Travelers need an insane amount of documentation! So much so, the plight of travel documentation can be overwhelming! It would be so easy if all destinations and all travel methods required the same documentation, but NO.
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U.S. citizens traveling domestically
Documentation required at the check-in counter for flying:
A valid form of identification (See acceptable forms of identification)
Plane ticket (paper or electronic)
TRAVEL TIP! Take a mobile boarding pass screenshot! More on that from the TSA.
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Documentation required to obtain a rental car:
Valid driver’s license
Credit card or debit card (some companies do accept debit cards)
TRAVEL TIP! Use your own credit or debit card because the name on the payment method and rental agreement must identically match!
Documentation you need while traveling in your rental car:
Rental car agreement with proof of insurance (in case you get pulled over)
Your valid driver’s license
Need to book a rental car? DiscoverCars.com has you covered! Let them compare prices and help you find the best option. They’ll save you time and money! Who doesn’t love that?!
Documentation for traveling in your own car:
Valid driver’s license
Proof of Insurance
Registration Papers
Documents for boarding buses:
A valid form of photo identification
A printed bus ticket
Planning on traveling by bus but lack the time to research operators? Busbud will help you find the best option at the most reasonable price possible.
Documents for boarding trains:
A valid form of photo identification (Amtrak’s acceptable forms of identification)
A paper or electronic ticket
Additional documentation you may need while traveling domestically:
Medical insurance card
Prescription information
Travel insurance documents
Reservation information & confirmation numbers
Credit card information (in case your card gets lost or stolen)
Itinerary
Emergency contact information (just in case)
Documentation for U.S. visitors
Passport
Visitor Visa (More information here from the U.S. Department of State)
Driver’s license from your home country
International Driver’s Permit (More on that here from USA.gov)
CAUTION! Don’t fall for all the fake International Driver Permit scams!
For United States citizens with a valid United States Driver’s License:
Here is a link to the official U.S. government site. Once you navigate to the government site, scroll down to the bottom of the page. At this point, you’ll see a link that will direct you to another page with information and application instructions.
For those who are not United State citizens:
Here is the International Drivers Permit countries directory. Once you navigate to the site, simply click your home country on the list. After that, you’ll be taken to a page where you can follow the application steps.
Who accepts an International Drivers Permit? See the links below!
International travel documentation
For the most part, documentation needed for traveling internationally depends on the specific requirements of the country you wish to enter. You’ll certainly want to check your intended destinations documentation requirements on the U.S. Department of State website. Click the link to the site and go to countries & areas. Afterwards, you can enter your destination by typing it’s name or you can choose it from the alphabetized drop down menu. Then, you’ll be able to view quick facts, find the nearest U.S. embassy, view travel advisories, and much more.
Here is another really good resource: WorldTrips International Travel Documents Checklist!
For United States citizens returning home, here’s some information from U.S. Customs & Border Protection that will surely help you expedite your re-entry process. Likewise, it will help make the re-entry process smooth and as hassle free as possible.
TRAVEL TIP! You’ll want to make copies of your originals, just in case. My post Basic Safety for all Travelers discusses my methods for traveling lite without lugging a bunch of bulky documents with me. Additionally, it discusses ways to travel securely with your documents and goes in detail about cyber safety.
I hope this pages helps you combat the plight of travel documentation by making the process a little less stressful. As always, Safe Travels!
