What to do before you travel

Visit a travel clinic

To determine whether you need vaccines or specific medications, you should visit your doctor or a specialized clinic. Because some require several doses or must be taken a certain amount of time before you leave to ensure you are protected, it’s better to plan ahead.

Check your passport expiration date

A very common mistake can create quite a few last-minute problems and even prevent you from leaving on your departure date. When booking your trip, check whether you have a valid passport right away. This will give you the time you need if you have to renew it.

Will you need a visa?

Several countries require travellers to obtain visas to gain entry. If you don’t book through a travel agency, contact the embassy of the country to which you are travelling to apply for any necessary visas. You don’t want your vacation to end before it begins by being denied entry upon your arrival!

Check your travel insurance coverage

Most group insurance plans and many credit cars offer certain base travel insurance coverages. Make sure to find out what is included in yours. If you don’t have travel insurance, buying travel insurance coverage will help you travel with peace of mind.

If something happens to you abroad, you will be glad you are prepared. Also, make sure that you have all your information with you. Different time zones and remote areas can make a simple call to verify your coverage quite difficult.

Advise your credit card company

To protect you against fraud, your financial institution may block your credit card when it observes unusual transactions. Even if you were the one who made a reservation at this lovely Italian inn, the credit card company may determine otherwise and block the transaction.

To avoid problems abroad, inform your credit card company of your travel plans. Several institutions also allow you to inform them of your travel plans on their website or mobile app.

Inform your family and friends

Make copies of your travel documents, your flight information, your confirmations of reservation, your insurance documents and your itinerary. Give this information to a family member or friend, who can help you if you run into trouble abroad, e.g., if you lose your passport. This person can also consult these documents in the event of a natural disaster or major accident in the region where you’re travelling.

All that’s left to do is to pack your bags!