Despite the prevalence of the Omicron variant and the resurgence of instances of Covid, travel and tourism industry experts suggest that 2022 will be the year to capitalise on unpredictability, with people making up for lost vacation time.

Packing for a trip (domestic or foreign) can be stressful. Whether you're a novice traveller or a seasoned globetrotter, having a comprehensive travel checklist that covers everything is helpful.

To ease your worries, we've prepared a travel checklist for your convenience:

1. Carry Essential Documents:

Carrying vital documents is an essential travel checklist whether travelling within your native country or outside. As a result, it's a good idea to maintain your travel documents in case of a last-minute emergency. We've put up a list of some of the travel documents you'll need for your domestic and international journey.

Air/train/bus/cruise tickets, government ID proof, hotel booking receipt, itinerary, and Covid-19 vaccination certificate are required for domestic travel.

Passport, visa, air/train/bus/cruise tickets, government ID proof, hotel booking receipt, itinerary, Covid-19 vaccination certificate, and medical and travel insurance proof are required for international travel.

It is best to bring both your original and a copy of your identification documents. Duplicate copies will come in some scenarios.

Example: In case you misplace your original documents, you will have copies to obtain new ones.

It's also a wise idea to make digital copies and leave them at home with a trusted loved one who can assist you if you need access to them while you're away.

2. Financial To-Dos:

Travellers often spend hours arranging their vacation, from looking for the cheapest flight discounts to locating the ideal hotel or vacation rental. Unfortunately, many people do not exercise the same caution for their financial planning- a serious travel checklist. Take cues to manage your finances on a trip:

Examine Exchange Rate (International Trip): At least 3 weeks before your trip, do some research on the currency and the exchange rate of the place you are headed to. Once you've decided to exchange currencies, you'll want to do so as inexpensively as possible, which means avoiding any unnecessary costs and commissions. The best venues to exchange money are currency exchange stores and kiosks in airports. Because airport currency exchange shops know you'll need local currency to take a bus, train, or taxi, they make a lot of money by giving you the poorest conversion rate possible. Make your currency exchanges at a local bank or a bank ATM for the best rates.

Get Travel Insurance (International & Domestic Trip): Travel Insurance can come in handy when paying unforeseen medical bills and getting reimbursement for stolen property & cancelled trips.

Opt For A Pre-Paid Foreign Currency Card (International Trip): Prepaid cards are a convenient way to add to your travel needs. These cards can be used to shop internationally, make online purchases, and even withdraw cash from an ATM. To use it, you must first select your preferred currency and then load the card with INR when in India. One of the most prime advantages is that it allows you to conduct international transactions without incurring high fees or charges. Also, the exchange rate on Pre-Paid Foreign Currency Cards is fixed on the day you load them.

Carry Cash (International & Domestic Trip): When travelling, we recommend carrying a small amount of cash and dividing it among numerous wallets just in case.

Download A Travel Expense Tracker (International & Domestic Trip): A Travel Expense Tracker is an excellent tool for keeping track of your spending. It allows you to create daily and trip-long budgets and track expenditures for food, transportation, lodging, and entrance fees.

3. All About Clothes & Toiletries: 

Knowing what to pack is another vital travel checklist. Most individuals overpack when embarking on a trip, making the experience less enjoyable. Overpacking not only makes your luggage heavier, but it also wreaks havoc on your mind. You have to worry about other things, which isn't something you should be doing while you're trying to discover a new place. The climate of a location is crucial in determining your packing list for vacation. Here is a list of packing essentials depending on the climate:

Hot Climate: Pack shorts, t-shirts, dresses, skirts, hats, swimsuit, sunglasses, scarves and slippers. Oh! Don’t forget the sunscreen to protect the skin from the harmful effects of the sun.

Cold Climate: Thermal wear, pullovers, jeans/trousers, cardigans, trench coat, beanies, gloves, muffler, socks and boots.

Rainfall Prone Climate: Jeans, hoodies, umbrella, raincoat, waterproof shoes.

Toiletries: Toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, soap, shampoo & conditioner, towels, wet wipes, sanitary napkins, shaving kit, comb.

4. Personal Health & First-Aid:

When travelling, you must have a travel medical kit with you. It is possible that medications and a first-aid kit will not be readily available at all locations. You won't get medical treatment if you go to a distant hill station in the jungle. We recommend carrying the following things in your travel pack to treat the most common minor illnesses and injuries:

Thermometer

Pain Reliever/ Fever Reducer

Antibiotic Cream/ Antiseptic Cream

Bandages

Band-Aids

Antacids

Antidiarrheal Medication

Insect Repellent

Oral Rehydration Solution (Ors)

Mosquito Net

Vitamins

Hand Sanitiser/Disinfectant

N95 Masks

5. Travel Checklist For Gadgets:

Packing the right set of gadgets makes a trip more accessible and efficient than ever before. New and inventive travel technologies are widely available in today's society, making travel hassle-free. There is a device to meet all your travel needs, from smart suitcases that save us bags of space to solar-powered chargers. Here's a list of the travel gadgets for you to have at your disposal when you're on the go:

Cellphone & Cellphone charger

Selfie Stick

Hand-held Tripod

Camera & Camera Charger

Memory Card

E-Reader

Travel adapter and converter

Flashlight

Headphones

6. Travel Aids:

While we all like travelling, we are sometimes distracted from the necessities by the excitement building in our hearts. Here are our best travel accessories for 2022 to help you travel smarter and safer:

Suitcase

Backpack

Maps

Language guide

Travel pillow, sleeping mask, earplugs

Travel locks

Luggage tags

Pen & Paper

Snacks

Pepper Spray

7. Get Familiar With Travel Guidelines 2022:

Mask Up: In 2022, one of the most crucial travel guidelines is to wear a Face Mask. Most people believe that wearing a mask is for self-protection, which is somewhat correct. The main advantage of everyone wearing masks is that it helps prevent sick people's droplets from travelling into the air and infecting others. You could be punished if you don't wear a face mask in public places.

Physical Distancing: Maintain Physical Distancing, remain at least 6 feet away from others to avoid contracting a disease like COVID-19.

No Travelling With Symptoms: If you or your family are unwell, have COVID-19 symptoms, or have been around someone with COVID-19 in the last 14 days, don't travel.

Make Sure To Get Vaccinated: Unvaccinated family members at a higher risk of severe disease should postpone all travel until they have received all vaccines.

No Congestion: Avoid crowded areas, enclosed spaces with limited ventilation, and social or mass gatherings such as concerts, events, and parties during your trip.

Post-Trip RT-PCR Test: After 4-5 days of returning home from your trip, get an RT-PCR Test. Even if you are confirmed negative, stay at home and self-quarantine for the entire seven days. If your RT-PCR Test results are positive, isolate yourself to prevent the infection from spreading to others.

Save this travel checklist to refer to for an upcoming trip. It will help you ensure that you have considered everything you'll need for your holiday, including travel guidelines and packing essentials for a smooth journey!

Bon Voyage!