Please utilize this packing list to ensure that you are properly prepared for Texas in the right season.

All Gardner Tours travelers are responsible their own transportation to and from Texas. Please visit our Flight Portal for more information on how and when to purchase your flights. If you booked a tour that includes airport pickup and drop-off, after you have purchased your flights, please utilize the form on the Flight Portal to submit your flight information so we know when to pick you up and drop you off!

Not all citizens of foreign countries are required to obtain a visa before entering the Texas (Untied States of America), but please be advised that you might require a visa for entry. If you are not a citizen of the United States and you are concerned that you might need a visa, please visit iVisa.com.

Print Your Itinerary & Tour Details: Printing your tour itinerary and details will always help you remember when and where you need to be a certain times, it will help avoid any confusion on what is included and not included, etc while traveling. Please don’t forget to print out all important tour and travel information before your departure.

Notify Your Bank: Most debit/credit cards do work in the United States, but your bank might still require you to contact them first about your travels before using your card in another country. Even if you plan to take it only for emergency measures, we recommend that you notify your bank of your travels to avoid triggering a fraud alert and having your card ‘frozen’ or incurring unexpected fees with each use.

Prepare for Certain Transactions: No matter what country you are from or how your destination is setup to receive payments (cash or card), we recommend preparing ahead so you can know what you might spend. Although debit / credit cards are accepted in most places in the United States, we recommend that you bring at least some cash with you. Knowing this, you might want to budget ahead so you can bring the proper amount of cash with you. To do so, we recommend that you utilize our Budgeting for Texas page.

Cell Phone Operations: Make sure you know how your cell phone will work in the United States. Forgetting to turn off your data on your cell phone or receiving incoming calls can incur huge charges while traveling in another country. Contact your cell carrier before you leave to check rates and if service is available in your chosen country.

Helpful Smartphone Apps: Download the following smartphone applications to ease your travels, especially if you enjoy connecting to new destinations via technology.

Maps.me

• App Store ➔ Search “Maps.me” ➔ Download ➔ Open ➔ Download Map of Location ➔ Get Acquainted
• WHY? Maps.me is an offline map application that gives voice directions and allows you to save locations for reference. Maps.me is great to help you navigate the unfamiliar territory of your chosen country. You never know, it could help if you get lost when you decide to venture out on your own or if you want to show your family your favorite restaurant.

Google Translate

• App Store ➔ Search “Google Translate” ➔ Download ➔ Open ➔ Settings ➔ Download Spanish ➔ Get Acquainted
• WHY? You never know how it may come in handy when speaking with a Texan.

Mobile Passport Control (For US & Canadian Citizens Only)

• App Store ➔ Search “Mobile Passport Control” ➔ Download ➔ Open ➔ Register ➔ Get Acquainted with Process
• WHY? Mobile Passport Control (MPC) helps you avoid Kiosks when re-entering the USA. As soon as you land (if you’re registered), you can open the app, answer a few questions, submit your ticket, get off the plane, and walk right to the Mobile Passport line, often saving you up to a few hours.

WhatsApp (A Secure Messaging Application)

• App Store ➔ Search “WhatsApp” ➔ Download ➔ Open ➔ Register Your Number ➔ Begin Messaging
• WHY? WhatsApp is the world’s most popular and most user friendly messaging application. This application will help you avoid text or call fees from your cell phone provider while traveling. All you need is a data connection, like wifi, and you can message, call, or video chat with anyone in the world, who has the app, for free. If downloading WhatsApp while preparing to travel and communicate with your loved ones with it while out-and-about, don’t forget to ensure that they have the application downloaded and registered as well.

VPN (Virtual Private Network)

• App Store ➔ Search “1.1.1.1” or “Betternet” (or both) ➔ Download ➔ Open ➔ Make Sure it Connects & Disconnects Properly
• WHY? VPNs are often useful while traveling. Essentially, the VPN tricks the internet into thinking that you are somewhere that you are not, thus allowing you access to a safe and private network. VPNs also allow you access to certain restricted functions on your phone that you might not have otherwise. Some functions on Apple iPhones are challenging in other countries, thus if, for example, your iMessage disconnects randomly while traveling, you can connect your VPN and safely re-login to your iMessage without issue. Although you may never need it, a VPN is always a good application to travel with.

If you want Gardner Tours to be aware of any specific health needs or concerns, please remember to contact us with ample time before your departure.

Before contacting us with questions, please visit our Texas FAQs.

We are more than happy to take your calls or emails, but most of the answers to our travelers' questions can be found here on the website. The Texas FAQs are a great resource for specific questions on Texas, but we also ask that you browse our General FAQs.