PAPERWORK and OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
Passports
A passport, as I'm sure you know, is a document that one shows to government officials whenever one reaches a border between countries, so the officials can learn who you are, where you were born, and how you look when photographed unflatteringly. --Lemony Snicket
All adults arriving by land, sea, or air into the U.S. must have a passport. If you are returning to the US from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or one of 17 Caribbean nations by sea or land port-on-entry, a passport card can be used.
The U.S. State Department Travel Page, www.state.gov/travel/ is an essential stop when planning an international journey, especially one off the beaten path. Several major points of interest include “Travel Warnings/Consular Info Sheets” and “Passport Information.” For foreigners wishing to visit the U.S., the “Visa Services” page includes downloadable visa forms in several languages. Consular information pages tend to be on the “conservative” side, focusing on problems and potential dangers.
Allow plenty of time to get your first passport or even to renew your passport. The U.S. State Department website has passport application procedures and expected processing times: http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english.html. It’s best to allow 6 weeks to be on the safe side. Expedited processing, which cuts the processing time about in half, is available at an additional cost. Finally, it’s possible to process a passport application even quicker through an in-person appointment, though this should only be used in an emergency situation. Allow additional time for a new or renewal of a child’s passport (under the age of 16), for there is additional paperwork and a required in-person meeting with the child and both parents/guardians. A renewal for a teenager 16 or 17 years old also requires an in-person meeting though only one parent needs to be there or provide written permission. A new U.S. Passport will run about $135, while a renewal is $110 (2016). Adult passports are good for 10 years. A child’s passport, currently $105, is good for five years. Oh, and don’t forget the passport photograph required to be submitted at the time of application. The required size and quality standards of the passport photos can be found at http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/passports/photos/photos.html. Many photo studios and other merchants provide passport photo services.
If you are a single parent (divorced or traveling with your spouse/partner), you will need a notarized document from the other parent approving of the trip and knowledge of the trip specifics – length of trip, destination, etc. The same goes if you are traveling with an unrelated minor. Widow or widowers should have a copy of the death certificate of their deceased spouse.
Visas
Many countries require travelers to obtain formal permission to enter their country in the form of a visa. Many visas can be obtained at the point of entry (airport, seaport, land border crossing – though requirements may differ by means of entry – car/air/boat). For some countries, visas must be obtained prior to arrival, usually from the embassy or other diplomatic missions in your home country. These can be time consuming and usually require that you submit a form, your passport, one or more photographs, and a fee in person or via mail. Allow plenty of time; even more so if applying for visas from several countries. For such multiple visa trips, you might consider a passport expediting agency that is well versed in expediting visas. Fees for such services vary but tend to be expensive.
Some visas are free; others have a fee associated with them ranging from a few dollars to well over $100. Some countries have additional requirements above and beyond the visa, including proof on onward travel (ticket to your next destination), letters from sponsors, etc. Check the appropriate websites or call the foreign embassy for details.
Foreign visa requirements and fees are always in a state of flux. Check the country specific travel pages at the US State Department website:
http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/country.html. It is also worth double checking with the embassy website of the country that you are visiting. Airlines and cruise lines are usually familiar with visa requirements as well but are not responsible for errors or changes, so it is important to get the correct information. Travel agents and travel coaches can also assist.
Once legally admitted to a country, the visa or landing card or passport stamp will likely state a specific period of time that you are allowed to remain in the country. If your plans change and you would like to stay longer, there is a process in many countries for extending your entry permission. Start working on the extension as soon as you know you would like one, since it can take some time (and there are no guarantees that the request will be approved, though they usually are).
Finally, if traveling to the Middle East, remember that a passport with an Israeli stamp may preclude you from visiting many Arab countries. Israel will place their entry and exit stamps on a separate sheet of paper if you request.
