Travel Tips
Travel Tips
TRIP PLANNING & PREPARATION
Planning a trip can take lots of time and it is much better to be over-prepared than under-prepared. Depending on your destination you should start planning your trip between 6- 12 months in advance. If you plan your trip last minute, you will most likely miss out on some of the hotel deals. However, airfare can be tricky. You should keep a daily watch on airfare. You can land great deals in just a few weeks before your trip. Another secret to purchasing airfare is to purchase them on the holidays. You can get great deals on airfare by purchasing a plane ticket on Christmas day for trips planned for that following summer. It is also helpful to purchase travel books on your destination and even bring a language translator book.
INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL TIPS
INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL TIPS
INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL TIPS
Immunization Requirements
It is highly recommended you research the immunization requirements in the early stages of you planning your trip. You can view a quick guide on required immunizations on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website: www.cdc.gov and or the World Health Organization http://www.who.int/en/. Make sure you also consult your primary care doctor and local travel clinic for recommended and required immunizations.
Passport Requirements
It is highly recommended you research the immunization requirements in the early stages of you planning your trip. You can view a quick A passport is required for all international travel. In most cases, your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the period of your stay in a foreign country. For detailed information please visit the following: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel.html.zation http://www.who.int/en/. Make sure you also consult your primary care doctor and local travel clinic for recommended and required immunizations.
Passport Photo Requirements
Passport Photo Requirements
You must provide 1 photo with your application
The processing of your passport application may be delayed if you do not submit a photo that meets the requirements below. To avoid processing delays, we recommend you use a professional passport photo service.
Your passport photo must be:
Your passport photo must be:
Your passport photo must be
In color
Printed on matte or glossy photo quality paper
2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm) in size
Sized such that the head is between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches (between 25 and 35 mm) from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head. View the Photo Composition Template for more size requirement details.
Taken within the last 6 months to reflect your current appearance
Taken in front of a plain white or off-white background
Taken in full-face view directly facing the camera
With a neutral facial expression and both eyes open.
For additional information please visit: www.travel.state.gov
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A PASSPORT AND A TRAVEL VISA?
A passport is an official government document that certifies one's identity and citizenship. The passport serves two purposes: to regain entry to the country of citizenship (i.e. the United States) and is a requirement by many countries to gain entry to the country you are visiting. A travel visa is an official government document that temporarily authorizes you to be in the country you are visiting. Many countries require a visa to gain entry. The visa usually is in the form of a stamp or sticker placed in the passport and is obtained from the country you are visiting.
Visas & Passports – Depending on your destination some countries require both visa and a passport.
You can obtain information on visas and passports at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel.html
Quick highlights of countries that do not require visas for U.S. citizens
It is also important to note that we do not allow third-party behavioral tracking
Argentina
Aruba
Bahamas
Barbados
Belgium
Belize
Bermuda
Botswana
Canada
Chile
Colombia
Costa Rica
Croatia
Denmark
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Costa Rica
Croatia
Denmark
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
Fiji
Finland
Germany
Greece
Grenada
Guatemala
Guyana
Haiti
Honduras
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Malaysia
Malta
Marshall Islands
Mauritius
Mexico
Morocco
Namibia
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Peru
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Senegal
Singapore
South Africa
Spain
St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Sweden
Switzerland
Thailand- Visa only required if you stay
longer than 30 days
Trinidad & Tobago
United Kingdom
QUICK TRAVEL CHECKLIST
PACK YOUR PASSPORT AND/ OR VISA. MAKE SURE THESE DOCUMENTS ARE NOT EXPIRED
Before you depart for your trip, take a photocopy of your passport and/or visa. Once you arrive at your destination, make sure you lock up your passport and/or visa and carry around your photocopies instead.
- PRINT A COPY OF YOUR TRIP DETAILS OR ITINERARY
Along with printing out a copy of your trip itinerary, be sure to check the weather conditions one (1) or two (2) days before your trip..
- EXCHANGE YOUR MONEY
For international travel, it is recommended you exchange your money for the local currency. You can negotiate and bargain better with local dollars. You can visit https://www.xe.com/ to view daily conversion rates. It is also recommended you have a separate travel ATM debit card to avoid fraud to your bank account.
- PACK BUG REPELLENT, MINI FIRST AID KIT, IMMUNIZATION MEDICINE, AND PACK YOUR PRESCRIBED MEDICINE
Before you depart for your trip, take a photocopy of your passport and/or visa. Once you arrive at your destination, make sure you lock up your passport and/or visa and carry around your photocopies instead.
- THINGS TO PACK IN YOUR CARRY-ON BAG
Include an extra outfit, pajamas, toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, medications, and light jacket on your carry-on bag in case of a mishap and you do not have your luggage when you arrive at your destination. A travel pillow and blanket for long flights, a good book, snacks, and a mobile device that can play music and movies.
- DON'T FORGET TO PACK THESE ITEMS
Towels, shampoo, lotion, toothpaste, toothbrush, floss, outlet converter, mobile phone, phone charger, batteries, cameras, contact lenses, glasses, sunglasses, sunscreen, hand sanitizer, antibacterial wipes, comb, brush, razor, shaving cream, slippers, flip flops, make-up, and personal hygiene items.