Ready to embark on your next adventure?
Here, you'll find a collection of helpful tips, and practical advice to enhance your travel experiences. Whether you're a first-time traveler or a seasoned explorer, this page is designed to make your journey smoother and more enjoyable.
Please note that the travel advice provided on this page is based on my personal experiences and opinions. The information shared here is intended to offer general guidance and should not replace thorough examination and verification of travel-related details.
Please note that the travel advice provided on this page is based on my personal experiences and opinions. The information shared here is intended to offer general guidance and should not replace thorough examination and verification of travel-related details.
> 3 months before
- Check your passport - it must have 6 months validity beyond your return travel date
- Make sure you have all the required visas
- Visit your local travel health clinic (if required)
- Buy travel insurance (this should be purchased at the time of booking)
- Make arrangements for house / pet care
1-2 weeks before
- get foreign currency
- get an eSIM for your phone
- If you don't already have it, download WhatsApp to your phone (so you can make calls using your eSIM)
- Check you have sufficient prescription medication and your first aid kit is complete
- Make digital and hard copies of all important documents (passport, visas etc.)
A note on eSIM
Unlike traditional SIM cards, an eSIM is simply downloaded to your device and is a very economical way to use your phone for data when you are travelling to many destinations internationally. No need to pay the expensive roaming fees.
Your phone must have dual SIM capabilities.
There are many companies to choose from, here are just a couple of options.
Check their websites to see if your phone is compatible and for more information.
Your phone must have dual SIM capabilities.
There are many companies to choose from, here are just a couple of options.
Check their websites to see if your phone is compatible and for more information.
Carry On |
Checked / Hold Bag |
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Here are the essentials to consider putting in your carry on bag. Think about what you really need for the next few days should your checked bag not arrive at your destination.
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I personally favour travelling exclusively carry on (I find it much simpler, and easier), but I recognise that isn't for everyone. So, here are some suggested items for your checked bag.
- Handbags/Purses Make sure to pack a variety of clothing options that can be mixed and matched to create different outfits. Consider the weather at your destination and plan accordingly. Don't forget to pack any specialised clothing items for specific activities or events you have planned. |
Checking In
Download the airline App.
Check in on-line, 24 - 48 hours prior to your flight (varies between airlines)
Sign up for text flight notifications
Check in on-line, 24 - 48 hours prior to your flight (varies between airlines)
Sign up for text flight notifications
Delayed / Cancelled Flight
All airlines travelling to / from Canada are subject to the Air Passenger Protection Regulations. (Other regions have similar agreements)
In the event of a flight delay or cancellation, the airline must:
Depending on the reason for the delay or cancellation, an airline has minimum obligations to passengers. These obligations vary according to the size of the airline.
In the event of a flight delay or cancellation, the airline must:
- inform you about your rights and the remedies available
- provide the reason for the disruption
- give regular status updates during the delays
Depending on the reason for the delay or cancellation, an airline has minimum obligations to passengers. These obligations vary according to the size of the airline.
Denied Boarding (uncommon)
If the flight is overbooked, Airlines will voluntarily look for passengers to give up their seats.
If you aren't in a rush you can use this to earn some cash / credit and possible upgrades - you will need to negotiate!
If it isn't voluntary they are obliged to adhere to compensation standars (if the reason is within the airlines control and not required for safety reasons).
If you aren't in a rush you can use this to earn some cash / credit and possible upgrades - you will need to negotiate!
If it isn't voluntary they are obliged to adhere to compensation standars (if the reason is within the airlines control and not required for safety reasons).
Lost / Delayed / Damaged Luggage
As soon as you realise there is a problem, report it to the local airline staff and record / document all interactions.
Under the Montreal Convention, airlines around the world are required to compensate travellers for any "reasonable" expenses incurred, such as the interim purchases to replace missing clothes and other essentials.
Keep all receipts related to these "reasonable" expenses
Make sure you submit your claim within the required time frame
Under the Montreal Convention, airlines around the world are required to compensate travellers for any "reasonable" expenses incurred, such as the interim purchases to replace missing clothes and other essentials.
Keep all receipts related to these "reasonable" expenses
Make sure you submit your claim within the required time frame
Long Layover
Buy a pass for an Airport Lounge * Have a sit down, leisurely meal * Freshen up in an Airport shower *
use the airport gym / go for a walk around the terminal * Some airports have museums and LAX even has therapy animals available * Visit an airport hotel swimming pool / spa * City tour - some airports offer guided city tours (but you may need a visa and will need to allow time to clear customs, immigration and security) * check in to a transfer hotel * rent an airport sleeping pod *
use the airport gym / go for a walk around the terminal * Some airports have museums and LAX even has therapy animals available * Visit an airport hotel swimming pool / spa * City tour - some airports offer guided city tours (but you may need a visa and will need to allow time to clear customs, immigration and security) * check in to a transfer hotel * rent an airport sleeping pod *
You can save a lot of space and weight in your luggage by minimizing toiletries and eliminating certain items altogether. So, decant everything into smaller containers and plan to buy it locally if you run out.
Wash bag: I use a compact, lightweight wash bag and within it, I have all my liquids etc. separated into a clear airline-compliant bag, that way I don’t need to sort them at security.
Wash bag: I use a compact, lightweight wash bag and within it, I have all my liquids etc. separated into a clear airline-compliant bag, that way I don’t need to sort them at security.
Packing List:
- Travel-size shampoo and conditioner: As I normally travel carry on with limited liquid allowance, I favour Jack 59 solid shampoo and conditioner bars which I buy from a Winnipeg store - The Refill Market (I don’t like the Lush offerings, I find the shampoo bars deteriorate too quickly and the conditioner bar seems to do nothing)
- Toothbrush and toothpaste: I use the Phillips One battery toothbrush. Don’t be fooled into buying those “travel size” tubes of toothpaste that are in the specialty travel area of the drug store unless you really want to cut down. You can normally find < 100ml tubes with the regular toothpaste and these represent much better value for money.
