Answers to Frequently Asked Travel Questions (FAQ)

•  Be sure your passport is current! Without a current passport, you will be turned away at the airport. Your passport needs to be valid for 6 months after your group’s return date. You need to arrive at the airport no less than two hours prior to your departure time and with today’s heightened security measures at airports, at least three hours or more is highly recommended.

• Make 2 copies of your passport, leaving one at home with family or friends and the other to be kept with you in a separate place than your passport. Please either carry your passport with you or when available, store your passport in your hotel room safe. Never leave your passport unattended.

• Leave a copy of your itinerary, hotel names with phone numbers and Pilgrimage Tours’ telephone number (800-278-1351) with family or friends. Contact your cell phone service provider to inquire about any international calling/data plans they may offer.

• We recommend that you exchange money prior to your departure date, either at your local bank or through AAA travel services. Dollars can also be converted to Euros at exchange shops located in international airports. If you need additional funds while traveling, you should be able to use an ATM machine, but please consult with your bank prior to leaving on your pilgrimage. Credit cards are accepted in most gift shops and restaurants worldwide and is recommended for your larger ticket purchases. For any credit cards you will be using, you should notify the credit card company of your travel plans. Consider setting up banking alerts to monitor any unusual spending while traveling.

• Please note that in foreign countries, there are different types of outlets with higher voltage standards than in the United States. Please consult the link below for a list of outlets per country:

  https://www.worldstandards.eu/electricity/plug-voltage-by-country/

• Make sure that your luggage, including carry-on, is properly tagged and clearly labeled. You are permitted one piece of checked luggage and one carry-on bag. Size and weight restrictions will be included on your airline ticket. Be sure to pack any over-the-counter & prescription medications (clearly labeled), valuables, and a change of clothing in your carry-on luggage in case your checked luggage is delayed. If you want to lock your checked luggage, select only TSA approved locks. If your luggage needs to be inspected and has a normal lock, TSA will break the lock.

• Please note that the TSA has updated its guideline regarding lithium ion and lithium metal batteries, power banks and cell phone battery charging cases. All lithium ion and lithium metal batteries must be packed in your carry-on baggage only, not checked luggage.

• If bringing a cordless curling iron powered by gas cartridges or butane, they must also be packed in carry-on luggage only. Travelers are limited to one cordless curling iron each, the device must have a safety cover fitted over the heating element. Spare fuel cartridges are prohibited.

• If you have a medical implant, please bring a note from your doctor describing your medical implant and advise the TSA agent of these details prior to walking through the metal detector. You may be required to submit to a secondary screening. This may consist of using a wand or a pat-down to ensure that the metal is inside your body. Some modern screening devices can detect these implants and prevent further screening.

• Pack any personal items that could accidentally spill in a Ziploc plastic bag to minimize any potential damage caused by containers that might open during travel. Such items would include shampoo, colognes, lotions and sunscreen. Please note that any liquids or lotions in your carry-on luggage need to be in a travel size of 3.4 ounces or less.

• Dress comfortably, especially your footwear. Be sure to wear shoes that you have already broken in. When visiting churches, modesty is the rule. Women are free to wear slacks. In general, shoulders should be covered when entering religious sites. Be comfortable and respectful.

• Be prepared for all types of weather by packing clothing that you can easily layer. We recommend such items as hats, sweatshirts, sweaters, rain gear and a light jacket. Also consider bringing a compact umbrella in case of rainy weather.

• Please remember to wear your name badge at your departure airport and during the tour, as it will help fellow tour members and local personnel at tour sites to identify you as a member of the group.

•  Seat assignment requests for your flights will be handled by Pilgrimage Tours on your behalf, subject to availability and at the discretion of the airline. Any seating and/or dietary meal requests need to be included in writing on your passport picture page copy. Please be sure to send us your passport copy with your final payment for the tour. You can find your final payment due date on your confirmation invoice.

• While on your pilgrimage, your group will be led by a Tour Director specializing in your group’s itinerary.  They will be able to offer you good advice and answer your questions.  Another source for any local information during your tour would be the front desk personnel at your hotel.

Packing Tips and Checklist

1) One checked bag, one carry-on, and one personal item such as a purse or handbag is permitted per person on your pilgrimage. Specific sizes and weight specifications are included on your E-ticket for your specific airline. If you would like to take another checked bag, additional charges will incur. These additional bags are at your personal expense.

2) Light weight, soft fabric luggage can save you a few pounds per piece over more cumbersome hard luggage.  If you don’t need the protection that hard luggage provides, a quality travel duffel can give you enough of a weight advantage to bring back a few more mementos from your pilgrimage.

3)  If you want to lock your checked luggage, select only TSA approved locks.  If your luggage needs to be inspected and has a normal lock, TSA will break the lock.  An alternative is to close it with wire ties / zip ties, but if TSA cuts them they will not replace a wire tie when they are finished.  Please click here to familiarize yourself with TSA approved locks.

4) Do a little homework on expected temperatures and precipitation before departure.  Pack for seasonally appropriate conditions on your pilgrimage tour. Check conditions by clicking our Historical Weather link in the tab at the bottom of this page page.

5) With any pilgrimage travel, places of religious significance often require that visitors cover up.  Pack appropriate attire for churches and other traditionally modest attire places.  For women, a sarong may be all you need to quickly wrap over.  Both men and women should be able to have sleeves ready as needed.  Outside religious venues, standard casual attire is considered appropriate virtually everywhere else.

6) Please note that the TSA has updated its guideline regarding lithium ion and lithium metal batteries, power banks and cell phone battery charging cases. All lithium ion and lithium metal batteries must be packed in your carry-on baggage only, not checked luggage.

7) If bringing a cordless curling iron powered by gas cartridges or butane, they must also be packed in carry-on luggage only. Travelers are limited to one cordless curling iron each, the device must have a safety cover fitted over the heating element. Spare fuel cartridges are prohibited.