers.

Insider Tip: Did you know the name on your airline ticket must totally match the name on your passport?

• A Travel Visa for the country you are visiting. This is one of the changes I told you about. Beginning in
• NOT every country requires a Visa. Some countries allow you to purchase it when you arrive; such as Egypt, other countries require you to purchase the Visa in advance. Those countries will not allow you in without it. Look into this when you purchase airline tickets.
• Recommended vaccinations and medications, depending on the country you’re visiting.
• Covid 19 has changed everything for international travel. Does your destination country require you be fully vaccinated with an approved vaccination? Do you need to have a negative PCR test, taken within 72 hours of travel? Does that mean 72 hours from departure or 72 hours from arrival?
• Understand United States health requirements to come back into the country. Will you be required to have a negative PCR test taken with 72 hours to board your flight home?
• A Smart card. Smart cards are credit card with chip and PIN technology. Chip and PIN credit cards has been the standard around the world for several years. The U.S. has only in the last 5 + years upgraded to having chip cards. If you don’t know your Personal Identification Number, call your bank before you go abroad.

Insider Tip: Shop for a credit card that also waives currency exchange fees.

Travel Insurance. For most individuals, regular medical insurance that you have at home will not cover a medical emergency overseas.

Converters and adapters for your appliances and electronics. These will depend on the electrical current used in your destination.

Activate international calling with your cell phone provider. You could also purchase a local SIM card abroad if you’ll need to make international calls.

Alert your credit card companies and banks to your travel plans. It would be super inconvenient to have your accounts frozen while making that one of a kind purchase while abroad.

All of these things must be considered when you’re planning a trip. And there’s more than this to know about traveling outside this country. Doing it all yourself can take many hours. Working with a travel designer will help you to save your time and money.

Whether you plan to travel this year or next, here’s no better time than now to begin to plan your next vacation.

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