Escaping the daily grind and heading out of the US for a long vacation can feel like one of the most freeing things there is. But with so much rushing through your mind – mostly related to what you need to pack and what you want to do when you arrive – it’s easy to forget the essentials and leave them until the last minute.
Don’t let last-minute preparation turn into a last-minute nightmare. The tips below will help you get some of the essentials done well in advance.
Check if You Need a Visa Before Arriving
Always check whether you need a visa whenever you leave the US. Visa rules can change frequently, and assuming the same rules apply or leaving it until you arrive can create literal vacation-ruining situations.
You can easily check what visa you need by visiting the US Department of State Travel Advisories Portal and looking up the country-specific entry rules. Some visas require specific paperwork or fees, so don’t assume you can just do it the night before.
Buy Travel Insurance Before You Go
One survey about travel insurance found that 41.5% of US travelers leaving the country don’t buy travel insurance. The cost of medical treatment varies by country and what you need treatment for, but it will almost always exceed the cost of taking out insurance.
You can use your travel insurance for:
Emergency and standard medical treatment
Hospital stays
Medical repatriation and evacuation
To cover some or all of the cost of canceling your trip
Lost baggage and personal belongings claims
Exact coverage and terms and conditions will vary, but it’s worth picking out a policy that covers the things you might need – especially if you plan to be there for a week or more.
Find The Best Deal on Long-Term Parking Options
Most US airports have plenty of parking options, but no matter where you’re flying from; you’re more likely to get a better deal and have more parking options if you book in advance.
And since you’re going on a longer vacation, you’ll save significantly by booking off-site long-term airport parking instead of on-site. Sure, on-site parking might be nearer, but given that off-site parking often comes with shuttle buses included, there’s nothing to make on-site worth the price difference.
Set Up a Travel Bank Account to Exchange Currency
Wise and Revolut are two great examples, and they’re both easy to set up. You just need an identification document, usually a passport, and a few minutes to set up the account through an app.
Once you set it up, you can transfer dollars from your normal bank account and choose which currency you want to exchange them into. You don’t need to wait for the physical card to arrive (though it’s worthwhile as not everywhere will be set up for app payments), but you should set up the account before you go and add it to Apple Pay or Google Pay.
A longer vacation is probably your most anticipated part of the year, so don’t ruin it by leaving essential preparation until the last minute. The only last-minute stress you should feel is deciding whether you’ve packed quite enough clothes or if you should try to squeeze in one more pair of trousers.
Adrian Mitchell leverages his educational background in cultural anthropology and hospitality management to craft compelling travel narratives. His extensive experience includes work with tourism boards, travel publications, and destination marketing campaigns. As an accomplished member of our writing team, Adrian specializes in sustainable tourism and off-the-beaten-path adventures. He enjoys documentary photography, learning local languages, and collecting regional artifacts, bringing authentic cultural insights and practical travel wisdom to every piece he creates.
