It can be fun to be spontaneous from time to time and head off on adventures. But when it comes to international travel, it is something that can be pretty hard to do spontaneously. It is an adventure that is best to plan ahead for. There can be some pretty important things to remember and plan for, and they can make or break your trip. So at least a month’s notice is usually needed for international travel. You want to make sure that medically everything is sound, as well as sorted financially, and everything is done as much as it can be, to keep you safe. So with all of that in mind, here is your essential checklist for international travel to help you to be prepared for anything.

Insurance

When something goes wrong when you’re in your home country, then there can be less of a problem as you’ll have people to stay with or a home to go to. But when an emergency or a disaster happens and  you’re in international waters, the cost of dealing with an emergency can be pretty high. Which is why it is a really good idea to make sure that you get insurance for your trip. It can help to give you some peace of mind, and if the worst does happen, then at least you won’t be out of pocket.

Medical Requirements

There will be some countries that you might plan on visiting that will require you to have a vaccination, for example. Some places could even need you to have a couple of doses, depending on the vaccination. So it goes to show that you can’t really do it all last minute. It can be a good idea to have a copy of your vaccination certificates with you too, as some borders may need to see it. Something like an emergency medical data form could be a good idea to have with you too, as people can see if you have any allergies or medical conditions. It can help if there is a language barrier too as things written down can be translated or understood much more easily.

Travel Documents

For international travel you usually need at least six months left on your passport. So if yours will soon be out of date, then it can be a good idea to get it renewed before going away. Really, you should allow a month for a new one to arrive, which again, goes to show how it can be difficult to be spontaneous when traveling internationally.

Most countries that you go to will be able to give you a travel visa when you arrive at the border and have some forms filled in (usually passed onto you on the plane). But there may be some countries where it does differ or where you need to apply in advance (this happens for people coming into the US, for example). So check out the country that you are going to and it can mean you can plan in advance so that there won’t be any issues at the border control.

Baking and Finances

Having too much foreign currency on your person is never a good idea. So don’t get all of the cash you’ll need out in one go. Just choose a small amount to have with you. Then it is a good idea to get a credit card that can be used internationally, and one that doesn’t charge you for being abroad (as most other cards will). It is a good idea to let your bank or card provider know that you are going abroad too, so they are ready for some foreign transactions to come through. Otherwise, the transactions could get blocked and you could be stuck for money; never a good thing when you are in a foreign country.

Country Research

All countries are different and have different rules for different things, that fit that country's culture. Which is why it is a good idea to do a little research ahead of time, so that you can get things right when you’re over there. For starters, some basic phrases or words in their language can be a good idea, as well as some of the dos and don’ts in the country. Simple things like crossing the road and the rules around it can vary a lot from country to country.

Some time to plan and prepare can really help you to make sure that you’re able to get your international travel off on the right foot. If your travel involves important documents in different languages, consider using Document Translation Services to ensure everything is accurate and clear. Is there anything else that you would add to the list?

Have a listing you think should be featured contact us or email at Jeremy@offthemrkt.com to tell us more! Follow Off The MRKT on Twitter and Instagram, and like us on Facebook.