The Ultimate Travel Survival Guide

Smart strategies to prevent and handle the most common travel problems — from lost passports and canceled flights to hiking injuries and stolen phones.

The goal isn’t perfection:  The goal is controlled failure.

Travel Problems Are Normal — Panic Doesn’t Have to Be

The travel gods love to test you, but resilient travelers adapt and even thrive.  The chances that everything on your trip will go according to plan is about nil, especially if you are an adventure traveler.

The secret is to mitigate potential disasters so you can successfully continue on your trip.  That means you have a plan.  I like the Rule of 3 Back Up system for five critical travel components.

I’ll break down ways to mitigate the more common problems, plus I’ll dive in to what to do if there is civil unrest or a natural disaster while you’re traveling.  I’ll also talk about some of the more human worries we all have before we take a trip.

Prefer to listen to the podcasts?  Here are the four episodes on this important topic: 

Travel Problem Stories Part I                    Health & Transportation Issues Part II          

Money, Passport and Phone/Communication Issues Part III          

Civil Unrest, Natural Disasters and Human Issues Part IV

Health Problems While Traveling

How to Prevent Sickness or Injury While Traveling

Before departure:

• Visit your doctor or a Travel Clinic to get an antibiotic prescription plus any shots you might need 
• Photograph prescriptions (email yourself a copy of your prescriptions, too)
• Bring extra medication (at least +5 days)
• Know hospital locations near your hotel or trail region
• Buy Travel Insurance.  If you have a serious problem, reach out to your insurance company.  They can offer terrific assistance in guiding you to proper care, even arranging evacuation if need be to a higher quality medical facility.  Easy Travel Insurance Comparison Tool
• Save travel insurance emergency number and policy number in your phone, in an email to yourself and trusted person AND on paper.  
• PRO TIP: Be sure to read your policy so that you understand your coverage during your two week grace period.  If you plan to ride tuk tuks or motor bikes, etc., make sure you are covered.

Preventing Illness

• If you can’t drink the water, also don’t eat any unpeeled or uncooked fruits or vegetables. 
  • Consider packing a portable water purifier like the Sawyer Squeeze or Lifestraw.
• Avoid street food unless a guide tells you it’s ok to eat.  
• Avoid buffets when possible and try to eat food when it is first set out rather than a couple of hours later in case the food is not kept hot enough.
• Eat in restaurants busy with locals

Adventure Travel Injury Prevention

Before your trip, you should spend a few minutes thinking about what potential ways you are more likely to get injured while on this particular trip.  Are you going to a country where you can’t drink the water?  What types of accidents are most likely?  How available is decent medical care?  

• Plan your Emergency Kit accordingly.  
  • Can’t drink the water? Consider packing a Lifestraw as a back up, and perhaps even a portable water purifier, like the Sawyer Squeeze I took on my Everest Base Camp trek.  So not only did I not need to buy bottled water (it’s cheap) but also I did not contribute to their trash disposal problem.  
  • Don’t get dehydrated!  If you will be doing a lot outdoors, pack your water bladder so you always have easy access to fluids.  Pack some electrolytes, too, to keep them in balance if you will be sweating a lot.
  • What types of injuries are common? 
    • Keep one of your compression socks in your daypack in case you sprain your ankle. 
    • Pack a small first aid kit, including a small tube of antibiotic. 
    • Tuck in a sanitary pad – they are lightweight and great for absorbing a large bloody cut
    • Pack extra batteries for your headlamp and put the batteries in backwards so they don’t accidentally turn on in your luggage.  Emergency Kit Checklist
    • Going to a remote area?  Consider packing a mini Garmin so you can always send an SOS.  Newer phones have satellite capabilities, but I still wouldn’t trust it in extremely remote areas myself.
  • Adventuring at Altitude?  See your doctor about getting Diamox to help you cope with the lesser O2.  Your fitness level does not tell you in advance if you can tolerate high altitude.  And even if you haven’t had a problem in the past, there is no guarantee that you won’t this time.  Learn the symptoms of HAPE and be prepared to head lower if you get any!
  • Training  Make sure that you have fully trained for your adventure to prevent avoidable pain issues like shoulder or back strain from your pack,   Training for Adventure Travel

Why Training Matters More Than Gear

If you have properly trained your body you are less likely to get injured or be in pain.  Develop a multi-faceted training regimen that increases your cardio, strength, and balance.  

