Several friends have asked us how we started to plan the logistics of a potentially-lengthy world tour. The list below outlines all of our preparations before leaving the U.S. We did attempt to be fairly meticulous and have some foresight. Of course, as I type this, I am sitting on an Airbus 340 over the Pacific Ocean, about 500 miles east of Auckland, New Zealand. Thus, we probably won’t know for a while if we forgot something critical.
Pre-trip preparations:
- Apply for new travel credit cards1
- Insurances:
- Medical insurance plan
- Auto insurance plan (2 drivers only)
- Travel insurance plan
- Camera floater
- Renter’s insurance (for items in storage)
- Set up secure internet connection (VPN for email, online banking, etc.)
- Get international cell phone plan2
- Change mailing address (post office, with banks & credit cards)
- Contact banks (travel flag)
- Updated/new vaccinations & medications:
- Hepatitis A booster
- Typhoid booster
- Japanese encephalitis
- Yellow fever
- Malaria prophylaxis
- Antibiotics
- Rent storage unit for small belongings (5 x 15 sq. ft.)
- Sell car
- Donate furniture (Habitat for Humanity)
- Print additional passport photos
- Photocopy/scan passports
- Scan important travel documents (stored online and on tablet)3
- Create laminated emergency contact cards for wallets4
- Download music library
- Move documents/internet favorites to new laptop
- Download apps to phone:
- currency converter
- translator
- time zone calculator
- maps
1 We chose the BarclayCard (Master Card) for chip + pin (used at unmanned kiosks throughout Europe), as well as for the hefty sign-up bonus points. There are also no foreign transaction fees.
2 Google Fi offered international calling & data on available wi-fi networks ($20/month + $10/GB).
3 Passports, vaccination records, SCUBA certification cards, insurance policies, medication inserts.
4 Family member contact info, numbers for banks/credit cards in case of loss/theft.