Boarding passes, luggage tags, vouchers
Before leaving home, be sure you have all of your travel documents in order. If traveling by air, print you boarding pass – most airlines allow (and encourage) you to do so within 24 hours of departure. You can alternatively store your boarding pass on your smartphone and use it at security and the boarding gate. If checking luggage, you can specify the number of pieces during this process and pay the applicable fee in advance, sometimes at a reduced rate. Oftentimes you can actually print your luggage tags in advance as well (though use thick paper if possible!) If you have hotel, rental car, tour or cruise vouchers and confirmations, make sure you have them as well. It’s not unheard of for a hotel or rental car company to not “find” your reservation until you show them the confirmation.
If you reserved your seats when you booked your flights, it might also so worth re-checking seat availability just prior to printing your boarding passes. Oftentimes, airlines will open up previously unavailable seats 24 hours prior to departure. This is even more important if you were unable to get assigned seats when you booked your flight – in this instance, try to get online 24 hours in advance to see if seats have opened up – and grab one! If you have an assigned seat and the flight is oversold, it is less likely that you will be one of those left behind.
Also make sure you have copies of your passport page (the one with your photo, passport number, expiration date), any visas you obtained in advance, and air/hotel/rental car confirmation codes. Place these in your suitcase or give them to a travel companion in case your originals are lost or stolen. It will greatly expedite the replacement process.
Health
While prescription medications may be easily available in some foreign countries, it is really important that you have sufficient quantities (plus enough for a few extra days in case of delays) of your normal prescriptions with you on the trip. It is best to have them in your carry-on bag, should there be a problem with the arrival of your checked bag(s). If you have a liquid medication of more than 3.4 ounces (100 ml), you must declare it to the screening folks at the airport.
One of the exciting aspects of travel is getting sick while on the trip! (Remember, I said “exciting,” not necessarily “fun.”) There are some things you can do in advance of a trip to reduce the chances of illness, while there are other things you can do to prepare for the eventuality of more common ailments. If traveling to a foreign country, check out the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website for up to date recommendations on vaccinations as well as medicines for the prevention of malaria. www.cdc.gov/travel. The site also provides hygiene information and lists of possible diseases by region of the world, including any current outbreaks. It is also a good idea to meet with a travel doctor if available in your area (or your family doctor) for a discussion of vaccinations and medicines. Note that some vaccines take several weeks to reach maximum effectiveness.
The most common ailment that affect travelers is diarrhea (and sometimes vomiting) from exposure to foreign foods and food-borne bacteria. Be sure to have an anti-diarrhea medication with you (Imodium or Pepto Bismal) should the need arise. It is often wise to ask your doctor for a prescription antibiotic that you can take in case of a more severe case of diarrhea. The CDC site has additional information on how to minimize (though not eliminate) your risk of food-borne illness.
Flying and the stress of traveling (generally a GOOD stress, but stress nonetheless) can make one more susceptible to colds either during or post-trip. Taking a vitamin supplement, washing your hands frequently (or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer), and avoiding sitting next to someone with a bad cough (good luck!) can help minimize the risks of getting a cold or minimizing its duration or severity.
Money
“When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money. Then take half the clothes and twice the money.” --Susan Heller
If ATM’s exist where you are going (and they do in most places), then be all means use them rather than traveler’s checks or cash. The exchange rates are almost always better than exchanging cash or travelers’ checks at banks or exchange bureaus, they’re open 24 hours a day, and they’re fast. If you’ve ever waited in a series of lines in a local bank overseas in order to exchange $200 U.S. dollars, ATM’s prove their worth instantaneously.
It is also a good idea to have more than one ATM card – each using a different system – PLUS, CIRRUS, VISA, etc. Some ATM’s in some countries are pretty picky as to which cards they accept – thus having several systems represented by several cards helps a lot. It also helps in case a machine “eats” your card – you still have one left. Also be sure your PIN number is 4 digits – the norm for most of the world.
