I have this thing for lists. It may not be my best quality but there's no point trying to hide it; a pretty notebook, a good pen and a useful list is my idea of an evening well spent. More than lists themselves, I like checking things off lists and revelling in that post-tick satisfaction...definitely going to be the token loser in my tour groups!
 |
| Image credit: http://valerienorris.blogspot.co.uk/ |
Going travelling may be about fun in the sun, going new places and meeting new people - but it also requires a great deal of organisation. While this can get tedious after a while, you'll be grateful you put the effort in before you hopped on your first plane. Here's my pre-travel checklist (after booking flights, accommodation etc). Hope it's useful!
Documents
Check your passport is in date - at least 6 months left by the time you finish travelling. Arrange any visas (UK passport holders don't need visas for Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, South Africa, Hong Kong, Thailand or Cambodia - although this may change if you want to stay longer than 30 days). I had to apply online for an ESTA for the States which took about 10 mins. Kenya, Tanzania and Vietnam all require visas; make sure you get your Vietnam visa BEFORE you enter the country as you cannot get one on arrival.
Other countries may have unusual entry requirements, for example Australian immigration may ask for a recent bank statement to prove you have enough cash to support yourself during your stay (applicable for those on a working holiday visa).
Sometimes airlines flying you to certain countries, such as those in South East Asia, will ask to see proof of onward travel. People have been denied boarding when unable to produce a bus/train/plane ticket - make sure you're not one of them! Always check with the airline, and book a cheap ticket if you haven't made solid plans yet to ensure you'll be allowed onto the flight.
Speaking of flights, check whether the price includes luggage before you go. If it doesn't, pre-booking may be an idea, otherwise you could find yourself paying a premium at the airport on the day.
Other countries may have unusual entry requirements, for example Australian immigration may ask for a recent bank statement to prove you have enough cash to support yourself during your stay (applicable for those on a working holiday visa).
Sometimes airlines flying you to certain countries, such as those in South East Asia, will ask to see proof of onward travel. People have been denied boarding when unable to produce a bus/train/plane ticket - make sure you're not one of them! Always check with the airline, and book a cheap ticket if you haven't made solid plans yet to ensure you'll be allowed onto the flight.
Speaking of flights, check whether the price includes luggage before you go. If it doesn't, pre-booking may be an idea, otherwise you could find yourself paying a premium at the airport on the day.
Vaccinations
Arrange in plenty of time before you go - see this post for deets. After my first rounds of Hep A (1 injection) and Hep B (2 injections 4 weeks apart), I needed boosters 6 months later which has given me Hep A immunity for 20 years and Hep B immunity - for travel purposes - for 5 years. Make sure your general jabs are up to date - I had to get a polio, tetanus and diptheria booster before leaving for Asia and Australia.
Bank stuff
Get yourself a back-up debit card. I'm already with Nationwide and went with Metro Bank for my second current account - while they charge for withdrawals outside of Europe at the moment it's free on the Continent, which will be useful for summer. Plus, they gave me a free phrase book for SE Asia - and a birthday card! Prepaid cards are also an option.
Tell your bank you are going abroad. This may not be necessary for debit cards but if you plan to use your credit card abroad, definitely inform them otherwise your card might get blocked.
Remember to pay off your credit card when travelling, whether you log on abroad (it might help to set reminders on your phone) or call in a favour from a trusted family member (I left all my bank details at home with my mum and brother just in case - carrying out bank transactions over dodgy wifi isn't particularly advisable).
If any fixed-term savings accounts are due to expire while you're away, it may be worth talking to the financial organisation in question to decide where your money will go - if you don't do anything it could be rolled over into an account with a terrible rate.
Make sure you have enough funds to tide you over for the duration of your trip (unless you plan to work), and remember to put money aside for emergencies too - travelling is unpredictable by nature!
Remember to pay off your credit card when travelling, whether you log on abroad (it might help to set reminders on your phone) or call in a favour from a trusted family member (I left all my bank details at home with my mum and brother just in case - carrying out bank transactions over dodgy wifi isn't particularly advisable).
