If you're travelling overseas for the first time, this checklist might help you. Print it off and tick everything as you go.
Make sure your passport has at least six months’ validity from your planned date of return to Australia
When organising your passport, get some extra passport photos in case your passport is lost or stolen
Check the VISA requirements for all countries you will visit, as well as how long you will stay
Check the VISA requirements for any country which you have to transit through or have a stopover in, and ensure you will be allowed entry or stopover there
Know exactly where you’re going to go and what you plan on doing
Get comprehensive insurance that will cover your entire trip, including any activities you might do and countries you might visit.
Get a travel card in the currency of where you are traveling to
Let your bank know that you are going overseas
Take photos of the front and backs of your cards and email them to yourself, incase you lose them you will have their details recorded
Learn the few key phrases
Make a translation cheatsheet
Download a translation app
Pack more underwear
Check weight limits for all flights
Get some big ziplock bags
Pack an oversized hoodie, a headlamp, a Swiss Army Knife, and superglue
Find out local laws – always obey them!
Is it ok to drink the water
Types of food – street food etc
Research local scams – taxi’s, hiring bikes/scooters etc
Bartering customs
Checking dual nationality rules for your destinations
Unlocked phone or tablet, that will accept international sim cards
Check which friends/family which apps they use
Install messaging apps: WhatsApp, Viber, Skype, WeChat
International Calling Card or Skype/Viber account topped up
International Sim Card
check recommended immunisations and visit doctor
painkillers – eg paracetomol, ibuprofen, aspirin
band aids
immodium
contraceptives
sunscreen
lip balm
tissues (toilet paper)
Power bank / spare batteries
Chargers – best to take two just in case
travel adapter + powerboard
Camera
Smartphone
Tablet
Let family and friends know – provide them an itinerary with contact details
Check the latest travel advice from your government for where you’re traveling to
Register with your Government that you’re going overseas
Let your bank and phone company know you’ll be traveling
Hide spare money in your shoe
Hide spare credit/debit card away from the rest of your cards
Send yourself an email with photocopies / photos of passports, cards, visas, important phone numbers, drivers licence, health or travel insurance, serial numbers
Weigh your bags and check against luggage limits
Wear clothes that are comfortable and allow access to travel docs
For long haul flights: toothbrush & toothpaste, fresh underwear & tshirt
Check you have your passport and tickets
Money belt or similar, to stash your passport and long term money storage
Wallet for everyday spending (which will live in your front pocket)
Stash of money somewhere.
Earplugs
Eyemask
Travel Pillow
Inflight entertainment (cards, laptop, tablet, novel etc)
Sleeping Tablets
Toothbrush and Toothpaste
Spare Underwear and tshirt
Check stopovers – what is available at the airport
Transferring from Airport to Accommodation
TRAVEL HACK #1
The international emergency number, from any mobile phone worldwide, is 112. It will even work if the phone is locked, has no sim card, or has no reception from your provider – it will access the network if it gets reception from any provider.
TRAVEL HACK #2
Credit card providers will have a free local number for the majority of the world. Find the local number of your destination in the links below!
For the definitive guide by TourRadar on travel hacks, tips and advice, check out Travel Hacks
Comments