It used to be that a traveler would use credit cards whenever possible. With the growing number of fees charged by many credit card issuers, it may not always be the lowest cost option. The plus is that you’re not carrying as much U.S. or foreign cash with you, you can earn frequent flyer miles if you have a travel affinity card, it’s easy, and the credit card company can come to your aid if there is a problem with the transaction. The exchange rates are usually superior to cash and travelers checks, and you do have some means of recourse if a flight gets canceled, hotel reservations are snafued, etc. If you are going to be gone for a prolonged period, however, you will need to make payment arrangements so as not to get stuck with huge interest and penalty fees (though it’s easier than ever to get your credit card bill via e-mail and/or arrange for automatic payment from your checking account). Note that credit card systems are different in Europe (with built in computer chips and requiring a PIN number) and there may be some locations that won’t readily accept your card. According to VISA and Mastercard, all staffed locations should be able to handle a U.S. credit card, especially the new cards with chips.
In some places, ATMs do not exist or are limited to cards issued by the local bank only. In many of the same places, credit cards are of little value outside of the major international hotel chains. Thus, it’s wise to have some cash and/or travelers checks for at least the occasional emergency or for daily life – depending on where you are. When exchanging traveler’s checks and/or cash, look at not just the exchange rate but also any fees associated with the transaction. Especially if you are exchanging small amounts ($50 or less), a $3.75 or $5 fee (not uncommon) can wipe out a lot of exchange differential.
With both ATM cards and credit cards, it wise to carry one on your person and a second in your money belt or with your traveling companion. This makes life somewhat easier in case of a lost of stolen card. And, yes, always use a money belt for extra cash, passports and other hard-to-replace documents.
Be sure to carry with you the phone numbers for your ATM card, credit card and travelers check issuers. In case of lost cards or checks, or cards that don’t work properly, you may need to contact the issuing bank. Also note that some credit card companies (VISA in particular) monitor their cards for unusual purchases, often the sign of a stolen card or stolen credit card number. I’ve heard of cases where the credit card company stopped accepting overseas charges on someone’s card thinking that the card could have been stolen. When you are in Calcutta and need to charge your train ticket and the card is not accepted, you have a problem. A word of advice – contact your credit card issuer before leaving home and inform them of your travels. That way they are less likely to place any holds on the card – but are also likely to monitor activity as well – such as continued charges in Calcutta when you are now charging away in Delhi.
For international travel, a currency converter can be a big help. One helpfjul site is www.oanda.com/currency/converter. This site allows you to create a wallet-sized “cheatsheet” and to adjust the rate to reflect currency exchange fees and/or other fees if you so desire. It also shows recent trends in the exchange rate.
Staying in touch
Staying in touch while traveling has never been easier – which is both great and bad! Nearly anywhere you go, there are internet cafes that can link you to anyone in the world who has e-mail access. Many hotels and hostels also have computers available for checking e-mail, often at no cost. Many lodging choices also have wi-fi so that you can connect your laptop or mobile device for e-mail and internet access. Remember that you don’t HAVE to use any of the above! You can remain as connected or unconnected as you choose.
You should leave an itinerary, complete with phone numbers where known, and air/hotel confirmation codes, with a close friend or relative in case of emergency. On trips within the US, most travelers now carry a cell phone and can thus be reached by – and can reach – friends and relatives and the occasional telemarketer. Outside of the US, many cell phones can still be used to make and receive calls, but at not-surprisingly high rates. Contact your cell phone provider to ask if there are special programs covering the country (countries) where you will be traveling. If gone for more than several weeks, picking up a cell-phone overseas may be a cost-effective option.
Another option is to use Skype, which allows you to make calls from your computer or mobile device via a wi-fi connection at a very modest rate. www.skype.com. Phone cards can also be purchased in many cities and countries of the world allowing for relatively inexpensive phone calls back home. Travel guidebooks often have details on how to purchase and how the cards work. They are usually available at news stands and mini-marts.
