A Travel checklist for seniors can come in handy whenever seniors decide to go on a trip. It’s not important if they are going to the Taj Mahal or visiting some relatives in Minneapolis, it’s necessary to have a plan in place to make the trip go smoothly.
Many seniors enjoy traveling in the fall or summer months, because of the nicer weather. However, it’s usually a little more expensive during these times, and during the holiday season. Anytime is the right time for travel, as long as you have it planned correctly.
Travel Checklist for Seniors
Everyone should consider this travel checklist for seniors to enjoy a safe and easy trip. Consider following some of these essential travel tips:
Know the Culture – Do some checking on the Internet or at your public library for information on your destination. Learn about the people and different cultures, laws, and regulations that they have. Some customs in the United States might not be understood in another country.
Keep in Contact – Always let your family know where you are. That gives them some peace of mind, and they know where to contact you in case of an emergency at home. In addition to your itinerary, leave them copies of your passport, visas, and birth certificate, in case you lose yours, or in case you disappear.
Get Embassy and Consulate Information – Before you leave to another country, you should write down the address and phone numbers of the nearest U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate where you will be staying. Most of these offices have someone on staff to handle U.S. citizen emergencies 24 hours a day, and seven days a week.
In addition, even when seniors are healthy, they should register at one of these offices when they arrive. If something did happen to you, or you disappeared, they would have it on record that you were there, and where you were going.
Don’t Become a Victim – Most of the time, seniors don’t encounter any danger when they travel, but it can happen. Use some of the same safety precautions you would use at home if you visited another big city in the United States. Don’t carry around large sums of money, and don’t put all of your money in the same place. Keep your credit cards and cash stored separately, and keep your travel documents and copies of them in different places, too.
Passport and Visas – The first travel checklist for seniors’ tips is to have your travel documents in order. If you are traveling to another country, you should double check to make sure your passport is valid and that you have the proper visas. Not only does your passport need to be valid, you need to have at least six months remaining before it expires, or many countries will not let you in.
All U.S. passports are now issued from the State Department in Washington, D.C. Before, you could walk into nearly any U.S. Embassy abroad and get a new passport within a few hours or days if you had enough documents to prove your identity. You can still apply for your passport at Embassies and many U.S. Consulates abroad, but your application is first sent back to the U.S. and then sent back to that embassy or consulate when your application has been approved.
Check with Local Tourism Offices – Many people contact their travel agency for travel information, but the best place to get travel information is from the destination where you plan on going. Local tourism offices are set up to provide travel brochures and give tourists information about their town or city. They can recommend hotels in your price range and provide information about special events.
Travel Insurance – You should never leave home without it. Accidents happen and people get sick. The last thing you want to do is be in some exotic location and need serious medical attention without the proper insurance. Without travel insurance, you might be denied access to better hospitals, and you might be sent to a local general hospital or Red Cross where the care might not be up to U.S. standards.
Talk to your insurance company and ask them if they have an additional policy for travel abroad in case of an emergency. Also, if you have any pre-existing conditions, let your doctor know about your travel plans and you might get some information on medical facilities where you are going.
Vaccinations – Some countries require that you have certain vaccinations before you enter their country. However, it’s usually a suggestion, and it is left up to you get it before you arrive. It’s better to get a Yellow Fever vaccination if you are going to infected areas, the same goes for cholera and typhoid. Other illnesses might also require precautionary vaccinations.
Travel Checklist for Seniors – Conclusion
A little preparation goes a long way with a travel checklist for seniors. You cannot plan for everything, but you can take care of the essentials. Start building your travel checklist today.