Five questions to ask yourself before you book your international trip

Now more than ever, what many of us want to do right is to travel and hopefully get our lives back to the way things were before the pandemic threw a spanner in our works.

As travel regulations ease and more countries open their borders to travelers, many questions linger.

Do I need to be fully vaccinated?

Must I test negative to be allowed entry?

Is quarantine a requirement?

Well, these are some of the things you will have to look into depending on your preferred destination.

What I can tell you, however, is purse strings have become tighter following the prolonged lockdowns that have affected most businesses leading to job losses and pay cuts.

This in turn has affected our spending and as much as we may want to take a break from our hectic lives with a much-needed holiday, our pockets could be saying otherwise.

These are some of the questions you may need to ask yourself before you sign on that dotted line to go on your next big vacay.

i.Do you have a travel budget?

Once you have decided where you want to go, the next step is to plan for it financially. You need to ask yourself whether you have enough to afford a trip without leaving a dent on your pocket.

How long will you be gone and roughly how much will you spend on a day? This should cover your flights, transfers, accommodation, sightseeing, activities, meals and whatever else you may want to do while there.

To make it easier on yourself, it may be wise to seek the services of a tour company that will tailor make a package for you within your budget.

ii.Do you have enough money left behind to cover your bills?

Just because you’re going for a trip does not mean you will not go back to your usual life. Before splurging on that safari, ask yourself whether you have enough saved up to cater for your bills while you’re away.

If your account balance is negative going for trip may not be the best idea.

If everything checks out, make the necessary arrangements to ensure your bills are paid on time. You can setup some automatic payments or pay in advance to avoid disconnections, interruptions or lateness fees.

iii.Do I need to travel now?

What comes to mind when you think of a perfect holiday? For many, the sun, beach and tequila pretty sum it up.

Look for the ideal location and find out whether the time you want to go will be during the peak or off-peak season. Not only will it be less crowded but it will be cheaper too when you travel off-season.

iv.What will I be able to do?

Considering how fast things are changing due to the new Covid-19 variants, one day an amusement park or museum may be open to the public then be shut down the next day.

Anticipate the worst-case scenario and have an alternative plan in case things don’t go as you had hoped for. Should you be traveling with your kids, let them be aware of the possibility you may not be able to go so they’re not disappointed if things go south.

v.Is there a cancellation policy?

With so much money at stake you will need to know what the cancellation policies are for your flights, accommodation etc. Read the fine print and inquire on the mode of refund.