Are you excited to explore a new culture? To eat amazing food and visit unique locations?
Whether you’re hiking the Alps, climbing the Eiffel Tower, or taking a camel ride to the Great Pyramids, you want to stay safe, happy, and healthy throughout your journey.
No matter where you’re planning to set sail for, there are some items you absolutely must-have when you’re traveling abroad.
We’ve gathered together some travel necessities that you can’t leave home without. Here’s a list to help you pack and be prepared for your trip.
1. Credit Cards With No Fees
Using a Credit Card overseas takes out the guesswork of having to convert foreign currency and carry around a lot of extra cash around. However, some credit card companies will charge a foreign transaction fee.
Not all credit card companies will charge you for this, so make sure you look into this prior to traveling abroad. You should also notify your banks and credit cards of your travel abroad and what country you will be in. This will ensure that they don’t restrict you when you try to use your cards overseas.
2. Passport
You absolutely must bring your passport if you are going to travel abroad. Just make sure it won’t expire in six months or less. Sure, the U.S. will allow you to use your passport up until the expiration date. However, other countries won’t accept passports that are due to expire soon.
They are worried that you might get stuck in the country longer than the six-month period. If you need to renew or get your passport, you’ll be required to get a passport photo taken.
Read this article to learn about the cheapest places to get your passport photo taken. You should also take a photo of your passport and email it to yourself so you have an extra copy. This can be helpful just in case it goes missing or is stolen.
3. Subscribe to STEP
If you’re traveling abroad it’s important to be prepared for anything. That’s why subscribing to the State Department’s STEP alerts is recommended. You may not expect to become one of the small percentages of travelers who run into issues, but just in case it’s good to have some backup.
The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), is a free service that is offered to U.S. citizens. It allows the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate to share important updates about the safety of the country you are traveling to. This allows them to get in contact with you in case of an emergency.
4. Travel Insurance
When it comes to a long-distance trip, having travel insurance is worth it just in case your flight or hotel is canceled or if you have a medical emergency. You never know what could happen along the way.
Travel Insurance will only cost you a few additional dollars each day. It could potentially save you hundreds or thousands of dollars if something were to go wrong. Emergencies may be rare but if something does happen, it’s essential that you have some help to fall back on.
5. International Phone Plan
Staying connected is important while you are traveling. Don’t forget to set up an international phone plan for your cell phone. You can either unlock your phone to use with a foreign carrier or buy a prepaid SIM card.
If you’re not sure what is offered by your current plan, make sure you call them ahead of time to get set up. You don’t want to be caught without service while you are in another country.
6. Luggage & Packing Organizers
Having the right packing system can make or break your travel experience. It’s important to stay organize and pack efficiently for your trip. Decide what kind of luggage will be the best depending on the length and location of your trip.
You may want to bring a backpack rather than a large suitcase to make airport travel a breeze. It can also save you money to have a carry-on suitcase rather than checking your bag. Yet for some trips, it’s impossible to fit all of your supplies in carry-on luggage.
You should purchase suitcase organizers to keep your things in order. Organize your clothing based on things like casual versus formal, along with clean versus dirty clothes. It also makes unpacking at your destinations a lot easier.
7. First Aid Supplies
The Center for Disease Control is a great resource to determine what vaccines are required based on where you are traveling to. You should also bring some first aid supplies on your trip just in case.
You should pack things like bandages, allergy medication, laxatives, pain killers, vitamins, hand sanitizer, etc. These types of items are great to have just in case! Additional toiletries like nail clippers, tweezers, and sunblock, should not be forgotten.
8. Technology
There’s probably going to be a lot of travel time involved in your trip. Whether that’s on a train, plane, or on the road. It’s important to have some items to keep you comfortable and busy while you’re in transit.
Bring an eye mask and earplugs for times when you need to rest. You can also bring some comfortable clothes, a pillow, and a blanket too. Consider getting noise-canceling headphones too.
To stay occupied, you can bring a book, journal, or tablet. Make sure to download your favorite movies, shows, or apps before you leave. Don’t forget to purchase an adaptor so you can charge all of your tech in foreign outlets.
9. Water Bottle
When it comes to staying hydrated, packing your own water bottle to refill on the road is a necessity. You can purchase one that is insulated and will stay cold or hot for up to 24 hours.
It’s worth the extra weight and can save you money since they’re easy to clean and reuse.
Ready to Collect Your Travel Necessities?
We hope this list of travel necessities will help you pack for your big trip! There’s a lot to think of when you’re planning to travel abroad, make sure these items are in your bag before you head off.
Looking for more great travel advice and information? Check out our website to learn more essential tips. Most importantly, have fun on your exciting trip!
