Travel Documents
Secure all required travel documents. Be certain any requisite visas and documents have been obtained, especially if you’ll pass through one or more territories to get to your final destination. A possible, regrettable consequence of neglecting these checks is being barred from passing through a port of departure or entry.
It also makes good sense to ensure your documents are up-to-date before booking your trip. That way, ticket purchases won’t be wasted due to a lengthy document renewal process that may extend beyond the date for which your ticket is valid.
Money
Notify your bank of your intended travel dates to prevent them from closing down your debit or credit card when it is being used in an unfamiliar location. This may be done in an effort to protect you from fraudulent usage. When multiple accounts are linked to a debit card, specify which one should be set as your primary account during your stay overseas.
Additionally, find out what regional affiliates your bank may have in the area you’ll be visiting if they don’t have branches there. That way, you’ll know ahead of time where you can transact free withdrawals at automated teller machines (ATMs) given the type of debit card(s) you may have.
Remember, credit card cash advances usually attract a transaction fee in addition to daily interest and in a foreign country, that may be even more expensive if you are using an ATM of a bank not affiliated with your own. Furthermore, try to have at least enough money to purchase something to eat and to get to the next stop upon arriving at your destination.
Means of Communication
Get yourself a roaming plan to minimize the cost of communication using your mobile phone. Remember to activate the plan before leaving your country of origin because it may not be possible after you have travelled. Have important numbers stored separately in the event something happens to your phone. Should you lose your phone, ask for a phone call at the port’s Information Desk or use the pay phones located in the arrival lobby. As a last resort and only after keen consideration, you could ask a fellow traveller but be fore warned, in this age of technology, even a phone number in the wrong hands can spell trouble for you or your loved ones.
Alternatively, take advantage of the official free Wi-Fi service at the port, hotel, or other verifiable sources and use your tablet or laptop to send and receive e-mail messages.
Vaccines and Health Protectants
Check to see if there are any public health conditions warranting the need to get vaccination(s) before you leave your country of origin. Do this well ahead of your intended travel date, say at least two weeks ahead, so that the vaccine(s) will be in full effect by the time you arrive where you’re going. Supplement this by travelling with travel-size protectants against assaults from insects, the sun, frost or other threats to your skin, depending on the environment you’ll be in. Consider an insect repellent, sunscreen and appropriate clothing to guard against a heatstroke or frostbite.
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Travel Documents
Secure all required travel documents. Be certain any requisite visas and documents have been obtained, especially if you’ll pass through one or more territories to get to your final destination. A possible, regrettable consequence of neglecting these checks is being barred from passing through a port of departure or entry.
It also makes good sense to ensure your documents are up-to-date before booking your trip. That way, ticket purchases won’t be wasted due to a lengthy document renewal process that may extend beyond the date for which your ticket is valid.
Money
Notify your bank of your intended travel dates to prevent them from closing down your debit or credit card when it is being used in an unfamiliar location. This may be done in an effort to protect you from fraudulent usage. When multiple accounts are linked to a debit card, specify which one should be set as your primary account during your stay overseas.
Additionally, find out what regional affiliates your bank may have in the area you’ll be visiting if they don’t have branches there. That way, you’ll know ahead of time where you can transact free withdrawals at automated teller machines (ATMs) given the type of debit card(s) you may have.
Remember, credit card cash advances usually attract a transaction fee in addition to daily interest and in a foreign country, that may be even more expensive if you are using an ATM of a bank not affiliated with your own. Furthermore, try to have at least enough money to purchase something to eat and to get to the next stop upon arriving at your destination.
Means of Communication
Get yourself a roaming plan to minimize the cost of communication using your mobile phone. Remember to activate the plan before leaving your country of origin because it may not be possible after you have travelled. Have important numbers stored separately in the event something happens to your phone. Should you lose your phone, ask for a phone call at the port’s Information Desk or use the pay phones located in the arrival lobby. As a last resort and only after keen consideration, you could ask a fellow traveller but be fore warned, in this age of technology, even a phone number in the wrong hands can spell trouble for you or your loved ones.
Alternatively, take advantage of the official free Wi-Fi service at the port, hotel, or other verifiable sources and use your tablet or laptop to send and receive e-mail messages.
Vaccines and Health Protectants
Check to see if there are any public health conditions warranting the need to get vaccination(s) before you leave your country of origin. Do this well ahead of your intended travel date, say at least two weeks ahead, so that the vaccine(s) will be in full effect by the time you arrive where you’re going. Supplement this by travelling with travel-size protectants against assaults from insects, the sun, frost or other threats to your skin, depending on the environment you’ll be in. Consider an insect repellent, sunscreen and appropriate clothing to guard against a heatstroke or frostbite.
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