Training for Adventure Travel          Training Tips          Training for Altitude

Prepare for the Day-to-Day Stress on the Body  I like to overtrain a bit so that I can relax and enjoy my trip and not be so exhausted at the end of each day.  I’ll work up to carrying at least five pounds more in my pack than I’ll need.  And I’ll try to gear up to 5 – 10% higher daily elevation gain, for example, or 2-4 miles longer than my longest milage day.  Also super important:  you need to train your body to be working it all day, DAY AFTER DAY.  This is where many fall short.  You will need to add to your training several 2-3 day long training sessions to prepare your body.

Most Injuries Happen When You Are Tired or Distracted so be more mindful especially at the end of the day or end of a long trek…consciously lift your feet to avoid tripping over a root, for example.  And beware of “Death By Selfie” : sadly, a lot of people fall over cliffs or waterfalls trying to get the perfect shot. 

Need help Training?  Get a free initial phone consultation with my online personal training friend and affiliate, Becki from Trailblazer Wellness.  Mention ATA to save 10%. 

Train with your gear!  None of your gear or clothing should be brand new.  Test shoes to ensure you don’t develop hot spots or blisters.  Make sure your rain jacket repels water yet breathes so you don’t sweat inside. Make sure dear and clothes don;t irritate or itch.

PRO TIP:  If I am doing a long distance trek or walk, I wear shoes that are at least a half size larger than normal to allow my feet to swell.  Shop late in the day, so your feet are big.  And then before I buy them, I stick a flat memory foam insert under the shoe’s insert, plus wear thick wool socks.  When home, I also replace the manufacturer’s insert with a higher quality one and wear the foam under new insert.  So if my feet swell to much, I can always remove the memory foam padding.

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Transportation Problems

Transportation Delays, Cancellations and Missed Connections

How to Reduce your Chance of Travel Delays and Headaches

Before Your Trip

1. Download apps for local ride sharing, plus any transit app for that region such as FlixBus

2. Download your Airline app 

3. Download FlightAware app to track your plane if flying

4. Booking Transportation Tips:

a. Try to get a morning flight to minimize delays

b. Research your flight number to see it’s on time history:  FlightAware or Flighttrader24

c. Allow time for delays with connecting flights especially if you are booking your legs separately and with different airlines.  It becomes your problem and loss if you miss your connection!

d. Try to book directly with the airline or transit company.  Aggregators are MUCH harder to deal with if you need to make a change!

PRO TIP: Consider making a mini holiday in the transit city of a day or two to eliminate this concern. 

Don’t Risk Missing Your Entire Tour

PRO TIP:  If missing your connection means missing your tour, DEFINITELY allow for a day or so delay amd get there early!  Example:  an Antarctica expedition or a bush safari in Africa where it would be difficult or impossible for you to catch up with your tour.

Sure, your travel insurance may reimburse you for the missed tour, but you would still miss the tour.  And they might not cover you if the reason was an ‘Act of God’, weather disturbance, or other non-covered event.  It’s safer and less stress to just get there early and make a holiday out of it.

