Your Handy Travel Checklist

Before you leave for anywhere, a checklist is a handy thing to have to make sure you don’t leave anything behind – or take anything you shouldn’t! Take the stress out of travelling and follow our handy travel checklist from start to finish.

Tickets

You’re not going to get far without one! Often when travelling – especially if a visa is needed for the duration of your stay – you need to buy a return or further outbound ticket, or at least prove that you have the money to buy one. Wherever you’re going, keep your tickets safe – somewhere locked if it’s available.

Passport

It’s not just about remembering to pick it up off your bedside table; your passport should be valid for a minimum of six months from the date you plan to return, in good condition, and contain full details of your next of kin. Make two photocopies; one for family and friends back home to keep safe, and one to carry with you when you’re out and about. If possible, leave your physical passport in a safe place back at your accommodation.

Visa

To travel to some countries overseas, you need a visa. There are different visas for different circumstances, for example, if you’re planning on travelling, working and/or living in a different country. You can find out if, and what type of visa you many need, here.

Travel Insurance

Some airlines won’t let you on board if you don’t have travel insurance – but it’s not just required for the flight. You need travel insurance while in a foreign destination to cover the activities that you plan to do and any time that you may spend in a hospital. Be sure to get travel insurance that covers medical bills and pre-existing medical conditions, any potentially dangerous activities (bunjy jumping is fun isn’t it?) and even the cost of bringing you back home.

Money

Make sure you have enough money for emergencies. Bring some cash and at least one other method of payment. Two PIN protected credit or debit cards (keep one on you, lock the other one safely in your accommodation) is highly advisable, but check any charges using them abroad. Tell your bank that you’re going to be travelling as well – you don’t want them suspending your account or cancelling your card due to abnormal activity!

Health & Safety

Don’t do anything dumb, ok? We’re talking getting bit by a stray dog, drinking unclean water, carrying someone else’s “package” through the airport (there are some things travel insurance just won’t cover). Use your common sense, basically.

Luggage

Your luggage case will depend on where you’re going and how long you’re travelling for. A city break? Hand luggage will do. Trekking through the Himalayas? You might want to consider a sturdy backpack. What you pack is pretty much dictated by your airline and the country’s border agency. Check what you can bring into each country before you bring your pet snake with you.

Inform Family & Friends

As well as telling them where you’re going to be jetting off to, it’s important that at least a few people close to you have your contact details, ticket details, travel itinerary, insurance policy and even copies of your passport.

Need some travel inspiration? Check out our Travel Ideas to find your next destination!