Are you planning an extended trip ? Are you sure you've taken care of all loose ends ? How about asking someone to pick up your mail ? Have you notified your insurance company of your plans ? We've put together a list of important things to do before you head out, so that your grand adventure goes smoothly !
Make sure your passport is valid, and check on validity regulations for the country you are visiting. In some countries, your passport needs to be valid for 3-6 months after you leave. In general, passports take 1-4 weeks to renew, but it could be longer- check with your consulate. Check what visa you will need for your travels, well in advance (some visas can take months to obtain).
Some borders will also require additional information on your lodging. In Russia, you may be asked for a confirmation document from the hotel where you are staying, or from the person with whom you are staying.
If you are leaving for many months, make sure your bills are paid in advance. You can also choose to suspend certain subscriptions like your gym membership, bus pass, magazines, etc. This will help you avoid late fees while you're away.
Coming back from vacation to an overflowing mailbox is not pleasant. For one, it's an obvious sign cthat you aren't around, and your place can become a target to theives. Ask a friend to pick up your mail regularly.
Check the price of getting an international plan for your cell phone. It might be expensive, but you won't incur charges for international calls, texts or data while abroad.
However, another option that could be cheaper: unlock your phone and buy a SIM card in the country you're visiting. That way, you will have a local number and can make local calls for much cheaper.
To stay in contact with your family and friends back home, download an application that allows you to chat for free. Our favrorites are :
These applications are free, and allow you to make video calls as long as you are connected to the internet. Many cafés, shopping centers and hotels offer Wifi, making it easy for you to check your messages or make a call.
If you're traveling solo, check out this article about how to meet people while abroad! « Five Ways to Make Friends While Traveling Solo ».
Depending on what country you are visiting, you will most likely need a special adapter to plug in your devices. If you forget to buy one before you leave, you can probably find one in the airport or even your hotel. You can also get a pack, which has adapters for multiple countries.
You should let your insurance provider know how long you'll be away, and whether your house will be empty. You should give them the contact information for the person who will check up on your house during your absence.
Certain credit cards have special travel benefits, like discounts on airline tickets, train tickets, covering warrenties of car rentals, etc., but only when they're paid with the card. Some even allow you to purchase travel insurance with them. It's very useful to have a credit card that covers all your insurance needs while abroad.
Another perk is that these cards don't charge you a fee when you pay or withdraw money around the world.
To find out more important tips on saving money, check out ourt article « 20 tips to save money for traveling ».
If you're doing a road trip, you should definitely go with a backpack over a suitcase. Your choice of backpack is very important. Try to get one that's fitted to your body so you don't get back pains. This is our favorite traveling backpack- perfect dimensions and lightweight!
Also, it helps to pack carefully so you don't take a bunch of unnecessary items. Check out our article on packing essentials only: « How to travel light? ».
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