1. Check your passport date. Most countries will not allow entry if the passport is three months or closer to expiring. If it is close to three months before expiring, get a new passport.
2. Make photocopies of all documents before you leave and keep them in your carry on and in a separate bag or suitcase. This may come in handy in case of a lost or stolen passport.
3. Give a copy of all documents to a trusted family member or friend who will be at home while you are overseas.
4. Give a copy of your itinerary to a trusted friend or family member. They should know roughly where you are at any given time along with flight numbers and accommodation details.
5. Students should get an International Student Identity Card.
6. Ensure that you have a valid driver’s license, in case you are renting a vehicle.
7. Look into an International Driving Permit. Some countries require this instead of your home country’s driver’s license.
8. Empty your wallet of all cards and information that are not important. Carry light.
9. Carry important documents, cash, credit cards, etc. in a money belt.
10. Scan your documents and email them to yourself or save them to the cloud.
11. Scan your documents and keep them as an image on your phone, tablet, or laptop.
12. A passport protector is well worth the investment.
13. Keep money and credit cards in separate places if possible. If a wallet is stolen or lost and all of your money and credit cards are in there, guess what? You are in trouble.
14. Keep a list of the models and serial numbers of the electronics that you are taking with you. Keep a list with your trusted friend or family member back home. As a backup, email yourself those details and keep it in a Travel folder in your email system.
15. Have digital copies of all of your flights. Keep a copy with a trusted person back home and in your email system.
16. Carry extra passport photos if you will be traveling for an extended period of time.
The following is a list of documents that you should consider taking with you.
•Address book (digital or paper copy)
•Allergies, list of
•Birth certificates
•Blood type
•Business cards
•Calling cards
•Car rental confirmations
•Contact information for credit cards
•Credit and ATM cards (Plus or Cirrus)
•Credit card contact information for lost or stolen cards
•Cruise and/or bus tour documents
•Doctor contact information
•Documents for pacemakers or metal implants
•Driver’s license (international driver’s license)
•Emergency contact information
•E-Tickets
•EKG or other documents that describe health concerns
•Guidebooks
•Hotel reservations
•Immunization records
•Insurance information
•Itineraries
•Journal or diary
•List of medications
•Maps & directions
•Medic Alert
•Medical records
•Membership cards (CAA, frequent flyer, hotel)
•Passports & Visas
•Traveler’s cheques
•Vaccination records
•Visas; travel
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