Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
in about two or three days. You'll need to make an appointment, prove that you're leaving very
soon, and pay an extra sixty-dollar fee. Additionally, there are only a handful of US Passport
Agency offices, so you may have to travel a long time if you're not lucky enough to live near
one.
If you already have a passport, be sure it will be valid for the entirety of your trip. Some
countries might require that the passport be valid for another six months after the end of your
trip. Renewals cost $110 and follow the same four to six week processing timeframe as obtain-
ing a new passport.
Visit
travel.state.gov
for all the details on how and where to apply for a passport.
Visas are not required for most travelers.
Normally, Americans need only a valid passport
to visit Europe—Turkey, Russia, and a few Eastern Europe countries are the only exceptions.
The US Department of State website is the best resource on up-to-date country specific
guidelines (
travel.state.gov
). Generally, Americans can travel visa-free for 90 days anywhere
in Europe and 180 days in the UK. If you plan on traveling for more than 90 days, it gets a
little more complicated. Read the section about long-term travel for more details.
Make photocopies of important documents.
It's always a good idea to have a few copies of
the photo page of your passport. I like to make a few physical copies and a digital copy (email
it to yourself). This helps speed along the process of replacing a lost or stolen passport.
Additional Important Pre-Departure Considerations
Call your bank and credit card company before you leave.
Let your bank know that you will
be using your card overseas. Otherwise they are likely to put a hold on your card or even can-
cel it the first time you use it abroad since international transactions look suspicious.
Write down important information in a small notebook.
Write down your passport
number, phone numbers printed on the back of your credit cards, every reservation number
you receive, addresses to places you're staying, and anything else you think might come in
handy. Having it in a notebook is good because you have easy access to it but always keep an
electronic copy, too.
Get foreign currency before you leave.
Some travelers like to get a little foreign currency
before they leave. Generally, you can count on finding an ATM in any European airport, but
some people like the extra security. It's best to get just a small amount of cash from your local
bank since they will give you a pretty poor exchange rate.
Book your first night's accommodation.
Even for those of you traveling without a plan,
you'll still want to know where you're sleeping the first night you arrive. This is especially true
if you fly into the UK because you're required to fill out a form stating the address of where
you're staying before you'll be allowed through passport control. They are strict about it.
