It’s always wonderful when you’re trying to do what you can to make travel a bigger part of your life; that little escape from everyday life to have new experiences is absolutely wonderful. Overall, planning a trip is always exciting, but what happens when something unexpected throws a wrench in your plans?

Sure, we all know about delayed flights or overbooked hotels, but some of the things that could cancel or ruin your trip are far more unpredictable. So, before packing those bags, it’s worth knowing about the odd curveballs that could derail your adventure.

Everyone knows a passport is essential for international travel, but even with one in hand, your trip could be at risk. Yes, you read that right! A passport that expires within six months of your travel date?

That’s a common rule many countries enforce, and it could stop you from boarding your flight. But here’s something more unusual: even a slightly damaged passport can cause serious issues. Just think about it, eent corners, water damage, or dog bites—yes, it happens—could all render your passport invalid.

And if you’ve picked up any fun, unofficial souvenir stamps along your travels—like the ones from tourist spots like Machu Picchu—beware. Some countries take passport stamps very seriously, and those “just for fun” stamps might raise red flags with border officials, making them think your passport is compromised. It’s a little-known fact that can turn into a big problem when you’re at customs.

Something to note: many forums, such as Trip Advisor and Reddit, will state that it’s fine and that the border patrol doesn’t care, but these fake stamps technically make your passport invalid.

So, just imagine this: your bags are packed, and you’re dreaming of sandy beaches, but then a jury duty summons arrives in the mail. And no, being on vacation doesn’t automatically get you out of it. Some jurisdictions are very strict, and if you’ve already booked your trip but haven’t been officially excused from serving, you could be forced to cancel everything.

While there are often options to reschedule, dealing with unexpected jury duty can cause massive headaches, and sometimes it’s just unavoidable. In some cases, ignoring the summons could result in fines or legal trouble, and that’s definitely not how anyone wants to spend their holiday.

But if you have a solid insurance plan, then this could protect you so you can reschedule your trip without any problems or fees. Again, sometimes jury duty can be last minute (it’s rare, but it technically happens), so you’ll need to get a travel insurance plan (a really good one) right when you’re booking everything.

Have you ever watched the second Sex and the City movie? Well, Samantha has her menopause medication confiscated, as it’s considered illegal at her destination. While she got off scot-free (without her medicine), the reality is far more strict.

What medication you’re taking, such as pain medication or even antidepressants, can be illegal in other countries, and a proper doctor's note won’t be enough. Always check local laws regarding medications, or your trip might take an unexpected detour to a customs office. Also, sometimes, even standard over-the-counter medication like Advil can get you in hot water, too.

Did you know that bisa rules can change suddenly? Maybe you were traveling to a country that has a “visa-on-arrival,” but during travel, things changed. It sounds far-fetched, but it can happen. Or you might accidentally apply for the wrong type of visa, putting your entire trip in jeopardy.

Worse yet, some visas come with restrictions—like not being able to enter through certain airports or borders—meaning your well-laid travel plans could fall apart if you didn’t catch the fine print.