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Writer's pictureSteve & Paul

Travelling Overseas For The First Time

If you're travelling overseas for the first time, this checklist might help you. Print it off and tick everything as you go.

  • Make sure your passport has at least six months’ validity from your planned date of return to Australia

  • When organising your passport, get some extra passport photos in case your passport is lost or stolen

  • Check the VISA requirements for all countries you will visit, as well as how long you will stay

  • Check the VISA requirements for any country which you have to transit through or have a stopover in, and ensure you will be allowed entry or stopover there

  • Know exactly where you’re going to go and what you plan on doing

  • Get comprehensive insurance that will cover your entire trip, including any activities you might do and countries you might visit.

  • Get a travel card in the currency of where you are traveling to

  • Let your bank know that you are going overseas

  • Take photos of the front and backs of your cards and email them to yourself, incase you lose them you will have their details recorded

  • Learn the few key phrases

  • Make a translation cheatsheet

  • Download a translation app

  • Pack more underwear

  • Check weight limits for all flights

  • Get some big ziplock bags

  • Pack an oversized hoodie, a headlamp, a Swiss Army Knife, and superglue

  • Find out local laws – always obey them!

  • Is it ok to drink the water

  • Types of food – street food etc

  • Research local scams – taxi’s, hiring bikes/scooters etc

  • Bartering customs

  • Checking dual nationality rules for your destinations

  • Unlocked phone or tablet, that will accept international sim cards

  • Check which friends/family which apps they use

  • Install messaging apps: WhatsApp, Viber, Skype, WeChat

  • International Calling Card or Skype/Viber account topped up

  • International Sim Card

  • check recommended immunisations and visit doctor

  • painkillers – eg paracetomol, ibuprofen, aspirin

  • band aids

  • immodium

  • contraceptives

  • sunscreen

  • lip balm

  • tissues (toilet paper)

  • Power bank / spare batteries

  • Chargers – best to take two just in case

  • travel adapter + powerboard

  • Camera

  • Smartphone

  • Tablet

  • Let family and friends know – provide them an itinerary with contact details

  • Check the latest travel advice from your government for where you’re traveling to

  • Register with your Government that you’re going overseas

  • Let your bank and phone company know you’ll be traveling

  • Hide spare money in your shoe

  • Hide spare credit/debit card away from the rest of your cards

  • Send yourself an email with photocopies / photos of passports, cards, visas, important phone numbers, drivers licence, health or travel insurance, serial numbers

  • Weigh your bags and check against luggage limits

  • Wear clothes that are comfortable and allow access to travel docs

  • For long haul flights: toothbrush & toothpaste, fresh underwear & tshirt

  • Check you have your passport and tickets

  • Money belt or similar, to stash your passport and long term money storage

  • Wallet for everyday spending (which will live in your front pocket)

  • Stash of money somewhere.

  • Earplugs

  • Eyemask

  • Travel Pillow

  • Inflight entertainment (cards, laptop, tablet, novel etc)

  • Sleeping Tablets

  • Toothbrush and Toothpaste

  • Spare Underwear and tshirt

  • Check stopovers – what is available at the airport

  • Transferring from Airport to Accommodation

TRAVEL HACK #1

The international emergency number, from any mobile phone worldwide, is 112. It will even work if the phone is locked, has no sim card, or has no reception from your provider – it will access the network if it gets reception from any provider.

TRAVEL HACK #2

Credit card providers will have a free local number for the majority of the world. Find the local number of your destination in the links below!

For the definitive guide by TourRadar on travel hacks, tips and advice, check out Travel Hacks

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