Websites for travellers
#1
In Real Life
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Down under down under
Posts: 52,152
Bikes: Lots
Mentioned: 141 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3203 Post(s)
Liked 595 Times
in
329 Posts
Websites for travellers
The World Health Organization - with traveller's health information such as warnings, required vaccinations, etc.
https://www.who.int/en/
Consular Affairs - information and assistance for Canadians abroad
https://www.voyage.gc.ca/consular_home-en.asp
US bureau of consular affairs - information for US travellers and those travelling to the US
https://travel.state.gov/
Also, just a question ... how many of you travel to other countries with additional health coverage to cover your expenses in case of a health related emergency?
I've gotten it every time I've left Canada ... but next time I really should read the policies more carefully because if something did happen, I'm not sure I would know what to do. In Australia, I did have an accident and early on in my recovery process I toyed with the idea of seeing a Dr. but I wasn't sure of the procedures so I didn't. When I went to the US earlier this month, I actually forgot my policy papers at home ... oops! So if something happened, and it almost did, I wouldn't have had the foggiest clue what to do! Definitely something I should be more careful about in the future.
https://www.who.int/en/
Consular Affairs - information and assistance for Canadians abroad
https://www.voyage.gc.ca/consular_home-en.asp
US bureau of consular affairs - information for US travellers and those travelling to the US
https://travel.state.gov/
Also, just a question ... how many of you travel to other countries with additional health coverage to cover your expenses in case of a health related emergency?
I've gotten it every time I've left Canada ... but next time I really should read the policies more carefully because if something did happen, I'm not sure I would know what to do. In Australia, I did have an accident and early on in my recovery process I toyed with the idea of seeing a Dr. but I wasn't sure of the procedures so I didn't. When I went to the US earlier this month, I actually forgot my policy papers at home ... oops! So if something happened, and it almost did, I wouldn't have had the foggiest clue what to do! Definitely something I should be more careful about in the future.
__________________
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
#2
No longer in Wimbledon...
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Hong Kong
Posts: 865
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
For general information and a good browse, I've always liked the CIA Factbook site:
https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/
https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/
#3
Macro Geek
Originally Posted by Machka
Also, just a question ... how many of you travel to other countries with additional health coverage to cover your expenses in case of a health related emergency?
The first time I paid for an out-of-country trip using this card, I was in the USA and got sick. I was rushed to hospital by ambulance, and spent six hours in intensive care. The bill came to about $2000, but the insurance paid the whole shot.
$2000 is roughly twenty years worth of annual fees, so it seems like a bargain to me... provided I pay my monthly credit card bills on time.
#4
In Real Life
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Down under down under
Posts: 52,152
Bikes: Lots
Mentioned: 141 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3203 Post(s)
Liked 595 Times
in
329 Posts
I hadn't thought of that aspect of credit cards ... mine is just a little one with a small balance.
But I get my insurance through CAA. They've got a pretty good deal for both insurance and other travel related items.
But I get my insurance through CAA. They've got a pretty good deal for both insurance and other travel related items.
__________________
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
#5
In Real Life
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Down under down under
Posts: 52,152
Bikes: Lots
Mentioned: 141 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3203 Post(s)
Liked 595 Times
in
329 Posts
I just thought I'd bump this and update the Canadian website (the one I posted in the first post is out of date):
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada: Essential Information for Canadians Abroad (but with a lot of useful information for those from other countries as well)
https://www.voyage.gc.ca/
This is where I find out about new travel requirements for getting into other countries, where I get information about stuff going on in other countries (like wars, etc.), and where I can get other general travel information.
I believe this is Australia's site: https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/
"Smartraveller: The Australian Government's travel advisory and consular assistance service"
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada: Essential Information for Canadians Abroad (but with a lot of useful information for those from other countries as well)
https://www.voyage.gc.ca/
This is where I find out about new travel requirements for getting into other countries, where I get information about stuff going on in other countries (like wars, etc.), and where I can get other general travel information.
I believe this is Australia's site: https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/
"Smartraveller: The Australian Government's travel advisory and consular assistance service"
__________________
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
#6
Formerly Known as Newbie
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Helsinki, Finland
Posts: 6,250
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
3 Posts
I used to be an active contributor in Lonely Planet's Thorn Tree discussion forums. I haven't written anything there for years now, but I still occasionally check it. It's a good place for finding / asking info regarding small details about your destination: local timetables, opening hours, bank holidays, if a particular hotel is as good as they claim they are and such.
Regarding health insurance abroad, mine comes bundled with my homeowner's insurance policy. For several years I went with a pay-as-you-go system, bought from the airport on departure. The one I have now has better coverage. For the annual cost of maybe 1,5x single PAYG for a short trip, I can now travel practically as much as I like. Goes without saying, now when I have the good coverage, I don't get to travel so much anymore.
--J
Regarding health insurance abroad, mine comes bundled with my homeowner's insurance policy. For several years I went with a pay-as-you-go system, bought from the airport on departure. The one I have now has better coverage. For the annual cost of maybe 1,5x single PAYG for a short trip, I can now travel practically as much as I like. Goes without saying, now when I have the good coverage, I don't get to travel so much anymore.
--J
__________________
To err is human. To moo is bovine.
Who is this General Failure anyway, and why is he reading my drive?
Become a Registered Member in Bike Forums
Community guidelines
To err is human. To moo is bovine.
Who is this General Failure anyway, and why is he reading my drive?
Become a Registered Member in Bike Forums
Community guidelines
Last edited by Juha; 06-03-09 at 02:42 AM.
#7
Cycled on all continents
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Germany
Posts: 408
Bikes: see homepage (currently only in German)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Also my friend how broke his shoulder in Ghana last year he got his 80 EUR back (Visited 3 hospitals)...
... if anything happens in developed countries the prices increase a lot. I think a day in a German hospital costs 200-500 EUR.
Thomas
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Seattle
Posts: 170
Bikes: Surly LHT; Surly Ogre; Sekai 1970s classic; Old Trek Hard-tail Mountain Bike; Trek 7200
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Medical insurance comes for "free" when you pay for a trip (e.g., airfare or hotel) using certain credit cards. My Visa gold card has an annual fee of $99, and covers out-of-country health insurance, rental car insurance, trip cancellation insurance, and more. If something I purchase by credit card is stolen or lost, I can get it replaced. Warrantees are automatically extended, too. There are restrictions, of course, but so far, it works for me.
The first time I paid for an out-of-country trip using this card, I was in the USA and got sick. I was rushed to hospital by ambulance, and spent six hours in intensive care. The bill came to about $2000, but the insurance paid the whole shot.
$2000 is roughly twenty years worth of annual fees, so it seems like a bargain to me... provided I pay my monthly credit card bills on time.
The first time I paid for an out-of-country trip using this card, I was in the USA and got sick. I was rushed to hospital by ambulance, and spent six hours in intensive care. The bill came to about $2000, but the insurance paid the whole shot.
$2000 is roughly twenty years worth of annual fees, so it seems like a bargain to me... provided I pay my monthly credit card bills on time.
Howard
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Pueblo, CO
Posts: 152
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I'm currently working so my long distance touring has been limited, but I have been hosting touring cyclists through www.couchsurfing.com
So far, no weirdos It's a cheap way to travel and also meet interesting people at the same time.
So far, no weirdos It's a cheap way to travel and also meet interesting people at the same time.