Preparation is everything when heading out on a long-term trip. Here’s a list of 10 things I have on my pre-travel checklist to set myself up for safety, stress-free, successful travel.

1. Check my Passport

Make sure my passport is up to date (meaning has at least 6 months before expiration!).

Some countries allow you to visit their country for months at a time (sometimes 3,4,5, or 6 months!). That being said, if you’re visiting a country that allows you up to 4 months as a visitor with just your passport, ensure you have at least 4 months before your passport expires. Even if you’ll only be visiting a couple days, or a week, they wont know that when you arrive so you need to make sure your passport will cover the entire “visitor” period.

For Americans, you can order your first passport, renew a passport, or update a passport here.

2. Register with U.S. Department of State

Register travel with the U.S. Department of State through the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).

This is super easy to do because it can all be done online in minutes. Although there is a VERY SMALL chance you’ll ever need to be found or that the Department of State will attempt to contact you while on your travels, it is just another safety precaution.

3. Research Visa/Vaccination Requirements

Each country has it’s own policies on visa’s and vaccinations so it’s important to look up every country you’re visiting.

If you enroll with the Department of State, they help you out by telling you requirements of each country you’ll be visiting. However, it’s a fairly easy google search as well. I don’t typically apply for visas through this website, but CITBVisas has been a reliable source to let me know if I need a visa or not with my American passport.

Visas are not free and sometimes the application process make take some time so it’s important to look all this information up at least a month in advance. If I need a visa, I try to find a website that ends in .gov to use for my application process to ensure it’s a legit application.

4. Purchase Travel Insurance

*The links in this section are affiliate links and I may receive compensation if you click on a link and make a purchase.*

Getting travel insurance is one of my top suggestions for all travelers. It may feel a little bit like a waste of money if you don’t ever use it/need it, but THE ONE TIME you do, it all the sudden becomes super important.

When looking for travel insurance coverage, you’ll want to look for a policy that covers both medical expenses and travel expenses (such as lost luggage, quarantine accommodations, delayed/cancelled flights, etc.)

Many U.S. based health insurance providers do not cover incidents outside of the U.S. so if you haven’t reviewed your policy in a while (or ever 👀), you may want to do that prior to purchasing and going abroad.

When I first started traveling I looked around for anything that seemed decent and was the most affordable option, which is why I chose SafetyWing as my provider. Luckily I haven’t had to use my travel insurance, but I feel confident that in the event I need to, SafetyWing will have my back.

SafetyWing’s travel medical coverage starts from $45.08/4 weeks (as of 3.3.23) which is 1/3rd of the price of the biggest competitor for similar coverage.

To get the most up-to-date quote, click the image about, enter your information and receive a no-obligation quote.

Need travel insurance for your next trip? Get insured with SafetyWing.

5. Stock up on Necessary Medications

Depending on how much and what kind of medication you will need while abroad, stocking up could be a lengthy process. Sometimes getting large quantities of medications will require an in-person visit with your doctor. Scheduling a doctor’s appointment can take some time to begin with.

When traveling, I try to ensure I have the original prescription bottle or at least prescriptions printed in case I get stopped at the airport.

You can typically call the pharmacist to get a reprint of your prescription if you do not have one to take with you.

I know there are hundreds of adorable pill cases on Amazon, but I always travel with my medications in the original bottles if I can make it work just to be safe. Not having access to the medication I need while traveling could cause an incredible amount of unnecessary stress so I just never test the waters on that one.

6. Notify Credit Card Companies of Travel

Decide what credit cards I’ll be taking on my trip (no-international fee cards!) and notify the companies of my travel so my cards do not get flagged and frozen while in different countries.

Just about every credit card company has at least one card that has no foreign transaction fees. I highly advise getting one of those cards if you’re traveling internationally. ATM fees and other fees can add up quickly!

I am not affiliated with the following companies, but here are some of my current favorites:

CapitalOne Venture Rewards Chase Sapphire Preferred Discover it Miles.

If you’re interested in opening a new card or travel-hacking at all, I highly suggest you sign up for the Daily Drop Newsletter! The newsletters are short (5 minutes or less), funny and engaging, as well as informative. I’ve learned a lot about miles, points, and travel hacking through credit cards through this Newsletter.

7. Provide Family/Friends with an Itinerary.

Type out a rough outline of where I’ll be and when and provide it to anyone I trust to look out for me (in my case, my mom and boyfriend will each have an itinerary).

Of course, things change all the time when traveling, but thankfully, I have access to the internet most places I stay and can send them a quick update if needed.

By providing them with an outline, I feel safer that someone knows where I am. If by some chance something terrible happens (Ex: a natural disaster) in a country I’m supposed to be visiting, they can check in on me to ensure I’m okay.

8. Plan/Schedule Pet and Home Care

If I’m leaving home long-term, I ALWAYS have someone check on my house while I’m gone for things like flooding, electric issues (A/C and/or Heat running too much or not enough), branches falling on my house, or anything else that could happen as a home owner.

I’ve learned that sometimes things happen and it’s best to have someone catch it while you’re gone before it causes more damage upon your return.

The person checking on my house can also grab my mail or pick up any packages that may have been delivered. Having a lot of mail or packages on the porch long-term could signal someone that I haven’t been there in a while and may make my house a target.

No explanation needed, but of course I need to find care for my baby while I’m traveling, typically my friends will cover for me, but in the case that they cannot, I’ve also had Rover dog watchers assist. I don’t love having strangers in my house, but it’s an option.

9. Do a Packing Test Run

Some of the best advice I can give a long-term traveler is to pack light/pack less! I often pack everything I need/want and then slowly remove things until I feel comfortable with what’s in my bag. Packing early allows me time to potentially buy something I’m missing and have it shipped before I head out.

As a carry-on only traveler, I understand that overpacking means more weight I have to carry around with me and the lighter I can go the better off I’ll be.

To see some of the things I always travel with, check out my Products/Services page. It’s currently in the works so bare with me, but you’ll still be able to click into my Amazon lists for personal items and travel to see my recommendations!

10. Change My Phone Lock Screen to Display My Email Address

I had a co-worker do this one day when we were heading out to a conference and I adopted it ever since.

I always write my name and email out on a sheet of paper, take a photo of it, and set it as my lock screen.

I typically do this the day before I head out, or the morning of, because it’s not cute, but it definitely serves it’s purpose.

If I happen to lose my phone, it will be impossible for someone to know whose phone it is unless I ping it or come looking for it. My typical lock screen image is my dog, which wont assist in finding the owner of the phone at all. Setting the lock screen to my email will allow a good Samaritan to potentially email me from their own computer or device and let me know they’ve found it.

---

There is so much planning that goes into preparing for long-term and international travel, but these are 10 things I ALWAYS do to prepare myself to be safe and try to avoid hiccups in my travel plans.

What’s on your pre-travel checklist?