Summer Travel Prep: What to Do Before You Go

Whether you’re traveling in the states or out of the country, there’s a lot you need to do to prepare for your summer vacation. Financial and administrative tasks can create a lot of stress if you don’t get to them quickly enough. By preparing ahead, you can avoid delays and last-minute fees, and you can focus on enjoying your vacation instead of rushing to get errands done. Here are a few important travel checklist items to take care of before you leave.

Plan Your Travel Budget and Payment Methods Ahead of Time

Spontaneity on vacation may be fun when you’re exploring an unexpected new neighborhood or stumbling upon a street fest you hadn’t known was happening. But it’s not welcome when you realize your preferred payment isn’t accepted somewhere. When it comes to money and travel plans, it’s best to be as prepared as possible ahead of time.

Create a Realistic Travel Budget

Budget for necessary expenses like food, lodging, and gas, and decide how much you can spend on fun, miscellaneous purchases ahead of time. You don’t need to make the trip feel restrictive, but make sure what you plan to spend is something you can honestly afford.

Decide How to Control Spending

Once you’ve set aside money for your trip, plan ahead to make sure you don’t blow your entire vacation budget too early. One helpful solution here is to use a prepaid debit card for miscellaneous purchases like souvenirs. With a prepaid card, you already know your limit, which makes it easier to avoid overspending during the trip.

Bring Multiple Payment Methods

Don’t rely on just cards or cash. If a restaurant ends up being cash only or a store doesn’t accept your credit card, you’ll want a backup option ready.

Choose Restaurants Carefully

Dining away from major tourist areas can help you stretch your travel budget. You’ll also get a more authentic local experience.

If you’re trying to stretch your vacation budget further this summer, check out our tips for saving money on summer travel.

Handle Currency Exchange and Cash Needs Before Your Trip

If you’re traveling internationally, it helps to get your cash exchanged before your trip. A local currency exchange is a great place to get the cash you need. Many people prefer using a currency exchange because it’s fast, local, and doesn’t require waiting on a bank appointment. You can take care of several travel-related financial tasks like exchanging currency and getting a prepaid debit card all in one place, without needing an appointment or waiting in long lines.

Many travelers find that when they go abroad, it’s helpful to have cash on hand immediately to handle costs like cab fares, tips, and small purchases shortly after landing. Getting currency ahead of time at a currency exchange helps you avoid the high exchange rates at airport kiosks. It’s one less thing to worry about once your trip begins.

Take Care of Last-Minute Tasks Before You Hit the Road

A local currency exchange can also help you take care of a few travel errands before you leave town.

Road Trip Preparation

Make sure everything is in order with your car. At a currency exchange, you can renew your driver’s license before a road trip or update your vehicle registration. You can pick up postage stamps so that as you make stops along the way, you already have what you need to send postcards to your loved ones.

International Travel

Before international travel, it helps to exchange some currency ahead of time. Many travelers like to have around $200 in local currency available when they land. It’s also important to inform your bank before you travel internationally so that they don’t pause your credit card due to “suspicious activity” in another country. Some travelers also prepare ahead by setting up prepaid phone service before leaving the country so they’re not scrambling for coverage after landing.

A Few Bills to Handle Before Vacation

Nobody wants to come home from vacation to missed payments or late fees. Before leaving town, it helps to take care of bills that may come due while you’re away. Some travelers stop by a currency exchange for money orders, bill payment services, or check cashing before their trip so everything is handled ahead of time.

Make Travel Easier Before You Leave

Before your summer travel plans begin, taking care of a few financial and administrative tasks can make your trip feel a lot less stressful. From foreign currency exchange services to vehicle services and money orders, CCEA’s member locations can help you handle all your travel errands in one stop. Visit your local CCEA member location to take care of the last-minute details that can slow your trip down.