This is a basic travel guide that will apply to every trip you take, especially if you are traveling internationally. Some of this info you may know, some you may not. Read on to make sure you are prepared.
“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail”
Benjamin Franklin
Table of Contents
Passport
NEWS FLASH: When traveling internationally, a passport is required.
Jokes, aside, this is probably THE MOST IMPORTANT part of your trip. Seriously, read that again. Being an American citizen, I can only speak from my own experiences. Please comment on this post if you can add info from other countries.
The most important thing to check before you even start looking at booking your travel is that you have a passport and it is up-to-date.
Most countries require your passport to be valid at least 90 days prior to and after you return. Keep in mind, it can take several weeks to process a passport application. If you are applying for the first time, give yourself at least 2 months. For US Citizens, more information can be found here. In a rush, expedited passports are sometimes available, at an additional cost.
If you are traveling within your own country, don’t forget your ID! It makes things much more difficult, possible, but difficult.
Travel Visa
Many countries no longer require visas for American citizens. It’s best to check with the embassy of the country you are traveling to for verification.
Travel Insurance
I always recommend insurance of some sort. If you use a travel company or book through a tour guide, it is often required. Some credit cards offer travel insurance as well.
However, one thing to be sure you check on will be specific to YOU and that is medical insurance. If you are traveling somewhere that is more rugged, like Iceland for example, even a young healthy person may consider medical and evacuation insurance. Even a relaxing trip to the beach could become complicated by a large cut or an accident that was out of your control.
Sometimes it may not seem to justify the cost but I can guarantee that if you ever need it, you’ll be glad you had it and if you don’t have it and do need it, you’ll wish you did.
Medical
Travel Vaccines
Regardless of how you personally feel about vaccines, it would be beneficial to double check with the CDC or WHO for recommended or required vaccines prior to arrival. I always travel with a small laminated vaccine card and a digital version, just in case.
Travel Medications & Prescriptions
If you have any essential medications and prescriptions, make sure to have an adequate supply prior to your travel. In most places, purchasing common medications is fairly easy.
In addition to prescription meds, some basic recommended items:
- Small medicine/First-aid kit such as this one here
- Or make your own 🙂
- Add a few pills of Ibuprofen, Tylenol, nausea medication, digestive aids (Pepto-Bismol, Immodium, Rehydration salts) in marked bags or small pill box if you tend to need those types of things
- Hydrocortisone cream may also be useful if you’re going somewhere where you may encounter a bite or sting.
- Can be purchased locally in most cases. I still have a tube I purchased in Brazil
- Sunscreen!
- Sun Bum is BY FAR my favorite brand and you can get it on Amazon here
- It is a lotion so it absorbs very well and doesn’t leave a greasy film on your skin. My dermatologist friends recommended it to me.
- The also have a travel kit
- Sun Bum is BY FAR my favorite brand and you can get it on Amazon here
- Don’t forget your travel bottles if you won’t be checking a bag
- I like these portable travel bottles
Allergies & Dietary Restrictions
This is very personalized and you are probably already aware of how to deal with this. Most hotels and restaurants are very responsive to guest requests, especially if you give them advanced notice. Allergic to down feathers, most hotels have synthetic. Allergic to gluten, many restaurants offer gluten free, vegan, vegetarian options.
Travel Enrollment Programs
This will eventually be an entire article itself. Until then, if you are a US citizen, I recommend looking into these enrollment programs depending on where you intend to travel and how often.
I can tell you with 100% certainty, these programs are worth the time and money.
BONUS TIP: Many credit cards, especially “travel” related cards include one of more of these or will give you significant reimbursement.
- TSA Pre-check & Global Entry (Pre-check is included in Global Entry)
- CLEAR
- A more comprehensive guide is found here
Packing
I’m a minimalist so, my packing may look very different than your packing. I’ve posted an article here on minimalism and how it helped my travel.
If you’re in a hurry, this is what I use for all my personal travel
- Backpack – Osprey Farpoint 40L Men’s / Osprey Farpoint 40L Women’s
- The only difference is in the dimensions of the straps so double check because one may fit you better than the other
- It’s wonderful because it has a shoulder carry strap as shown below but also a pouch unzips and it morphs into a full backpack for heavier loads or longer walks.
I don’t have any financial incentive around those recommendations, I just love the brands and that’s what I use.
Traveling With Valuables
Other than what is essential, leave your valuables at home. There is no quicker way for thieves to target you as a tourist than by wearing fancy watches, jewelry, clothes, etc. That’s not to say nice things don’t have their place and depending on where you are traveling those may be completely appropriate but, in general, less is more. This is one time you DON’T want to stand out. Do I own a fancy watch? Yes. Do I travel with said fancy watch? No. Be smart, don’t stand out.
Power, Phone, Data/Internet
If you are traveling to another country, be sure to check what type of adapter you may need. I can tell you that I travel with a universal adapter almost everywhere and THIS is the one I use. It’s not perfect and I’ll post a review of it soon but it’s the best I’ve found. Let me know if you have found a better one!
Check with your cellular service provider as many of them have international data plans that can be set up for only the period of time you will be gone. I use Verizon, at it made it so much more enjoyable to be able to post to social media, look at google maps, or just find the best local restaurant when I wasn’t in the hotel. Can also be life-saving if you ever needed to make an emergency phone call.
Travel Photography
I’m not a professional photographer by any means and my camera of choice is always with me, my phone. If you are a professional, then this article may be for you but otherwise, a decent cellphone will give you the ability to take very nice pictures. Many of the ones on this site are taken with my iPhone.
Travel Currency
May seem kind of self explanatory but there are some places that you’ll need local currency. Even in today’s day and age, a credit card can only get you so far. Check with your local bank before you leave as most have the ability to pre-order currency for you and have it delivered to your local branch.
Travel Credit Cards
I’m new at this whole blogging thing but travel credit cards have been an interest of mine for quite some time. Until I can put together my own guide, I would recommend this articles for more details. Personally, I have several premium travel credit cards and they are worth every penny. More info coming soon!