Best Apps for Flight Delays and Rebooking

• FlightAware  – Keep track of your plane (flight tracking), learn about cancellations
• Flighty – Flight Tracker and delay predictions
• Omio – Travel booking
• Rome2Rio – Check out transit options
• FlixBus – North America, South America and Europe bus booking

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Lost Money, Stolen Cards & Financial Problems Overeseas

Prevention – Compartmentalization – Emergency Recovery

How Expert Traveleres Protect Their Money

When in a potentially risky area, I keep my cash, passport and cards as follows:

1. I keep ‘pickpocket’ cash (under $20) in a front pocket or bag that I use to buy drinks, snacks, and minor purchases.  I don’t make it easy to grab, but this is where thieves would see me getting my money, and would be the target for a fast grab or pickpocket.
• I do not wear any nice jewelry or watch, or carry a fancy camera.  Likewise I keep tight control of my phone.
• I look confident (even when not) so as not to appear a target
• I enter a shop to look at a map or to get help in really busy tourist areas
2. If I should get held up, and the robber wants to know where my real money is, I have a bit more, including a credit card in a money belt.  You can always say your passport is at the hotel. Note that you are protected with a credit card, but not a debit card.
3. But for the really good stuff, I sewed a pocket that lies on my ribs to hold my passport, big bills, and a credit and debit card.  If someone finds that, I have bigger problems.

ROBBERY!  What if I get taken to an ATM to withdraw cash?  Here’s how I limit how much the bad guy can get: I carry a debit card for one of my banks that I feed with $500.  This is the maximum amount I could lose.  When the balance gets below $250, allowing at least a couple of days before I think I might need it, using my phone’s bank app and a VPN, I top up the account from a separate bank.  That bank is where I keep my real money.

PRO TIP:  Set up text alerts for any charges on your travel cards so you can get notified of all charges.  Using a VPN, check your bank accounts every couple of days as well.

PRO TIP:  Never store both credit cards or both debit cards in the same place.  If one set gets lost or stolen, you’ll still have the other.

Losing Access to Your Money While Overseas: FAULTY ATMS

Sometimes the ATMS just don’t work.  Maybe they ran out of cash – this happens a lot in the Galapagos, for example.  Or maybe your bank doesn’t trust the ATM machine.  This is quite common. 

Here are some tips for finding cash when ATM’s cause you headaches:

1. If you’ll need cash for the weekend, get it on a Friday to have better luck that the machine will have some cash in it.
2. Only use true BANK ATM’s.  Not only will you get a better exchange rate, but you are less likely to get scammed.  Of course, don’t go to an ATM at night or in an unsafe area.  Hide your PIN.  Try to pull on that thing that takes your card to make sure it’s the real deal and not a scam set up.
3. Make sure the bank camera can see your activity (except when entering your PIN).  Once I went to three bad ATM’s, trying to withdraw $200.  The first two acted like it was going through, but I didn’t get any cash.  The third bank machine worked.  BUT I got charged for all three.  I told the bank to look at the videos.  They did and I got my money back.

What to Do if your Cards are Lost or Stolen Abroad

1. Freeze your accounts immediately using your bank mobile app  (using your VPN) or call the bank collect.  Tap “Freeze” or “Lock Card” if you misplaced your card – you can reactivate it when you find it.
2. Ways to Access Money When You’ve Had Your Cards Lost or Stolen Overseas

• Visa an MasterCard Premium cards offer ‘Emergency Services’ and can have a local bank give you some cash.  They can rush a card to your hotel in 1 – 3 days.  AMEX Global Assist can wire you money.
• Wire yourself money to a Western Union.
• If your phone wasn’t stolen, your frozen accounts may still work on ‘Tap to Pay’ even if the plastic one is gone.
• Ask your hotel if they can charge any meals, tickets or airport transfer to your room while you get things sorted.
• Final Resort:  contact your Embassy.  They can contact family or arrange a temporary emergency loan to get you home

PRO TIP:  If your cards were stolen, you must file a Police Report to protect yourself against fraudulent charges and to make a claiim with your Travel Insurance.

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Lost Passport & Travel Documents

Immediate Steps to Take if your Passport is lost or stolen

You cannot fly or cross borders without it!

