Planning a holiday? Add these 7 essential points to your travel checklist before your next flight out.
The year-end season is upon us and you know what that means: holidays. As everyone gets into the mood for a well-deserved break, it can be easy to get caught up in the frenzy of hunting for the best flights and planning your vacay looks. (Instagram or it didn’t happen, amirite?) Amidst all the excitement, don’t forget the key things to check before your trip. Here’s the ultimate travel checklist of all the practical essentials – save this list and thank us later!
1. First off, check your passport’s validity
Yes, it seems like this goes without saying. But with travel on hold over the past few years, some of us might be holding on to an expired or soon-to-be expired passport. So let this be your sign to flip through the pages to take a peek at the expiry date, just in case.
2. Covid’s here to stay: what are the rules of your vacay?
It’s sad but true: Covid isn’t going anywhere. So be sure to check if your travel destination requires a certain level of vaccination and/ or a negative PCR test before you fly.
Look up the restrictions of the places you’re visiting in that country too. Sometimes, your flight may not require a PCR test result, but certain tourist attractions on your itinerary might – you don’t wanna be caught off guard when you arrive! (True story.)
And don’t forget to look up the mask policy. Do you need to wear a mask at some places or not at all? Stash a mask or two in your bag accordingly.
3. Better safe than sorry, so get yourself insured
Yes, insurance matters. It’s one of those things that you won’t notice when everything goes according to plan. But when there’s missing luggage or an accidental fall, you’ll be glad you got insurance before embarking on your adventure.
For a quick and convenient option, did you know you can purchase travel insurance through the Grab Superapp? Simply pull up the app on your phone and navigate to the ’Travel’ tile. From there, just scroll to ‘Travel Cover’ and click through to get started. Fill in your details and you’ll get a quote instantly.
We like how affordable Travel Cover is – premiums start from as low as $3.90 per day! Plus, you get an additional 40% off till 31 December 2022 when you spend a minimum of $30, capped at $20. (Promotion terms and conditions apply.) It covers up to $200,000 for overseas medical expenses, hospital confinement benefits, quarantine allowances, travel delays, baggage delays, and travel cancellation or curtailment. That should be more than enough for worry-free coverage!
4. Where’s your visa? Don’t put off applying in advance
Make checking your visa a key step on your travel checklist. Don’t plan your trip without researching on the visa rules first, lest your excitement goes to waste. If the country you’re jetting off to requires one, apply for it as soon as you’re certain about the destination – you’ll never know how long the approval process will take.
5. Your in-flight comfort depends on your carry-on
What’s in your bag? The contents of your carry-on is the key to a comfortable flight, especially if you’re on a long-haul journey and don’t have the benefits of a first class seat. Small things matter: having a neck pillow for red eye flights and a pair of cosy socks for cold temperatures can make all the difference.
Don’t forget the necessities for your usual bedtime and morning routine like a face wash, a toothbrush and toothpaste, and perhaps even a change of clothes for a long flight. Sleep tip: if you tend to find snoozing onboard a challenge, melatonin supplements can help. For flights where meals aren’t served, pack a few energy bars if you’re a serial snacker – you don’t wanna land at your destination all ‘hangry’!
6. No need to pack a pharmacy, but bag the essential meds
It’s not the most glamorous part of packing, but don’t miss out on the practical items like meds. This is your reminder to pack the essentials for any allergies and chronic ailments. Plus, bag some flu meds – they’ll be a godsend when you’re running a temperature out of the blue. There’s no need to dedicate a whole lotta bag space for pills, but it’s a good idea to pack enough to tide you over for a day.
7. Rain or shine? Pack and plan with the weather in mind
Most people remember to check the season when planning their itinerary. (If you’re still clueless about what season your destination country is in, get Googling!) But don’t forget to check the weather too.
Knowing if it’s going to be sunny or storming prompts you to think of solutions in case activities can’t go according to plan. (Booked a hike on a potentially rainy day? Move things around in your itinerary or have a plan B.) And it’s also crucial information to know before packing your luggage. (Do you need to bring an umbrella to Bali in August? Probably not.)
Ticked off all the things on this travel checklist? Now that the practical stuff’s done, it’s onto the fun. Bon voyage!
