Traveling by car: what to do before the trip and take with you? What to take on a trip. List of required items and fees

What should you do before traveling to Europe?

1. Make sure your passport is valid

If you're planning on traveling this summer, now is the time to find your passport and make sure it's not expired. Remember that according to the laws of many countries, a tourist's passport must be valid for at least six months (in some countries - only three months) before they will grant entry into their country. And it doesn't matter how many days you're going to spend there; you will be denied entry if there are less than six months left until your passport expires.

2. Light luggage or what you don’t need to take with you

One of the main mottos of a traveler is to travel lightly. Believe me, this option will make your trip much easier. No need to pack huge suitcases a large number unnecessary things, especially when you are going to leave for just a few days. Hit the brakes in time!

Advantages of traveling lightly:

  • don't pay for luggage,
  • no need to be at the airport several hours before the flight,
  • no need to stand in long lines for luggage,
  • you will never lose your suitcase,
  • you do not need to pay for luggage transportation by transport.

All you need to take is a large clothes bag with other small items that can be stored in convenient pockets. Remember that you will probably find a place where you can wash your clothes, and that is why there is no point in taking a large number of them. Well, of course, unless you want to show off your wardrobe to the locals.

3. Bring an extra bag

If you intend to go shopping, then take another bag with you, but thinner and lighter. Thus, on the way back, you can check your suitcase, that is, a large bag, as luggage, and take an additional bag with you as your hand luggage.

TIP: If you buy expensive things, then you should take the bag with them as carry-on luggage, and check in anything minor as checked luggage.


4. How to sleep on a plane or get used to the routine

Agree, it is quite difficult to immediately get used to a new time zone. To adjust your biorhythm to new way, it is necessary to begin the process long before the flight. Set your watch to the new time right away in your country. If this does not affect your regime in any way yet, then psychologically you will definitely be ready for it. Try to sleep and wake up for several days in accordance with the schedule or time zone that is accepted in the country you are going to visit. If the plane departs at night, try to overcome sleep upon arrival. If possible, stay awake until at least 10 pm local time.

5. Call the bank

Alert your bank that you are traveling to another country. You can even name the route and time of your stay abroad. For security reasons, the bank may temporarily block your credit card.

NOTE: To block a card, it is better to call the bank yourself. Very often the online support service on the bank’s website does not respond or does not provide such services virtually.


6. Make payments in local currency

Overseas stores quite often offer you to pay for the goods with your credit card with the currency of your country. Never do this! If similar form payment is very convenient, then for this convenience you will need to pay huge interest, or rather, for converting currency into local currency. Added to this type of “fraud” is the daily currency exchange rate. It turns out that the purchased item costs you exorbitantly. So, remember that you must pay for a product or service in the currency that is accepted in the country where you are!

7. Download Google Maps and Google Translate apps

In a foreign country, you very often find yourself in a situation where you simply don’t understand what the other person is asking you about. And even if you visit very often different countries, this does not guarantee availability minimal knowledge foreign languages. If you can somehow cope with English, then in China you will definitely not get out of an uncomfortable situation. In this case, you need to connect to a technological innovation like Google Translate. This application can be downloaded for free and has the ability to translate into 90 languages ​​at once. The program is integrated with the Word Lens application, which allows the traveler to translate any printed text using the phone’s camera, including road signs, signs in museums, and menus in restaurants. ... And all this without an Internet connection. Well, well Google Maps will become faithful assistant for orientation in the area.


Of course, it is simply impossible to take everything into account. But every traveler, getting ready for a trip, certainly asks the question - what you need to know before the trip. This happens because everyone is trying to prepare as much as possible, trying to reduce the negative effects of travel. And this is the first thing you need to know - there will still be negativity.

After all, any trip, even one that a person has dreamed about all his life, is a way out of his comfort zone, out of his usual shell. Therefore, when getting ready to travel, you need to be prepared for difficulties and understand that they are just a trifle that should not become an obstacle to bright impressions.

