Traveling Out Of Country? Here Is Your Check List

I just got back from my very first trip out of the country. It was soooo exciting! In preparing for my trip, I came a crossed a few things that needed to be done before I left. I thought I would share these items with you so that your trip will go as smooth as mine :). Some of these items are pretty obvious, like getting a passport. However, there are several other items that are not in the “obvious’ category and I want to make sure you know them. Are you ready to plan your next out of country trip?? Or your first?? Let’s go!

For U.S. Passports-

If your considering going out of country the first thing you will need to do is apply for a passport. It is actually not very hard to do and it was very exciting for me 🙂 You first will fill out a form to apply. Next you will need to copy your birth certificate and front and back of your drivers license or ID. Then you will need your photo taken by a passport photo center. There are specifics requirements for the proper photo. It has to be a close up of your face and with a white background. After you get your photo and have all the other documents call or google to find your local acceptance facility. I used one of the main postal branches near me to turn in my paper work. You will need to make an appointment if you use the USPS Branch near you. There are also fees that you will pay to obtain your passport. After all your paper work is turned in then you wait lol. It takes about a month to get your passport in the mail. SO make sure that you allow yourself plenty of time to get it before you plan on leaving the country!

Also if you already have a passport here is a piece of information I found out. Some countries will not let you into their country if your passport is within 6 months of expiring. SO make sure to check guidelines of the country you will be traveling in if its getting close to your passports expiration date.

Here is the website to apply for your U.S. passport. You will get step by step instructions and also find the fees associated with applying for your passport.

Passport Information Click Here

Checking for alerts in another country-

Your getting closer! Where do you want to go? There are SO many places to choose 🙂 When you narrow down ideas of places you want to go, the first thing you need to do is check to see if there are any alerts in that country. This way you make make an informed decision if you want to travel there or not. There are 4 levels of alerts

• Level 1 – exercise normal precautions
• Level 2 – exercise increased caution
• Level 3 – reconsider travel
• Level 4 – Do not Travel

Once you have verified that your destination has no alerts then your good to go!

Travel Advisories Click Here

Registering for safe travel-

Now on to planning your trip! Yay! Once you have booked your flights and travel dates. The next step is to register with the the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program. This program will send you messages on your cell phone or numbers you provide them with any alerts. These alerts come straight from the embassy. They will alert you before you go and even while you are there. There is also detailed information on what to do in a crisis.

Smart Traveller Program Click Here

A little extra advice 🙂 –

After receiving your passports and before you leave you should always make 2 copies of them. Leave one with a trusted family member or friend. Also look up the nearest embacy’s address and phone number to where you will be traveling. Keep this information with you just in case there is an emergency and you need to get there for safety reasons.

I also registered with the embassy in the country that I visited so they knew the dates that I was coming in and when I left.

Remember your in a different country and that country may have specific rules. You can find out more on your country Click Here

Another important thing to think about “what if I get sick”? Will my insurance be accepted in this country? Below is a travel insurance that is accepted world wide. They have free quotes and will walk you through the process. They also handle lost luggage and a few other important items.

Click on the banner below for more information-

A couple of weeks before you leave –

• Make sure to get a little cash in the currency of the country you will be traveling to. It’s always nice to have a little cash on hand and most countries will not accept U.S. currency.
• Call your credit cards and let them know the dates you will be out of the country. This way you ensure they will not put a hold on any purchases.
• Call your bank and let them know the dates you will be out of the country.
• Make sure to sign your passport.
• Call your cell phone and find out what you need to do to be able to receive phone calls and/or make phone calls from your phone. If your able to get on the internet etc. without data charges 🙂
• Also make sure if you are renting a car that there is no temporary drivers license needed for that country. Also call your insurance carrier and make sure there will be no issues with your policy if you were to get into an accident. I purchased an extra car insurance through my car rental agency to be sure. It wasn’t much but it was enough for piece of mind and my regular car insurance agency suggested it as well.

Lastly HAVE FUN PACKING!!! It is so exciting to pack your bags and of course shop for cute outfits 🙂 I wish you safe travels and I hope you stop back by to let me know where you went! 🙂

Have you been out of country? If so, where? Do you have any advice to share?

Chat Soon!,

Trudy

Discolsure-Some links above in this post are affiliate links, meaning, at no cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click on them and make a purchase.