Travel Tips
Stay healthy and safe. Protect your family, your valuables and yourself. No matter where you're travelling, check out these tips:
Your Health
Make sure all your immunizations are up to date.
Find out if you need any special immunizations for countries you're visiting. The Public Health Agency of Canada's Travel Medicine Program web site is an excellent place to find this information, as well as a wealth of other travel health tips
Don't put off getting any immunizations you need. Some inoculations require more than one dose. Others may take a significant amount of time to become fully effective.
If you take medications, make sure they're legal in the country you're visiting. Be sure to pack an adequate supply in your carry on bag, not your luggage, along with a copy of any prescriptions. If you wear eyeglasses, bring a copy of that prescription, too.
Take common-sense precautions to protect yourself from gastrointestinal illness, one of the most common travel afflictions:
- Eat only foods that have been thoroughly cooked.
- Make sure fruits and vegetables have been freshly peeled or cooked before you eat them.
- Drink bottled beverages, especially water, and hot drinks such as coffee or tea.
- Avoid ice that isn't made from purified water.
- Above all, wash your hands thoroughly and often.
Travelling where it's sunny? Pack sunscreen and sun-protective clothing. Choose an SPF 15 or higher sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays. (Remember: You need to protect your skin in snow country, too.)
Remember that healthcare outside Canada can be very expensive. In fact, the Canadian Government (Consular Services, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada) urges all Canadians to purchase supplemental health insurance when leaving the country. They say:
"Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover costs if you get sick or are injured while abroad. Out-of-country healthcare can be costly, and your health plan will cover only part of the bill at best."2
As soon as possible, check out your government health plan to see how much of your medical costs will be covered. Then try our Travel Insurance Recommendation tool to get help choosing the right coverage for your needs.
Your Safety
Follow the #1 travel-safety rule: Never make yourself a target.
- Leave your valuables—especially jewellery—at home. Wear an inexpensive watch.
- Avoid carrying purses or backpacks that can be easily snatched. Likewise, carry your money (only as much as you need) and credit cards in a money belt that you can conceal.
- If your hotel has a safety deposit box, use it to keep your extra money and spare identification in case your wallet is lost or stolen.
As your departure date nears, check in regularly at the Travel Updates page on the Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada Web site. There you'll find travel advisories and warnings, as well as useful information about the country or countries you're visiting.
Flights and Airports
Reduce your stress level. Give yourself plenty of time to get to your airport, check in and go through security. Call ahead to make sure your flight's on time.
Be familiar with the rules and regulations governing airline security. The Transport Canada Web site lists complete guidelines for passenger identification and luggage.
Bargain-priced air tickets are usually non-refundable. Protect yourself with trip cancellation and interruption insurance (also available in our travel insurance packages.) It can refund you for unused portions of your trip and any penalties if an illness, injury or another covered unexpected event forces you to cut your trip short or cancel your plans entirely.
Note: We strongly recommend that you purchase trip cancellation and interruption insurance at the time you pay your initial travel deposit.
Travel Documents
If you're travelling outside Canada, make sure your passport is current. Check the passport requirements for the country or countries you're visiting; some require your passport to be valid for six months after your departure date. (Also find out if you'll be required to pay any entry or departure fees.)
Check to see if you'll need a visa for any countries you're visiting. Apply as soon as possible.
Emergencies can happen anytime, anyplace. Always carry your travel insurance policy with you, along with the wallet card and phone numbers you need if there's an emergency (including the RBC Insurance® toll-free number).
Follow these guidelines for your security:
- Make two copies of your passport's main information page. Leave one with a friend or family member at home and bring the other with you (but keep it separate from your passport), in case you lose your passport.
- Keep credit cards, travelers' cheques, passport and other papers in separate places, to diminish your chances of losing them all together.
- Jot down the serial numbers of your travelers' cheques and keep them in a safe place, in case you need to replace any.
Consider low-cost baggage and personal effects insurance (also available in our travel insurance packages.) It can help you replace many travel documents if they're lost or stolen.
While You're Away
Give a copy of your itinerary to some family members and friends. Let them know if there are any changes. Include your daily contact information, copies of the main information page of your passport and your travel insurance information.
Tell your neighbours that you'll be away. Ask if they can pick up your mail, park a car in your driveway and, if needed, shovel snow to make your house look "lived in." Remember to hold your newspaper delivery, too.
Not sure what's best for your needs?
To better understand your choices and select the travel insurance that's right for you:
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