1. File a Police Report. Request a copy of the report for the embassy and your travel insurance.
2. Contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate to schedule an appointment to report and replace your passport.
3. Notify the State Department: Report your lost passport so it can’t be used for identity theft – Report a Lost or Stolen Passport 

What the Embassy Will Do

• Provide a temporary, limited Emergency Passport (if time permits, sometimes you’ll get a proper replacement)

PRO TIP:  If you’re traveling to different countries, make sure each country accepts a temporary passport for Visa free entry. Some, like France, Belgium and the Netherlands, do not.

PRO TIP:  Your Travel Insurance may reimburse your passport replacement fees, extra lodging and meals incurred while dealing with your lost or stolen passport problem.  Travel Insurance Comparison

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Communication Travel Problems: Traveling and somehow not being able to use your Phone

Lost – Stolen – Breaks – Dead Battery – No Cell Service

Whether your phone gets lost or stolen, you drop and break it, the battery dies, or you have no cell service, you can find yourself lost or stranded when you are traveling and can’t use your phone.  Don’t panic!  Here’s what to do.

How to Handle Rare but Serious Travel Problems : Civil Unrest or Natural Disaster

Mitigating Civil Unrest or Natural Disasters While Traveling : Things to Do Before Your Trip

1. Visit the State Department Travel Advisory website to learn about the current status of the country you are visiting.  It will note any current or regular civil unrest.  It also rates the risk factor.  Reconsider travel when it is rated a 3, and do not travel if it is rated a 4.
2. US citizens should enroll in the STEP program while you are there so that the US Embassy knows your travel plans and can assist you in case of an emergency.
3. Do a search about possible/common natural disasters in the country and region you are visiting and familiarize yourself with precautionary measures since in an emergency, you won’t have time to do research.  Over 2000 tourists perished in the horrific 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami (and over a quarter million residents!).  How many lives would have been spared if they knew the signs of the impending doom?

How to Handle Civil Unrest While Traveling

I happen to be in Kathmandu during the Fall 2025 revolution.  But I never felt unsafe because I followed protocol and kept away from the protests and followed the curfew.  I stayed up to date via X and locals.  And if the situation deteriorated, I had a plan of how to leave the country.  I also started my Everest Base Camp trek a few days early in order to get out of the city.  

PRO TIP:  Remember that the locals are very well aware of the importance of the tourist dollar, so not only do they want you to love their home country, they want to make sure that tourists continue to feel safe and welcomed, so they will usually look after you.

That said, if things take a turn and there is wide spread civil unrest:

1. Make sure you have cash
2. Prepare a “Go Bag” with your important documents, medications and a fully charged power bank.
3. Texts tend to go through easier, so notify your Emergency Contact of the situation and advise them to reach you via text.
4. Keep up to date via X.com and other social media and news sites.  I found the State Dept Travel Advisory significantly lagged real time, so don’t give it 100% credence.
5. Develop alternative plans of escape from the country that you hope you won’t need to use

PRO TIP: Remember to consider propaganda when viewing material – it’s rampant!

Sheltering in Place During Civil Unrest

• Stay inside and only go out when the curfew is lifted.  In Kathmandu, there were a couple of hours each day that regular folks could safely grab food at the market.  Stock up to be on the safe side!  Make sure to have plenty of food, bottled water and medication.
• Keep away from windows
• Keep your electronics and power banks fully charged in case the power goes out

US State Department Government Assistance FAQ’s if you have an Emergency While Traveling Overseas

How to Handle a Natural Disaster when Traveling

Before your trip you should do a search on potential natural disasters that could occur during the month you are visiting.  There are seasons for wildfires, hurricanes, tornados, etc.  Of course, not all natural disasters occur in all countries or even throughout the regions of a country.  A simple search will tell you so you can do a little homework so you’ll know what to do should you face a natural disaster.

How to Respond to Common Natural Disasters when Traveling

Once you’ve determined which disasters could potentially happen on your trip, click on the appropriate links below to get detailed information on how to prepare, and then what to do when the disaster occurs.