Packing
There are entire books written on the subject of packing for a trip. My advice: unless you’re driving your own car, pack light! For short trips, it’s usually possible to pack everything in a carry-on bag and not even check luggage – saving money and time (especially waiting for your luggage at your destination). I find that for trips greater than a long weekend, one checked bag and a carry-on backpack almost always works. Even for a multi-month trip! (We traveled in Europe for 4 months – as adults – each of us with one checked bag and one small backpack.) Make sure your suitcase does not weight more than the baggage limit (usually 44-50 pounds for checked baggage without additional surcharges). And if you are bringing the bag on the plane or train with you, make sure that you can lift it over your head into the overhead bins.
Most airlines now charge for each checked bag on domestic flights (and some for international flights as well), and at least one carrier now charges for each carry-on bag. Check the individual airline websites for the current rules and fees regarding luggage.
If you want a little more detailed advice (but not a whole book’s worth!), check out the following 2 sites: http://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/packing-light/packing-smart or www.onebag.com/list.html.
Other Pre-Trip Reminders
It is usually a good idea to stop mail and newspaper delivery and have a neighbor check to make sure that there have been no package deliveries during your absence. Keep at least one light on in the house – anything to minimize the likelihood that someone would think you’re gone! For trips longer than 2-3 weeks, additional preparations are usually required, including a means to pay bills, have the lawn mown, etc. Oh, and don’t forget the pet(s)!
iPhones and Travel Cell phones aren’t just cell phones anymore. Blackberries, Droids and, of course, iPhones are all the rage and tend to stress non-phone components such as e-mail and web access, cameras, and other applications seemingly without number. These can all be a boon for travelers. There are hundreds of travel apps for iPhones including various map apps , restaurant finders like Yelp and Urban Spoon, apps that help you plan and track your itinerary (worldmate and trip journal), apps that help you learn and translate foreign languages, plus downloadable guidebooks and tours. For trips in the US, I rely heavily on my iPhone for restaurant ideas and for maps while walking around. Worth checking out if you have such a device.
Be cautious when using your cell phones overseas – the roaming fees can be astronomical. Turn off the data roaming and 3G/4G networks and turn on “airplane mode” and use wi-fi connections only. For actual phone calls, buy a local phone card at your destination or use Skype via wi-fi.
A passport, as I'm sure you know, is a document that one shows to government officials whenever one reaches a border between countries, so the officials can learn who you are, where you were born, and how you look when photographed unflatteringly. --Lemony Snicket
All adults arriving by land, sea, or air into the U.S. must have a passport. If you are returning to the US from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or one of 17 Caribbean nations by sea or land port-on-entry, a passport card can be used.
The U.S. State Department Travel Page, www.state.gov/travel/ is an essential stop when planning an international journey, especially one off the beaten path. Several major points of interest include “Travel Warnings/Consular Info Sheets” and “Passport Information.” For foreigners wishing to visit the U.S., the “Visa Services” page includes downloadable visa forms in several languages. Consular information pages tend to be on the “conservative” side, focusing on problems and potential dangers.
Allow plenty of time to get your first passport or even to renew your passport. The U.S. State Department website has passport application procedures and expected processing times: http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english.html. It’s best to allow 6 weeks to be on the safe side. Expedited processing, which cuts the processing time about in half, is available at an additional cost. Finally, it’s possible to process a passport application even quicker through an in-person appointment, though this should only be used in an emergency situation. Allow additional time for a new or renewal of a child’s passport (under the age of 16), for there is additional paperwork and a required in-person meeting with the child and both parents/guardians. A renewal for a teenager 16 or 17 years old also requires an in-person meeting though only one parent needs to be there or provide written permission. A new U.S. Passport will run about $135, while a renewal is $110 (2016). Adult passports are good for 10 years. A child’s passport, currently $105, is good for five years. Oh, and don’t forget the passport photograph required to be submitted at the time of application. The required size and quality standards of the passport photos can be found at http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/passports/photos/photos.html. Many photo studios and other merchants provide passport photo services.
If you are a single parent (divorced or traveling with your spouse/partner), you will need a notarized document from the other parent approving of the trip and knowledge of the trip specifics – length of trip, destination, etc. The same goes if you are traveling with an unrelated minor. Widow or widowers should have a copy of the death certificate of their deceased spouse.
