Comments on: Travel Checklist: 20 Things To Always Do Before You Go

By: Bavin

Bavin — Fri, 14 May 2021 17:24:26 +0000

Hey Marek,

Great checklist! I’ve travelled quite a bit but have never used a travel debit card. Seems like a great idea. I’m going to try it out for my next trip. I totally agree with you about setting up a back-up service. I too have heard stories from friends about losing their photos. Also your advice about preparing a good travel soundtrack resonates with me.

Keep up the good work!

By: Geoffrey

Geoffrey — Sat, 09 Jan 2021 19:49:59 +0000

Speaking of money, it’s a good idea to have 2-3 bank cards. That way, when the ATM on the wrong side of the world eats your card, you aren’t completely out of luck. Also, carry a little cash. Nothing crazy, but 100-200 USD or EUR is enough. After all, money talks, and if the ATM isn’t working, USD and EUR are the best currencies to hold or exchange around the world.

Oh, and unless you want to keep a few notes as a souvenir, spend your local currency before you leave that country. I still have a few Tunisian Dinars that no currency exchange desk wants to take off my hands!

By: Laidanian

Laidanian — Fri, 02 Nov 2018 17:11:49 +0000

Leave the stuff you don’t need is so true, you see some people with 100 pound packs on their back…. they probably end up regretting it

By: Iain b

Iain b — Sun, 19 Nov 2017 10:18:04 +0000

Hi Marek. I’m leaving it a little late before my trip, but which visas would you recommend getting before traveling to Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia?. I’m planning on getting a Thai visa asap as I’ll need the multi entry version because I’ll start and end my trip there. Do you think the rest are ok to do on the border?

Thanks, Iain

By: Patrick

Patrick — Mon, 06 Mar 2017 11:08:24 +0000

What an informative article. Easy to read too and very helpful to first-time backpackers. Thanks!

By: Dan Elson

Dan Elson — Tue, 03 May 2016 18:23:08 +0000

Really useful tips here. This is EXACTLY what I was trying to find when prepping for my 6 months backpacking trip in 2015!

Cos i couldn’t find it before I wrote a smiliar post on “What is in my backpack”. Maybe your readers might be more helpful tips on the items that would be useful for backpackers too! http://iamdanelson.com/what-is-in-my-backpack/

🙂

By: Marek

Marek — Tue, 19 Apr 2016 09:45:22 +0000

In reply to Jon Goodson.

Hey Jon. Many people do travel around SE asia without taking anti-malarials. For much of Southeast Asia the risk is low, and I personally wouldn’t worry too much about malaria prophylaxis unless venturing far off the beaten track (e.g. Borneo, New Guinea, or remote Laos). Places like coastal Vietnam or Lombok have a low malaria risk. It’s something to speak to your health advisor about though.

Rabies vaccination could be a good idea if you plan to go caving or trekking in remote areas. It can buy you some valuable time to get to a hospital in the very unlikely event. If you happen to be from the US, you probably shouldn’t bother with a rabies vaccination as it’s ridiculously expensive there (I’ve heard of prices upwards of $750 – though I may be wrong on this). My UK health advisor has never advised me to get a rabies shot based on any of my travel plans.

By: Jon Goodson

Jon Goodson — Mon, 18 Apr 2016 21:30:08 +0000

Hi Marek, I’m currently starting my travel plans hopefully to set off in January, starting Australia new Zealand and then onto Indonesia and up through Asia. I was just wondering what your view on the rabies vaccination and malaria tablets is? I know for certain islands in Indonesia such as bali it isn’t necessary to take them but it is when going across the water to lombok. And the same when travelling up the coast of Vietnam.
What would your suggestions be for taking them and are they good to purchase while on the road?

By: john

john — Mon, 04 Apr 2016 20:38:08 +0000

Take photos of all your credit cards passport numbers etc. e-mail to self. Create folder with trip name. You can also e-mail links to useful websites this way.

By: Brandon

Brandon — Fri, 11 Mar 2016 21:33:47 +0000

Great idea with the emergency details! I keep a memo in the Evernote App which has all my bank phone numbers, emergency contacts, etc. Good thing with Evernote is you can access your notes while offline.