Before You Travel Checklist & Safety Tips

Download this page as a PDF here.

6 Months Out

  • Research and book trip insurance as soon as you make your first trip purchase. Within two weeks of your first trip purchase, you are able to obtain “cancel for any reason” insurance and coverage for pre-existing conditions. This is the most lenient option of insuring your trip, but there are also more medical or emergency focused options. A good place to start is by reviewing our Travel Insurance Blog Post and then searching for plans on www.insuremytrip.com. It is usually better to not book just through the airline on the bigger trips so you can insure all of your non-refundable costs, not just the flight! We are happy to help you find the best plan for you.
  • Check the validity of your passport! Is your passport valid for more than 6 months after your trip’s return date? This is a requirement for many destinations. Here are links regarding how to apply for, and renew, your passports.
  • If you are driving a rental car in another country – do you need an International Driver’s License (IDL)? And read our thoughts on rental car insurance policies here.
  • If you’d like a phone plan while abroad to make calls, texts, and use data (like google maps), consider asking your provider what the cost is for an international plan. Most are just $5-$10/day on the days you choose to use data. If you will be abroad for a considerable amount of time (i.e. months), let’s talk about alternative options.
  • Ask your banks which credit card or checking account has the lowest international transaction fee – this can help you plan which card to use while abroad. If they’re all super high, consider ditching an old one for a travel savvy one that gives you points or cash in return (PAY IT OFF MONTHLY). 
  • If you are traveling only with a debit card, some hotels and rental car companies will place an extra “hold” on your account, or even charge a fee, as a security measure. Maybe consider signing up for a credit card with no annual fees and use this while abroad. (PAY IT OFF MONTHLY). Read our tips + recommendations about traveling with a debit card here.
  • Download wifi-enabled communication apps like WhatsApp or Viber if you don’t plan to have a phone plan. Many hotels and tour companies abroad use these to communicate with international guests.
  • Buy a city map and guide book start to familiarize yourself with the area you’re staying so you can hit the ground running! (Particularly fun with a glass of wine or beer and your favorite travel show)

2 Weeks Out 

  • Check COVID requirements and make plans for any required testing you will need to do. You are no longer required to have a negative COVID test to re-enter the United States. If you are needing or wanting a COVID test for your travels, our favorite way to manage this is to pack a testing kit with you! We love the services Air Bio Lab offers and have recently heard great things about E-Med tests that have a 24/7 virtual telehealth system. 
  • Consider what your travel essentials are and start a packing list. If you have no idea, or want some fun ideas, here is My World Travel’s list of travel essentials for packing, flying, and staying comfortable while abroad! 
  • Make color copies of your passport, credit cards, health insurance card and keep with you while traveling. During the pandemic, include a vaccine card in your list of copies. 
  • Print confirmation emails – and your handy My World Travel itinerary – for all of your travels or save as a PDF into your iBooks app on your phone (apple users) or google drive (all users).
  • Share your travel itinerary with family and friends so they can know your whereabouts. If you have travel insurance, share that information with a trusted contact, too.
  • Consider exchanging cash prior to traveling so you aren’t pressed to find an ATM upon arriving ($250 USD → local currency usually works well to get you started). I think it is best to order ahead through your bank. Usually they can get this back to you within 48 hours.
  • When traveling with cash, keep your cash separated. Leave some in the hotel safe, some in your wallet, and some in your friend’s bag, for example. 
  • Call your credit card companies and banks to let them know you are traveling. This will help avoid any unnecessary fraud alerts and holds on your account. A lot of them allow you to do this through your account online. 
  • Do you have the correct adapter and/or converter for your electronic devices? Adapters change the shape of the prongs to fit international outlets. Most phones only need an adapter these days. Converters will adjust voltage and are necessary when changing between 120/240 voltages — beware of this with hair straighteners and hair dryers (I’ve exploded one before). My advice is to just buy a cheap version of those abroad if you’re there for a while or just go au naturale. 
  • Pre-download Google Maps on your devices so you can access them offline. How To Guide here!

General Packing Tips

Review My World Travel’s “Travel Essentials” here!

  • Pack all medications! Allergy medicine, advil cold + sinus, ibuprofen, imodium, Tums, and dramamine so you don’t have to translate these awkward things in a foreign pharmacy.
  • First aid kit – always bandaids, blister protection, sterile wipes, etc., in case you decide to try out some new shoes on your trip
  • Roll your clothes! I don’t understand why it saves room but it does. You can also invest in packing cubes that help you use your space wisely
  • Ziploc bags always come in handy. Wet clothes, dirty clothes, trash, etc. 
  • A mini-sized Febreze for your checked bag. You’ll thank us later.
  • A phone charger and battery pack for the long days away from the hotel

Safety While Traveling

Especially if traveling solo!

KEEP IN MIND: Anyone who doesn’t respect your boundaries in a little way will violate your boundaries in a big way.

When we talk about safety risks abroad, we are discussing loss, damage, theft, and personal wellbeing. Here are some tips that I have compiled thanks in large part to Nora Dunn (former financial advisor, now full time traveler) and Tracey Breeden (VP of safety with Match Group, and former VP of Safety with Uber). 

Personal Safety

  • Always appear to look like you know where you’re going and what you’re doing (head up, shoulders back, phone in hand)
  • Stay where there are people 
  • Use headphones with caution / only have one earbud in. You don’t want to not be aware of your surroundings. Over-the-ear headphones signal wealth and may make you a target.
  • Don’t get drunk alone and don’t lose sight of your drink 
  • Ask locals for tips!
  • Put your consulate’s phone number in your phone so you can call (or pretend to)
  • Read up on local travel scams so you know what to watch out for
  • When you enter a taxi, call someone (or pretend to) and give them the driver name and plate info and let them know you’ll “be there in 20 minutes.” So you are now accountable for being somewhere and the driver knows they are accountable.
  • If you are dating or meeting friends abroad that you only know online, keep your conversations in the app for as long as possible to utilize their safety and security benefits. 

Travel Insurance Must-Dos

  • Leave your travel insurance info at home with someone
  • If you’re traveling with somebody, give them your policy info
  • Carry your policy info with you at all times

Loss, Damage, Theft

  • Wear your purse or bag cross-body
  • Never lose physical contact with your purse or daypack
  • Keep your passport on you at all times during travel days
  • Lock passport in your room / luggage / safe once you’re at your destination
  • Carry a copy of your passport with you at all times
  • Share your itinerary and whereabouts with family and friends back home

Money Tips

  • Use ATMs attached to/inside of a bank during banking hours
  • Carry cash in different spots on your person
  • Don’t access your money in public!!! 
  • Set ATM withdrawal limits in case your card is stolen
  • Keep your bank’s phone number handy if your card gets frozen