When it comes to getting ready to travel, you must ensure you are fully prepared before leaving the country. Regardless of if you are going for a few days, weeks or even months, having everything organised and arranged in the time leading up to your departures can help you to be more confident everything is taken care of and you are in the best possible positions to leave your day to day life behind and make the most of your time away.
Read on to learn about how you can best prepare for travel and what you need to do before jetting off.
Check Your Health
Firstly, you need to ensure you are in good health, and your body is able to cope with the trip, especially if you are going on a more physically demanding holiday or you will be away for a long time; the last thing you want is to suffer a medical emergency while you are away. Visit your doctor or a specialist travel clinic to ensure you know how healthy you are and what is happening with your body.
If you need to take prescription medications, ensure you have all the proper packaging with dosage instructions and a letter from your doctor if required, along with enough medication to last the trip, all kept together and clearly labelled. This is even more vital if you have any existing health conditions as you will want to make sure everything is ok for the trip and your body can sustain the added pressures from travelling, different climates and so on. You will also be able to get any prescription medication or medical certificates you might need to take with you for any health issues to help you get through customs easier.
Check Your Passport
Your passport needs to be valid for a minimum of 6 months from your departure date to allow for smooth travel and entry to every location you are travelling to. If your passport has less time than that, you might not be able to travel, and this can affect your plans and risk you being refused entry to your destination. Always check your passport is not only in date but is also undamaged and meets the requirements of the airlines you are flying with, especially for older passports or frequent fliers. Remember, Australian passports last for 10 years and renewals or replacements require a minimum of 6 weeks to arrive should you need to go through this process.
Visa
Everyone who has seen the airport shows where people are denied entry into various countries due to one reason or another, but a common issue is having an incorrect visa. Be sure to check the visa requirement of your destination prior to boarding your flight so you can be confident you’re not breaking any travel rules, especially for those going without a return ticket or who haven’t made definite plans to move on. Visa requirements and documentation can vary from country to country. Do your research first to ensure you know exactly what to expect and the proper paperwork for your travel. Pay close attention to working rules if you plan on working during your stay; even for influencers and digital nomads, you will still be subject to the same restrictions.
Take out travel insurance.
Travel insurance is the one thing you never want to have to use, but it is one of the most vital aspects of travel. From illnesses to accidents, delays and lost luggage, there are many different things that can go wrong, and travel insurance can cover all of them. For those leaving their home country, being insured for emergencies can get a lifeline should something unexpected happen. Ensure your insurance covers the cost of your trip and the duration of travel and provides adequate compensation should you need to claim, even more so if you need repatriation. Be as honest as you can when filling in forms to avoid voiding your cover, and be confident that should anything go wrong, you have a policy in place to help you out.
Duplicate Everything
For the experienced traveller, duplicating documents will be second nature. This is the act of taking pictures or copies of all of your vital information should anything be lost. Take physical copies with you and keep them safe at all times, however, have backups should you need them. Be it on files on a laptop or images on your phone or camera, these copies can be a lifesaver should you lose anything or everything. For example, if your passport is stolen and you need to contact your embassy to get a replacement, having a photographic image of your passport can help you to get a new passport easier, and the same with travel documents for hotels or flights too. Having copies means you can still access your information even if the originals are not to hand.
Conclusion
Preparing for your trip is one of the most essential parts of trolling and can help you ensure everything is ready and organised before leaving the country. From ensuring your passport is in date, your health is taken care of, and you have the correct visa, these small details shouldn’t be overlooked.
