TRAVEL TIPS

Check Box Travel Check-List

  • Passport expiry date (many countries require at least 6 months of validity left). It can be useful a digital/photocopy of the passport
  • The expiry date of other personal documents (driving license, etc..), international driving license, if required
  • Vaccinations
  • Visas
  • Climate  — check on mTm
  • Country safety (health, political stability)
  • Health/Travel insurance
  • Accommodations bookings if needed — Booking.com
  • Credit card/bank habilitations, local currency cash
  • GPS maps download
  • Embassy registration
  • Flight tickets/travel documents (bookings, car rental, etc..), flight apps
  • Emergency/embassy telephone numbers
  • Medicines kit, insect repellent, hydration tablets
  • Electricity power adapter
  • Guidebook
  • Emergency snacks
  • Phone credit / data roaming / virtual SIM app
  • Remove garbage from home
  • Go

    How to pack like a pro for your next trip

Health International SOS Travel Risk Map

Check the updated world map for health and security risks:

International travel risk map

Health International travel and health

Before travelling, always check well in advance (usually you need to book an appointment) with your health service which vaccination you will need in the country you are going to visit.
You can check for vaccinations on the World Health Organization website or NHS Fit For Travel website.

Disease distribution maps (links):

Coronavirus COVID-19
Chikungunya
Cholera
Crimean Congo HF
Dengue
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis B
HIV infection
Japanese encephalitis
Malaria
Meningococcal disease
Poliomyelitis
Rabies
Schistosomiasis
Tuberculosis
Typhoid Fever
Yellow Fever
Zika

Mosquito How to prevent mosquito bites

When it comes to travelling in areas with a high risk of diseases from mosquitoes like malaria, dengue, zika and other serious infections, having a good plan to prevent being bitten by those mean and annoying insects is vital.

The best repellents are the ones containing N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide, commonly known as DEET. The recommended and most effective dosage is 50% DEET in high-risk areas.

Another proven effective method to protect you against the malicious insects (yes, we really don’t like them!) is spraying your clothes with Permethrin, an insecticide also used in agriculture, which acts as a proper barrier and it’s even able to kill the little enemies. It is important to note that Permethrin sprays do not have to be used on your skin!
Treating your clothes with Permethrin will ensure barrier protection which can last up to 6 weeks or 6 washes (with only one application, which is great!)

Combine these two methods to build an efficient insect’s Kryptonite shield.

Plane Flight and accommodation booking

Pay attention to the day you book: flight prices depend on the day and the time you book during the week, not just on how much in advance the departure date you book.
Check the website of your destination airport; you can find more flights, including charter airlines not shown on online flight websites.

Connect to a VPN network before booking. Hotels and airlines’ prices change depending on your location. Change your location to a lower-income country or your destination country and you will have lower prices.
It is suggested to always clear your browsing history and your cookies, or browse from an incognito window before you start searching.

Luggage Baggage tips

Take pictures of your baggage: in case of loss, this will help to identify it.
Label with “fragile” your baggage: it could be handled with much care and placed on top before being carried on the plane and you can claim it faster at the airport.

If you suffer from motion sickness, book a seat close to the plane’s wings: there the turbulences are minimized. Always carry with you additional clothes: air conditioning on the plane could be really annoying.

When travelling with budget airlines with a cabin bag only, a backpack is a wiser choice than rolling luggage. If your rolling suitcase is even slightly over the size limit, you may face hefty excess baggage fees. Backpacks, are more flexible and easier to squeeze into the malefic size-checking baskets at the boarding gate, reducing the risk of incurring additional costs. Airline staff also often prioritize checking rolling luggage over backpacks.

Money Where to change money? 

Before leaving:

  • Your bank: you can order foreign currency at your bank (ask for the amount of the exchange fees), you could have to wait some days, so order money in advance;
  • Online websites: you can order currency from websites and you will receive it at home by secure delivery service, but in addition to exchange fees you will pay shipping fees too.

Abroad:

  • Withdrawal at ATM is usually one of the best ways to get local currency, exchange fees depend on your credit card and your bank.
  • Exchange offices: always check exchange fees before changing money, sometimes you can find a convenient office, but sometimes it could be the worst choice; avoid exchange offices in airports or hotels, as they add high fees to your transaction

    Additional Tips:

  • Credit and Debit Cards: Using credit and debit cards with no foreign transaction fees is a great way to avoid exchange fees. However, be aware of potential ATM withdrawal fees.  
  • Prepaid Travel Cards: These cards allow you to load a specific amount of foreign currency onto a card, which can be used like a debit card. They can be a convenient option, but fees may apply.  
  • Mobile Payment Apps: Some mobile payment apps, like Google Pay and Apple Pay, can be used abroad, but check with your bank and the app provider to see if they are supported in your destination country.  
  • Research Exchange Rates: Before you travel, research the current exchange rates for the currencies you’ll need. This will help you budget and avoid getting ripped off.
  • Security: When using ATMs, be aware of your surroundings and cover the keypad when entering your PIN.

Drive List of left-hand driving countries

Oceania

Australia, Bermuda, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Norfolk Island, Papua New Guinea, Pitcairn Islands, Solomon Islands, Samoa, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu

Asia

Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, East Timor, Hong Kong, Indonesia, India, Japan, Macao, Maldives, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand

Africa

Botswana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Europe

Akrotiri and Dhekelia, Cyprus, Guernsey, Ireland, Isle of Man, Jersey, Malta, United Kingdom

South America

Falkland Islands, Guyana, Suriname

Caribbeans

Anguilla, Antigua and Barbados, Bahamas, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, U.S. Virgin Islands

Other Islands

Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan de Cunha, South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands

Compass General travel tips

Visit the local tourism office: there you can find additional information you haven’t in your guide, especially events happening during your stay, free activities and more.
Take care of your personal effects and documents: never carry your wallet, your phone, or your passport in your back pocket.

Ask local people for every kind of travel information; remember that local people always know their own country better than you and they could give you important information and tips about your trip.

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