6 Things you must prepare pre-trip

It’s the happy time of the year to prepare for vacation again.

If you go on a trip not too often like me, you might have some idea on what to prepare but might be wondering if you are missing anything. Here are some of the essential stuff that you cannot miss out:

Pre-trip Must do

• Visa
  
        Your passport can bring you places but don’t assume that you don’t need a visa.
  
  

• Cash
  
        Exchange a comfortable amount to their local currency according to your budget. See my tip on currency exchange.
  
  

• Weather… and thus type of clothes to bring
  
        Because not every country is sunny all year round like Singapore
  
  

•  Mobile
  
        Where to get a sim-card and at what price –Also check that your mobile is usable in your destination country.
  
  

•  How to get to your hotel from the airport
  
        This would include the address, transportation schedules. I know the feeling that after a long flight, the first thing you want to do is crash into your hotel room. At least know how to get to your hotel where you can get your rest and confirm your itinerary.
  
  

• Travel Insurance
  
        Especially to the more uncertain countries
  
  

• Think
  
        You will be overseas for a considerable amount of time. Have you settled your domestic affairs eg.  paid your credit card bills? For SG guys, remember to file notification for your overseas trip.
  
  

On the actual day, make sure

• You brought along your passport, visa, cash, a usable credit card
• Flight status confirmed
• Check-in early

Yes, that’s basically it, don’t worry too much if you have prepared well pre-trip. Anything you have forgotten can be solved by purchasing on the trip, so no worries!

Some tips for packing

• What do you not need?
  
        Keep away cards in your wallet that you do not need overseas eg.Identification card, some credit cards, membership cards.

• Pack your carry-on with the worst-case mentality that for some reason you might not retrieve your luggage. Luggage mix-ups are not uncommon, and in the event that you did not get your luggage at your destination, at least you have your warm clothes and essentials with you.
• Liquid into luggage. Well-travelled you might be, but sometimes it would slip your mind that you can’t bring more than 100ml on board the plane (I lost my cologne that way, sigh). Always remember to pack any gel/perfume/liquid into your luggage if it’s more than 100ml.