• Hurricanes
• Tornados
• Floods
• Tsunamis
• Avalanche
• Earthquakes
• Volcanos
• Wildfires
• Landslides

I come from a hurricane region and have been through some scary ones.  The good thing is that in most cases, you get some warning about a disaster (often even earthquakes and volcanic eruptions).  So before it strikes, make sure you stock up on:

• Non-perishable food
• Bottled water or the ability to treat water.  Fill any tubs with water.
• Plenty of your medication
• Batteries (and a flashlight)
• Blankets if it is cold
• Double check that your emergency contact has your information
• Sign up if you do not have an X.com account.  I found it the best for current information (but be alert for propaganda)

PRO TIP:  Find out the evacuation route from where you are staying

Post Disaster Action Plan Once You and Your Party are Safe

1. Notify your Emergency Contact and the State Department that you are safe if it is a major catastrophy.
2. Shelter in place until you know it is safe to go about.  Airports and main roads might be closed.  There could be downed power lines, flood waters, etc.  Listen to local authorities via social media and radio to determine when it is safe to leave your shelter.
3. If things remain dicey, keep your “Go Bag” ready with cash, all your documents, passport, medicine fully charged power bank and a change of clothes.
4. As with the civil unrest, if transportation is not stable, develop alternate plans to depart the country.  The State Department can be of some help.

PRO TIP:  If the power is out, turn your phone to LOW BATTERY MODE to conserve battery life

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When Travel Goes Wrong – The Human Side

Confidence, Compatibility & Burnout

Confidence Issues: What if I’m not capable of doing the adventure I signed up for?

This is where you need to build your self-discipline and do the training necessary to be able to accomplish your goal.  Some tips:

• 1. Appropriate Trip Selection  To encourage both personal growth and challenge with a strong chance of success, choose an adventure that is a +1 above your current capabilities.  It should be a stretch but one that you can do if you train.  If you choose something WAY outside your normal range, like Cindy did when she, as a obese couch potato did when she decided to climb Mount Kilimanjaro later that year, you are going to need to make training and training mentally your number one job.  When I decided to trek to Everest Base Camp for my 65th birthday, I too, had to make training my main daily focus.
  2. Train for your Adventure     Develop a multi-faceted training regimen that increases your cardio, strength, and balance.
  3. Prepare for the Day to Day Stress on the Body  Overtrain so your trip feels easier.  Build up to longer, harder days and heavier pack weight than you’ll need on your trip.  IMPORTANT:  Train your body to be working at it all day, DAY AFTER DAY.  This is where many fall short.  You will need to add to your training several 2-3 consecutive day training sessions to prepare your body.
  4. Test out your gear!  Make sure you have thoroughly tested all gear for many miles and different weather conditions to avoid blisters, itchy or irritating clothing, and overall job performance. EX: does your rain jacket repel water AND not make you sweat inside?

Compatibility Issues: What if I don’t like my travel mates or group?

The way to mitigate this problem is to do some homework before you commit to a trip.

Travel Mate Testing  You may love your friend or partner, but do you share travel styles? Do a test three day weekend to see how compatible you are in sharing tight quarters.  Things to consider in a travel partner:

• • • Discuss Sleep Patterns.  Do you share similar sleep hours? Early risers and night owls are not a good fit.
    • Discuss Promptness.  Are you always early and she’s always late?
    • Discuss Itinerary.  What are your preferences on how to spend your time (shopping, museums, people watching, hiking, roughing it, etc.).  
    • Discuss Scheduling. Do you like to allow for serendipity or do you like to plan out every minute of your trip? How about your mate?  
    • Discuss Dining.  Do you like three full meals in a restaurant or do you grab something to eat on the go.  A lot of time can be spent in restaurants vs touring.  Make sure you two are on the same page.  
    • Discuss Money. You should also be compatible money wise as far as how much to spend on food, lodging, transportation and activities.  Also how to handle expenses on the trip.  Rotate who pays or split costs down the line?
    • Discuss Solo Time.  Will you always do the same things or will you be free to explore on your own at times?
    • Discuss Lodging.  Share a room or get separate rooms (and do you share similar tidiness standards?).

