The plane’s just landed, the tyres still smoking on the runway, and you realise that you haven’t told your bank you’ve gone away.
Sure, it’s fine. You can just rack up a huge bill calling them from abroad. Or maybe you could transfer money into your travel partner’s account and they can draw it out for you. Or perhaps you can bribe the hotel receptionist to let you use their phone.
I don’t know about you, but I’m not a big fan of nasty surprises when I’m abroad. You know the kind, where you stomach drops to the floor and you feel a bit sick.
I’m super organised when it comes to travel, whether I’m going away for a weekend or a month. I think it helps you to enjoy your time more if you carry out a little pre-planning beforehand, just to get the basics in order so you don’t have that stomach-churning moment on a foreign runway.
The items on this pre-travel checklist apply for a trip of any length, though if you’re going on an extended trip you’ll likely have a lot more things to sort out.
Let’s crack on!
Book Accommodation
I know a lot of people who throw caution to the wind and won’t book any accommodation for a trip. Instead, they’ll land and then go on the hunt for somewhere to stay. Whilst this is great if you’re that kind of spontaneous person, sometimes it can backfire terribly.
Like that time I tried to tap into my impulsive side in Paris and didn’t book anywhere to stay. The result? Well, I ended up staying in a two-bit shit brothel with blood and faeces on the walls. Grim. A definite low point in my travel life!
Now I won’t even hesitate to book accommodation before I travel. It’s just nice knowing you have somewhere to stay, right?!
Research Your Destination
It’s always, always a good idea to learn a little about the place you’re going to before you land on foreign soil with a lengthy list of irrelevant expectations.
Even if it’s just a quick browse of Wikipedia or a breezy scroll through Google Images to get a feel for it. You’ll want to know if there is anything you should be wary of whilst you’re there, whether it’s a fresh set of riots, strict customs, or crippling scams.
This is also a good time to check if you need any specific vaccinations, or if you need to apply for a visa.
Check the Weather
I’m not going to include packing on this list because, well, it’s pretty bleedin’ obvious. One thing you might want to do, though, is check the weather. It’s best to check a variety of sites so you can get an overview of what temperatures you can expect and what clothes you need to pack.
I’d always take weather forecasts with a pinch of salt, but you can glean an average temperature from them which is all you need at this stage to aid your packing.
Tell the Bank You’re Going Away
If you have online banking it’s really easy to log on and just enter the dates you’re going away. Once this is done, you can freely use your card during your trip. If you don’t do this, and you don’t have an international card, you could get your account suspended which is not ideal if you’re stranded in a foreign country with no money.
Learn Some of the Language
I’m definitely not saying you should take up language lessons in the lead up to your trip, but it’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with some basic words.
Think the ‘hellos’, ‘goodbyes’, ‘helps’, and ‘thank yous’ of the world, especially if you’re going somewhere that’s known for not speaking much English. You don’t want to be that person who’s using large hand gestures and shouting.
Research Your Route In
The last thing you want to do after a flight is sit down and figure out a way to get to your accommodation. Or, even worse, get ripped off because you’re not really sure where you’re going, how long it should take, and what the best routes are.
I always figure out how I’m going to get to my accommodation before I go away so I’m prepared as soon as I land. If you’re super organised, you might want to print out the address as well as the directions so you can refer to them later. I try not to rely on Google Maps at this stage because, a) you might not have internet and, b) I’ve had bad experiences with it in other countries.
Like that time I was trying to find my hotel in Bucharest and Google Maps had stoically placed it at the opposite end of the city than its actual address.
Figure out What You Want to do
There’s no harm in jotting down a few activities you want to do and a few sights you want to see. I know some people will suggest going with the flow, but if you’re only there for a short time you don’t want to waste a moment planning.
Before you go, look for special events that are on whilst you’re there and, if you’re feeling sure of your decisions, book some activities in advance – this can often save you money and will mean you don’t have to waste time queueing.
Leave Your Hotel Address With Family
To be honest, I’m not usually this careful when I travel. I rarely leave the address of where I’m staying with anyone, but if you want that extra veil of security then this is a great idea. It might also placate any loved ones at home who might be worried about you.
Check in For Your Flight
Yup, you’ve booked your flight and entered your passport details. You’re all good to go, right? Wrong. Most airlines these days require you to check in online and either present your ticket on an app at security or print out a copy.
There are certain airlines that you can check in with at the airport, particularly on long-haul flights and non-budget airlines, but it’s best to check before you go. For example, I know that Ryan Air charge a whopping fee to check in at the airport. Definitely not worth it.
Get Travel Insurance
If you’re prone to losing things I highly recommend taking out travel insurance. It’s really easy to do – just a few clicks around a comparison site and a couple of quid – and it will save you a lot of hassle if your bags don’t turn up at your destination with you, or if you lose something valuable, or if your flight’s cancelled, or for a number of other things that rarely cross your mind.
It’s usually worth the extra couple of quid to have that peace of mind, especially when you’re at the baggage carousel and it feels like everyone else’s bags have come out but yours.
Charge Your Electronics
The night before I travel I always make sure all my electronics are charged – phone, kindle, camera, and laptop if I’m taking it. It takes just a few moments to remember to plug everything in, but it can save your back if you arrive and have no camera battery to take any photos with.
Change Up Money
Most people these days recommend jut using your card when you’re abroad to save carrying around great wads of cash, and I have to agree. I’m definitely a card kinda person, even with the commission rates that are tacked on.
However, it’s always a good idea to change up a bit of cash before you leave just so you know you’ve got the funds to get to your accommodation. I’d highly advise against doing this at the airport as the exchange range is insane, so it’s best to do it before you go when you have the time to figure out where you can get the best rate.
Download Useful Apps
This last point isn’t a necessity, but it can be a lifesaver if you remember to do it. You might not have internet when you’re away or, more likely, you won’t have decent internet, so it’s a good idea to download everything you might need before you go.
You might want to download an interactive map of the place you’re going, or an app that recommends places to go, see, and eat.
So there’s the list of things I do before I travel. Like I said, this can vary in different scenarios, particularly if you’re taking an extended trip or are going to lesser-visited places.
Your turn! What do you do before you travel? Do have a list you tick off before you go?
The post Things to do Before You Travel: The Ultimate Pre-Travel Checklist appeared first on Wanderful World.