Unsure of what needs to be done before your travelling adventure? Read this first!

You’ve finally done it. You’re finally taking the plunge and heading off on your travels. You know your destinations, your flights, you know where your passport is, you know where you’ll be staying, you know what you want to see and do and try for the first time – but do you know what to have covered before you leave?

Sorting everything at home before you travel, might seem a little daunting – or maybe even a little dull but once you’ve done all those menial tasks, you can really enjoy your adventures.

Your travel medical insurance

Ok, ok. I know what you’re thinking: do I need travel health insurance? Well, the short answer is yes. Having travel health insurance is just as important as booking your flights and remembering your passport! Whist standard travel insurance will cover things like lost luggage, delayed flights or cancellations, travel health insurance will save the day if you end up needing treatment at a local hospital, medicine, transport to and from a medical centre and so on. So even if you’re in a remote village miles and miles away from the nearest hospital, your travel medical insurance will help get you the assistance you need.

See your GP

Sounds strange but getting a full bill of health before you travel will mean that you won’t have any nasty surprises when you reach your destination, don’t speak the lingo and feel terribly ill. Renew all those prescriptions too! You also need to make sure that all your vaccinations are up to date and find out if you’re going to need any new ones if you’re travelling somewhere with a health risk.

Money

As far as money goes, you’re going to need to do a little bit of homework before you travel. This includes checking the conversion rate so there are no nasty surprises. Making sure your credit card works at the country you’re visiting and finding out where the local banks are – these are recommended for getting out cash rather than an ATM where possible.

You’ll need to carry cash for things like trains and buses and it’s always useful to contact your bank before you head of travelling. They might cancel your card when they see activity in Bangkok and you’re from Grimsby.

Local research

If you have a particular activity or tourist spot you want to visit on your travels then book the tickets now if you can. Whilst you’re at it, check out if there are any local events happening whilst you’re in town and add them to your itinerary. You wouldn’t want to miss out on a once in a lifetime event!

On the plane

Pack yourself an extra set of clothes in your carry on bag. If your luggage as gotten lost along the way, at least you’ll have a change of clothes. An eye mask and ear plugs probably won’t go amiss either. And if you want to avoid any extortionate food prices when you land, then take plenty of snacks with you which you can eat until you get your bearings.

This is a collaborative post.