What formalities before departure to avoid the galleys while traveling?

What formalities before departure to avoid the galleys while traveling?

ACS invites Fabrice from the Instinct Voyageur blog to share his experience and his advice on how to prepare before leaving in order to avoid the galleys while traveling.

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So, have you chosen your destination? Excitement starting to build? Very well ! Are you starting to prepare for your trip? Are you sure you haven't forgotten anything? Here is a topo to leave the Zen spirit!

Whether you are going on a long trip or not, preparation is essential. I will not talk here about the preparation of the trip on the spot, but to give you a summary of what you must not forget before leaving with regard to the formalities.

This is to avoid hassles...

Visas

VisasFirst of all, does the chosen destination require a visa? Are you sure of yourself?

My question may seem absurd to you, however, I have already seen travelers stranded at the entrance of the country for lack of a visa. They were however convinced that they did not need it...

Second thing: is it possible to take the visa at the airport on arrival? Be careful, this is not the case for all countries... Same question if you arrive via the land border. If possible, do it, you will save money. Indeed, taking a visa in advance is more expensive.

Then, check that your passport is valid for 6 months after the planned exit from the country. Also check the duration of the visa for the plane ticket.

Finally, if your trip takes you through several countries, make sure that the country of entry does not require a return ticket to be able to return. Otherwise, you risk being stranded at the airport and having to buy a ticket in a hurry.

Vaccines

Make sure your vaccinations are up to date. If not, do the needful.

Some countries in Africa or Latin America may require the yellow fever vaccine to enter the country. Check!

If you go to an area where the risk of malaria is real, you will probably need to take treatment. It depends on the type of stay and the area you are going to. To be discussed with a doctor.

In any case, I advise you to make an appointment at an International Vaccination Center. They are very well informed.

Take the opportunity to ask them for advice on redoing your first aid kit.

Medical check-up

If you're going away for a long time, a check-up visit to your doctor is a good idea.

Likewise, make an appointment with your dentist to leave with peace of mind. I don't think you would want to go under the wheel of a Chinese dentist from a remote province... Anticipate for appointments in case of "work" to be done!

Also, if you leave with medication, take the prescription with you. Customs may ask you for it.

Moreover, if you have recurring health problems or if you are suffering from a chronic illness, it may be useful to have your history, the prescriptions of the doctor, your blood group and the numbers of your relatives and your insurer.

 

 Travel insurance

Make sure you are well covered. It is possible that the insurance of your bank card is sufficient. To do this, you must inquire about the conditions with your bank. Be careful, depending on the type of card and its level (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Blue, Gold, Black, etc.), you will be more or less well covered. In any case, the insurance of your bank card will not cover you beyond 90 days.

The issue of travel insurance is complex. Difficult to summarize it in a few lines.
However, here is what you need to know:

– If you are leaving for more than 90 days, travel insurance is required.

– If you are traveling to Canada, the USA or countries where medical costs are high, taking out good travel insurance with high reimbursement limits is not a luxury!

– If you plan to practice activities and certain risky sports, you will probably need to take out suitable travel insurance.

In all cases, good travel insurance must include: direct payment of medical expenses in the event of hospitalization, reimbursement of medical expenses on site, repatriation and civil liability (important in the event of an accident involving third parties ). Guarantees such as the presence of a family member in the event of hospitalization, early return or even luggage and cancellation insurance are also to be considered.

Documents

Remember to make a photocopy of your passport. Never part with this one. Send the scan to your email account.

If you are thinking of driving abroad, consider getting an international driving permit. The request is free, it is made at your prefecture.

International driving license If you plan to leave by car, you will need to be in possession of a customs book. Outside of Europe, many countries require it.

Are you going to travel with a minor of whom you are not the parent? Authorization to leave the territory has been abolished since 2013, but it is recommended to travel with proof of parental authorization. The minor must also be in possession of his personal passport and, if necessary, a visa. Do not forget to inquire about the entry formalities of your destination country.

Are you traveling with expensive equipment? It is advisable to take your invoices for customs with you.

Also remember to take your identity card with you. This may be useful in some cases. For example, in Asia you can often leave it on when renting a car.

Silver

money when travelingGo with a bank card and cash! The cash will serve as a safety reserve in the event of a problem with your card or if you cannot find an ATM.

The euro is traded all over the world. However, some countries prefer the dollar and even accept payment in dollars as in Cambodia or some Latin American countries. In this case, it is better to leave with greenbacks.

When you arrive in the country, you have to bear in mind the exchange rate so as not to be scammed from the outset.

Ditch the traveler's checks. Besides the fact that the fees are high, it is becoming more and more complicated to exchange them. Moreover, American Express has decided to no longer issue them.

I strongly advise you to leave with two bank cards. This way, in case of problems or theft of your bank card, you will have another one. Immediately, this reassures and can avoid many worries!

A credit card is free if you open an account with an online bank. And the costs of withdrawals abroad are reduced.

So much for this little topo so as not to forget the essential.

Preparing for a trip can be complex depending on the destinations and what you plan to do there. If you leave for several months, the question is even more complex. However, with the many travel blogs and reference sites on the Web, your search is made easier.