- Dental Floss.
- Deodorant: take a solid deodorant, a gel one will count towards your liquids allowance.
- Soap: Ditch the shower gel (they are mostly water anyway) and take a bar of soap. Two of my favourites are Dr Bronner's and Mrs Meyer's. You can use them for hair, body and laundry.
- Face wash / make up remover: I like the Inkey List's Oat Cleansing Balm, it does a good job of taking off any make up I happen to be wearing, SPF residues and the daily grime. Also, it is available in a 50ml size, perfect for travel.
- Daily moisturiser with SPF: My go to is nothing fancy, CeraVe AM Facial Moisturiser with SPF 30. Available in 59ml size. If it's good enough for my dermatologist friend, it's good enough for me!
- Razor: I use soap and not shaving cream, I find it works just as well.
- Feminine hygiene products: Either a menstrual cup / disk or disposable pads and tampons. Whatever works best for you.
- Travel sized hairbrush: folding or very compact hair brushes are available, find the smallest one that works for you.
- Styling gel / mousse / wax: Buy small sizes or decant into travel containers.
- Sunscreen: Aerosols count as a liquid, so to be carry on compliant they must be <100 ml and fit into your 1L clear bag. If you are heading to a beach destination buy reef safe sunscreen. Solid stick sunscreens are available and of course you can always buy your sunscreen when you arrive at your destination.
- Basic make up bag: concealer, eye liner, tweezers, mirror, mascara, lipstick / rouge, nail clippers, compact scissors, tweezers, lip balm (for me, it absolutely must have beeswax in it, the rest act more like barriers than moisturisers).
- Bug spray / wipes: I always use bug spray that contains Picaridin (more effective than DEET and not as toxic!)
- Tea tree oil: It's antiseptic so you can use it to help clean cuts and scrapes, a few drops in your shower is refreshing and a few drops in the toilet bowl acts like poo pourri!
- Small bottle of hand sanitiser.
- Towel: OK, so it doesn't actually go into your wash bag but it does go with it! You can buy light weight, small volume travel towels but I'm not a huge fan, even after multiple washes they aren't terribly absorbent. If I am really going to need my own towel on a daily basis then I take a thin, poor quality towel; they tend not to be very bulky and dry quickly.
Below is a list of what I carry in my regular first Aid Kit, I will add to this as needed depending upon the specific destination. All the medications are listed with their generic name rather than a brand name, I always buy the pharmacy own brand and not the fancy named product; they contain the same active medication without the expensive price tag!
I carry enough supplies to last a few days unless I anticipate being in remote areas for a longer period. You just need to take the basics to hold you over until you can get to a local pharmacy and don’t worry about not speaking the language, translation apps and sign language go a long way!
I always check the health requirements for my destination well in advance of my departure and visit my local travel health clinic as needed.
NOTE: Always follow the directions provided on the packages of your medication. Each medication may come in different strengths and doses, so it's important to pay close attention to the instructions given.
I carry enough supplies to last a few days unless I anticipate being in remote areas for a longer period. You just need to take the basics to hold you over until you can get to a local pharmacy and don’t worry about not speaking the language, translation apps and sign language go a long way!
I always check the health requirements for my destination well in advance of my departure and visit my local travel health clinic as needed.
NOTE: Always follow the directions provided on the packages of your medication. Each medication may come in different strengths and doses, so it's important to pay close attention to the instructions given.
First Aid Kit Essentials:
- A selection of Plasters (aka band aids): especially blister plasters (I once used these to hold my walking boots together on a 4 day through hike and they worked a treat!)
- Steristrips (wound closure strips): To hold the edges of small wounds together.
- Small bandage roll and gauze pads
- Iodine solution: Use neat to clean small wounds (dilute for larger wounds) or add 5 drops of 2% tincture of iodine to 1L water for drinking, stir and let it stand for 30 minutes before using. Make sure you double bag this / wrap it well because if it leaks it makes a terrible mess!
- Ibuprofen OR Naproxen: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAID), good for toothache, fever, musculoskeletal pain.
- Acetaminophen (Paracetamol): Use for mild to moderate pain and fevers.
- Aspirin: is also an NSAID so it has the same uses as Ibuprofen and Naproxen (do NOT take any of these in combination). I carry it for emergency use only; in cardiac chest pain it is proven to improve outcome in heart attacks. NOT to be given to children.
- Allergy medication eg. Cetirizine: Use for Hay fever, rashes, very itchy or extensive insect bites or stings.Anti-diarrheal medication eg. Loperamide: Use this for control of symptoms only, it will not alter the duration. I only use this if I have to (no toilet easily available) as I would rather get 'it' out of my system. If your diarrhoea is bloody or lasts more than 3-4 days see a doctor.
- Antacids eg. Famotidine: Use to alleviate digestive discomfort or heartburn from new foods or eating schedules.
- Tweezers: Useful for removing splinters or ticks.
- Scissors: small scissors with blades measuring 6 cm (2.4 in) or less, are generally permitted in carry-on luggage.
- Hydrocortisone ointment: I always use ointment, never cream, it is generally better for your skin and less irritant.
- Antibiotic ointment: again, never cream.
- Specific medications dependent on destination and availability of health care: eg. Anti-malarials, high altitude medication
- Prescription medications: Ensure you have an adequate supply of any prescription medications you may need during your trip. These should be in their original packaging and clearly labelled. NOTE: Prescription items can generally exceed 100ml, but check with your airline.
- Hockey tape: useful for many repairs including attaching gauze / splints
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