Finding cheaptravel options for international travel including cheap airplane tickets, cheapdeals, discount hotel rooms, discounttravel deals, and cheap vacation packages, isoften easier than knowing what you need to prepare to fully enjoy your tripupon reaching your destination.
The following are tips that will help you avoid spendingany travel time dealing with easily avoidable problems at your destination,according to Lynn Addison:
Getyour travel documents in order well before your departure date. Passports should be renewed nine months priorto their expiration dates. Somecountries deny travelers entry with a passport that expires in less than sixmonths. If you want to drive overseas,you may need to obtain an international driving permit (IDP). Many countries do not recognize a U.S.drivers license that is not accompanied with an IDP.
Before departing, make a photocopy of youritinerary, the picture page of your passport, tickets for transportation andevents, and the credit cards you are taking.
Checkwith your health provider to determine if your policy covers treatment abroad. If not, look into purchasing supplementalinsurance. Generally speaking the fatheraway you travel and the more elaborate your trip, the more likely you may needsome type of travel insurance to cover emergencies, including medicalevacuation, plus expenses related to delays, cancellations, or baggageproblems. Travel aggregator sites, suchas InsureMyTrip.com provide advice as to what is needed.
Prepareyour prescription medication and make certain that you will travel with enoughmedication, even extra in case your schedule changes. You should carry copies of your prescriptionsfrom your doctor. If you are travelingwith any unusual medication, confirm that it is legal and readily available atyour destination. Carry a note onletterhead from stationery from your prescribing physician for any controlledsubstances and injectable medications. All prescription medication should be placed in carry-on luggage.
Pulltogether a health kit that includes bandages, antiseptic for cuts or scrapes,special pads for blisters, a thermometer, and a pain and fever medication. Safety pins, tweezers, and scissors may comein handy, as well as hydrocortisone cream for bug bites, an antifungal ointment,and an antidiarrheal. Include emergencycontact information in your kit for your regular and travel health insuranceproviders.
Makecertain that you either have, or sign up for a credit card that will not incurextra fees for foreign transactions. Make a point of notifying your credit card companies of where you willbe traveling when prior to departing.
Thebest way to acquire cash in your destinations currency is at an ATM once youarrive. This is easily accomplished atlarge international airports where you will receive a better exchange rate thanif you exchange currency in the U.S. beforehand. It is smart to carry some small U.S. billsjust in case.
Reserveforeign air, rail, and/or ground transportation at least three weeks prior todeparture. Make hotel reservations aminimum of two weeks before arrival. Purchase tickets for tours, concerts, and plays at least one week inadvance to ensure availability. Whenavailable, purchase attraction tickets online so that you can skip lines.