Before leaving
Enquire with the country of your destination about the entry requirements around two months prior to the trip in order to create sufficient time to have the necessary documentation arranged. For instance, South Africa usually expects you to have two blank and unstamped pages in your passport. It may take up to around two months to get your passport while a minimum of two months to successfully process a visa. Plan your travel clothing with security factors in mind. Avoid wearing heavy metallic items, jewelry and belt buckles. It is advisable to wear comfortable, form-fitting clothing and slip on shoes without laces. Pack your eyeglasses, change, keys, cell phones and jacket in your carryon bag before leaving home. Arrange for your tickets to be purchased, your flight seat selected online and your boarding-passes printed before you arrive at the airport. Make sure that you arrive early enough for the flight.
Carry on items
You should only pack items that you will need on-board on the carryon bags. Pack other items on the checked bag to ensure that the carryon bag is as small as possible. In case you are bringing your entire luggage on-board, place your liquids in 3oz containers and pack them in a clear quart size zip-lock bag. Confirm travel fees and baggage information from your airline. Make sure you have carried maps, electronics, foreign currency, traveller’s checks, medication, travel documents and other valuables. Some of the on board necessities include contact lenses, extra glasses, tissues, wet wipes, reading materials, small toothpaste tube, tooth brush and an empty water bottle (it can be filled at the airport’s water-fountain before boarding). Personal items like snacks, gums, mints and moisturizing are also good. Include a jacket, pair of clean slipper socks or sweater for in flight comfort.
Checked luggage items
It is advisable to pack light things and in layers for your own convenience. Select a color palette of two complimentary-colors to mix and match your outfits. Include undergarments, jackets, sweaters, evening wear, walking shoes, rain gear, outwear, tops, skirts, sleepwear and pants. If the country you are travelling to is warm, carry sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, flip-flops, a cover up and two bathing suits. Include toiletry items like razors, shaving cream, soap, conditioner and shampoo. To make your load lighter, purchase these items from the hotel. Check in advance whether your hotel has a hairdryer in the room. Don’t forget currency converters, pack of chargers, electric razors, curling irons and hair straighteners.
Paper-work
Carry the relevant documentation for travel such as visa, passport, ticket, luggage claim and photo identification tags. Include your itinerary in your carryon bag. Other essential documents include proof of travel insurance such as a Good2Go travel checklist, land transportation reservations as well as hotel information and confirmation number. Place rental car information in an external pocket for easy retrieval.