Travel Documents

Passport

Passport – Make sure it’s valid for at least 6 months beyond your return date.

Visa requirements – Check if your destination requires a visa (and whether you can get one on arrival or online).

Travel Insurance

Travel Insurance

Highly recommended! Make sure it covers:

  • Medical emergencies and hospital stays

  • Trip cancellation or delay

  • Lost luggage or theft

Currency, Credit Cards & Payments

Credit Card

  • Notify your bank you’ll be traveling abroad — to prevent your cards from being blocked.

  • Check exchange rates and consider carrying a mix of local currency and cards.

  • Have a backup payment method (like a second card or travel money card).

  • Cash is king – in some countries, cash is the preferred payment option. 

Safety & Local Laws

Reach Local Laws
  • Local customs and etiquette (e.g., dress codes, tipping, gestures)
  • Laws about alcohol, photography, or medications
  • Know areas to avoid for safety reasons.
  • Register with your embassy (many have traveler registration services) for emergencies.

Packing Smart

Check before you travel

  • Check luggage allowances and airline rules for liquids or electronics.

  • Pack essential items in your carry-on (passport, medications, chargers, valuables).

  • Adapt clothing to the climate and culture of your destination.

  • Bring universal power adapters and check voltage compatibility for your electronics.

Practical Tips

Helpful tips

  • Learn a few basic phrases in the local language — “hello,” “thank you,” “help,” “where is…?”

  • Plan transport from the airport to your accommodation in advance.

  • Download offline maps and translation apps (Google Maps, Google Translate, etc.).

  • Keep some snacks and a refillable water bottle handy, especially for long journeys.

The Sunflower Lanyard Program (often called the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower) is an international initiative used in airports and other public places to discreetly indicate that a person has a hidden (non-visible) disability and may need extra help, time, or understanding.

  • The lanyard is voluntary — you don’t need to provide medical proof.

  • It’s a subtle signal to staff that the person may need:

    • More time or clearer communication

    • Access to a quiet space

    • Assistance with wayfinding, security checks, or boarding

    • Patience or understanding during interactions

💡 How to Get One

  • Most participating airports offer them for free at information desks or assistance counters.

  • You can also order one online from the official Hidden Disabilities Sunflower website.

Would you like me to tell you which airports in your country currently recognize the Sunflower Lanyard?

🌻 What the Sunflower Lanyard Signifies

  • The wearer (or someone with them, such as a child or elderly relative) has a hidden disability — something that isn’t immediately obvious, such as:

    • Autism

    • ADHD

    • Anxiety disorders

    • Dementia

    • Hearing or vision impairments

    • Chronic pain or fatigue conditions

    • Learning disabilities

  • The lanyard is voluntary — you don’t need to provide medical proof.

  • It’s a subtle signal to staff that the person may need:

    • More time or clearer communication

    • Access to a quiet space

    • Assistance with wayfinding, security checks, or boarding

    • Patience or understanding during interactions

✈️ At Airports

Many airports around the world (including Heathrow, Gatwick, JFK, Toronto Pearson, Dubai, Sydney, and many more) participate in the program.
If you wear the Sunflower lanyard:

  • Airport and airline staff trained in the program will recognize it.

  • They may ask if you need any specific assistance or provide extra support through security or boarding.

  • It does not provide priority boarding or skip-the-line privileges automatically — it’s about awareness and understanding, not special status.

✈️ At the Airport

  1. Pack medications in your carry-on

    • Always keep them with you — not in checked luggage (which can be delayed or lost).

    • Bring extra doses in case of travel delays.

  2. Security screening

    • You can bring liquid medications over 100ml if they are essential — but declare them at security.

    • Show supporting documents (prescription or doctor’s note) if asked.

💊 2. Health & Medications

  • Vaccinations: Check required or recommended vaccines for your destination (e.g. yellow fever, hepatitis, typhoid).

  • Medications:

    • Carry them in original packaging.

    • Bring prescriptions and a doctor’s letter.

    • Check your destination’s rules on controlled drugs.

  • Travel health kit: Include basic pain relief, stomach medicine, and any first aid items you use regularly.

  • If you have a hidden disability or medical condition, the Sunflower Lanyard can help airport staff recognize that you might need extra time or understanding.

🧳 Before You Travel

  1. Keep medications in original packaging

    • Ensure labels clearly show your name, prescribing doctor, and dosage.

    • This helps airport security and customs identify your medicines easily.

  2. Carry a copy of your prescription

    • Include the generic name (not just the brand name) in case you need to replace it abroad.

    • Ask your doctor for a letter summarizing your condition and medication needs (especially for controlled drugs or injectables).

  3. Check medication legality in your destination

    • Some countries restrict or ban certain prescription medications (for example, codeine, amphetamines, or strong painkillers).

    • Check the embassy or consulate website of your destination at least a few weeks before travel.

🌍 While Abroad

  • Keep medicines in a cool, dry place (use cooling packs for temperature-sensitive drugs like insulin).

  • If you need refills, contact your embassy or a local pharmacy — they can advise on local equivalents.

  • Don’t share or give away medications, even if they’re common over-the-counter drugs at home.

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