Tour Company Vetting and Compatibility

Tour Company Alignment  This is a little more challenging.  Tour companies definitely have distinct vibes and clientele.  You want to choose one that aligns with your vision of a good time and the experience you are seeking.  Some questions to ask:

1. Are you seeking an active trip, a hard core adventure or a more laid back experience?  You can see Antarctica on a cruise ship, or have a more active trip by going on an expedition.
2. How much time will you be sitting on a bus versus getting out and seeing things?
3. Are you an experienced traveler or do you need more hand holding?  Does the tour offer free time, enough free time?
4. What is the pace of the tour you are considering?  Is there enough down time? Is the company trying to cram as much as possible into the tour, and more importantly, is that fast of a pace what you want?
5. How often are you switching lodging?  This is also an indication of pace.

Rest assured that even if you find out on your tour that it is not a good fit for you, with the right frame of mind, you will pull good things from your experience and find at least a few fun travel mates within the group.

Tour Company Guest Alignment  Also challenging to determine.  Some questions to ask:

1. What is the average age of their tour guests?  Ask and look at their website to see who they feature.
2. Is it mostly couples, or do many solo travelers go one their tours?
3. Are guests mostly from your country or do they attract a more international crowd?

PRO TIP:  In my experience, the more active the tour, the more active and interesting the guests. In all of my guided adventure tours, I have yet to find that I didn’t like my group!  Guests on these tours self-select to be chill, cool folks who can roll with the punches.  You are unlikely to meet a princess or prima donna.  So IMO, you don’t have to be as cautious about choosing a tour group when you are doing something adventurous.  I am much more choosy when doing a cultural group tour. 

Be sure to check out my How To Choose a Tour Company for more details.

Destination Issues: 

This is another worry that can mostly be alleviated by doing a bit of homework before you book.  

1. The locals aren’t friendly.  In over 50 countries I’ve visited, I have rarely found this to be the case.  Where there can be friction is in overly touristed places like Barcelona, Venice and Paris (although I think post-covid they seem to appreciate us more:).   99% of the time, locals have bent over backwards to be kind to me and to assist me whenever I was in need.  A smile translates in every language.
2. It costs WAY more than you expected.  Before you book something, a simple search can tell you if a country is known to be expensive, say Norway.  If you are on a strict budget either choose a destination that is considered cheap, or book an all-inclusive tour so you can calculate fairly closely how much a trip will cost.  Also, look at the exchange rate to see the buying power of your money.  When I visited Australia around 20 years ago, the prices due to a weak dollar, took my breath away.  Now it’s reversed, and my Australian friends feel the same when they come to the States.  When I was an exchange student in Spain in 1977, the government devalued the peso and I felt instantly rich.  Whenever I run into this problem, I make the decision to enjoy my trip and while there are some easy ways to trim costs (leftovers is one), I just hand over my credit card and I will adjust my budget when I get home.
3. You worry about getting around in a foreign country with a different language.  While the concern feels real, it’s pretty much unfounded.  With the technology we have today, you have a translator in your pocket.  You have GPS in your pocket.  You have ride hailing in your pocket.  You have cheap international phone calling ability and data plans in your pocket.  Get an eSIM so that you can inexpensively use your phone overseas. Don’t forget, since you speak English, you’re likely to find someone who speaks English (the young folks are usually a good bet) if all else fails.  Get a free WhatsApp account so you can call and text overseas for free (using wifi).  Download the language on the Google Translate app so you can use it offline in country.
4. Don’t overschedule to avoid burnout.  Maybe it’s not the destination.  Maybe it’s burnout.  
• Try to give yourself a ‘rest day’ from traveling at least once a week if you are on a long term trip.  
• Don’t schedule long travel days along with big sightseeing.  Get to the new place and just breathe and start exploring fresh in the morning.
• Try to minimize transportation to different cities.  Embrace slow travel!  Not only will you save a lot of money, but you won’t be as frazzled.  I try to stay in each location at least five days if traveling by bus or train  (7-10 days if flights are involved).  This way you will spend more time exploring and less time getting to and from the next stop.
• Consider at least some guided tours to avoid decision and logistics fatigue.  Sometimes it’s nice to just push the ‘Buy’ button and let someone else, who knows the arena, figure things out for you.  When I arrive in a new city, I take one of the free (tip-based) guided walking tours the next day to get an overview and so I can narrow down what I want to explore further.

