Before You Travel

Local currency is preferred, whether that’s euros, shekels, Egyptian pounds or something else depending on where you’re traveling, simply because it’s easier for your guides and drivers to use straight away. That said, your gratuity is appreciated in whatever form you can offer it, so please don’t worry if dollars are all you have with you. The amounts suggested in “Are tips expected, and how much?” are given in US dollars as a guide, so you can convert roughly to the local equivalent. Since your travel kit includes tip envelopes, it’s worth deciding what you’d like to give before you travel, and picking up some smaller notes in local currency once you arrive.

Airport security rules are set by TSA and by the authorities in the countries you travel through, and they do change, so it’s worth checking tsa.gov before you fly. As a general guide, liquids in your carry-on need to be in containers of 3.4 ounces (100 ml) or less, together in a single quart-sized clear bag. Medications are treated more flexibly than other liquids and are generally allowed in larger quantities, but pack them in your carry-on rather than your checked bag, keep them in their original labeled containers, and allow a little extra time at security in case they need to be inspected. If you’re traveling with medical equipment, see “Can I bring my CPAP machine, and where do I get distilled water?”

About 30 days before departure we mail your pilgrim travel kit, and tracking details are available in your Pilgrim Portal so you can see where your package is at any time. Delivery timing varies depending on your address and the courier’s routing, so don’t worry if it takes a little longer than you expected. Your travel documents don’t depend on the package arriving: your itinerary, hotel details, and flight information are all in the Canterbury mobile app and the Pilgrim Portal. If your departure is close and your kit still hasn’t arrived, contact us at (800) 653-0017 or hello@canterburypilgrimages.com and we’ll look into it.