What else you need to know before your trip:

  1. Weather forecast. Of course, weather forecasters do not always give precise instructions, but you need to listen to their recommendations. This will help you pack your bags, roughly think through your program for the coming days, and navigate the climate.
  2. Local time. For long-distance travel, you need to try to get into the local life routine in advance.
  3. Phone numbers of relatives and friends. Alas, in the turmoil, it is quite easy to lose, break or completely discharge your phone. To prevent this from causing hysteria among people who are worried about their traveler, it is worth memorizing a couple of important numbers.
  4. Exchange rates. Useful for traveling abroad.
  5. Rules of conduct. On a bus, in a country, in a city, in a hotel - when going somewhere, we are always guests, so we need to behave accordingly.
  6. Taxi numbers and hotel address at your destination. It will help you find your way immediately upon arrival.

It is also advisable to have at least a rough knowledge of the geography of the place that is your destination. This will help you navigate the area and measure time and distance.

What else you need to know when planning a trip

Besides necessary information There is other knowledge that will help make the trip more comfortable. For example, the ability to charge gadgets. Thus, many modern buses have charging sockets. In others, you can negotiate with the driver about charging through the cigarette lighter. You should find out this information right away.

So, for the first time in your life you decided to go to serious vacation to another country, you are overwhelmed with emotions. It is important to understand that traveling in another country is not at all the same as traveling to another city in your own country. As you prepare for your trip, here are a few details that will help you have a great rest. For example, you are going to a country that you have long dreamed of, you have with you sunscreen and your favorite swimsuit. You fly for ten hours and find yourself at passport control, which you do not pass due to visa problems! This matter should have been taken care of in advance! In some countries a visa is not required, but it is worth checking all this in advance. In some cases, it is enough to simply pay for the visa on the spot; in others, you need to prepare large number documents in advance. In addition, it is important to keep an eye on the date on your passport - if it is not valid after a few months, you may not be able to enter the country either. Keep an eye on such details to avoid any problems.

Make a copy of your passport

Nobody wants to face this situation: you are walking along the beautiful streets of a new city, admiring the views, and then arrive at the hotel and discover that you don’t have your passport in your pocket. A lost or stolen passport in a foreign country is serious problem. Think through everything in advance, keep copies of your passport and visa pages with you - in this case, you can always leave your passport at the hotel. You don't have to worry about the security of your documents. In many countries you are not allowed to walk on the streets without an ID, but with a copy you won't have to worry about that.

Contact your bank before leaving

Banks monitor the status of cards and monitor suspicious activity. If you suddenly start withdrawing money in another country, it is possible that the bank will decide to block your account in case your card is stolen. You should avoid this situation by contacting the bank in advance and warning them that you will be away. As a result, you won't have to deal with the embarrassment of sitting in a restaurant and not being able to pay for your dinner. Be sure to remember this - taking precautions is much easier than dealing with a problem that arises on the road.

Buy a charger adapter

When you find yourself in another country, you may immediately notice that the outlets look different there. The problem can be easily solved - you should purchase an adapter in advance. Choose a universal one that will be suitable for any country - in this case, you won’t have to look for it on future trips another device. This will be very convenient when you travel around Europe and stop in Switzerland - the sockets there are completely different from others! Also monitor the voltage in the network - it may differ from what you are used to. Your laptop or phone can adapt, but a hair dryer can break. In this case, you will also need a transformer. On the one hand, it is quite heavy and bulky. If you are traveling for a short time, you can simply not take extra devices - on vacation you can limit yourself to a more relaxed packing. Think about all this in advance so that nothing later overshadows your vacation and does not distract you from new experiences.

Get insured

So, you are in Egypt. Wonderful! Suddenly you fall off the camel! You find yourself in the hospital! If you're traveling abroad, you'll definitely want to know how to insure yourself in case you need to medical care. Otherwise you will have to pay a huge check. Typically, travel insurance is quite inexpensive, so you shouldn’t even think about such a purchase. You will never regret taking care of own health in advance.

Reserve your tickets

When planning your itinerary, keep in mind that lines at popular museums are very long, especially during the summer months. Train tickets are selling fast. Visiting an expensive restaurant also requires attention in advance. Buy tickets online. This way you can save a lot of time, and in some cases also money.