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Ultimate 10 Step ‘Before You Travel’ Checklist

1. US Citizens:  Sign up for STEP program
2. Visit the State Department Travel Advisories to learn about scams, crime, visa requirements, etc: https://travel.state.gov/en/international-travel/travel-advisories.html
3. Visit your doctor or Travel Clinic to get any necessary shots, plus prescriptions for altitude , food poisoning or infections, as needed.  Pack 5+ days extra of important medications.
4. Make sure your phone is unlocked an order an eSIM so that you will have cheap data
5. Pack a paper copy of the following, plus email yourself these items:
• A digital scan of your passport 
• A digital scan of your drivers license
• A digital scan of your birth certificate (if available, in case of lost passport)
• Your travel itinerary
• TWO 2 x 2 passport photos (in case you have to replace your passport)
• The international customer service numbers for your credit and debit cards 
• Your mobile phone carrier customer service number
• Write down the embassy contact info: address, phone, etc for the country your visiting
• Prescription copies
• Contact information of your Emergency Contact, local Embassy
6. Email your Emergency Contact your travel itinerary plans.  Also, give him or her a special code word to make sure it’s you, and any ‘what if’ instructions.
7. RESEARCH: potential natural disasters, common scams, most popular shared ride service (Uber types), whether taxis are safe where you are going.  Poke around Facebook groups regarding your destination for more insight.
8. DOWNLOAD these APPS: Google Translate, WhatsApp, the local ‘Uber’, TripWaffle, FlightAware, your airline and other transportation apps (and get logged in!), your bank apps, Omio, any hiking trail apps.  And use a VPN while overseas and on any public wifi! 
9. Plan your money.  Make sure you have two banks, two credit cards, and two debit cards.  Fund the ‘feeder’ account and make sure the different accounts have transfers set up.  
10. Plan Packing:  Make sure you pack an electrical adapter, power bank (must bring in carry on!), a money belt and an appropriate Emergency Kit.         Make sure to TEST all gear and clothing!!!       Packing Checklists

Get your printer-friendly ‘Before You Travel’ Checklist HERE

Helpful Travel and Packing Checklists 

How to Choose a Tour Company

How to Train for Adventure Travel

How to Train for Altitude

Emergency Kit Checklist (modified for your trip)

Packing Checklist for Active Travel

Packing Checklist for Longer Term Travel

Supported Long Distance Trekking Packing List

Backpacking Packing Checklist

Day Pack Packing Checklist (modified for your trip/day)

Get Access to ALL Active Travel Adventures Travel Planners, Checklists and Tip Sheets HERE

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The Rule of Controlled Failure

Smart travelers assume:

• phone may fail
• cards may fail
• weather may fail
• plans may fail

…and bring backup for each.

Smart travelers don’t expect perfection — they expect manageable problems.  Travel doesn’t reward perfect planning. It rewards resilient planning.  Check out my Building Resilience episode.

Flexible travelers have better trips than perfect planners.  Your travel success comes from your problem solving ability, not your itinerary quality. 

 😎  And don’t forget, the best stories – and thus some of your fondest memories – come from all these dang problems  😎

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