If any fixed-term savings accounts are due to expire while you're away, it may be worth talking to the financial organisation in question to decide where your money will go - if you don't do anything it could be rolled over into an account with a terrible rate.
Make sure you have enough funds to tide you over for the duration of your trip (unless you plan to work), and remember to put money aside for emergencies too - travelling is unpredictable by nature!
Personal items
If like me you're half blind without your contact lenses, remember to order enough boxes to pack a few weeks before you go. Likewise for daily meds such as the pill. It may be worth making a note of any time differences (smartphones tend to have world clocks) to check what time you should be taking medication in the various countries you plan to visit.
Phone and car
Rather than sticking with your current contract and paying for data, calls and texts you're not going to use, get a Pay-As-You-Go SIM and top it up as you go. It may also be worth unlocking your phone before you go, especially if you're going to be settling somewhere for a while and plan to invest in a local SIM.
Since I'm heading off for 18 months now (gearing up for my Asia and Australia trip), I've decided to sell my car. This can take a while so it's worth setting the wheels in motion sooner rather than later. Remember to claim back insurance and tax where applicable.
Phone and car
Rather than sticking with your current contract and paying for data, calls and texts you're not going to use, get a Pay-As-You-Go SIM and top it up as you go. It may also be worth unlocking your phone before you go, especially if you're going to be settling somewhere for a while and plan to invest in a local SIM.
Since I'm heading off for 18 months now (gearing up for my Asia and Australia trip), I've decided to sell my car. This can take a while so it's worth setting the wheels in motion sooner rather than later. Remember to claim back insurance and tax where applicable.
Travel equipment
Learn how to use any new purchases before you jet off. I spent about an hour trying to fit my camera battery into a new universal charger lying flat when it needed to be upright...duh. Get to grips with your camera (I also got hold of a new battery and spare SD card) and break in new walking boots to check they're the perfect fit.
Currency
This can generally be ordered in for the next day from the Post Office - no sweat! It's useful to go in a couple of weeks before though, just in case there's a problem - I went to Iceland in December and there was a shortage of krona so I had to spend a couple of days scouring Windsor and the surrounding areas for any spare Icelandic change (currency can also be converted at banks in your destination).
Keeping in touch
Set up a Dropbox account so you can store and share photos along the way. This also saves you having to upload thousands of snaps on your return and makes the loss/theft of a camera slightly less devastating. Make sure you know your Skype logins as there'll be lots of people wanting to hear all about your trip - if you have the time! You may also want to think about creating a blog to record all your memories and experiences - although take a notepad and pen too for when you don't have access to a PC.
Music
I'm perfectly happy staring into space on bus/train journeys and soaking up all the sights, whether I'm travelling from London to Leeds or Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes; however making sure your iPod is full and up-to-date may be an idea.
Write a will
Yup. Thanks for that suggestion mum! Really helping the nerves there - naaat. Just told my bestie who responded with 'Really?!!! Can I have your laptop and your books and that slanket thing?'. Any more requests?!
Music
I'm perfectly happy staring into space on bus/train journeys and soaking up all the sights, whether I'm travelling from London to Leeds or Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes; however making sure your iPod is full and up-to-date may be an idea.
Write a will
Yup. Thanks for that suggestion mum! Really helping the nerves there - naaat. Just told my bestie who responded with 'Really?!!! Can I have your laptop and your books and that slanket thing?'. Any more requests?!
The day before leaving
There are some things you shouldn't leave to the last minute. These things you can:
- Check onto your flight & print boarding pass
- Charge everything - phone, camera, spare camera battery, iPod etc
- Make sure you have sufficient funds in both current accounts
- Put luggage tags/ribbons on your bags so they're easily recognisable
- Turn off roaming & voicemail (networks can charge if someone leaves a message while you're overseas - akin to receiving a call)
That's all folks! Please add things I've (inevitably) missed.
43 hours until I'm in the air...! Can't quite believe it.
