TravelDatakit

Keep access to important accounts while travelling

Losing access to your main email abroad can block everything — banking, bookings, 2FA codes, insurance. Five minutes before departure prevents most problems.

See the checklist Full travel kit

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Field tip — the most common mistake

Check that you can access your main email account before you leave. Most banking, bookings and 2FA codes are sent to your primary email. If you cannot access it abroad — because of a new device, a forgotten password, or 2FA tied to a home phone number — the knock-on effects reach every other account.

Accounts to verify before departure
ACCOUNT → WHY IT MATTERS ABROAD
Main email address → Gateway to all other account recovery
Banking app → Card blocks, transfers, emergency access to funds
Travel insurance portal → Filing a claim requires account access and policy number
Flight and hotel booking confirmations → Reference numbers, check-in links, change options
Mobile carrier account → Adding roaming, topping up eSIM, support contact
Work email and tools (if working remotely) → VPN access, 2FA, device authentication
What to do before you leave
Log into your main email on the device you are taking — confirm access works.
Check your 2FA method. If it sends codes to a home phone number, consider switching to an authenticator app before departure.
Open your banking app — confirm it works from your travel device.
Save important passwords in a password manager rather than in Notes, WhatsApp or unprotected files.
Note the international customer service number of your bank — in case the app is locked on a new device.
Download offline copies of booking confirmations and insurance documents — see the documents guide.
Why passwords stored in Notes or WhatsApp are a problem

If your phone is lost or stolen while travelling, anyone who unlocks it has immediate access to every password stored in plaintext. Notes, WhatsApp messages, and unencrypted files are not protected by anything beyond your screen lock.

STORAGE METHOD → RISK
Plaintext in Notes app → High — readable by anyone with phone access
WhatsApp message to yourself → High — visible in backup, accessible if phone unlocked
Browser saved passwords (no master password) → Medium — accessible if device is unlocked
Password manager with master password → Low — encrypted, requires separate authentication
Password manager options

A password manager stores your passwords in an encrypted vault, accessible only with a master password. You only need to remember one password instead of dozens.

OPTION → BEST FOR
ProtonPass → Swiss jurisdiction, open source, end-to-end encrypted including usernames and notes. Paid.
NordPass → Clean interface, reliable across platforms, biometric unlock on mobile. Audited. Paid.
Google Password Manager → Built-in, no extra app — works if you are already in the Google ecosystem.
Apple Keychain → Built-in on iOS/macOS — no extra app needed.
A password manager is not mandatory

If your passwords are already well-managed and your accounts are verified before departure, you do not need a new tool. The goal is access — not a specific product.

See the full pre-departure checklist →
Complete your travel kit
eSIM for mobile data
VPN for public Wi-Fi
Password manager
Cloud + offline docs
See the full checklist →