Traveling internationally used to be as simple as grabbing your passport and heading to the airport. Now the Department of Transportation warns that a passport alone might not get you through customs this year. Here are some crucial things you need to pack so your summer vacation actually happens.
Digital Authorizations Are the New Normal
Many popular spots like the UK now demand an electronic travel authorization before you even show up to the airport. You have to go online and get this digital approval beforehand because showing up with just a smile and a passport will absolutely get your trip canceled.
Airlines Can Get Fined for Your Mistakes
Carriers are double checking your paperwork way more strictly now because they get hit with massive fines if they bring in passengers without the right entry approvals. They will ask to see your QR codes and digital entry stuff at the check in counter so keep those screenshots ready on your phone.
Phones Die So Print Your Boarding Pass
We all love keeping everything on our phones until the battery randomly dies right when it is your turn in the security line. Having a physical paper boarding pass tucked in your bag is cheap insurance that keeps you moving fast when the airport wifi decides to stop working.
Keep Photocopies of Your Passport Handy
Losing your main identification overseas is a total nightmare that can ruin your entire trip if you are not prepared for the worst. Keeping a paper photocopy of your passport in a different bag makes it way easier to get a replacement at the embassy if the real one goes missing.
Bring Proof of Your Return Flight
Border control guards really want to make sure you are actually going to leave their country when your vacation is over. They might ask to see a printed out itinerary showing your flight back home so having that ready stops any awkward interrogations at customs.
Carry Your Travel Insurance Policy Details
Medical emergencies happen when you least expect them and trying to pull up policy numbers on a tiny screen while stressed is just terrible. Keeping a physical copy of your travel insurance gives you instant access to your coverage details and those super important emergency hotline numbers.
Write Down Emergency Embassy Contacts
You really do not want to be desperately googling for your local embassy address when you are already dealing with a bad situation overseas. Having a simple printed list of embassy contacts and family phone numbers gives you immediate help especially if your phone gets lost or stolen.
Pack Physical Prescription Documentation
Traveling with your necessary medications can sometimes raise eyebrows at international customs if you do not have the right paperwork to back it up. Bringing a printed note from your doctor helps you sail right through security checks and makes it much easier to get refills if you accidentally drop your pills down the sink.
Print Your Hotel and Event Confirmations
Sometimes border officials just want to know exactly where you are sleeping and what you are doing before they stamp your passport. Handing over a printed hotel booking is so much faster than making a busy guard wait while you scroll through a thousand emails trying to find your reservation.
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