International Trip Planning Checklist: Documents, Currency and Route

Traveling abroad adds a few extra things to plan: documents, currencies and moving between cities. Here's a checklist to work through well before you go.

Check your passport dates

Many countries expect your passport to be valid for a period after your trip, often several months. Check your passport's expiry date against your return date as soon as you start planning, because renewals can take time. Always confirm the current rules for every country you're visiting with official government sources.

Gather your documents

Depending on where you're going, you may need some of these:

• Visa or entry authorization
• Travel insurance details
• Health forms or vaccination records
• Copies of your passport and bookings
• Driving permit, if you plan to drive

Requirements change, so check official sources for each destination.

Map your route

For multi-city trips, list each stop with its dates and number of nights. It helps you spot days lost to travel and makes booking lodging much easier.

Budget in more than one currency

Prices abroad are in local currency, but you'll want to know the total in your home currency. Record each expense in the currency you paid, with the exchange rate you used, and convert it to your home currency for the total.

Track costs per person

If you're traveling with others, per-person costs make it easier to compare options and settle up later.

Pack for the trip, not for every possibility

A packing list keeps you from forgetting adapters and medication, and from overpacking everything else.

Count down

A countdown is half the fun.

Our International Trip Planner includes a multi-city route, multi-currency expenses that convert to your home currency (with rates you enter), a passport check that flags expiry within 6 months of your return, a documents checklist and a packing list.