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Ordinary Traveler / Blog / Travel Tips / 5 Things You Should Never Forget Before a Trip

5 Things You Should Never Forget Before a Trip

By Christy Woodrow, Last Modified: April 30, 2019

5 Things You Should Never Forget Before a Trip

Over-packing can be heavy and costly, but there’s no doubt that under-packing can sometimes leave us worried we’ve forgotten something. Leave the anxiety at home with our list of five important things to always remember before a trip!

5 Things You Should Never Forget Before a Trip

 

Table of Contents

  • 5 Things You Should Never Forget Before a Trip
    • Check Visa & Vaccination Requirements
    • Get Travel Insurance
    • Make Copies Of Important Documents
    • Book Accommodation
    • Have A Well Packed Carry-On

5 Things You Should Never Forget Before a Trip

 

Check Visa & Vaccination Requirements

Every country has different tourist visa and vaccination requirements, so make sure you abide by the guidelines and meet requirements well in advance.

This user-friendly interactive guide is helpful in starting your research to ensure you are well prepared. Health updates regarding country-specific illnesses – like the current Zika virus outbreak – should also be monitored regularly.

 

Get Travel Insurance

Travel insurance can cover the cost of lost or stolen personal items, trip cancellations, and even medical emergencies – this can prove to be beneficial in the event of an unplanned disruption of your trip. Just as you insure your home, car, and even your phone, make sure to insure your trip to avoid costly penalties!

Different insurances cater to specific needs to travelers (low-cost, medical, international travel) so choose one than fits your travel style and budget. We personally use and recommend World Nomads. 

 

Make Copies Of Important Documents

Although nearly everything is sent via email or saved on a backup drive now, it’s important to realize the value of hard copies. Should your travel documents be lost or stolen, it’s critical to have them saved elsewhere. Keep a folder of these documents on you at all times (in your purse or carry-on) while traveling, and email them to yourself before your trip for added precaution.

  • Passport (Identification page with photo.)
  • Visa
  • Travel Insurance
  • Driver’s License
  • Credit Cards (front and back.)
  • Travel Itinerary
  • Airline Tickets
  • Reservation Confirmations (hotel, rental car, cruise tickets, etc.)
  • Vaccination Certificates

 

Book Accommodation

It may be tempting to be spontaneous and book your hotel rooms or lodging on a whim, but it’s not usually something I recommend. Events like holidays and festivals can be a nightmare if you don’t already have accommodation booked.

Don’t be stuck with the leftover, low grade rooms and instead book at least a month in advance. Hotel staff insiders even admit that those who book through their website or over the phone usually get better rooms than those who book last minute or through other online booking sites. Be sure to read online reviews, and beware of additional charges like parking, cleaning, and pool/spa fees.

We always find the best hotel deals on booking.com and if we’re looking for more of a local feel, we book through Airbnb (sign up through this link and get a free credit on your first stay!). 

5 Things to Never Forget Before a Trip

 

Have A Well Packed Carry-On

In addition to your travel documents (and copies), you’ll want to have some basic essentials within arm’s reach:

Headphones: Thin hotel walls and noisy plane passengers are inevitable, so come prepared and pack a pair of noise-cancelling headphones that can easily plug into your phone or iPod (we use wireless ones). I also always carry a couple sets of earplugs for sleeping in noisy accommodation or on the plane!

Dramamine Non-Drowsy Naturals: Better than any generic ginger chews on the market, Dramamine Non-Drowsy Naturals contains the clinically-tested ginger dosage required for preventing and treating motion sickness common on planes, boats, and windy drives.

Scott and I both suffer from motion sickness on rocky boats and flights, but we’re hesitant to take something that is going to make us drowsy. I tried these Non-Drowsy Naturals on a recent trip to Kauai –during a zodiac tour of the notoriously choppy Na Pali coast as well as a bumpy helicopter ride — and I did not feel a hint of nausea! These are our new go-to motion sickness pills and it’s something I will not leave home without.

Hand Sanitizer: Don’t overestimate your immune system; the last thing you want on your vacation is to catch a cold. Hand sanitizer, or antibacterial hand wipes, should be compact and easy to stash in your carry-on.

Power Adapter: One of the most important things travelers often forget to bring on international trips is a power converter. Check online to see which converter you’ll need for the country you are visiting. This power adapter works for almost every country AND you can charge multiple electronics at once!!

Reusable Water Bottle: Leave it empty as you pass through security in the airport, of course, but carrying a reusable water bottle with a filter will save you money regardless of where you fly! No more shelling out money for bottled water or worrying about catching an illness internationally.

 

Read More:

My 25 Best Travel Tips

Packing Light: How To Pack For Carry-On Only

Carry-On Packing Guide for Airplane Travel

How to Take Amazing Travel Photos as a Solo Traveler

How to Keep Your Mobile Devices Secure While Traveling

10 Biggest Travel Mistakes & How to Avoid Them

The Ultimate Road Trip Packing List (Must-Have Essentials!)

How to Choose the Best Travel Camera

How to Keep Your Valuables Safe While Traveling

The Ultimate Packing Checklist for Campers

About Christy Woodrow

Christy Woodrow is a travel photographer and professional blogger based in San Diego. She has been traveling around the world with her partner, Scott, since 2006. Join them in their quest to find off-the-beaten-path destinations by signing up for weekly emails. You can read more about her on our about page.

Filed Under: Travel Tips

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Helga Marselos says

    Great tips. Thanks

    Reply
  2. Natalia | CraftTheWay says

    I agree, there are some important things you should always have in mind before getting on the road!

    Reply
  3. Richard Adams says

    Booking accommodation in advance should be right on top of your priority list. Last month I planned a trip to New Jersey with a few of my college buddies. We didn’t really make reservations and played it by year. But that wasn’t a great idea. Had a really tough time checking out places and I guess we overpaid for the rooms we finally chose.

    Reply
  4. Stephanie Craig says

    Do you have a water bottle/filter combo you recommend? I brought a water bottle with me, but one leg of this trip is in a country where you can’t drink the water, and I’ve shelled out a bit of money here.

    Reply
    • Ordinary Traveler says

      We’ve been very happy with LifeStraw http://amzn.to/2crIvYH

      Reply

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Welcome to our adventure travel blog! We are Christy and Scott and we've been traveling the world together since 2006. Our goal is to inspire others to live an adventurous life, as well as provide trip ideas and helpful travel tips for people with limited vacation time.
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