Planning a trip can be an exciting yet overwhelming task, which is why before you embark on your next adventure, there are 5 things you need to do before you travel. These simple yet effective tips will ensure that you’ll have a smooth and stress-free travel experience no matter what may come up.
1) Valid Documents Make sure all of your travel documents are valid and keep them somewhere that’s easily accessible. Some places don’t accept passports that expire in less than 6 months, which is why it’s important to double check the passport validity requirements of your destination.
Tip! If you have multiple pockets or zippers in your bag, separate frequently used documents such as your passport and boarding pass from the rest. That way you reduce the risk of rummaging and dropping things while you’re on the go.
2) Backup Itinerary Anything can happen when we travel, which is why you should have a list of backup activities. I recommend including 1-2 activities that are within the same vicinity of your initial event, so you don’t have to travel too far if things don’t go as planned. For example, if an outdoor event gets canceled due to the weather, you’ll have activities to choose from that are just minutes away.
3) Travel Health Insurance Travel insurance is an excellent way to protect yourself from expensive medical bills that you may incur in the event of an emergency. It provides peace of mind and you can inquire with a travel agent, insurance broker, your credit card company, or your employer’s insurance to discover which one best suits your personal needs.
When assessing a travel health insurance plan, you should ask a lot of questions. Is there a deductible? If so, how much is it? Does the plan exclude or limit coverage for certain regions or countries you may visit? Does the company have an in-house, worldwide, 24-hour/7-day emergency contact number in English and/or translation services for health care providers in your destination country?
gov of canada, trip interruption and travel health insurance.
4) House and or Pet Sitters Another way to ensure peace of mind while you’re away is to have a house and or pet sitter. Whether you have trusted friends, family, or you’re paying for a sitter, it’s important to plan ahead to ensure that everyone’s schedule aligns so you can enjoy your trip knowing your home and pet(s) are taken care of.
5) Important Numbers I keep a list of important numbers written down and saved in my phone. Even though these numbers can be found in my wallet or through a Google search, it helps me stay organized because the numbers that I need are in one place. Some important numbers include emergency contacts, hotel, car rental, tour agency, bank/credit card, family doctor, and travel insurance provider.
Tip! Even though your bank and credit cards have the toll-free number printed on the back, it’s still a good idea to write them down or save them in your phone in the event they get lost, stolen, or stuck inside an ATM machine.
By taking these 5 simple measures before your next trip, you can focus on new and exciting adventures and be confident that you’re prepared for anything. What are some important things you do before traveling? I’d love to know!
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Writing down numbers is so important, and in this digital stage we often forget this important step.
I agree, I always like writing things down and having physical copies in case something goes wrong with our digital devices. Thank you for reading Pooja!
I just finished getting my new passport, but I need to do a better job of having backup ideas and travel insurance. I always seem to forget these two and they are both so important. Travel hiccups are going to happen, so it really is better to plan ahead! Thanks for these helpful reminders just in time for summer vacations!
I agree, it can be the last thing we think about when planning for a fun vacation! Thank you for reading Heidi.
I have not travelled very far in a long time. I’ve been sticking to roads trip destinations that are 1-3 hours away, so I have less to worry about. These are great tips for my next bigger trip! 🙂
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Yes, it’s definitely important to keep these in mind for longer trips! Thank you for reading Melanie.
Totally agree Winnie! It is so important to have the correct documents to hand, I actually brought 2 copies with me in case something went wrong x
That’s great Caroline! It’s always important to have backup copies, I never leave without them. Thank you for reading!
These are great tips! Thank you for sharing this!
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Thank you for reading Melissa!
These are great tips! It is important to have your documents before traveling as well as the other things you mentioned!
Thank you for reading Karalee!
Thank you for these tips for preparing a trip and avoiding unpleasant surprises. It can make all the difference. One thing I also do is go to a travel clinic to make sure I have the vaccines and medication I need for the destination I’m going to.
Yes, that’s a great tip! Thank you for reading Corinne.
These are all excellent tips. I use to have to call my bank and inform them that I am traveling so they would not put a freeze on my card. But they did away with that not so sure how I feel about that. And yes anything can happen. I left my bank card at the MonoPrix in Paris and they still had it for me when I went back the next day!
Allie of
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Yes, I remember having to call the bank! Mine gives me the option to send a secure message online informing them of travel plans just in case. I’m so glad to hear they kept your card safe for you, how lucky! Thank you for reading Allie.
Gracias por los consejos. Te mando un beso.
Thank you for reading Citu!
Great tips, Winnie! I think #1 thing many people forget is securing documents so I think it’s awesome that you put that first! Love these suggestions and I think especially for new people these might not seem so obvious! Great post 🙂
I agree, ensuring you have all of your documents and that they’re all up to date makes the traveling experience much smoother. Thank you for reading Andrea!
These are absolute essentials to sort out before going anywhere, thanks for reminding us of the importance of this! <3
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Thank you for reading Jelena!
What great tips, thanks for sharing. A must planner before going away! 👌
Thank you for reading Bex!
Great tips! Another is to make sure if you’re travelling solo that someone knows your plans/whereabouts.
Yes, that is super important! Thank you for reading Nikki.
Wonderful tips! Very useful article. I’ll have a trip soon, I’ll remember it! Thanks <3 Dollka
I’m glad to hear that! Thank you for reading Dollka.
So true! These are important things to do before traveling somewhere. Thank you for sharing this preparation tips.
Thank you for reading Fadima!
These are very important things to have. If I have to travel, I would bring these things.
Thank you for reading Lanae!
These are all helpful reminders which I like to employ too Winnie! I like to have a dedicated place for my passports in my personal luggage so I can quickly place it there while in security (after showing it to security) before my bags go through the scanner.
That’s wonderful Jodie! It can be stressful going through airport security, so having a secure place to store your documents is key. Thank you for reading!