{"id":1050,"date":"2022-11-21T21:45:51","date_gmt":"2022-11-21T13:45:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/freeneasytravel.com\/?page_id=1050"},"modified":"2023-02-19T13:32:56","modified_gmt":"2023-02-19T05:32:56","slug":"pre-departure","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/freeneasytravel.com\/index.php\/pre-departure\/","title":{"rendered":"Pre-Departure"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Here is a list of Pre-Departure items for your reference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Passport<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"passport,<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

First and foremost, check that your passport has a validity period of at least 6 months from the date that you will return from the trip. If it is less than that, renew it immediately. Normally any balance period will be added to your new passport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ufeff<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Entry Visa<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"This<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Depending on which country you are resident in and which country you are going to, you may need to apply for a short-term visitor Entry Visa. Go to the respective countries’ official websites to check whether you need to do so or not. In most instances, you can now apply online and get the approval within a few hours to a few days. Without an entry visa, you will not be allowed to enter. Do not do anything before you get your visa approved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ufeff<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Air Tickets<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"This<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Buy your air tickets as early as possible as it will be cheaper that way. You can either buy direct from the airlines or buy through well-known reputable 3rd Party sites. Avoids those site that gives exceptionally low price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ufeff<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Travel \/ Rental Car Insurance<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"This<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is a must <\/strong>to buy travel insurance even if it is for a few short days. Many things can happen during a trip – delayed flight, missing luggage, lost personal belongings, theft, accident, etc. If you cannot afford to buy travel insurance, then you should not go on the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are renting a car or campervan, be sure to get at least the minimum coverage like CDW and third-party insurance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vaccination<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"syringe,<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Make sure to take all your required shots before embarking on the trips. You should keep both a digital and a hard-printed copy of your vaccination status with you at all times. Check online with the respective country’s official websites for their entry requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ufeff<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hotels<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"hotel,<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Hotels are generally more expensive during specific festive periods. Try booking them in advance and those with free cancellation options. Again, book directly with the hotels or reputable websites. Check out promotions by your credit card companies and any reputable sites online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ufeff<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Currency<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"dollars,<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Remember to go to your local money changer and change some currency of the countries you are visiting. First of all, not everyone accepts credit cards or digital payments, especially smaller family stores. Secondly, you may incur service charges from your bank when using credit cards to withdraw local currency or make payments. Last but not least, the exchange rate is sure to be lousy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before departing, remember to activate your credit cards for overseas usage. Be sure to specify your start date and end date.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ufeff<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Phone\/Data Sim cards\/Wifi egg<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"smartphone,<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

We are now living in a digital world. You will be at a loss when there is no voice and\/or data for you to connect to your phone. Check with your local telco or reputable 3rd party suppliers what are the types of plans available for the country you are visiting. Some even provide wifi routers\/eggs where you can connect to a few devices simultaneously with unlimited data usage. Have data will travel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ufeff<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Car Rental<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"woman,<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Similar to hotels, car rentals tend to be more expensive during certain periods. You may want to book with a reputable site as early as possible. Remember to include the necessary insurance that comes with it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You will also need to apply for an International Driver’s License in some countries, for example, Korea, Japan, India, etc. Prepare a recent passport-size photo and apply for it at least one month in advance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ufeff<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Train\/Subway Passes<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"This<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Major cities like Tokyo, Rome, London, etc are not suitable for self-drive. It’s more convenient to make use of their subway and\/or bus systems. Some countries also provide bus\/train passes that allow you to travel on their assigned line\/s with unlimited trips within a certain period. This type of pass will enable you to save on transport expenses within the city limit. Normally you can pre-order or purchase them online and collect the actual pass at the Airport, Subway, or Bus Terminal counter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ufeff<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Phones Apps<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"network,<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Pre-download all necessary phone apps for the trips. Important apps are – hotel booking apps, rental car booking apps, city maps, subway line maps, google map, and most importantly google translate if you are going to a non-English speaking country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here is a step-by-step guide on how you can prepare a google map, and store\/share it on your devices, to help you navigate your ways more easily in the country you are visiting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ufeff<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Power Banks and charging accessories<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"This<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

With your phone and computer being your primary equipment for many of your tasks while traveling, you will need to keep them charged to keep them running. Remember to carry along a portable power bank for the trip. In addition, do find out what type of power socket is used in the country you are visiting and bring along the correct type of adapter. Don’t be in a situation where your phone or computer dies when you need it most.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ufeff<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Medications<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"vitamins,<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Remember to bring along some common medications for fever, cold, and cough during the trips. You may not be able to find a pharmacy nearby when you need it. This will at least help you relieve some suffering and it doesn’t take up a lot of space in your hand-held carrier or waist pouch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ufeff<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Emergency contact numbers<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"hands,<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Find out all the emergency numbers for the country you are visiting. Examples are the Police, fire department, and ambulance. Also, the contact number of your country consulate if there is one. Save them inside your phone, you never know when you may need them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ufeff<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dental<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"orthodontist,<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What !!! What does dental get to do with going for a holiday??? Due to the differential pressure in the aircraft, it is highly recommended that you visit your dentist to have all your filling done before going for the trip. It may save you a lot of pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ufeff<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is all I have for you for the time being. Stay alert and respect the country’s customs and laws during your visit and have a wonderful time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ufeff<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Here is a list of Pre-Departure items for your reference. Passport First and foremost, check that your passport has a validity period of at least 6 months from the date that you will return from the trip. If it is less than that, renew it immediately. Normally any balance period will be added to your … <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_mi_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1050","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","latest_post"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":512,"url":"https:\/\/freeneasytravel.com\/index.php\/things-to-note\/","url_meta":{"origin":1050,"position":0},"title":"Things to note","date":"October 16, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Yes! you are all ready to pack and head for the dream holiday you have been planning for so long. 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