Tips for Preparing for International Travel - What You Need to Know
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Preparing for International Travel
Prepping, packing, paperwork...What you need to know
Planning for your dream vacation can be so exciting — you are already daydreaming of where you’re going to stay, what you’ll see, the shows you’ll take in, and all the amazing food you’ll eat. But what about prepping, packing and organizing all your travel documents? Are they all in order? It can be overwhelming. Here’s a list of everything you need, plus practical tips on how to keep everything organized, safe, and accessible.
What to PACK:
*Carry on bag: I always include a swimsuit, coverup (if headed to a beach vacation), thongs, beauty essentials like the Nars Mulitple Stick, toothbrush/paste, deoderant, moisturizer, a brush and at least a couple pair of undies. I hope you never understand the importance of this but just in case your luggage is delayed or lost as mine was for 6 days in Italy. Medications as needed. I pack a sleeping mask and a few melatonin tablets to help me sleep on a red-eye flight. I always take a wrap or pashmina to double as a scarf or a pillow on the plane. Comfortable walking shoes are a must! I use disinfectant wipes to wipe down the tray table, armrests, buttons, etc.
*A crossbody bag or document carrier to wear under clothing. The last thing you want to have happen is a stolen bag or wallet on vacation. Pick pockets are a real thing so never leave your wallet in your back pocket, gents!
*Technology: Phone charge booster, ear buds, phone (check with your carrier for international plans), kindle app for reading, entertainment app recommended by my flight carrier. Download music, movies, TV shows and a splitter for earbuds if you plan to watch with a fellow traveler.
FOR YOUR DESTINATION:
Download a language translation app like TripLingo for communicating with the locals on your vacation. This will make your ease of travel much improved and you will likely impress the locals, even make some new friends.
Adapters for electrical plugs as needed based on the country of your destination. Guide with details. To buy universal adapters.
DO take business cards, or, at the very least, plan to share your Facebook profile with travelers and locals you meet along the way. Our travels are often greatly enriched by the friends we make along the journey. With the dawn of Facebook, it is super easy to keep in touch upon your return home. Follow Curated Travel here.
International travel documents: what to bring and how to keep them safe
• Your passport. This is the big one. Make sure it hasn't expired and is within six months of being expired. And don’t forget passports for your kid(s)!
• Any visas that can be acquired in advance, including those for countries you’ll only be traveling through. If you can’t get a visa in advance, bring the letter from the consulate stating that your visa will be granted upon your arrival (the UAE and Oman are two countries that don’t issue visas outside their countries, for example).
• A copy of the picture page of your passport, and extra passport photos.
• Your airline miles card
• A copy of your itinerary and any e-docs or e-tickets
• Originals and paper copies of your tickets (plane, train, bus, etc.) and confirmation numbers (hotel reservations, car rental, etc.) and all contact info for these companies. • Travel insurance card and accompanying information
• Guidebook for the countries you are visiting and maps of your driving route — plus discreet city maps if you’ll be exploring a new city
• Your international driver’s license if you plan to drive. Italy requires an International Driving Permit in addition to home country license. Can be picked up at AAA for $20. Good for one year Link to the app is here. The document also lists countries that require this. Or you can order your International Driving permit online here.
• If you use traveler’s checks, bring a copy of your check register. (Tip: Ask your bank if you can use your US debit card at cash machines in the country you are visiting. In some cases, withdrawing cash may be easier and less expensive than cashing traveler’s checks.)
• Contact info for all the people you would want/need to contact in case of an emergency (including me!). Don’t forget the numbers of the consulates where you’ll be staying. All these numbers can be stored in your phone, as well — simply designate a consistent label for them (like “France 2017”) for easy access, and they can be easily deleted when your trip is done.
• Copies — front and back — of any credit cards you’ll be taking with you.
When you’ve assembled all the essential documents/copies, the first thing you should do is check to make sure your name appears the same on all documents. This may seem like a small thing, but it can be a big hassle during travel if your names don’t match. Next, scan the papers and send them in an email to yourself and to your emergency contact(s). In addition, you can carry a USB card with encrypted copies of all these images — so even if it gets stolen, no one could access the documents without the master password. You can keep this USB card in a tiny, discreet pocket, along with some extra cash — an absolute last resort in the extremely rare event that you lose everything. Choose a family member or close friend who will be your representative while you’re away and who can have access to major accounts if needed. This way, you have a trustworthy contact available any time, and there is someone who always knows where you are. Store copies of your major travel documents (passports, tickets, reservations, etc.) in a waterproof plastic zip bag and in a separate piece of luggage from the originals. It’s stressful enough to have your passport stolen — but having it stolen from the same bag where all the copies are is even worse. When you’re out sightseeing, always carry the essential documents on your person, ideally in a waterproof carrier that can be worn under your clothing. Once you get all this info in order, you can travel with confidence, knowing you’re covered in the event of the unexpected. And — bonus! — you’ll have laid the groundwork for future trips.
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