Pre-Travel Prep

Here's a handy checklist of important things to take care of before traveling abroad.

Passport and Vaccinations: Get the ball rolling at least 6 weeks in advance of your trip. See Passport & Visa and Traveler Health for general information and instructions.

Extra Copies of Prescriptions: While getting vaccinations, ask your doctor for copies of all your prescriptions in the event you lose your medications while traveling.

Register with U.S. Embassies: If you're a U.S. citizen traveling in a foreign country, make your presence known to the U.S. Embassy. This is especially important if you're staying more than a month or the country you're visiting is prone to political instability or "acts of God," such as hurricanes. If there's a disaster, American consular officers can help evacuate you if necessary. Register here for more information. Your privacy will be protected.

Insure Yourself: The farther you travel, the more insurance you should have. If traveling abroad, check to see if your non-Medicare/Medicaid health insurance covers you and whether your personal property insurance covers theft or loss. Don't count on airlines and credit card companies for all the coverage you need. See Travel Insurance for the various possibilities you should consider, the most important being medical evacuation coverage.

Credit Card Considerations: Call your credit card company and give them your travel dates. Ask how to report lost cards from abroad and try to get a non-toll-free number. Take note of credit limits and available funds. In some countries you can actually be arrested for going over the limit.

Make Two Photocopies of the Items Below: Take one set with you and leave the other with a friend or relative.
- Itinerary
- Credit cards, front and back
- Insurance policy summaries of coverage
- Back page of your airline tickets
- Passport identification page
- Any other citizenship papers
- Your Will and Power of Attorney (one copy only, to be left with friend or relative)