The Must-Have International Travel Document Checklist (with Printable)
As many of us are now booking our international travel online, it is up to us to ensure we have the correct travel documentation. If you use a travel agent they should be directing you to have the correct documents – but ultimately it is still up to you to have the right international travel documents. This travel document checklist will ensure you are prepared for your trip.
A travel document is defined as “an identity document issued by a government or international treaty organization to facilitate the movement of individuals or small groups of persons across international boundaries, such as a passport.” Source: Your Dictionary
But really there are many more different types of travel documents to take when travelling abroad. So let’s look at all the documents required for an overseas trip.
In this List of Travel Documents You Will Learn About:
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The Travel Document Checklist
Passport, Visas and Entry Requirements for International Travel
Passport
The absolute essential document needed to travel abroad is a VALID passport. That means your passport must have:
- At least six months (this can change according to country) validity from your return date
- Sufficient blank pages to be stamped and visas added
- Your passport name should match your ticket name
- Go to passports.gov.au for more passport tips
- If you are separated, divorced or your children have different surnames than you, take copies of:
- Documentation or letter from the absent parent authorising you to take your child
- Separation, divorce or custody decree papers
- Court order granting guardianship of the child
- Birth certificates
Visit your destination’s country embassy website to ensure you have the correct validity and sufficient amount of blank pages.
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Visas
Whilst on the embassy website check out if a visa is required. Do the visas need to be obtained prior to departure or can it be purchased on arrival?
Top Trip Tips
Obtaining Visas
- Purchase your visa through the embassy website. DO NOT use another source, as your visa could be fake or at the very least cost you more
- If purchasing your visa on arrival ensure to have the correct currency and the correct amount
- If travelling with kids, check the entry requirements if your child is on a parent’s passport (that is not using their own passport)
Entry Requirements
Whilst still on the embassy website double check any further entry requirements.
- Take note of any embargos (countries not recommended for travel)
If there is an embargo you can still visit the country, however, your travel insurance may not cover you.
Tickets, Itineraries, Vouchers and More
Preparing Travel Documents
Finally before exiting the embassy website find out if you need vaccinations. If so you will need to take a copy of your International Certificate of Vaccination. While we are on the topic of health if you need to pack prescription medication ensure you have a letter from your doctor or the very least a copy of your script showing your need to be bringing in the medication.
Print all copies of your airline tickets and ensure the names are spelt the same as on your passports. It is always best to have a hard copy of tickets as the internet may be down or your phone may be out of charge as you try to produce them at the check-in counter.
Do the same for any vouchers of accommodation, transfers and tours.
If you are planning to hire a car or motorbike you should obtain an International Driver’s License. Even if the vehicle supplier says, “no license required” you may find that should you be involved in an accident and require medical assistant your travel insurance may refuse payment. You will also need to take your actual driver’s license.
If you are a student, take your student ID this will enable you to obtain an entry discount to places like museums and adventure parks.
I like to pop this list of travel documents into a plastic document wallet and then into my hand luggage.
Money
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I have a detailed post on how to access travel money when overseas HERE. But basically you need to:
- Take a small amount of the country’s currency you are travelling into
- Take small notes to purchase tickets for trains, buses and taxis needed on arrival
- Ensure you retain enough local currency to pay any departure taxes on leaving the country
- Take a credit or debit card with your own money deposited into the account
- If you take money out on credit you will incur high-interest charges
- Most importantly advise your bank that you are travelling overseas with the country and dates. This will help to ensure your credit card does not get blocked due to sudden international transactions.
Get travel insurance!!!
I’ve mentioned travel insurance several times and I cannot stress this enough – get travel insurance.
No matter how detailed you travel plans are, there is always a chance that something can go wrong. This is why getting travel insurance is essential! Travel insurance can assist you and your family in situations such as a medical emergency, lost or stolen luggage or sudden cancellations to your travel plans.
It is also better to get this sooner rather than later. Travel insurance applies from the moment it is purchased. Therefore if unforeseen circumstances happen and you have to change your travel plans then you are covered.
When you travel as a family make sure you have insurance that will cover you in emergency situations, including medical, travel cancellations and lost or stolen luggage. Learn more in these six reasons why you need travel insurance
Take the time to compare travel insurance policies to make sure you get a level of cover that is right for you and your travel party.
Photocopies
Earlier I asked you to print three copies of your travel documents tickets and vouchers. You will also want to photocopy your passport, “which pages?” you ask. Just the one page of your picture and details. Also a copy your driver’s license, international license, student card, credit card and travel insurance. I also add in my Australian Medicare Card (as there is reciprocal cover in some countries) and my private health insurance card.
I place the itinerary in the front pocket of my suitcase; if one is not available place them on the top of your packed luggage. This will help if your airline luggage tag falls off during transit. Airline staff will look for any means of identification and where the bag should be going. The itinerary provides not only a name but also the destination of the bag.
The remaining photocopied travel documents are placed in my suitcase if you have internal pockets in your bag, that’s perfect. You just want somewhere that they are easy to access and stay neat. These are only needed if you lose (or stolen) your travel documents.
As you can see there are quite a few different types of documents required to travel, so why not grab a copy of the free printable travel document checklist, so you don’t forget a thing.
Get More Travel Planning Tips
- Learn how to save up for travel
- Getting started with planning a trip
- How to research a trip
- How to book a trip
- The ultimate trip packing list
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