I like traveling. No, I LOVE traveling. I like the plotting, the planning, the logistics, the adventure…the late arrivals, the long layovers, the missed connections…okay, wait. Maybe there are a few things not to love, but I have thought through 18 of the most important questions to ask yourself before you travel internationally. Follow these and you won’t be caught hitting your forehead saying, “If only I had…” So without further ado:

1. Is my passport valid for at least 6 more months after the ending date of my travel? (Some countries require this.)

2. Are there enough clean pages for all the stamps I will receive as I enter and exit countries?

3. Have I checked which vaccinations certifications are needed to enter a country? Do I have a travel card I can present to the proper authorities upon entrance of the country?

4. Do I have clean new bills for use when I am traveling abroad? Many countries will not exchange USD if there are marks, wrinkles or old production dates.

5. Do I have a long enough time for a layover to get off the plane, clear security and board?

6. Do I have a paper copy of my flight plans, passport id and visa page, hotel info, COVID documents, and contact numbers as well as a digital scan in various bags? Redundancy is your friend.

7. Have I packed my suitcase so as to keep very valuable things on my carryon and less valuable (but important!) things from immediate eye view? Have I bought good TSA locks?

8. Have I properly marked all my luggage with my name, address and phone number somewhere on the case itself in case the tag comes off?

9. Do I have a plan in case I miss a flight or am arriving late to my destination?

10. Do I know that I can sometimes get a hotel room complimentary from an international airline if my layover is over 8 hours? Have I investigated?

11. Have I called my bank to let them know which countries I am traveling in so that when I use my ATM card, it won’t be frozen because of suspected fraud?

12. Have I called my credit card companies to let them know that I’ll be traveling abroad?

13. Do the locations I am going even accept credit cards or traveler’s checks? Some places will only accept cash.

14. Have I left a printed copy of my itinerary, hotel location and emergency contact numbers with a friend or family member?

15. Do I have the proper adaptors for my electronics? Are they 220 V safe? Maybe pack a powerstrip?

16. Have I distributed my clothes so that complete outfits are in each bag? If one bag gets lost, I will still be able to have proper clothes. Do I have one change of clothes in my carryon in case all bags get lost?

17. Have I joined a frequent flyer club prior to this trip? Miles add up to free trips, upgrades, etc.

18. Have I made a list of each suitcases contents (or take a picture) along with a description of the bag itself in case it gets lost?

To read more about Pam’s travels, check out her latest book, One Plane Ticket From Normal. 

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Pamela J. Morton

An author, speaker, teacher trainer and self-proclaimed "professional luncher," Pam wants to share laughter, life and hope with her dear Arab neighbors while providing insight into Middle Eastern/African customs and everyday life with her friends in the West.

Latest posts by Pamela J. Morton (see all)

• Alone - January 4, 2023
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• Pam’s 18 Must-Have Travel Tips - September 20, 2022