You might be happy, scared or have mixed feelings about travelling abroad to further your education, visit friends and family, enjoy your vacation or for many other reasons. However, to enjoy a stress-free time overseas, it is essential to be adequately prepared to ensure everything is in order to enjoy a smooth trip. There are several nitty-gritty things to get sorted before making this big move.

We prepared 4 major things you need to cross off your checklist before your next international trip. 

1. Ensure your passport and other travel documents are up-to-date

The first thing you will need to consider on your travel checklist is to check your passport’s expiration date. It is essential to ensure your travel documents are valid for at least six months past the trip dates planned. Since most passports are valid for up to 10 years, people tend to forget about the expiry dates. Hence, it comes to them as a surprise. This can be one of the biggest travel disasters you may face once it is overlooked. If your passport is almost expired before a trip, do well to commence the process as soon as possible to avoid any inconvenience.

2. Ensure you have the ability to send money back home

Staying abroad means you will have a currency that is different to that of your home currency. You will, however, need to send money back home to friends or family at some point. Regardless of the reason for sending money back home, you will need a reliable, safe and affordable means to send money back home. Several factors such as price, convenience, and speed must be considered before choosing a money transfer service.  Barter mobile app, in this case, is the best way to go about this. You will be able to send money to your home country instantly at zero cost.  

3. Pack only needed items.

There are several things to consider when packing items for a trip, such as the length of the journey and your bag’s size. Hence you will need not just to pack, but pack right. Most people end up overpacking or underpacking due to last-minute travel preparations. Overpacking will attract extra luggage fees, which you might not be prepared for and will come to you as a surprise, eating into your pre-existing travelling budget. Other than important electronics, do well not to carry along precious items that will not be necessary for the trip. If you however take valuable items along, make sure they are in your carry-on backpack or luggage.

4. Get the appropriate vaccinations.

One of the most important things you need to do before travelling is getting the appropriate vaccinations less than 4 weeks before the trip.  Vaccinations will help prevent the risk of diseases and even help you save money on healthcare in the countries you will be travelling to. To learn more about the necessary vaccinations you should get before you travel outside your country, click here.

5. Secure accommodation before you travel

Before travelling, you must play safe by exploring your options to find and secure your accommodation. Check out a list of hotels you would want to lodge in, available apartments or relatives and friends you would want to stay with even before travelling. Unless you are trying to be adventurous with your stay, it is always best you play safe by securing a place to lay your head before travelling.

Preparation is key, especially for first-time travellers. Ensure you do enough research to understand the customs of the country you will be travelling or moving into; this will ensure you make the most out of your destination and transition smoothly.