You have booked the trip, the dates are set and the excitement is building. Now comes the part that keeps some travellers up at night: making sure you have not forgotten anything important before you leave Canada.
This checklist covers every category a Canadian retiree should think about before an international trip. Print it, check items off as you go and travel with the confidence that nothing slipped through the cracks.
Documents and Identification
Start here. Missing or expired documents are the one thing that can stop your trip before it begins.
- Passport: Check the expiry date now. Many countries require at least six months of validity beyond your travel dates. If your passport expires within nine months, renew it. Canadian passport renewals take 10 to 20 business days by mail, so do not leave this to the last week.
- Visa requirements: Research whether your destination requires a visa, an electronic travel authorization (eTA) or an entry permit. Countries like Egypt require a visa, while others allow visa-free entry for Canadians. Your tour operator can often advise on exactly what you need.
- Travel insurance documents: Print your policy number, the emergency assistance phone number and a summary of coverage. Keep a digital copy in your email as well. If your tour includes travel insurance, confirm the details and know how to access it while abroad.
- Photocopies of everything: Make two physical copies of your passport, driver’s licence, health card and insurance documents. Leave one set with a trusted person at home and pack the other separately from the originals.
- Emergency contacts: Write down the Canadian embassy or consulate contact information for your destination country. The Government of Canada’s Registration of Canadians Abroad service is free and can help in an emergency.
Health and Medical Preparation
A little preparation here goes a long way toward peace of mind.
- Prescription medications: Pack enough for your entire trip plus an extra week in case of travel delays. Keep medications in their original labelled containers. Carry a letter from your doctor listing each medication, its generic name and the dosage, especially for controlled substances.
- Doctor’s visit: Book an appointment with your family doctor at least six to eight weeks before departure. Discuss your itinerary, ask about recommended vaccinations and get a general health clearance for travel.
- Vaccinations: Some destinations require specific vaccines. Yellow fever certificates may be needed for parts of Africa. Hepatitis A and typhoid vaccines are recommended for many Asian and African destinations. Your doctor or a travel health clinic can advise.
- Medical records summary: Carry a one-page summary of your health conditions, allergies, blood type and current medications. If you have a heart condition, pacemaker or other implant, bring documentation that explains it for airport security and foreign hospitals.
- Dental check: A toothache on day three of a tour through South Africa is not something you want to deal with far from your dentist. Get a check-up before you go.
- Glasses and hearing aids: Bring a spare pair of prescription glasses. Pack extra batteries or a charger for hearing aids. Carry a copy of your prescription in case you need an emergency replacement abroad.
What to Pack: The Essentials
Packing well is not about bringing everything. It is about bringing the right things.
- Comfortable walking shoes: Break them in before you leave. Two pairs, one for walking tours and one dressier pair for evening dinners, will cover most situations.
- Layers: Even warm destinations can surprise you. A light jacket, a scarf and a rain shell take up minimal space and handle unexpected weather shifts.
- Sun protection: Sunscreen (SPF 50+), a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses with UV protection. These are non-negotiable, especially for destinations near the equator.
- Compression socks: For flights longer than four hours, compression socks help circulation and reduce the risk of deep vein thrombosis. Your pharmacist can recommend the right level of compression.
- Day bag: A small crossbody bag or lightweight backpack for daily excursions. Look for one with a secure zipper and an RFID-blocking pocket for your passport.
- Reusable water bottle: Many tour coaches have water available, and a reusable bottle reduces plastic waste while keeping you hydrated between stops.
For destination-specific packing advice, check out the Japan packing list or the New Zealand packing list for seasonal guidance.
Finances and Money
Getting your money sorted before departure saves headaches at every ATM and checkout counter along the way.
- Notify your bank and credit card company: Tell them your travel dates and destinations so they do not flag your transactions as fraud and freeze your card mid-trip.
- Check foreign transaction fees: Some Canadian credit cards charge 2.5% on every foreign purchase. If yours does, consider getting a no-foreign-transaction-fee card before your trip. Many travel-oriented cards waive this fee entirely.
- Carry a backup card: Bring at least two payment methods from different providers (e.g., Visa and Mastercard). If one is lost, stolen or deactivated, you have an alternative.
- Small amount of local currency: Exchange $100-$200 CAD worth of local currency before you leave. It is useful for tips, taxis and small purchases when you first arrive, before you find an ATM.
- PIN for credit cards: In many countries, chip-and-PIN is standard, not chip-and-signature. Make sure you know your PIN for every card you are bringing.
- Budget reminder: On an all-inclusive tour, your major expenses (flights, hotels, meals, excursions, tips) are already covered. Your on-trip spending is limited to souvenirs, personal shopping and any optional extras.
Technology and Communication
Staying connected while abroad does not need to be complicated or expensive.
- Phone plan: Contact your mobile provider about international roaming packages. Alternatively, pick up a local SIM card or use an eSIM service for data. Many Canadian providers now offer daily roaming rates of $12-$16/day, while eSIMs can cost as little as $20-$30 for two weeks of data.
