In the past, our travel preparation usually involved a valid passport, a credit card, a driver’s license, and booked flights*, hotels*, rental cars*, and activities*. That was about it. But with every trip, we’ve come to realize that there are a few other small but important tools that can make a big difference.
This year, we expanded our preparation routine. We added three things that we had never considered before. We now have an international driving permit, we’ve taken out travel health insurance, and we use a travel eSIM* during our trips. All three of these choices are based on personal experience, and they give us much more peace of mind and comfort when we travel.
International Driving Permit – Easy to Get and Often Helpful
Before our trip to the United Arab Emirates, we talked to other travelers. They told us that rental car companies* there sometimes ask for an international driving permit. While it’s not always mandatory, many providers strongly recommend having one.
We didn’t want to take any chances. So we made an appointment at the local district office, brought passport photos, and submitted our application. Two weeks later, we picked up the permit. The fee was 15 euros.
It is valid in many countries outside the EU. If you plan to drive abroad, having one can be very useful.
These benefits convinced us:
- Quick to apply for and valid for three years
- Accepted by many rental car companies around the world
- No extra test or course required
- Helpful in case of police checks or accidents
We found all the details about how to apply for an international driving permit on the official website of the Berlin district office.
Travel Health Insurance – Small Cost, Big Protection
Shortly before our ski trip to Austria, we heard a story that made us think. A friend of a friend had a skiing accident. A helicopter flew him to the hospital. Since he didn’t have travel health insurance, he had to cover all the costs himself.
We looked into it and found a policy for just €14.90 per year. The price really surprised us because the coverage is quite extensive.
These features made the difference for us:
- Medical repatriation even when just medically reasonable
- Emergency hotline available 24/7
- Transport to doctors or hospitals included
- Covers all necessary treatments including medication
- Search and rescue costs up to €2,500
- Emergency dental treatments included
We hope we’ll never need it, but since we signed up, we feel much more secure when we travel.
We booked it quickly through our regular health insurance provider.
eSIM – No More Surprises with Roaming Costs
On earlier trips to Cyprus and Switzerland, we faced high roaming charges for mobile internet. We hadn’t taken any precautions and ended up with a hefty bill afterward.
In Japan, we did things differently. That’s where we used an eSIM for the first time. It was not only cheaper but also much more convenient.
There was no need to change a physical SIM card. We simply selected a provider, scanned a QR code, and were connected immediately.
What we love about it:
- Usable immediately after landing
- No need to visit a store or change SIM cards
- Perfect for non-EU destinations
- Works with all modern smartphones
One provider we’ve had good experiences with can be found here*.
🌍 Planning your own road trip?
In our trip planning guide, we share all the tools, apps and services we personally use.
Our Conclusion on Travel Preparation
These three tools have now become a standard part of our travel preparation. The international driving permit, travel health insurance, and eSIM* are all low-cost yet high-value additions to our journeys.
In the past, we thought it was enough to pack a suitcase, bring our passport, driver’s license, and credit card. Now we know that the small things often make the biggest difference. A bit of extra preparation helps us travel more relaxed, safer, and often even cheaper.
I’m Joshua, and my focus is road trips and round trips. I provide detailed travel information, planning tools, and practical tips for driving abroad. Together, we’ll make your next road trip perfectly organized and unforgettable
