Traveling is usually an exciting activity that we look forward to. Preparing for the adventure, however, is probably not as glamorous. Packing can lead many travelers to stress out. An easy fix to this could be coming up with a checklist of common items that you need when you travel. Although we aren’t sure how many sweaters or pairs of shoes you’ll want on your next get away, we’ve come up with a list of some common travel documents you most likely won’t want to forget on the kitchen table.

Copies, Copies, Copies!

Fun is usually the main priority on vacation, so keeping track of every document might fall by the wayside. It can be a great idea to make duplicates of all original documents. Losing something important and not having a copy to fall back on can be extremely frustrating. Having a copy adds only a few minutes of preparation for this journey, but could save hours of unnecessary stress.

A Valid Form of ID

You will most likely need a valid form of ID in order to check-in to many of your travel arrangements, most notably the airport. Common types of identification that are accepted by TSA are a driver’s license (with REAL ID certification), a passport or a passport card. With regards to domestic travel, most of the time a valid driver’s license will be enough to get you on your way. However, for international travel, taking your passport/passport card with you is important. Depending on your situation, other forms of identification can be acceptable, such as a permanent residence card. For a list of acceptable identification, please visit the TSA website.

Confirmation Documents

Planning a trip usually requires booking a lot more than just transportation to the destination. Think about printing confirmation emails for both transportation and lodging reservations that you have made, along with any excursions or activities. Although you may have great service all over the world, even our devices can fail us or simply run out of battery! Even though these emails might come with content that can be scanned right from your mobile device, it might be easier for the scanner to read a piece of paper. Plus, having a paper version of these documents can help provide ease of mind in case something happens to your wireless connection.

Visa Documents

A paper copy of your visa can also be a good idea when traveling internationally (that is, if your destination requires a visa). Some countries have electronic visas nowadays, but as stated above, it can be beneficial to bring a paper version in case the wireless internet is down for example or there is a mishap with one of the electronic devices.

Travel Protection Plan Documents

Most of us hope our travel plans go off without a hitch. But sometimes this isn’t the case. Consider purchasing Travel Protection, which can help protect your trip. If you purchase a plan, it may be a good idea to print the plan documents so you can refer to them if need be. Our plan documents contain important contact information for both insurance and non-insurance services that may come in handy. No matter what the situation, you can be prepared to review your plan documents for additional details or contact information, should something go awry.

Miscellaneous

Trips can have different needs when it comes to documentation. Some other common travel documents/necessities may include:

• International driver’s license—if you plan on driving abroad
• Maps— In case you don’t have a phone or GPS to use
• Emergency contact information—i.e. U.S. embassy information & important numbers at home
• A printed version of your itinerary

Regardless of what travel documents you need for your next trip, try keeping these documents in a safe place that is accessible during your travels. And if you took our advice on making copies, try putting them in a few different places in the event one of your bags go missing.

Hopefully you feel more comfortable when you think of packing for your next trip. We hope this travel document checklist at least helps to lighten the load. Help protect your travel plans not only with these tips, but also with a travel protection plan. Talk to your travel advisor today or visit https://www.travelinsured.com/.

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