Before You Travel: The Often Forgotten Essentials

Nothing will pique your excitement more than the thrill of visiting somewhere new. The taste of the unknown is something that few people fail to enjoy. Whether it’s the hustle and bustle of a new city, the spicy smells of exotic food, or the mystery surrounding a rarely heard foreign language, travel gets the heart pumping.

While you’re flipping through your newly purchased guidebook and planning your days of adventure, spare a few moments to make sure you have the essentials covered before departing.

Visit Your Doctor

Check in with your doctor before setting off on any trip. By pulling up your medical history, your physician will be able to see if you’re due to receive any necessary vaccinations for your destination. See your doctor as quickly as possible after booking your trip, as you’ll want to make sure you have plenty of time for any required vaccinations and medication courses, such as malaria tablets, before departing.

Your doctor will also be able to share details with you about any threats to your health while you’re abroad.

Contact Your Bank

Image via Flickr by Sean MacEntee

A call to your credit card provider can save stress while you’re traveling. Most companies offer fraud protection services that will flag your account after an unusual amount of transactions overseas. To avoid being cut off from your money, tell your bank where you are traveling and for how long. Check your credit limit and make your provider aware of any large purchases you expect to make while away.

Be Prepared With Additional Travel Protection

The most enjoyable way to travel is knowing that you stay ready for any situation. What might only be a minor inconvenience with adequate travel planning can quickly become a big problem if you’re unprepared in a foreign country with no solution or help at hand.

Ensure you’re ready for any scenario with travel protection. For example, MedjetHorizon offers additional travel protection to its members in the areas of health, safety, and security.

Ensure Passport Control

Like most people, you’ll probably find yourself checking that you still have your passport on regular occasions during a trip. Make a copy of your passport and store the copy in the most secure area of your bag, email a copy to yourself for easy access when needed, and be sure to leave a copy with someone back home whom you can easily contact.

Know Your Airports

Planning the exciting parts of your trip — the places to visit, the best foods to eat, and the best tours to take — is the easy part. Take a few moments to plan your journey to and from your destination airport to avoid stress at the key parts of your trip. Most airports have public transportation linking them to the nearest city, so take some time to become familiar with the local routes.

By taking a few simple steps for effective travel planning, you shouldn’t find too many situations that you’re not ready for while away from home. Without these added concerns, you’ll be able to make the most of your time in an exciting new place.