Tips for Travelling Abroad - Travel Checklists for Travellers
Although most trips abroad are trouble free, being prepared will
go a long way to avoiding the possibility of serious trouble. If
you are travelling abroad here are some of things you need to do
to make your trip easier:
1. Check the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) Travel Advice
(call 0845 850 2829) for Public Announcements or Travel Warnings
for the countries you plan to visit. Public Announcements
provide fast-breaking information about relatively short-term
conditions that may pose risks to the security of travellers.
2. Get a good guidebook and get to know your destination.
Familiarize yourself with local laws and customs of the
countries to which you are travelling. While in a foreign
country, you are subject to that country's laws. Learn about the
countries that you plan to visit. Before departing, take the
time to do some research about the people and their culture, and
any problems that the country is experiencing that may affect
your travel plans.
3. Get travel insurance and check that the cover is appropriate
and check what vaccinations you need 2 months before you travel.
Also, consider whether you need to take extra health
precautions. Make sure your insurance covers your emergency
medical needs (including medical evacuation) while you are
overseas.
4. Take enough money for your trip and some back-up funds such
as traveller's cheques, sterling or US dollars.
5. To avoid being a target of crime, try not to wear conspicuous
clothing and expensive jewellery and do not carry excessive
amounts of money or unnecessary credit cards.
6. While abroad, avoid using illicit drugs or drinking excessive
amounts of alcoholic beverages, and associating with people who
do.
7. In order to avoid violating local laws, deal only with
authorized agents when you exchange money or purchase art or
antiques.
8. If your travel involves passage on airlines with which you
are unfamiliar, you may wish to check their safety and
reliability with a reputable travel agent.
9. Do not leave your luggage unattended in public areas and do
not accept packages from strangers.
10. Ensure you have a valid passport that is in good condition
and the necessary visas, if required.
11. Make several copies of your passport, insurance policy plus
24-hour emergency number, and ticket details. Leave these
copies, your itinerary and contact details with family and
friends. Carry the other copies with you in a separate place
from your passport. This will facilitate replacement if your
passport is lost or stolen.
12. Ensure that your travel organiser or travel agent can
provide sufficient evidence of security for the refunding and
repatriation of consumers in the event of insolvency. This
security must be in place by one of several Financial Protection
Organisations.
13. Leave a copy of your itinerary with family or friends at
home so that you can be contacted in case of an emergency.