Regardless of the kind of trip you're planning, it's all too easy to forget that all-important something, from the mildly frustrating (toothbrush) to the trip-destroying (passport). Luckily, we’re here to help with our by-no-means-exhaustive travel checklist. Putting our extensive experience of travelling around the globe to good use, we’ve compiled a list of the most important expert travel advice…
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Vaccinations
First up on our list of expert travel advice: the all-important travel vaccinations. Once you've booked your trip, one of the first things to check is whether you'll need immunisations. We recommend the NHS 'Fit for Travel' website, which allows you to search by region and country, informing you about vaccinations needed and whether the area is malarial. In the latter case, the relevant anti-malaria medication details are specified. This should be high on the list of priorities, as some courses of medication take several weeks to work properly. In the UK, the NHS prescribes vaccinations and anti-malaria tablets, but costs will vary depending on what you need.
Paperwork
To state the obvious, make sure you know where your passport is (that’s pretty important), and secondly, check that it's valid for at least six months and has a minimum of two blank pages left. It's also imperative to check whether you need a visa for your destination; this varies according to your nationality and where you're travelling. Being prepared for any theft or loss is always a good idea. Our expert travel advice is to make copies of important travel documents (passport included) – just remember to keep them separate from the originals. Travel insurance is another crucial consideration. What level of coverage do you need? This will depend on your intended activities, your destination, the length of your trip, etc. More generally, we’d recommend leaving a rough itinerary, along with airline and hotel information with relatives for peace of mind.
Money
While ATMs are generally accessible across the world, it's always wise to take some local currency with you (especially if you're travelling somewhere remote). Some countries require you to buy a tourist visa at immigration, and often, this process is sped up by paying in cash (we can recommend where this will be the case). Besides local currency, some countries also accept US dollars, so check this before leaving. A quick read (or phone call with us) into whether tipping is appropriate is also crucial if you want to avoid awkward situations…
Kit
This next section of expert travel advice is all about kit. Of course, what kit you’ll need entirely depends on the type of holiday. But some things are universal: an eye mask and earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones are key to being able to sleep anywhere. Some trips, particularly active holidays or safaris, require specialist clothing and equipment like binoculars and a camera. If you’re not sure what you need, don’t worry; we can recommend items according to your holiday type, as well as ideal clothing, suggested reading material, guidebooks and maps.
Image by Olivier Romano
Luggage
For regular commercial aircraft, hard luggage is ideal as, in some countries, it's not uncommon for canvas or soft bags to be slashed and searched by baggage handlers looking for items to steal. On smaller aircraft, it's quite usual for luggage to be restricted to soft cases. If your journey combines both types of aircraft, it's best to pack in a hard case for the long-haul flight and carry some soft bags to re-pack into for the small aircraft. Luggage with an integrated lock that is TSA-approved is ideal, as in the USA, the TSA have the legal right to open any bag in their possession; if a bag is locked, they will break it open. Also, remember to check the carry-on hand luggage size requirements for the airline you're travelling with.
Packing
When it comes to packing, here are a few simple (but very useful) tips. Firstly, never put valuables in your checked-in luggage. This way, they are much less likely to get lost or stolen. For onboard luggage, remember that liquids have to be in bottles of 100ml or less to get through security at the airport (although this might soon change). Packing a few clothes in your carry-on hand luggage is also a good idea in case of the worst: lost luggage. Speaking from experience, we can promise that having a spare change of clothes will make the process a whole lot more bearable!
Image by Pia Riverola
Technology
We all know that using the internet while abroad can lead to some alarming phone bills. To minimise this, while at home, research and download any travel apps that will be useful while you're away. These might include apps for checking the weather at your destination, translation tools, help finding taxis abroad, and more. Or if you’re travelling with us, make sure you’ve got the Original Travel app all set up with your holiday itinerary downloaded to access offline. Checking mobile phone coverage and networks with your provider before you travel is a smart move, too.
Airline
Last up on our list of expert travel advice? Airlines. Policies vary from airline to airline and are definitely worth exploring. Emirates, for instance, offers a free transfer to the airport if you travel in their First or Business Class. Weight allowance can also vary, so check this and weigh your luggage before leaving. Checking in online is always faster, too, and it’s worth noting that some airlines now charge for physical check-in at the airport. Getting a boarding pass on your mobile is also a handy way to keep everything in one place, but it doesn’t hurt to have a physical copy as well.
Header image by Faustine Poidevin
