I'm going on vacation overseas, and I don't know what I need to take. Could I please get some DETAILED information as to what I really need, and what is just unnecessary. For example, I read where I should take three pairs of glasses (I only have two anyway), letters from all my doctors about all my medications, travel adapters AND voltage converters. I'm getting a little befuddled.
I'm going for a total of two weeks to England, France and the Netherlands. I can NOT live without my iPhone, and I will do anything to be able to use it. I also have a company laptop (I'm partially going for business). Also, I was reading that my debit card may or may not work. Do I need to convert my cash? This seems like a significant amount of hassle for a little two week trip. Some help me please. I'm going to be sitting in the middle of Europe clueless before I get myself together!
Best answer:
Answer by Willeke
For your phone and laptop you need to that the plugs and leads, and check that they are good for 240 volt, most likely they will be. In that case you just need a plug adapter, one for England and a different one for France and the Netherlands. All travel shops will have them, just walk into one and have a look.
If there is no mention of 240 on your electronics, (mostly on the box in the lead or on the plug if that has the box build in,) but only 100 to 120, you will need a converter or a new lead meant for use abroad.
The same kind of shops will have those for you.
About your debit card, if it is like a credit card, it needs to have a chip build in and you need a 4 number pincode. If it is a bank card you use in the ATM it will still need a 4 number pincode. Numbers, not letters, our ATMs do not have letters on the keys.
Contact your bank so you can check whether your card can be used abroad and what the cost will be. If it works it is the easiest way to get your money. And your American bank needs to know that you are abroad, they tend to block cards that show unusual activities and being used in Europe is suspicious.
If you have a credit card bring that too, if only as back-up. But I find it useful to have both ATM card and credit card when I travel, so that I can pay the higher bills on credit but use the cheaper ATM card to get money out of the wall.
If your cards do work in Europe, still bring some cash, for the first few days, or for emergencies.
If your cards do not work in Europe, you can try to get a prepaid visa card.
Traveler cheques are still available too, but they are so much a bother, both in getting them and in getting your money out of them, that I advice against them.
About the medication, if you need it to stay alive, it is good to bring a copy of your presciption, with the chemical names, not just the brandnames. If your medication is minor and you can skip it a few days if needed, you do not need to worry that much.
If your medication can be illegal in other countries you should have a letter from your doctor, but countless people travel without.
Best bring your medication in the original box with the piece of paper that explains it all, (I forgot the name in English.)
For the glasses, if you are almost blind without them, best to take your second pair and the prescription, if you are mildly indisposed without them, do not worry.
In ten years of wearing glasses I have had one accident with them, in the first year I had glasses ever.
I stopped wearing glasses after those ten years, so you can understand I do not rely on them. Friends who can not see good enough to walk without glasses will travel with two pair and a prescription.
For the rest, a camera with enough disk space for all photos you can expect to make.
Clothes, your 'business' outfit for the business part of your trip. Jeans or other trousers. Shirts, can be T-shirts for when you are a tourist. At least one warmer top like a long sleeved shirt or a sweater.
A waterproof jacket or an umbrella, as it is likely to rain any time of the year in this part of the world.
If you want to use the internet abilities of your phone, make sure you know what you will have to pay. International roaming is very expensive, and as these phones have some automated updating and checking services, you may use it without knowing.
It might be worth it to have in 'unlimmited' access or if onlocked, buy a local sim card and use that instead of your American one.
Remember to start every conversation in France with 'bonjour' or a like French expression. And ask if people do understand English, or speak French with them if you know enough.
What do you think? Answer below!
Orignal From: What items do I need (including iPhone converting accessories, medical documents, etc.) to travel overseas?
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