The ticket is bought, the hotel is booked, the suitcase is packed, and we are anxiously waiting for the best moment… You get emotional, but calm down and double check all the necessary documents. Let you have been looking forward to the trip, only to bring you a happy mood!
We have prepared a reminder that you should definitely not forget. It is useful for everyone: those who fly abroad or decide to relax at a local resort, independent travellers and clients of travel agencies.
• Passport
This may seem like a no-brainer, but unfortunately we know of cases where travel has gone wrong because the passport was unfortunately left at home while the whole family had already set off for the trip. It is best not to carry a unique ID, but to carry two: for example, a passport and a driver’s license.
Make copies of all documents – especially passports – and store them separately from the originals. Keep scanned copies of your passport and other documents on your tablet, smartphone, or laptop while on vacation. Send yourself an email containing the scan.
Carry a few color photos with you — for example, a photo of your passport or visa. What is this all about? If you lose your passport (hopefully not), this will make the process of getting proof of return much easier and quicker.
Of course, I don’t even want to think about this outcome, but it’s worth being prepared for anything. Photos can be taken at one of these photo studios, or you can consider using the Walgreens Passport photo alternative. Just take a photo yourself, send it online, and print it in less than an hour.
• Visa
When planning your trip, you first need to understand the visa policies of your destination country. Otherwise, the journey may be over before it even begins.
• Proof of travel insurance
When traveling, especially to new countries, insurance is a must. It is recommended to print a copy of the certificate and carry it with you when you travel. You also need to have a digital copy of the same document on your phone, laptop, or cloud storage.
As entry rules for the pandemic are constantly changing, you need to monitor them carefully and keep up to date on COVID-19 restrictions, take out additional COVID-19 insurance if possible, and carry proof of vaccination (if available).
• Driving license
This is a must if you plan to rent a car. However, we recommend that you read the lease terms first. Check whether the destination country is a party to the Vienna Convention. If so, then you can drive there with a national driver’s license.
But be aware that traveling alone to unfamiliar places can be very dangerous, such as traveling along winding mountain roads, especially at night. In this case, hiring an experienced local guide is a wise choice.
• Tickets and hotel reservations
In the modern digital world, everything is available online. In general, a passport is sufficient for the check-in counter to check ticket confirmation information and for the hotel reception to check your room reservation. However, we strongly recommend that you keep these files just in case.
If you are not an independent tourist but are on a tour with a travel agency, you must provide proof of accommodation.
• If you are travelling with children
You should be sure to bring your child’s birth certificate with you, as you may be asked to produce documents when entering or leaving the country. They need to be close so that they can be accessed quickly and well protected against problems such as water damage. You can also print copies, as they can replace the original in most cases.
If the child is traveling with one parent, notarized permission from the other parent is required. However, some consulates – France, for example – require permission from both parents in any case, even if the family is traveling in full.
• Marriage certificate
It may seem strange, but marriage licenses are still required in the 21st century. Otherwise, you may be refused a room reservation while traveling as a couple and you must provide this document. But this is an exception.
• Cash and bank cards
Yes, of course, this is also beyond comprehension, but if a list is to be truly made, then it must be complete. Be sure to bring some cash. You can easily pay with a card almost anywhere, but a seller selling antique earrings at a flea market, for example, is likely to ask for paper money.
Have a nice trip!