Visas
Many countries require travelers to obtain formal permission to enter their country in the form of a visa. Many visas can be obtained at the point of entry (airport, seaport, land border crossing – though requirements may differ by means of entry – car/air/boat). For some countries, visas must be obtained prior to arrival, usually from the embassy or other diplomatic missions in your home country. These can be time consuming and usually require that you submit a form, your passport, one or more photographs, and a fee in person or via mail. Allow plenty of time; even more so if applying for visas from several countries. For such multiple visa trips, you might consider a passport expediting agency that is well versed in expediting visas. Fees for such services vary but tend to be expensive.
Some visas are free; others have a fee associated with them ranging from a few dollars to well over $100. Some countries have additional requirements above and beyond the visa, including proof on onward travel (ticket to your next destination), letters from sponsors, etc. Check the appropriate websites or call the foreign embassy for details.
Foreign visa requirements and fees are always in a state of flux. Check the country specific travel pages at the US State Department website:
http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/country.html. It is also worth double checking with the embassy website of the country that you are visiting. Airlines and cruise lines are usually familiar with visa requirements as well but are not responsible for errors or changes, so it is important to get the correct information. Travel agents and travel coaches can also assist.
Once legally admitted to a country, the visa or landing card or passport stamp will likely state a specific period of time that you are allowed to remain in the country. If your plans change and you would like to stay longer, there is a process in many countries for extending your entry permission. Start working on the extension as soon as you know you would like one, since it can take some time (and there are no guarantees that the request will be approved, though they usually are).
Finally, if traveling to the Middle East, remember that a passport with an Israeli stamp may preclude you from visiting many Arab countries. Israel will place their entry and exit stamps on a separate sheet of paper if you request.
Boarding passes, luggage tags, vouchers
Before leaving home, be sure you have all of your travel documents in order. If traveling by air, print you boarding pass – most airlines allow (and encourage) you to do so within 24 hours of departure. You can alternatively store your boarding pass on your smartphone and use it at security and the boarding gate. If checking luggage, you can specify the number of pieces during this process and pay the applicable fee in advance, sometimes at a reduced rate. Oftentimes you can actually print your luggage tags in advance as well (though use thick paper if possible!) If you have hotel, rental car, tour or cruise vouchers and confirmations, make sure you have them as well. It’s not unheard of for a hotel or rental car company to not “find” your reservation until you show them the confirmation.
If you reserved your seats when you booked your flights, it might also so worth re-checking seat availability just prior to printing your boarding passes. Oftentimes, airlines will open up previously unavailable seats 24 hours prior to departure. This is even more important if you were unable to get assigned seats when you booked your flight – in this instance, try to get online 24 hours in advance to see if seats have opened up – and grab one! If you have an assigned seat and the flight is oversold, it is less likely that you will be one of those left behind.
Also make sure you have copies of your passport page (the one with your photo, passport number, expiration date), any visas you obtained in advance, and air/hotel/rental car confirmation codes. Place these in your suitcase or give them to a travel companion in case your originals are lost or stolen. It will greatly expedite the replacement process.
Health
While prescription medications may be easily available in some foreign countries, it is really important that you have sufficient quantities (plus enough for a few extra days in case of delays) of your normal prescriptions with you on the trip. It is best to have them in your carry-on bag, should there be a problem with the arrival of your checked bag(s). If you have a liquid medication of more than 3.4 ounces (100 ml), you must declare it to the screening folks at the airport.
One of the exciting aspects of travel is getting sick while on the trip! (Remember, I said “exciting,” not necessarily “fun.”) There are some things you can do in advance of a trip to reduce the chances of illness, while there are other things you can do to prepare for the eventuality of more common ailments. If traveling to a foreign country, check out the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website for up to date recommendations on vaccinations as well as medicines for the prevention of malaria. www.cdc.gov/travel. The site also provides hygiene information and lists of possible diseases by region of the world, including any current outbreaks. It is also a good idea to meet with a travel doctor if available in your area (or your family doctor) for a discussion of vaccinations and medicines. Note that some vaccines take several weeks to reach maximum effectiveness.
