Smart Prep Makes Better Trips
Whether you're a first-time international traveler or someone with a passport full of stamps, the basics of smart travel prep are easy to forget. We see it all the time — last-minute scrambles, forgotten coverage, expired passports, and avoidable hiccups that turn the start of a vacation into a stressful slog.
Here are 12 things every Canadian traveler should know before their next international trip. Bookmark this one — it'll save you headaches the next time you're packing.
1. Check Your Passport Validity (Six-Month Rule)
This catches more Canadians than you'd think. Many countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months beyond your return date. If your passport expires in five months and you're heading to most of Asia, Europe, or Latin America, you may not be allowed to board your flight.
Check your expiry date today. If you need a renewal, build in extra time — Service Canada's processing times can vary, and rush appointments fill up fast.
2. Don't Leave Without Travel Insurance
Provincial health insurance covers very little outside Canada. A single overnight hospital stay in the U.S. can cost $20,000 or more. A medical evacuation from a remote destination can run $100,000 or more. Travel insurance is one of the cheapest ways to protect yourself, and it's not optional in our books.
Look for a plan that covers medical emergencies, trip cancellation and interruption, baggage loss, and travel delays. Your travel advisor can match you to the right coverage based on your destination, activities, age, and any pre-existing conditions.
3. Register With the Government of Canada
The Registration of Canadians Abroad service is free and takes about three minutes. If a natural disaster, civil unrest, or family emergency happens while you're traveling, the Canadian government can reach you. It's a simple safety net that costs you nothing.
4. Know What's in Your Wallet (Card Edition)
Before you go, check your credit cards for:
• Foreign transaction fees. Most cards charge 2.5% on foreign purchases. A few specialty cards waive this — worth considering if you travel often.
• Travel insurance benefits. Some premium cards include trip cancellation, baggage, or medical coverage — but read the fine print, as limits and conditions vary widely. Don't assume your card is enough.
• Foreign ATM access. Know which networks your bank partners with abroad to avoid steep withdrawal fees.
Also: notify your bank and credit card companies of your travel plans. Otherwise, your first foreign transaction may trigger a fraud lock.
5. Bring Some Local Currency, but Don't Overdo It
It's smart to land with a small amount of local currency for taxis, tips, or small purchases. But avoid converting large amounts at airport kiosks — the exchange rates are notoriously bad. ATMs at your destination usually offer better rates, and most major cities are increasingly card- and tap-friendly.
6. Photocopy Your Documents (Digitally)
Take photos of your passport, driver's license, travel insurance card, credit cards (front and back), and your itinerary. Email them to yourself or store them in a secure cloud folder. If anything is lost or stolen, having digital copies makes replacement dramatically faster.
7. Check Travel Advisories (and Re-check Before You Leave)
The Government of Canada's travel advisory site (travel.gc.ca) is the most reliable source for up-to-date information on safety, entry requirements, and health considerations for every country. Check it when you're planning, and check it again a week before you fly — situations change.
8. Understand Visa and Entry Requirements
Many destinations now require pre-arrival authorization or visas for Canadians:
• The U.K. has introduced an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for visitors.
• The European Union is rolling out ETIAS, requiring Canadians to apply online before visiting most European countries.
• The U.S. requires a passport — yes, even for cross-border road trips.
• Some countries require visas, vaccination certificates, or proof of onward travel.
Don't assume — confirm. Your travel advisor will flag anything you need before you book flights.
9. Pack a Carry-On Like Your Trip Depends on It (Because It Might)
Lost luggage happens. Strikes, weather, and tight connections all increase the risk. In your carry-on, always include:
• All medications (in original containers)
• A change of clothes
• Phone charger and adapter
• Travel documents and insurance info
• Anything irreplaceable (jewelry, important paperwork)
10. Buy a Universal Adapter (and Skip the Voltage Converter)
Different countries use different plug shapes. A good universal adapter handles them all. Most modern electronics (phones, laptops, cameras) automatically handle different voltages, so you usually don't need a voltage converter — but check your devices to be sure, especially hair tools.
11. Plan Your Phone Plan Before You Land
Roaming charges from Canadian carriers can be brutal. Your options:
• Daily roaming pass. Convenient but adds up fast on longer trips.
• eSIM (digital SIM). Increasingly popular — services like Airalo let you buy a local data plan for your destination before you leave.
• Local SIM. Often the cheapest option for longer stays, available at most arrival airports.
• Wi-Fi only. Free and fine if you're comfortable disconnecting between hotels and cafés.
12. Build a Buffer Day
If you have an important event when you return — a wedding, work presentation, surgery — never schedule it for the day after you fly home. Delays, missed connections, jet lag, and getting sick from travel all happen. A buffer day saves you stress and protects your big moments.
Bonus: Work With a Travel Advisor
Here's the secret most experienced travelers know: working with a good travel advisor doesn't cost you extra, and it eliminates 90% of pre-trip stress. We handle bookings, flag visa issues, recommend the right insurance, build buffer time into your itinerary, and step in when something goes sideways.
If your flight is cancelled at 11pm in Frankfurt, you can spend three hours on hold with an airline — or you can text your travel advisor and let us handle it. (Easy choice.)
Travel Smart, Travel Often
International travel is one of the most rewarding things you can do — broader perspectives, lasting memories, and stories you'll be telling for decades. A little prep on the front end means more enjoyment on the trip itself.
Whether you're planning your first international adventure or your fiftieth, our GOwithHIPPO travel advisors are here to help you plan with confidence.
Ready to start planning? Connect with a GOwithHIPPO travel advisor today. Our independent advisors across Canada are passionate travel experts who handle every detail — from flights and accommodations to insurance and insider tips — so you can focus on the fun part: getting excited for your trip.