Essentials To Do Before You Travel

If you’re one of the lucky ones, then you might be off on a holiday abroad soon. It’s that time of year when lots of people in the UK are heading off for sunnier climates (not that they need to with the weather at the moment!) and there are lots of things that you should check out before you head off to the airport.

 

The lovely people over at Compare Holiday Money got in touch and asked if I’d do a post looking at traveling and money saving costs. Being that I am a frugal personal finance blogger, I thought it would fit right in. Did you know that Compare Holiday Money is Europe’s biggest dedicated travel money comparison service and that comparing exchange rates with Compare Holiday Money can save 10% or more? I didn’t!

 

So, here are some essentials you should do before you travel:

• Check your passport is in date. There would be nothing worse than arriving at the airport to find out that your passport has expired! Do this a couple of months before, at least, as renewing your passport can take a while.
• Research travel insurance. Such an important thing to have when you are travelling in another country, just in case something should happen.
• Check the weather! I know it seems daft but don’t always assume that the weather is going to be sunny where you’re going. Mr FC and I went to Italy on our honeymoon and I didn’t take a jacket as I’d assumed it would be sunny all the time. I was wrong (it snowed on the top of Mount Vesuvius).
• Sort out your money before you travel. Exchange rates are better if you sort out your holiday money before you travel. Compare Holiday Money helps you to do this and makes sure you get a great deal. The site looks at lots of different places to get your money changed and gets you the best exchange rate possible. That means you’ll have more for your money. It works in the same way that comparing car insurance does and we all do that. We should all get the best deal on our holiday cash too! It even tells you if you could get a better deal by ordering online and then picking your money up in store.
• Look at local tourist taxes that you need to pay. Again, using Italy as an example, when we left we had to pay so much per night whilst we were there. Not every country does this, but do check. We had to pay in the local currency too.
• Local laws can be different, depending on where you are going. Have a research about whether or not this would apply to you.
• Research local excursions so that you have a vague idea of some of the things you would like to do on holiday, plus the cost of these. Most of these will only take cash as payment, so it’s a good idea to have an idea of cost before you go. You want to make sure you’re taking enough money!
• Ask a neighbour to put your bin out. I know this might seem like a random one, but there’s nothing worse than not having your bin emptied on the week it’s supposed to be. We have a system where it’s normal rubbish one week and then recycling the next, so if we missed a week or two, we’d have no room left! Also, ask them to keep an eye on your property whilst you’re away.
• Tell your bank. If you’re taking a bank card, be it debit or credit, then you should tell your bank. If you suddenly start spending lots of money in a foreign country then it might be flagged up as fraud and your card(s) suspended. Not what you want.
• Check you have the documentation you need for your holiday. Your driving license, if you’re hiring a car, for example. Perhaps a print out of your hotel book confirmation. Also, make a note of any phone numbers you might need in an emergency.
• Make a list of medication you take, if required. This will be especially helpful if you need to visit a doctor or hospital whilst you’re on holiday. Hopefully not, but it’s better to be prepared.
• Double check your route to the airport and pre-book a parking space if you’re driving. You can get some great deals on airport parking if you search around plus it’s peace of mind that you will have a space to park when you arrive.

 

So, lots of essentials to do before you travel. Some of these might seem obvious, but do them anyway. I definitely like having my holiday money sorted before we go, plus having your foreign money makes it seem much more real. It always seems so brightly coloured!

 

And if you are going on holiday soon, have a fantastic time! I can’t wait until we can take our boys somewhere for an adventure.

 

This post is in collaboration with Compare Holiday Money.