Foreign Travel Check List
Revised 7/08
Vaccines: Check with __your doctor________
Emergency Information: Leave PNG contact numbers/emails with family, along with copies of your passport (& credit cards) in the event your is lost/stolen.
Minors: If you have minor children you are leaving in the care of family or friends, leave a
Notarized emergency medical form with the care taker as well as the above list of
numbers where you can be reached.
Luggage: Before packing check all luggage restrictions (weight, size and what you can/cannot carry) for all the airlines you will be traveling on.
Carry-On: Carry anything you cannot replace or be without on your trip, valuables & electronics. Examples: All prescription medicine, eye glasses, change of clothes (in the event your luggage is delayed), camera, laptop (there is only one hook up, so one per group is enough).
Tickets & Passports
Any needed Maps/Directions, contact person & phone numbers
Including to all airports, car rentals, hotels, tourist sites, bus pick up locations, etc.
Contacts/phone numbers of family/friends at home you can call in case of emergency
Money: General Info for all foreign travel.
Incl. $1 bills for tipping or purchasing small items,)
Foreign currency – purchase at local bank in advance of trip. They will need to order
it, so plan ahead. Check exchange rates.
Travelers Checks (find out if these are easily accepted where you are traveling, then
order in advance, when your order your foreign currency. At this point and time you have to go to the bank to use.
Credit Cards (find out which cards are accepted where you are going. Leave all others
at home. Make copy of card information, front and back and carry separately so you
can call if card is lost or stolen. (PNG – visa can be used in a couple of stores.)
Debt Card – can be used at the Bank ATM.
Personal Checks – takes 4 to 5 days to clear. Don’t plan on using.
You may need extra money for airport taxes & fees, fee for extra luggage or weight
for gifts for your hosts, family, friends or supporters)
Emergency – have enough cash available in the event of an emergency and you need
to leave the country quickly for medical care or other emergency situation. Also, have
enough to receive medical care, if needed.
The following are only suggestions. Make your list according to your needs/likes:
Medical Records (list of meds taking, allergies, current medical problems, prior surgeries)
Prior to Flight: Blood clot prevention, take Asprin prior to flight. You can also wear support hose, drink plenty of water, walk around cabin often, do stretching exercises in your seat.
Other Medications: (some in carryon, rest in checked bags)
Motion Sickness (Dramamine or Meclazine)
Headache/pain meds (ie., ASA/Tylenlol/NSAIDS(motrin), Advil, Aleve)
Bandages/bandaids/ topical antibiotic cream
Antibiotics (ie., Cipro. Flagyl, EES, Augmentin)
Antidiarrheals (Peptobismo tablets – work well to ward off traveler’s diarrhea by taking
2 chewable tablets 3-4 times a day. Take upon arrival at destination and each day for
length of trip. May not be necessary…depends where you travel to and the conditions.
Mosquito/bug repellant (
wipes available too. Depends where you are going.
Earplugs and Eye Covers – to help block out noise and lights when trying to sleep on the plane.
Books/games/cards/puzzle books/ pencils
Scratch paper & pencils (some pens leak with the cabin pressure)
Music – headphones (Best Buy & other such stores have headphones available made to block out plane background noise)
Laptop (Opt.)
Cell Phone (Opt.) (May not work in PNG)
Extra batteries for all electronics (esp. kids games/music) or electronic charger for planes to
Charge I-Pods, phones, etc. If you carry your charger & adapater with you, you might be able
to recharge electronics in the airports while waiting for your flight.
Light jacket or sweater – dressing in layers is recommended so you can adjust to the temperature
Travel pillow – planes have pillows, but sometimes don’t have enough or may not be comfortable enough for you.
Snacks/water bottle (keep bottle empty through security and then fill up on other side)
Sunglasses & extra pair of regular glasses (in the event yours get lost or broken
Extra pair of contacts, contact solution and carrying case.
Addresses and stamps for any postcards you may want to send home. If you print addresses
on labels in advance all you have to do is stick it on. Make several for each address.
Handiwipes – these come in handy for lots of things. (they come in small travel packs_
Hand Sanitizer
Camera & equipment for it (film, or extra digital cards, charging cords, etc.)
Small language/custom books for the countries you are visiting to study on the flight and to
have handy when needed.
Toiletries – most can be put in your checked bags, but you may want to have some of the following: toothpaste/brush, comb, some makeup to freshen up, feminine products.
Extra set of clothes, including underclothes in the event your luggage is lost/stolen/delayed.
Extra suitcase lock or two – in case one of yours is lost.(it’s happened to us) ASA lock, opt.
