Travel Documents
At the moment almost all nations have lifted COVID 19 travel restrictions, but as we know, things can change quickly with COVID.
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To see if the country you're going to has health restrictions/ requirements check out Kayak.com 🔗. You may also want to include any COVID VAX CARDS you have with your normal travel documents.
Before you go anywhere internationally you need to get a PASSPORT from your home country and possibly a VISA to be allowed to enter whatever country you are going to.
Regulations for these vary greatly from country to country, not just based on where you are going but also where you are visiting from, so I can’t offer any specific tips other than start this process early - it always takes time, and often requires waiting on physical snail mail.
Also, never assume the regulations are the same as they once where, even if you have visited a country before. Until recently many countries of origin didn’t need a Visa to travel to and between European nations. That has now been amended and all travelers, even those that used to travel visa free, now have to go through an online UK/ ETA & or EU / ETIAS process.
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Passports Visas Insurance
Once you have your Documents Keep them Safe
Take Photo's 📸 of All Important Documents
Keep photo's on your phone, laptop and a cloud based server so you have access even if your physical belongings get separated from you​.
Lock 🔒 them Away, Don't Carry them with you Unless Necessary
You'll need your passport at airports and when checking into hotels/ hostel but you don't need the real thing on you while site-seeing - So keep them in your hotel safe or invest in a good combination lock for your hostel locker.. This greatly reduces the chance of loosing them or having them stolen or damaged.
Store them in a Water-Proof or Resistant Pouch.
Your papers are, well paper. They can be easily damaged by the elements. You don't want them ruined by sudden rain storm or just your own sweaty tummy when stored in a waist money belt, so zip them in classic plastic school pencil/ supplies pouch to keep them dry.
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Travel Insurance
You know you need it - things will go sideways from time to time and you want to be prepared. (I have had everything from delayed luggage to needing rabies shots in Africa!) When you travel with a tour group most will require you to get Travel Insurance, but its a good idea to have whenever traveling outside of your country... so what is Travel Insurance exactly? There are lots of different kinds of Insurance related to Traveling actually, so the first thing you need to do figure out which type you need.  What type and how much coverage you should get will depend on what activities you're planning to do while gone.  Are you doing adventure activities that have higher injury rates? Do you want in country coverage for pharmacies and doctors (like a full time nomad might)? Or just emergency coverage that will cover medical evacuation back to your home country and home healthcare plan should you be seriously injured? If yours is a short-term trip you might want a Specific Trip Policy just covering the dates of your trip.  Going to be gone for several months or longer? It may be better for you to do a Monthly Rate Policy.  Or you might want something closer to an in country health plan that works with the trip country’s network and pharmacies.
Types of Insurance
Trip Insurance
Covers losses when plans get canceled or have to change. It tends to cover replacement tickets, lost/ delayed or damaged  luggage, hotels if your forced to stay overnight unexpectedly. You can purchase Trip Insurance when buying your tickets or many travel credit cards offer it as a membership perk.
Medical & Accident
Travel Insurance (as opposed to Trip Insurance) starts with medical accident & injury plans. This covers the cost of medical treatment (in your destination country) for an injury or emergency sustained on your trip. They are, however, quite specific as to what activities are covered - so if you plan on doing extreme sports you may need to add additional coverage for your specific activity.
Emergency Evacuation
Most Travel Insurance Plans have coverage for emergency evacuation or repatriation for serious injuries that can't be treated in your destination location. If needed, it will cover a Medical Evac to a hospital that can treat whatever the issue is. However, you can also purchase this type of coverage on it's own, if your circumstances don't need a full Travel Insurance Plan.
Healthcare
If you travel full time and/or work in a foreign country you might want to have something closer to normal medical insurance that lets you schedule routine doctor's appointments and covers prescriptions, instead of just Travel Insurance. There are international plans like this specifically designed for ex-pats if you're living full time in a country you aren't a citizen of.
Some Places to Start
Insuremytrip.com 🔗 will Compare Insurance options for you based on your specific needs.
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I use Safety Wing 🔗 for my insurance. They offer reasonably priced Monthly Plans & Full Health Coverage Options. ​Insured Nomads 🔗 also offers comprehensive International Healthcare.
If you want to insure a short trip you can also do that with companies like World Nomads 🔗.
For just a worst-case scenario back up, you can get Medical Evacuation Plans with Global Rescue 🔗 or MedJet 🔗.
How to Know What Kind of Plan is Right For You?
If You Want...
.... to get reimbursed for canceling or ending your trip early -
You want TRIP CANCELLATION & TRIP INTERRUPTION
.... replacement value for lost, stolen or damaged luggage -
You want a policy with THEFT & LOSS BAG COVERAGE
.... to avoid paying for rental car damages -
You need CAR COLLISION INSURANCE
.... help finding a local doctor -
You want a plan with 24 HOUR ASSISTANCE
... medical expenses covered for getting sick or injured -
You want TRAVEL MEDICAL & ACCIDENT COVERAGE
.... transportation to a hospital or
back to your home country for a medical cause -
You want EMERGENCY EVACUATION AND REPATRIATION coverage.
.... full Health Insurance similar to what you have at home -
You want an INTERNATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE/ FULL COVERAGE PLAN.
Everybody’s medical needs are different. None of the above should be taken as specific insurance advice.
If you have ongoing medical needs, like prescriptions 💊 that will need to be filled be sure to talk to your doctor about your trip and make necessary arrangements.
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