Leaving familiar soil to explore other destinations is a privilege that not everyone gets. Whether you’ve been planning this trip for years or it was spur of the moment, the hope is that you’ll have a good time. You’ve probably already decided where you’re going to go and what you’ll do when you get there, so all that’s left to do is pack. You’re probably excited to get going, but before you do, make sure you have these things with you.

Copies of Your Passport

When traveling internationally, a passport is required for travelers to enter foreign countries. Hopefully, you’ve applied for yours well in advance as it can take weeks to arrive. To be on the safe side, you should not only carry your original passport but copies of it. Should your original get lost or stolen, you still have some valid documentation to help authorities identify who you are. Keep the copies in your hotel room for safekeeping.

Car Insurance

If you plan on renting a vehicle once you’ve arrived, you’ll want to have valid car insurance coverage. Insurance protects you in the event of an accident and also saves you several dollars per day on rental car fees. In most countries, you will need to have valid car insurance so you can drive on the roads legally. Without it, you could find yourself in a lot of trouble. But as most people know, car insurance can be expensive, and without having access to somewhere like these car insurance providers uk who can shop around and find the best deal for your needs, you will find that paying for your insurance will mean that you could be out of pocket. As much as this could affect your financial situation, it must be done, and there are cheap plans out there that you can utilize, so don’t be afraid to reach out for help if you want to find one that is in your price range. Making sure that you have insurance before you go on your vacation will provide you with a lifeline. However, if you don’t have coverage, you can always find car insurance online that’s effective immediately.

Cash

Using credit cards is a convenient means of paying for products and services in foreign countries. It prevents the need to exchange your US dollars for local currency. Be that as it may, you can never be too sure what could happen while you’re thousands of miles away from home. If you lose your wallet or it is stolen, you won’t have your credit cards on hand. Having cash tucked away can be a lifesaver.

Travelers Insurance

A lot could go wrong while you’re overseas. You may not be able to prevent it from happening, but you need to be prepared. Travelers insurance is highly recommended. Having adequate coverage can protect you in the event of a medical emergency, theft, lost or stolen luggage, or financial matter so far away from home. Keeping this coverage with you makes it easy to file a claim if necessary.

Personal Identification

You’re going to be far away from anyone who knows you. If there is some sort of emergency, you want locals to know exactly who you are and where you live. Be sure that you pack your driver’s licenses. You should also consider identification for smaller children. It can be fairly simple to make an id tag for your kids to keep with you just in case they get lost or need help.

Medications

Gaining access to medication when you’re out of town can be difficult. If you’re overseas, it’s nearly impossible. Whether you need insulin, an inhaler, blood pressure medication, or any other form of medication, make sure that you bring it with you on the trip. If you’re going to be gone for a while, you may need to ask your doctor to fill enough of the prescription to get you through your trip.

Chargers

International flights are extremely long and can get rather boring if you don’t have something to entertain you. Since you’ll likely turn to your electronic devices for entertainment, you don’t want to leave home without the chargers.

Whether you’re headed to the Outback to go whale watching or to explore Paris in all of its glory, it’s important to be prepared. You simply don’t know what could happen while you’re away. Medical emergencies, a theft, lost personal items, a car accident, anything could take place requiring you to act quickly. Having these things on hand ensures that you’re ready.