DOMESTIC TRAVEL

For any successful travel, both within the country or Internationally, there are some basic items and things you need to take. Yes, you can get by without some of them, but I find these useful to carry.

While traveling domestically, the items you need depend on where you going, and how long is the trip. If you just flying from Point A to Point B, all you probably need an Identity Card, your flight details, your credit card(s) and your phone.
If you are going on an trip from a few days to a few weeks, you will need to carry more items. The rule is the more remote the place is, and the longer you plan to stay, the more you need to carry things with you. But there is a danger of over packing items that you would hardly use or carrying six pair of trousers when three would do. Many small things you can buy at your destination, so traveling light is always preferable.

Identity Card – Can be any government issued photo identity card, like your driver’s license. Even you are not flying, it is important to carry one or more IDs with you.
Beginning Oct. 1, 2020, if you plan to use your state-issued ID or license to fly within the U.S., make sure it is REAL ID compliant. If you are not sure if your ID complies with REAL ID, check with your state’s department of motor vehicles. Otherwise you will be refused boarding.

Printed / Electronic copies of your passport and identity card. In case they are lost, you should be able to access them online. I keep printed copies in carry on and check in baggage within letter or A4 sized envelopes. Also I have back up of scanned images in Google Drive.

Cash – Carry cash with you. There have been many times when credit and debit cards are not accepted and there is no nearby ATM. Sometimes the ATMs are out of cash or broken down. Have some in your wallet or purse, and the rest in your carry on bag. Better not to keep cash in one place.

Credit Cards / Debit Cards – For domestic travels, most of the time the cards will work, specially if you have Visa or MasterCard. The other cards like Amex or Discover are sometimes not accepted by smaller merchants. In some remote places, you may be charged an extra fee by the merchant for using a credit card. Though illegal, many small establishments get away with it.
If you do not have enough cash on you, pay by credit card, and try to get a photo proof that the merchant had charged extra for using the credit card. Such extra charge would be displayed on a small note near the cash register or pasted on the wall. Take a photo. The credit card charge that is made is all inclusive of the cost of the items plus the extra credit card fees – you cannot separate later on how much extra you paid. When you get back home, call your credit card company and reverse the extra charge. Though it may be a small amount, sometimes less than a dollar, this kind of extras should be discouraged and reported.

Trip Details -Make sure you have all your itinerary listed out which includes dates, the location, your flights and hotels. If you are traveling solo, it is important for someone else to have a copy. As most of my travels are on my own, I usually sent a detailed email or message to one of my friends closest to the location you are traveling.

Flight booking details – You will need it when you check in. Though at airport the agent can look you up by your name or even your driver’s license, it is much faster if you have a the flight booking details with you. Now with the automated check in machines at the airports, you will need your flight details. Have it printed out or should be accessible on your mobile.

Hotel booking details – Another omission people do is to not have the hotel booking details with them. It may happen that you booked a hotel three months back and the confirmation email is buried within hundreds of other email. It has happened numerous times that I had showed up at the hotel and was told that I did not have any bookings with them. This is more prevalent if you are booking through a third party hotel booking sites. You will need the booking or reference number for the hotel to locate you. Either have a printout which you can hand over to the hotel clerk, or show the details from your mobile. Also local phone numbers of of the hotels, and the local numbers of the booking sites in case you need to call up for changes, cancellations or any other issue.

Travel Insurance – Is that important? Most think it is not. Most often you will not need it domestically. If you travel often, it is better to have one. Make sure you take a annual travel insurance instead for a single trip unless you are going to make only one trip within twelve months. It is cheaper to get an annual one than buy many single-trip insurance.

There are a couple of types of travel insurance – the main difference is whether you want trip cancellation included or not. The difference of premium is substantial so you need to think whether it is worth it or not.

Medical Cards – Carry you original medical cards. If you have to go to a doctor or even an hospital, they will want to see the original cards.

Phone & Chargers – Take your primary phone. If you have a secondary one, take that one too. Right now phones and tablets may have different connectors from USB-A to USB-C, or Lightning. Carry the chargers for each of them. Do not depend on strangers to lend you one. I generally carry one charger in my carry on with a couple of different USB cables. Other chargers are in my check in bag with other USB cables. Remember that chargers for your iPad or Laptop increases the weight of your carry on. Also, buy an international plug adapter, specially for overseas travel. This is different from voltage adapter, which I never needed but you might depending on the electronics you are carrying. Most of the modern chargers and electronic items can deal with both 120 volts and 220 volts.

Emergency Contact -Information in your wallet / handbag / luggage including your name and phone number / email address.

Non Essentials

• Zip lock bags
• Small trash bags
• Pacsafe or similar safe bags.