Cameroon's gateway to adventure and exploration. Here are some things to do before traveling through the Douala International Airport.
Welcome to Douala International Airport, Cameroon's gateway to adventure and exploration. Here are some things to do before traveling through the Douala International Airport.
This guide will help you quickly navigate the airport, from understanding entry and visa requirements to stocking up on necessary amenities. Best wishes!
Things To Do Before Traveling Through The Douala International Airport
The tips listed here are focused mainly on outgoing travelers, but some of the information will also be helpful for incoming travelers through the Douala international airport.
A. Things To Do One To Three Months Before Traveling
- Book your flight.
- Check the validity of your passport.
- Double-check your date of travel and itinerary.
- Make hotel and other transport and lodging reservations.
- Check if transit visas are needed for the flight ad book your transit visas.
B. Things To Do One To Two Weeks Before Traveling
Double-check all items in the previous list and make adjustments where necessary.
Start packing your luggage into their respective bags: it is always a good idea to start packing your luggage at least two weeks before the travel date, especially if you will be traveling with much baggage.
Coming up with the things you need to pack and packing are two completely different challenges.
It will be wise to begin by setting out everything you believe you'll need; then, you progressively screen this as the days go by. You may drop some things to create space for other, more important things.
Also, check the maximum permitted weight you can travel with the airline.
- Another critical detail to check is the list of unauthorized items to travel with or which may need special authorization. This may include certain foods, animal products, pharmaceuticals, electronic devices, etc.
- Assemble all travel documents, assemble your Visa, passport, transit visa, etc. Print everything that needs to be printed ad keep it in a safe place: always print all documents early enough to avoid the pressure that may come with power outages. This will also allow you to pick the best printing machine for good-quality printed copies.
- Carry out all financial transactions with your bank, relatives, and friends: you may need to notify your bank that you will be traveling ( CEMAC banking laws limit its citizens to withdraw not more than a million francs when out of the CEMAC region). This might demand that you make some withdrawals to facilitate your movement within the days following your trip. You may also need to transfer power of attorney to a close family who can do transactions on your behalf if necessary.
C. Things To Do One or Two Days Before Traveling
- Double Check all items in the previous list and make adjustments where necessary.
- Complete all the packing stuff and use an electronic scale to weigh all luggage.
- Change cash and set up credit cards: one of the most crucial tasks when traveling to a different country is to have the currency of your destination country.
To have the best, most favorable exchange rates, change all currencies early enough to avoid the rush of the last day, which may cause exchange rates to be too high.
Due to capital flight restrictions, the maximum amount of cash a traveler can travel with through the Douala international airport is 3 000 000 (three million Francs), which is about $5000.
Get Your Yellow Fever Vaccine and Covid Vaccine, and Test if Required
Traveling through the Douala international airport, you will be expected to prove that you have been immunized against yellow fever. You may also be expected to show proof of covid-19 vaccination or a test (usually at most 24hrs old, depending on your destination).
Read More: First Aid Box Items List in Cameroon
D. Things to do on the Day of Traveling
The City of Douala can be challenging for commuters, with numerous traffic jams and the occasional blocking of major streets and junctions for one reason or the other.
For this reason, plan to arrive at the airport at least 3 hours before the scheduled flight. This will give you ample time to navigate any traffic jams or rush and get any item you might have forgotten.
Going to the airport three hours before takeoff will also give you ample time to complete your check-in with all tranquility, giving you enough time to spend with family and friends before your flight.
The Douala international airport is not the most organized in the world, and you may face some embarrassing situations while traveling by this airport. To be safe, do the following on the day of your flight:
- Assemble your travel documents and keep them handy in your hand luggage.
- Have some cash in the local currency (francs CFA) readily available to sort out any eventualities.
- Weigh your luggage one last time to ensure it is within the recommended limits.
Final words
Traveling through the Douala international airport can be a tense and frustrating experience. But with the right guidance and proper preparations, the experience can be smooth, stress-free, and enjoyable.
This article will serve as a handy guide and easy to-do list for all who travel through this airport. In case of any glaring omission, we will gladly call on our readers to add to this list in the comments. Safe Journey!
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