Ladies: You might find it helpful to carry a small purse that can be put in your carry on when
you don’t need it. You can take it out when you need to go to the restroom or to purchase
something. You are allowed to take a purse in addition to your carryon, but it nice to only
have one item to carry and keep an eye on, if possible.
Jewelry (avoid taking anything valuable. The less you take the less you have to worry about
losing or getting stolen.)
Clothes - If gone longer than 1-2 wks, plan to take enough clothes for a week and plan on washing rather than taking more clothes.
Sweater and/or sweatshirts (I take a sweatshirt with me on the plane as it can be chilly)
Light rain jacket/poncho/umbrella
Hat
Skirts/jumpers/dresses/split skirts that do not resemble pants(all knee length or longer)
*(for 3 wks. I took 3 skirts and 1 dress. (2-3 skirts would be enough)
1-2 pair jeans/pants/modest shorts (it’s okay to wear these in the privacy of your “home” unless
there are nationals present. You will also want these for your time in
Short sleeve or sleeveless modest tops. (no spaghetti straps) Will go with your skirts/jumpers/pants/shorts
Guys – jeans/casual pants or thigh length shorts. No jeans for church. No ties or dress shoes.
Belt(s) for above
Shirts (t-shirts, polo-type shirts, button up shirts) One nice for church.
Socks
Shoes (good walking shoes, clogs/sandals good for plane as you can slip in/out of them without
having to tie them. But you want them to be comfortable for the long trip and long walks/runs
through airports. Your feet may swell during flight. Flip-flops. In PNG it is custom to remove your shoes when entering the home (yours or others)
Underclothes
Pajamas, robe, slippers (remember you may be living with others in the group. Be modest.)
Swim suit, beach towel, cover-up, flip flops, sunscreen, hat, beach bag. (Opt.) The kids will want swimsuits for tubing down the river or swimming at the
Eyeglass strap - if you plan to do anything where you may lose glasses.
Toothbrush/toothpaste (have case for toothbrush)
Shampoo/conditioner
Comb/brush
Deodorant
Razor & shaving cream
Blow dryer
Curling iron
Mirror
Make-up
Perfume/cologne/lotion
Hairspray
Nail file/scissors (in checked bags only)
Cotton balls/ Q-Tip swabs
Medications not carried in carry on bag
Body/Hand/face soaps
Bandaids/Antibiotic ointment
Jewelry (don’t take expensive jewelry with you) You may want to put this in your carry on.
Extra copies of passport, itinerary, important phone numbers, etc.
If you plan to do any driving outside of the
License through AAA office.
Travel Alarm Clock
Extra batteries for all electronics
Small flashlight/or head lamp
Extra snacks
Gifts for those you are visiting
Electrical converters/chargers – check ahead to see what is used in the country you are visiting (PNG W&W houses has 110 plugs.)
Travel Sewing kit
Insect Repellent spray (mosquitoes)
Extra books/games/paper/pens – not in carry on (depends on length of trip and how much time
you have to read, etc.)
Journal – We’d encourage you to journal your experiences everyday.
Extra ziplock bags (2 gallon, 1gallon and quart size) – you’d be surprised what all these come in handy for. In addition to taking extra, I use them to pack our snacks, as well as putting hairspray, lotions in them in case they leak during flight.
Extra duffle bag (inside yours) in case you need extra space to bring back gifts / souvenirs.
Water Purifier bottle and/or halizone tabs – depending where you are traveling (PNG we have ceramic water filters for use.)
Hand washing clothes: (AAA carries prepackaged Woolite for Hand washing. And a clothes line that does not require clothes pins to hang up clothes) (Optional)
Dish brush and sponge (we don’t all need to bring these)
Antibacterial hand soap – bar or pump (we don’t all need to bring these either)
Review travel plans & all documents weeks in advance.
What you bring is up to you. This is my list. You may not want or need to have all this. Minimize sizes of items (toothpaste, soap, lotions, shampoos, etc).
We suggested limiting your luggage to one suitcase and one carry-on per person, plus one personal item per person. Sizes/weight may change so check with airlines prior to packing or may need to repack or leave something behind at the airport. Or you may need to pay the airlines for excess weight. Know all limitations on all flights prior to departure.
Leave all unnecessary valuables at home.
Watch out for pick pockets. They often have someone distract you in some way, while the 2nd person is picking your pockets.
Men carry wallets in front pockets.
Carry passports, money, credit cards in special travel pouches made for this, under your clothes. Do not leave any money or valuables in your checked bags.
Remember to stay in groups, don’t wonder off alone (easy target).
Don’t criticize the culture.
Smile. Be courteous and thankful for help given.
Be flexible with situations/schedules as things can happen at a moments notice. Roll with it. Expectations are not always met.
Look at the trip as an opportunity to serve, experience the culture, make new friends and share the Good News.
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