Review baggage size and weight requirements

If you're planning a trip for a long time, it's easy to get carried away with packing. Twenty days require twenty outfits! And who wants to wash socks in a hotel sink when you can just take more? Stop and think. If you take too much, you could make a serious mistake. Many airlines have certain restrictions on the weight of luggage; if you exceed the limit, you will have to pay a significant additional amount. Check all this in advance and plan your luggage carefully so that there are no problems with it. This will protect you from stress and unnecessary expenses - don't ruin your vacation from the very beginning!

A trip to the beach or a mountain climb is guaranteed to give you wonderful vacation memories. Except when the beach or mountain is in a war zone. Before you go to a distant exotic country, learn about the safety rules there. Are there any nuances? Do you need to dress a certain way or behave differently than you are used to so as not to offend or provoke the locals? Take care of your safety, read this information in advance - it will seriously help you during your trip.

Learn basic foreign language phrases

Even if you speak good English, you may have problems in Vietnam. To do this, it is important to learn at least a few simple phrases in the language of the country you are traveling to. This will help you connect with locals. No one expects you to speak Cambodian fluently. However, being able to say hello and ask for water will seriously help you out. Write down the basic phrases and try to remember them; if the language is too difficult, at least carry a card with you on which all the basic information is written down. You definitely won’t regret taking care of the opportunity to talk with others in advance - this will probably come in handy more than once during your trip.

Few people like to pack their bags, even if they have to exciting journey. Start preparing for your trip in advance; there are things that should not be done the night before departure. These include: design bank cards, buying currency, choosing an international communication tariff, copying documents, washing clothes, buying medicine. Make a list of things and pack them properly. Act according to plan and then you will have time to do everything and will not forget anything.

We pack our suitcase. List of necessary things

List of things you need for your trip

To maintain lists, there are ready-made interactive tables with standard options; you can create your own Excel table and save it on your computer or use mobile application. I write lists by hand on A4 sheet, mark what I have collected with pluses, and cross out what is unnecessary. Do what is convenient for you, the main thing is that you can not only look at your list, but also interact with it. A well-written list will come in handy on every trip. I have two basic lists: summer and winter, there are not many differences in them, because... The principle is the same - all things are divided into categories.

Documents and money

It is better to keep money and documents separately. When traveling, it is convenient to have a hip purse or pocket-wallet, which hangs around the neck and is not considered a separate piece of hand luggage.

  • International passports. Save copies of all passports on a virtual disk (Yandex, Google), you can make photocopies. There is no need to take a Russian passport when traveling abroad
  • Medical insurance (can be in electronic form)
  • Flights. Print boarding passes for online check-in
  • Driving license, international driver's license. If you are driving your own car: documents for the car, green card insurance
  • Hotel reservations, confirmation of apartments and other types of accommodation
  • Your notes: route, phone numbers, addresses, contacts
  • Money for credit cards, cash in rubles and foreign currency. Divide into several parts and put in different places

Medicines

At chronic diseases take the medications your doctor prescribed for you.

  • For headaches
  • Painkillers
  • For indigestion
  • For spasms
  • Aspirin
  • Germicidal patch
  • Chapstick

Personal hygiene items

Not worth taking large packages, they weigh a lot and can leak in luggage. If you run out of any cleaning supplies, you can always buy them locally.

  • Toothbrushes and toothpaste
  • Razor and shaving products
  • Comb
  • Wet wipes and disposable handkerchiefs
  • Shampoo, shower gel, soap. Give preference to 2-in-1 products and single-use packaging. Keep in mind that most hotels will have this all in the room
  • Deodorant
  • Manicure accessories (file, scissors). Get a manicure, pedicure and other treatments before your trip
  • Decorative cosmetics. Lipstick/lipgloss, long-lasting mascara, small mirror
  • Hairpins, hair bands
  • Creams that you use in small quantities. Sun cream

Technique

Before traveling, check and charge all devices and clear memory. Don't forget to take chargers, extra batteries, rechargeable batteries and adapters. To protect your mobile phone and other important things from moisture, there are waterproof cases.