The most common ailment that affect travelers is diarrhea (and sometimes vomiting) from exposure to foreign foods and food-borne bacteria. Be sure to have an anti-diarrhea medication with you (Imodium or Pepto Bismal) should the need arise. It is often wise to ask your doctor for a prescription antibiotic that you can take in case of a more severe case of diarrhea. The CDC site has additional information on how to minimize (though not eliminate) your risk of food-borne illness.
Flying and the stress of traveling (generally a GOOD stress, but stress nonetheless) can make one more susceptible to colds either during or post-trip. Taking a vitamin supplement, washing your hands frequently (or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer), and avoiding sitting next to someone with a bad cough (good luck!) can help minimize the risks of getting a cold or minimizing its duration or severity.
Money
“When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money. Then take half the clothes and twice the money.” --Susan Heller
If ATM’s exist where you are going (and they do in most places), then be all means use them rather than traveler’s checks or cash. The exchange rates are almost always better than exchanging cash or travelers’ checks at banks or exchange bureaus, they’re open 24 hours a day, and they’re fast. If you’ve ever waited in a series of lines in a local bank overseas in order to exchange $200 U.S. dollars, ATM’s prove their worth instantaneously.
It is also a good idea to have more than one ATM card – each using a different system – PLUS, CIRRUS, VISA, etc. Some ATM’s in some countries are pretty picky as to which cards they accept – thus having several systems represented by several cards helps a lot. It also helps in case a machine “eats” your card – you still have one left. Also be sure your PIN number is 4 digits – the norm for most of the world.
It used to be that a traveler would use credit cards whenever possible. With the growing number of fees charged by many credit card issuers, it may not always be the lowest cost option. The plus is that you’re not carrying as much U.S. or foreign cash with you, you can earn frequent flyer miles if you have a travel affinity card, it’s easy, and the credit card company can come to your aid if there is a problem with the transaction. The exchange rates are usually superior to cash and travelers checks, and you do have some means of recourse if a flight gets canceled, hotel reservations are snafued, etc. If you are going to be gone for a prolonged period, however, you will need to make payment arrangements so as not to get stuck with huge interest and penalty fees (though it’s easier than ever to get your credit card bill via e-mail and/or arrange for automatic payment from your checking account). Note that credit card systems are different in Europe (with built in computer chips and requiring a PIN number) and there may be some locations that won’t readily accept your card. According to VISA and Mastercard, all staffed locations should be able to handle a U.S. credit card, especially the new cards with chips.
In some places, ATMs do not exist or are limited to cards issued by the local bank only. In many of the same places, credit cards are of little value outside of the major international hotel chains. Thus, it’s wise to have some cash and/or travelers checks for at least the occasional emergency or for daily life – depending on where you are. When exchanging traveler’s checks and/or cash, look at not just the exchange rate but also any fees associated with the transaction. Especially if you are exchanging small amounts ($50 or less), a $3.75 or $5 fee (not uncommon) can wipe out a lot of exchange differential.
With both ATM cards and credit cards, it wise to carry one on your person and a second in your money belt or with your traveling companion. This makes life somewhat easier in case of a lost of stolen card. And, yes, always use a money belt for extra cash, passports and other hard-to-replace documents.
Be sure to carry with you the phone numbers for your ATM card, credit card and travelers check issuers. In case of lost cards or checks, or cards that don’t work properly, you may need to contact the issuing bank. Also note that some credit card companies (VISA in particular) monitor their cards for unusual purchases, often the sign of a stolen card or stolen credit card number. I’ve heard of cases where the credit card company stopped accepting overseas charges on someone’s card thinking that the card could have been stolen. When you are in Calcutta and need to charge your train ticket and the card is not accepted, you have a problem. A word of advice – contact your credit card issuer before leaving home and inform them of your travels. That way they are less likely to place any holds on the card – but are also likely to monitor activity as well – such as continued charges in Calcutta when you are now charging away in Delhi.
