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There are a few things you need to fly overseas. Here are the essentials that should already be on your list and that I don’t have to tell you about, but I am going to tell you anyway.
THE ESSENTIALS
Passport
Your updated passport is essential. If you don’t have a passport, why don’t you. Canadians, for example, are able to get a 10-year passport now. Even if you are not planning on any trips in the near future, it’s always handy to just have a passport at the ready. It’s one less thing to worry about when you need to quickly prepare for an international trip.
The big tip is to make sure you have over 6 months left before the expiry date of your passport before leaving the country. Let’s face it. S**t happens and you need that extra bit of safety on the validity dates of your passport in case you get stuck. 2020 and 2021 has shown the world that travel plans can come to a screeching halt and you could get stuck somewhere. Some of these Aussies stuck in Canada for months
Travel Visa
We can’t just galavant into any old country. Double-check if your destination needs a travel visa. A travel visa will cost you extra and you need to plan for it. Getting a travel visa can take a lot of time and involve several steps. Do some research beforehand and don’t get caught out. The worst case scenario is you arrive in your destination and are unceremoniously bounced back on the next flight back home.
Travel Vaccinations
Updated vaccinations are essential for keeping away those nasty infections like malaria, yellow fever, and more. Go find a local travel clinic. In Vancouver, there is the Vancouver Coastal Health Travel Clinic or you can find a private place. You just need to research a little to figure out if vaccinations are necessary for where you are going.
Medications
If you are going somewhere that you don’t speak the language, the worst would be to get sick and not be able to figure out the local medicine shop for your ailment. So bring your own favourite over-the-counter medicine. If you have prescription medications, then it’s even more important to carry those meds with you at all time.
The big tip is to make sure you have over 6 months left before the expiry date of your passport before leaving the country
MY PERSONAL MUST-HAVES
Now here are a couple of items that if you don’t travel with, then I highly recommend them. These couple of items have made my life so much easier when in a foreign country.
Universal Travel Adapter
With all the rechargeable devices that we carry around these days, it sure helps if we can charge them up all at the same time. Then there’s all the different plugs in the world. This small, but handy, universal travel adapter has all the possible plug configurations you will need.
When I was in Germany, I made great use of my travel adapter (not the one picture above). I would slide out the round plug contacts and then I would plug all my devices via their respective USB cords into the bottom. It worked like a charm. I could charge my phone, laptop, and camera all with one plug. A universal travel adapter is an absolute must-have.
Prepaid SIM Card
When travelling to a country where you don’t speak the language and you don’t know where to get a SIM card or mobile WiFi router, then purchasing a prepaid SIM card could save a lot of headaches.
Something like this Three SIM card could do the trick. I have used the Three SIM card twice on international trips. I used it in Europe (Germany/France) and in Panama. It worked perfectly. The card took about a day to truly activate in Panama, but it ultimately worked. This item is a really buyer-beware item, though. The reviews range from great to awful. So if your destination is not listed as being covered, you may want to consider researching how to get a SIM card or WiFi router in your destination. If you are going through Europe, there’s an alternative well-rated SIM card on Amazon.
High-quality Travel Pillow
For those long-distance flights, it helps to get yourself as comfortable as possible. A really comfortable travel neck pillow can make the difference between no sleep and some sleep. On my last flight to Frankfurt from Canada, I used one of these pillows and it was extremely helpful. When sleeping in a chair, my unsupported neck would cause my head to droop and then I would jerk awake. Having the neck pillow was extremely helpful to prevent sudden movements that would wake me.
What are some of your travel must-haves? Have I missed something that you swear by? Let me know in the comments.
metro babel 