Here are five top packing essentials, and some tricks to make your travels safer and easier.
- Passports
It may seem obvious, but it is important to ensure that your passport is not only packed but that you check the expiry date well in advance. Some countries may decline you entry if your expiry date is too soon and some airlines have strict limits on expiry dates when you fly with them.
Research the country or countries you are travelling to and check their passport expiry criteria – there is nothing worse than getting caught out on a connecting flight whilst abroad.
- Visas / Entry Permits
Some countries require you to pick up a visa or an entry permit to visit – always thoroughly perform the needed research and apply for your visa or entry permit well in advance. You may have to visit the nearest embassy to pick up your visa and if this is a distance away, this will need advance planning.
- Drivers License
Whether or not you are driving whilst abroad, taking a driving license can often be a great alternative to carrying your passport around with you. Even better, carry your driving license and photocopies of your passport around with you at all times, and keep your passport securely locked in a safe.
- Debit / Credit Cards
It’s obvious that you may need a debit or credit card if you do find your money stolen or lost abroad, but most travellers don’t write down their card details and hold these on them.
If you lose your card, or your bank cancels your card, whilst you are abroad, this can be a real help. There are also a number of apps and websites that allow you to securely keep data like this online – so this can also be a great idea to utilise.
- Emergency Contact Details
This is perhaps one of the most important essentials to take abroad with you. These are vital in case you find yourself in an accident or a legal incident whilst you are travelling.
Don’t forget to also take your travel insurance documents with you as these will allow a medical facility to get in touch with your travel insurance company to authorise payments for your treatment if you are otherwise incapacitated.
This can ensure you avoid any unnecessary paperwork headaches at a later date, when all you want to do is move on from the incident in question!
Visit Down Under Insurance for more help.
