Avoid Nasty Travel Surprises

By Author: Steve Robinson
Total Articles: 467
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Cheap travel options, including cheap airplane tickets and discount hotel rooms as well as cheap vacation packages are encouraging more people than ever to travel. Before leaving though, there are steps you should take to ensure that you do not face a nasty surprise once you reach your destination.

You should be aware of the following:

• Government issued picture ID is required to get on a plane. A passport or equivalent is required to enter most foreign countries and to re-enter the U.S.

• If you have ever been convicted of a DUI you will not be allowed to enter Canada without going through a process of “rehabilitation,” an explanation of which can be found at the Canadian Border Services Agency’s website.

• Many countries require passports have at least six months of remaining validity prior to entry.

• Since some countries require visas as well as passports, you should check the State Department’s website.

• Some US rental contracts specify that you are limited to driving in a certain state or group of states.

• In Western Europe many rental companies ...
... forbid driving in most Eastern countries other than Hungary. Driving outside permitted countries, which can be detected by GPS devices built into many rental cars, voids the renter’s contract making that person liable for potentially substantial additional costs and fees.

• As of July, France requires that any rental car driven there be equipped with two single use breathalyzers. French rental companies will provide them. However, if you drive into France in a car rented in another country, you must provide these breathalyzers.

• It is advised that all Americans who wish to drive in a foreign country get an International Driving Permit prior to departure, even for countries where it is not required.

• Switzerland requires that any car driven on a Swiss Autobahn have a “vignette” sticker on the windshield. If you drive in from another country, you will need to purchase one at border crossings or a post office.

• Prior to departing check to ensure that your credit card has sufficient available credit to cover planned trip charges as well as an adequate cushion for unexpected charges.

• Contact your credit card companies prior to leaving to let them know when and where you will be traveling. Otherwise your charges may be blocked to protect against fraud.
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