- travel scary (noun)
- An experience or situation encountered during travel that induces fear, anxiety, or discomfort due to potential risks, unfamiliar environments, or unsettling circumstances.
- Most people have either heard or personally experienced a travel scary before. In the moment, they can be quite stressful. They’re typically unprecedented experiences that occur at inconvenient times, hence the scary. But we can overcome difficult cry-inducing obstacles. With that being said, Cece shares great advice on how to combat her travel scary of finding out her passport was expired right before her international trip!
- Verify! Make checking expiration dates a routine of your travel prep. Expired passports can detour your entire travel plan and it can be more cost effective to renew in advance instead of requesting expedited services. Additionally, a valid passport is a necessity for obtaining a visa to certain destinations. With laws and regulations for travel changing constantly, it’s best to be ahead of the game.
- Do not forget to set a reminder to renew your passport! Renewing a passport takes time, and being mindful of the expiration date is important. Those older than 16 years old have passports that expire every ten years, while passports for children aged 0-15 expire every five years. Also, be aware that even if your passport is not officially expired, some airlines do not allow boarding if it is expiring within six months of your travel dates.
- Know your U.S. Embassy! Familiarize yourself with the U.S. embassy’s location and contact information. Understanding the Embassy and its role in assisting you can offer valuable information, such as obtaining an emergency passport. The embassy can help with the process of renewing your passport and providing a temporary passport as needed during emergencies. Being knowledgeable of the U.S. embassy and their resources allow some relief while traveling.
- In the end, Cece acted quickly and proactively once she learned her passport had expired before her trip back home to the United States. By simply adding a thorough passport check to your travel checklist with time, you eliminate last minute stress. This can make all the difference!
- xx,
- Stephanie