  • Mobile phone. Set up a favorable tariff plan for the duration of your trip.
  • Camera/video camera with memory card
  • Laptop, tablet (if you need them)
  • When traveling by car, a navigator with loaded maps. Can be replaced with a tablet or smartphone
  • Hairdryer (if the hotel does not have one and you use it)

Cloth

Take complementary items: several T-shirts with one pair of trousers and shorts. One hat, one pair of outdoor shoes, a jacket, sweater, etc. Give preference to comfortable clothes, do not wear high heels, evening dresses and jewelry. Leave room in your suitcase for shopping.

  • Several shifts underwear
  • Headwear according to the season
  • Outdoor shoes and slippers. Don't buy a new pair that hasn't been worn yet; it can rub your feet. In the cold season, it is very important that your shoes do not get wet; treat them with a special product
  • Swimsuit or swimming trunks for beach holiday, visiting the pool or sauna

Other

Things that do not fall into the category, for example:

  • Umbrella
  • Corkscrew
  • Wrist watch
  • Small souvenirs for new friends
  • Guide
  • Toothpicks
  • Folding knife

Fees

When all things are laid out, you can start collecting them. Divide your things into 2 parts: what you will carry with you (carry-on luggage) and what you will check in as luggage.

Suitcase You should never hammer it all the way. Firstly, you may be overweight (most airlines have a baggage allowance of up to 20 kg). Secondly, it will be inconvenient for you to look for your things or get them at the request of a customs officer. Thirdly, you will not have room for souvenirs and other purchases.

Pack all liquids in tight bags, distribute clothes, shoes and other contents evenly; most suitcases have a special pocket for underwear. Many people advise rolling clothes, I fold them in a pile, filling the gaps with hosiery. Organizer covers help you neatly place and protect items inside your suitcase. Place a foldable bag with a zipper on top; if you are overweight, you can put some things into it and then use it for going to the beach or shopping.

There are always things that need to be packed at the last minute: house keys, phone, food for the road. Mark them separately on your list so you don't forget. To protect your suitcase from dirt and mechanical damage You can wrap it with film or buy a beautiful cover, with which your suitcase will be visible on the luggage belt.

Take a list of the things you packed with you, it will help you not to forget anything on the way back.

Are you traveling?

Check your debts online and pay off your debt at least 2 weeks before departure.

Traveling by car is becoming increasingly popular. Having your own transport allows you to be more mobile and visit more places. However, when going on vacation by car, you need to be well prepared. Careful planning will ensure you have a worry-free holiday. What do you need to remember when going on a trip by car?

What to do before your trip

Check the car

If there is a technical inspection coming up soon, it is better to do it before the trip. If you've had your inspection recently, it's still worth stopping by at a car repair shop before you go on a trip. This way you will be sure that everything is in order with the car. And if malfunctions are detected, of course, they should be eliminated. Be sure to check the tire pressure and oil level. Bring an extra bottle of motor oil with you.

Check the documents

ID card, driver's license, registration certificate vehicle, a green insurance card - you should definitely have all this with you.

Check your navigator

Check if your software is outdated. If necessary, install a new one.

What to take with you

Security package

Check to see if the car has a first aid kit, the tool that came with the car, tire sealant and a warning triangle, and a warning vest. Please note that in some EU countries, for example, in Austria and Bulgaria, they require not one vest per car, but one vest for each passenger. It is important that all these items are not located under the suitcases, but so that they can be easily reached. Be sure to take spare car keys with you.

Spare phone

Your mobile phone may break down and its battery may run out, so it is better to have a spare phone and several chargers with you.

Payment means

Many countries have toll roads, so find out in advance how much it will cost you and how you can pay for it.

Glasses

If you have vision problems, it is obvious that you will not forget to take your glasses with you. However, they can break or get lost along the way, so it is better to have spare ones. In Spain this is a mandatory rule.

Maps and dictionaries

Technology can let you down, and it’s not always possible to connect to the Internet. Therefore, it is better to have a dictionary with you if you do not know the language of the country you are in. It is also better to read as much as possible about the country you are traveling to in advance to learn about local customs and traditions.

Pet documents

If you take your pet with you, you need to take its documents as well. The animal must also be microchipped. Outside the EU also required international document vaccination and certificate of vaccination against rabies.

Traveling by car: what to do before the trip and take with you? updated: September 30, 2018 by: Victoria Kholodenina