Traveling Abroad from Sierra Leone? Do These 3 Things First

New cities, new food, and new experiences: the excitement of travelling is real! 

But before you leave Sierra Leone, there are a few things you don’t want to forget. Because the truth is, a smooth trip doesn’t start at the airport. It starts with how well you prepare. 

Here are three simple but important things to do before you travel. 

1. Have a Reliable Way to Make Payments

Before traveling, sort out how you will spend money internationally. 

This is where many trips go wrong.

You assume your debit card will work everywhere until it doesn’t. Or you carry cash and start worrying about safety, exchange rates, or running out at the worst possible time. 

One option many travellers from Sierra Leone are turning to is the UBA Dollar Visa Prepaid Card. Because it’s funded in dollars and accepted globally, it allows you to pay for hotels, transport, online bookings, and everyday expenses without the usual stress.

Even better, it helps you avoid the high charges that often come with using regular cards abroad. While many debit and prepaid cards can charge around 4% on international transactions – whether they are paying online, at a POS, or withdrawing cash overseas – the UBA Dollar Visa Prepaid card keeps fees much lower (at around 1.5%) so you are spending more on your trip and less on unnecessary charges. 

To sign up for the UBA Dollar Visa Prepaid card, simply visit any branch of UBA Sierra Leone and request the UBA Dollar Visa Prepaid Card. If you are a new customer, you will be asked to fill out a Know-Your-Customer (KYC) form, accompanied by:

• A valid photo ID bearing your picture
• One passport-sized photograph
• A utility bill or local tax document

If you already bank with UBA Sierra Leone, you only need to fill out the application form.

Even better? You can get your card the same day, within 10 to 30 minutes!

2.Organize Your Travel Essentials (Before the Rush)

Packing at the last minute and hoping we didn’t forget something important?

We’ve all been there.

Before your trip, take your time to properly organize your essentials: your passport, visa, travel itinerary, and copies of important documents. Keeping both digital and physical backups can save you a lot of trouble if anything goes missing. Therefore organize your essentials:

• Passport and visa documents
• Buy your $45 Sea Coach ticket online
• Pay for your $25 Securiport pass online 
• Travel itinerary and bookings
• Copies of important documents (digital or printed)
• Your emergency contacts

Having everything in order means less panic, fewer surprises, and a much smoother journey from the moment you leave home.

3.Plan Your Connectivity Before You Land

Before leaving Sierra Leone, think about how you will stay connected. Will you get a local SIM card, activate roaming, or use an eSIM?  

Imagine arriving in a new country with no internet, no maps, and no way to contact anyone. 

Stressful, right?

Having internet access as soon as you land can help with calling a ride, navigate easily, access bookings and confirmations, and stay in touch with family and friends. 

It’s a small detail but it will make a big difference to your travel experience. 

Travelling Better Starts Before You Leave

A great trip is not just about where you are going. It is about how prepared you are when you get there. 

By sorting out payments, planning your connectivity, and organizing your essentials before leaving Sierra Leone, you are setting yourself up for a smoother, more enjoyable trip. 

The best travel experiences are the ones where everything just flows!