- Power adapters: Different countries use different plug types. Research your destination and buy the correct adapter before you leave. A universal travel adapter covers most situations. Do not forget a USB charging hub if you travel with a phone, tablet and camera.
- Download offline maps: Download Google Maps for your destination while you are still on Wi-Fi. Offline maps work without data and can be a lifesaver when you are exploring on your own during free time.
- Important apps: Download a translation app (Google Translate works offline), your airline’s app for boarding passes, and any messaging apps your travel group will use.
- Cloud backup: Back up your phone’s photos and contacts to iCloud or Google before you leave. If your phone is lost or stolen, your memories and contacts are safe.
Preparing Your Home
A few hours of preparation keeps your home safe and your mind at ease while you are thousands of kilometres away.
- Mail: Ask Canada Post to hold your mail, or have a neighbour collect it. A stuffed mailbox signals an empty house.
- Lights and timers: Set interior lights on timers so your home looks occupied in the evening. Smart plugs make this easy and can be controlled from your phone if plans change.
- Thermostat: In winter, lower your thermostat to 15-17 degrees Celsius to save energy while preventing frozen pipes. In summer, set it to 26-28 degrees to prevent excessive humidity.
- Water: If you are away for more than two weeks, consider turning off your main water supply. A burst pipe in an empty house can cause thousands of dollars in damage.
- Plants and pets: Arrange care well in advance. Confirm schedules with your pet sitter or house sitter at least a week before departure.
- Security: Lock all windows and doors. If you have a security system, make sure it is armed and that your monitoring company has an updated emergency contact list.
- Appliances: Unplug small appliances (toasters, coffee makers) to eliminate any fire risk. Empty the refrigerator of perishables and take out the garbage.
- Car: If your vehicle is staying home, park it in the garage or driveway. Consider disconnecting the battery if you will be gone for more than three weeks. Make sure your roadside assistance coverage is current in case someone needs to move the car while you are away.
- Insurance: Confirm your home insurance is up to date and covers unoccupied periods. Some policies require notification if the home will be empty for more than 30 days.
The Week Before You Leave
This is your final-stretch checklist. One week out, confirm these items:
- Reconfirm flights: Check your airline’s app or website for any schedule changes. Download your boarding pass if online check-in is available.
- Print key documents: Even in a digital world, paper copies of your passport, insurance, hotel confirmations and tour itinerary are reliable backups when your phone battery dies.
- Check weather forecasts: Look at the 10-day forecast for your destination and adjust your packing if needed.
- Weigh your luggage: Most international flights allow 23 kg for checked bags. Weigh yours at home to avoid overweight fees at the airport.
- Charge everything: Phone, tablet, camera, portable battery pack, noise-cancelling headphones. Charge them all the night before.
- Share your itinerary: Give a family member or close friend a copy of your full travel itinerary, including hotel names, tour operator contact info and your Group Guru’s details.
What You Can Skip on an All-Inclusive Tour
If you are travelling on an all-inclusive group tour, several items on a typical travel checklist are already handled for you:
- Airport transfers: Door-to-door car service means you do not need to book a taxi, find parking or arrange a ride to the airport.
- Hotel bookings: Every night is pre-arranged at 4-star properties. No research, no booking, no confirmation emails to track.
- Restaurant reservations: All meals are included and arranged. You will eat at carefully selected restaurants without having to find, book or pay at each one.
- Excursion tickets: Every activity, entrance fee and guided tour is pre-booked. No standing in ticket lines or managing reservations.
- Tips: All gratuities for drivers, guides and hotel staff are included in your tour price.
- Emergency logistics: Your Group Guru and the 24/7 support line handle any surprises so you do not have to.
This is one of the biggest advantages of all-inclusive travel for retirees: the planning checklist shrinks because someone else has already done the work. For a full breakdown of what is covered, visit the Approach Tours inclusions page.
Ready to travel? Browse all Approach Tours destinations and start planning your next trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance should I start preparing for an international trip?
Start at least eight weeks before departure. This gives you time to renew your passport if needed, get vaccinations, arrange home care and handle any unexpected issues without rushing.
Do I need travel insurance if my tour already includes it?
Check exactly what your tour’s insurance covers. Some tours include emergency medical insurance (Approach Tours includes $5 million in Manulife coverage), which may be sufficient. You may still want trip cancellation insurance separately, depending on your comfort level.
What is the most commonly forgotten item for international travel?
Power adapters and prescription medication refills top the list. Both are easy to forget and difficult to replace in a foreign country. Add them to your checklist early and pack them in your carry-on, not your checked luggage.
Should I bring Canadian cash or use credit cards abroad?
Bring a small amount of local currency for arrival expenses, then use a no-foreign-transaction-fee credit card for most purchases. ATMs abroad usually offer better exchange rates than airport currency exchanges. Always carry a backup payment method.
How do I keep my documents safe while travelling?
Use a money belt or an RFID-blocking neck pouch for your passport and backup credit card. Keep digital copies of everything in your email or a secure cloud folder. Leave photocopies with someone at home.