For international travel, a currency converter can be a big help. One helpfjul site is www.oanda.com/currency/converter. This site allows you to create a wallet-sized “cheatsheet” and to adjust the rate to reflect currency exchange fees and/or other fees if you so desire. It also shows recent trends in the exchange rate.
Staying in touch
Staying in touch while traveling has never been easier – which is both great and bad! Nearly anywhere you go, there are internet cafes that can link you to anyone in the world who has e-mail access. Many hotels and hostels also have computers available for checking e-mail, often at no cost. Many lodging choices also have wi-fi so that you can connect your laptop or mobile device for e-mail and internet access. Remember that you don’t HAVE to use any of the above! You can remain as connected or unconnected as you choose.
You should leave an itinerary, complete with phone numbers where known, and air/hotel confirmation codes, with a close friend or relative in case of emergency. On trips within the US, most travelers now carry a cell phone and can thus be reached by – and can reach – friends and relatives and the occasional telemarketer. Outside of the US, many cell phones can still be used to make and receive calls, but at not-surprisingly high rates. Contact your cell phone provider to ask if there are special programs covering the country (countries) where you will be traveling. If gone for more than several weeks, picking up a cell-phone overseas may be a cost-effective option.
Another option is to use Skype, which allows you to make calls from your computer or mobile device via a wi-fi connection at a very modest rate. www.skype.com. Phone cards can also be purchased in many cities and countries of the world allowing for relatively inexpensive phone calls back home. Travel guidebooks often have details on how to purchase and how the cards work. They are usually available at news stands and mini-marts.
Packing
There are entire books written on the subject of packing for a trip. My advice: unless you’re driving your own car, pack light! For short trips, it’s usually possible to pack everything in a carry-on bag and not even check luggage – saving money and time (especially waiting for your luggage at your destination). I find that for trips greater than a long weekend, one checked bag and a carry-on backpack almost always works. Even for a multi-month trip! (We traveled in Europe for 4 months – as adults – each of us with one checked bag and one small backpack.) Make sure your suitcase does not weight more than the baggage limit (usually 44-50 pounds for checked baggage without additional surcharges). And if you are bringing the bag on the plane or train with you, make sure that you can lift it over your head into the overhead bins.
Most airlines now charge for each checked bag on domestic flights (and some for international flights as well), and at least one carrier now charges for each carry-on bag. Check the individual airline websites for the current rules and fees regarding luggage.
If you want a little more detailed advice (but not a whole book’s worth!), check out the following 2 sites: http://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/packing-light/packing-smart or www.onebag.com/list.html.
Other Pre-Trip Reminders
It is usually a good idea to stop mail and newspaper delivery and have a neighbor check to make sure that there have been no package deliveries during your absence. Keep at least one light on in the house – anything to minimize the likelihood that someone would think you’re gone! For trips longer than 2-3 weeks, additional preparations are usually required, including a means to pay bills, have the lawn mown, etc. Oh, and don’t forget the pet(s)!
iPhones and Travel Cell phones aren’t just cell phones anymore. Blackberries, Droids and, of course, iPhones are all the rage and tend to stress non-phone components such as e-mail and web access, cameras, and other applications seemingly without number. These can all be a boon for travelers. There are hundreds of travel apps for iPhones including various map apps , restaurant finders like Yelp and Urban Spoon, apps that help you plan and track your itinerary (worldmate and trip journal), apps that help you learn and translate foreign languages, plus downloadable guidebooks and tours. For trips in the US, I rely heavily on my iPhone for restaurant ideas and for maps while walking around. Worth checking out if you have such a device.
Be cautious when using your cell phones overseas – the roaming fees can be astronomical. Turn off the data roaming and 3G/4G networks and turn on “airplane mode” and use wi-fi connections only. For actual phone calls, buy a local phone card at your destination or use Skype via wi-fi.