Money & Documents

Money

Cash
Take some cash with you, in small denominations of the local currency, for use at your destination. Try to get clean crisp bills as old and dirty currency is often distrusted. Store some of your cash in a secure place such as a money belt. A couple of $20US bills under the insoles of your shoes might be just what's needed in an emergency. NEVER flash your money about in public and NEVER transfer money from hidden places in view of others, even bank tellers! Always arrange you money discretely... in a toilet if necessary!

Charge and debit cards
Transactions on charge and debit cards usually receive the best rate of exchange (the current official rate of your home bank plus a bit for their service). Take a couple of different cards from different financial institutions so that if one is lost, damaged or unacceptable, you have another to use. Carry cards in separate places it minimise the chance of losing them together. Deposit cash in your charge card account prior to leaving so that you can withdraw cash without interest penalty (provided you had a zero balance when you made the deposit).

Traveller's cheques
Travellers checks, though they are a more secure way to carry money, are often changed at higher rates of exchange and you may be charged expensive commissions to cash them. Issuing companies will usually don't charge for changing cheques, so try to find a local office. Otherwise shop for the best deal at banks, credit or mutual agencies, change offices and even your hotel if it is part of a large chain. Be advised that it can often take a couple of hours to change traveller's checks at a bank. Changing money on the black market may be inviting but is illegal and can cause you serious problems. Be certain to carry your traveller's cheques and their receipts in separate places so if the cheques are lost you will be able to replace them.

Personal cheques
A couple of personal cheques (imprinted with your name and address) are always good to have. They might not be useful for transactions but are often useful to establish credibility. Again keep they safely on your person so that they are not stolen and used fraudulently.

Documents

Tickets
When you receive your tickets verify and that they are complete and correct! Oh! how many disappointed travellers have discovered errors too late? Recent travellers from Europe arrived in Canada en route to Sydney, Australia (a new routing!?)... they changed planes and soon landed in Sydney, Nova Scotia! When surrendering your tickets for passage, verify that only the correct ticket to has been taken . Always keep your tickets on your person. Ink on tickets can smear for perspiration when carried in a pocket or security pouch; protect them with a thin plastic bag.

Passport, visas
Verify that your passport and visas are valid well beyond your expected date of return. Verify that your passport has a lot of blank pages, especially when travelling in Asia and Africa where they will be stamped numerous times. Apply for visas well in advance of your departure. Sometimes it takes three months to obtain visas necessary for entry into countries. Always keep your passport, visas and vaccination certificates on your person.

Extra passport photos
Passport format format photos are often required for metro passes and other documents such as visas. It is always good to take at lease 4 copies with you as that you don't have to waste time and money get photos. In certain cases (e.g.. travelling in parts of Africa) 2 or 3 dozen may be needed!

Vaccination certificates
For your own health, verify that your have had all the necessary vaccinations for the areas you are travelling to and that they are up to date. Vaccination certificates may be required when you enter certain countries, especially if you have recently visited other areas where certain diseases are prevalent. Verify that stamps and signatures are correct and that the signing officials position (nurse, doctor) is clearly identified.

Marriage certificate
This may be required in order to visit your conjoint in a hospital or prison (heaven forbid) and occasionally to rent a hotel room together in some parts of Asia and China! (A notarized translation in the local language might also be helpful for recognition of any such document.)

Driver's license
In most cases, you home driver's licence is all that is required when driving aboard. But in some countries (especially those where language barriers may impede official recognition of your documents) you are required to have an international driver's licence. This document certifies that your actual licence is valid and provides these details in a number of languages. If not required, it often can help to avoid problems due to language.

Social Security Card
May be helpful or necessary for identification for embassy or consular personnel.

Health insurance
Carry your government and private health insurance cards. Always travel with all the telephone number's necessary to contact your insurance if problems arise. If you consult medical help and receive treatment, get a detailed bill for all charges and a copy of your medical file. These are essential in order to obtain reimbursement.

International Student Identification Card
Provided that you are a student, this document is invaluable for obtaining discounts and entry to Youth Hostels, museums, trains, etc.

Telephone cards and access numbers
There exist several telephone services providing local connections to international services that are cheaper, more reliable and more secure than direct dialling. Know the local access numbers for the region you are visiting so that you can telephone home without undue complication and expense.

Business or calling cards
Using cards to introduce yourself is a mark of professionalism. It also assures that your name, position, address, telephone numbers and e-mail address are remembered correctly. If ever you are detained by anyone it is a good idea to toss cards (if you can) to passers-by and ask them to contact your embassy or consulate for help.

Membership cards
Membership to various professional and other associations can often open doors and entitle you to discounts or cheaper fares.

Diving Certificate
Certified divers will require their certificate to rent equipment and dive in certain places.

Boater's Certificate
A Boater's Competency Certificate is often helpful to rent equipment and navigate in certain places.

Copies of important documents
It is a good idea to have photocopies of your passport title page, visas , your citizenship certificate, birth certificate, driver's license, health insurance, bank cards, and other important documents. Place these somewhere in your luggage in a sealed envelope so that they are available if you lose any of the documents. One might also leave a copy at home with a relative that can be telephoned in an emergency. These copies probably won't be accepted as replacements but they will certainly help you obtain replacement documents. Make and include a copy of your Packing Check List so that you can properly remember and describe items if they are lost or stolen.

Personal address book
Don't forget to include telephone numbers and addresses necessary or useful for emergency situations. You might indicate in your address book persons and organizations that should be contacted immediately in case of accident, disappearance or other problem.

Travel Information

A traveller should try to procure complete and up-to-date maps and guidebooks to a become familiar with the region to be visited. Maps and guidebooks that easily fit in the pocket or small shoulder bag are always preferable. Sometimes it is useful to photocopy key pages or parts of maps so that you can walk and explore without having to carry a book or a map. You appear less a tourist.

Maps
Choose maps adapted to the activities that you will undertake while travelling. Certain maps are better for driving, some for hiking, and others for boating. A tiny map of the world a be useful to show others where you live.

Guidebooks
Physical, political, and social environments change rapidly. Be certain they guidebooks you consult are up-to-date. Often books researched by one or two researchers are generally better than those composed from the work of a multitude of contributors.

Phrase books
Citizens of foreign countries generally appreciate any efforts, as awkward as they maybe, to communicate in their language. Phrase books may help you open doors socially as well as communicate inquiries and understand answers. The Berlitz books are excellent. Miniature bilingual dictionaries by Collins and Hugo are also recommended.

Hotel & restaurant lists
Hotel and restaurant lists are often quite useful for discovering enjoyable accommodation and dining spots. If try to understand the writer's psychology and read a bit between the lines, your are probably assured of pleasant experiences.