{"id":3325,"date":"2014-03-19T14:53:14","date_gmt":"2014-03-19T18:53:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.parksleepfly.com\/blog\/?p=3325"},"modified":"2025-03-12T10:05:56","modified_gmt":"2025-03-12T14:05:56","slug":"a-practical-pre-travel-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/parksleepfly.com\/blog\/a-practical-pre-travel-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"A Practical Pre-Travel Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"

Whether you\u2019re a traveling aficionado or a first-timer, everyone can use a few extra pointers before packing their bags and heading out.<\/p>\n

If you have a major trip on the horizon, this practical pre-travel guide — which can be marked off over the course of several months — can help get you ready gradually. That way, you won\u2019t be making a mad rush in the final days before your trip, and you won\u2019t risk overlooking something important.<\/p>\n

\"ParkSleepFly<\/a>Three or More Months <\/b><\/p>\n

Three months might seem like a long ways away, but there are several important tasks to tackle at this point.<\/p>\n

For one, if you\u2019re heading out of the country, you\u2019ll need to procure a passport. All told, it can take anywhere from three to six weeks (you can reach the shorter end by paying for expedited service). And if you already have a passport, you might need to get it renewed depending on which country you\u2019re visiting — some countries require your passport to have a certain number of months\u2019 worth of validity remaining to travel there.<\/p>\n

You\u2019ll also want to start pricing airfares and scouring the Internet for deals on lodging and transportation. One good tip is to set up alerts to have the best prices emailed instantly to your inbox.<\/p>\n

One Month
\n<\/b>With roughly a month to go, you\u2019ll want to figure out how you want to stay in touch with people while you\u2019re away.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re traveling internationally, using the hotel phone could put a real damper on your checking account. Instead, figure out whether your cell phone will be your trusty communicator. Talk with your mobile service provider about international plans for talk, text and even data; most providers allow you to purchase special packages for a month at a time, with varying prices depending on how much service you want and where you\u2019re traveling.<\/p>\n

If your phone isn\u2019t compatible overseas, don\u2019t panic! Vendors in other countries typically sell cheap prepaid phones that you can use to brag about your trip to family and friends back home.<\/p>\n

Two Weeks
\n<\/b>It might seem odd to pack so far ahead of your trip, and you\u2019ll be down a few outfit options for work, but you\u2019ll want to get your luggage sorted out ahead of time. Start by making a list of everything you need to bring. Then, pack things you won\u2019t need for the couple weeks until your trip, and add more items from the list as your trip nears.<\/p>\n

Not only will this keep packing from being a last-minute panic chore, but it will also give you time to think of anything you might have forgotten on your original list.<\/p>\n

One Week<\/b><\/p>\n

You don\u2019t want to come home to a crammed mailbox — or worse, an empty mailbox when someone gets wise that you\u2019re gone. Instead, visit your post office or go to USPS.com and put a hold on your mail until you return. You also can call your local newspaper\u2019s circulation office and put a hold on delivery.<\/p>\n

Also, call your bank and credit card companies to let them know when and where you are traveling. Credit card companies often interpret unannounced purchases overseas as potentially fraudulent purchases, so if you don\u2019t give someone the heads-up ahead of time, you could find yourself with a canceled credit card and facing a sudden tight spot in a foreign place.<\/p>\n

Lastly, make a copy of your passport and credit cards and leave it with an emergency contact. That way, you\u2019ve got help in a pinch should something go awry.<\/p>\n

One Night <\/b><\/p>\n

Now is the time to pack last-minute items that you\u2019ve needed up until the trip, such as toiletries, cell phone chargers and your laptop. Also set out your wallet, passport and ticket so you don\u2019t forget them.<\/p>\n

Have an early flight but not a morning person? We understand! Go ahead and leave your next-day clothes already laid out so all you have to worry about is guzzling coffee.<\/p>\n

Lastly, while you might be more excited than a kid at Christmastime, make sure you get some shuteye. Not only will it do wonders for your mood, but you\u2019ll also be a lot less likely to make mistakes that could derail your plans.<\/p>\n

Traveling abroad can be stressful and exciting at the same time, but this travel checklist should keep a lid on the former. Also, don\u2019t forget to spend the run-up to your trip brushing up on a bit of the language<\/a> before you go.<\/p>\n

While you\u2019re planning for you next trip, don\u2019t forget to reserve your airport parking with ParkSleepFly<\/a>!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Whether you\u2019re a traveling aficionado or a first-timer, everyone can use a few extra pointers before packing their bags and heading out. If you have a major trip on the horizon, this practical pre-travel guide — which can be marked off over the course of several months — can help get you ready gradually. That […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[686],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nA Practical Pre-Travel Guide<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"If you have a major trip on the horizon, this practical pre-travel guide -- which can be marked off over the course of several months -- can help get you ready gradually. 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