The International Travel Check List: Four To Dos Before Departure

By Phineas Upham

Booking an international trip can be exhilarating, until the reality of preparation sets in. Most of us don’t have a butler to handle our preparations for us, so these tips will give you peace of mind before you depart. You don’t want to be 12 hours away from home and forget something crucial, so use this check list to make sure you don’t forget anything.

Passports

You’ll need significant time to order and have a passport shipped to you, and pay a small fee. Take care of this during the trip planning, or shortly after. If you already have your passport, check its expiration date before booking.

You should also bring copies of your passport. It may not 100% pass in all situations, but it’s better to be prepared for the worst.

Conversion

If you convert money at an airport, you’ll likely pay higher rates for the privilege. Instead, contact your bank and ask if there are international processing fees involved with an ATM transaction. If there are, you can take out a few hundred every couple of days to reduce the costs. You’ll end up paying less overall, and cash is important.

Research the Area

Guidebooks are your friend, but you can find a great deal of information online as well. Look for any events that may be going on while you’re there too. Events make the trip just a bit more memorable, especially depending on what you’ve come to see.

One Final Tip

If you plan to bring a phone with you to another country, you’ll need a proper charger to use it.

Phineas Upham is an investor from NYC and SF. You may contact Phin on his Phineas Upham website or Twitter page.