Essential Travel Document Checklist for Hassle-Free Trips

Posted on: Sep 29, 2023 | 3 mins | Written by: HDFC ERGO Team

Essential Travel Document Checklist for Hassle-Free Trips

There might be not many people who do not like to travel. Travel is the ideal way to spend time with your family and also it works like therapy away from the daily routine of life. Domestic trips are always fun but the excitement to explore a new country is something different. Intentional trips are more of planning and there are some documents which you need to have to be able to travel without an issue. Forgetting any of these important documents can cause issues. Many regular travellers also forget travel docs because of the ever-changing rules. This is where travel insurance plays a crucial role. To ensure a worry-free adventure, it's essential to be well-informed about the necessary travel documents and consider the peace of mind that travel insurance can provide. If you are confused which all the travel documents you must carry, we have the perfect checklist for you to make life easy.

List of essential travel documents

As there are many travel docs that you can carry, it is important to know the important travel documents to ensure you do not pack extra things but at the same time do not miss something important.

1. Passport and visa

There is no doubt that your passport is the most important of all the travel documents you need to carry on your trip abroad. No one is allowed to travel internationally without a valid passport. It is checked at many points before you get on to your flight. Always check the expiry date as you will not be allowed to travel if your passport has a validity of less than 6 months. If you do not have a passport, apply for it much before time as the processing time can vary.

Another essential document is your visa which is permission to travel to a country granted by the country. The visa can be stamped on your passport or can be an e-visa or also visa on arrival. There is always a list of documents and essential information that is needed for each type of visa. You should apply well in advance as the processing time can be long and might upset your schedule. If your visa is stamped or paper visa, always ensure you carry a copy of the visa with you and also mail the same to you.

2. Itinerary details and tickets

When you go for an international trip you need to book tickets for your flight and other transport within the country and also plan an itinerary. It is always advisable to have prints of these for your convenience. When you have prints, it is easy for you to check these for reference and you cannot go wrong. Also, having these is proof in case there is an issue. Some of these are mandatory to have when applying for a visa.

3. Driving permit

In some countries, you can travel using your driver's license and in some, you need an international driving permit. If you intend to hire a car and drive around on your holiday, always check the driving rules for the country and ensure you have a permit. Ensure you have the original else it might be difficult for you to drive around.

4. Vaccination certificate

Post-pandemic, there are constantly changing rules for border security. It is always advisable to carry your vaccination certificate because it can be checked at any time. Also, it is always advisable to check the list of vaccines that are accepted in the country you are intending to travel to and always compare your doses too. If by any chance, you are exempted from taking the vaccine, then you must carry the certificate from your doctor. The rules are different for every country and thus, it is advisable to always check before you travel. In case, you are not vaccinated, the rule generally is to have a negative covid test report.

5. Travel Insurance

International travel insurance is a must-have when you are travelling abroad and is more of a necessity in today's times. You can easily buy travel insurance online, but always check the coverage and the exclusions carefully. Some countries have a mandatory requirement to carry international travel insurance so you should ensure you have one with the needed sum insured. There is a choice of buying individual travel insurance or one for your family.

In the present times due to uncertainties and health issues, international travel insurance is a very important travel document. There are many options for coverage available and thus, always ensure you have the needed ones and do not unnecessarily pay for the ones you do not need.

Pre-trip checklist

Besides the above, there are more important travel docs that you need. Let us make a quick pre-trip checklist so that you can pack easily and not forget anything.

1. Passport

2. Visa

3. Tickets

4. Hotel reservation proof

5. Itinerary details

6. Travel Insurance

7. Driving permit

8. Foreign currency and cards

9. Covid vaccination or test results

10. Tickets for events you will attend

11. Copies of all identification documents

Travel tips and recommendations

Besides carrying all your important travel documents, it is always advisable to keep some important tips in mind to make sure you have a seamless travel experience. Following are our travel recommendations for you:

1. Keep your passport and visas safe and in good condition. You can carry a document pouch for easy carrying.

2. Always scan the passport and visa and send an email to yourself and someone in the family. If there is a loss of passport or anything else happens, you will have a scan for the authorities to help you. Loss of passport is covered in your international travel insurance and thus, always check for this.

3. Always carry copies of identification documents as these can be required at many points.

4. Carry a soft copy of all travel documents so that you always have a backup available.

5. Always read up and research about do's and don'ts for travelling to your destination. This will avoid any surprises and ensure you are prepared for everything.

Conclusion

When you think of a trip, you start thinking about what to pack and what to shop for your trip. While these are important and build up to the excitement, there is one thing which we often forget and these are your travel documents. When going for an international trip there are some important travel documents that are must-have and forgetting these can dampen your plans. Thus, ensure you check the checklist and follow it to ensure you have all travel docs that you would need to have a smooth and enjoyable trip. Once your trip is planned, remember to buy travel insurance online so that you can enjoy a hassle-free trip.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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