Pre Travel Checklist – The Ultimate List Of What To Do Before Your Trip

UPDATED FEB 2020. Planning your trips can sometimes be overwhelming, especially when you’re first starting out. Today I’m sharing a pre travel checklist to help streamline things for your next trip. Of course, there’s no such thing as a ‘one size fits all’ since we all have different circumstances. You may need to make some minor adjustments, but this will definitely have you covered for the most part or at least get the mouse in your brain on the wheel and ready to get organized.

Travel Checklist – The Ultimate List Of What To Do Before Your Trip

Disclaimer

There are affiliate links included in this post. This means at no extra cost to you, I earn a commission if you book through the link.

Pre travel checklist phase 1 – planning

Choose your destination

If you’re not 100% sure, then some factors to consider when narrowing down your destination are:

• Is it peak or off-peak season? Peak season usually gets you the best weather and most tourist companies operating but it comes at the cost of crowds and higher prices. Visiting on a shoulder season is usually a good trade-off if possible.
• Will the weather impact your visit? For example, in Greece during the off-season, many ferries don’t run because of the weather and low tourist numbers. Checking the weather can help you from visiting somewhere and being stuck without much to do.
• Is the currency in your favor? What’s your budget for this trip?

Organize transportation

How are you going to get to your holiday destination – plane, train, boat, drive?

There are a lot of cheap flight websites from Kayak to Skyscanner to CheapOair.

If you want to keep the costs down you can also try searching for different connections with multiple airlines. It’s a bit extra research but sometimes so worth it.

Also, check your baggage allowance.

Choose accommodation

What type of accommodation do you want to stay in? Budget, luxury, boutique, resort-style, camping, glamping, Airbnb, couch surfing – there are a lot of different options.

I switch it up from time to time depending on the style of the trip but usually always use Booking.com to book my accommodation. One thing I always do though is to check the location on Google Maps in relation to the main sights and/or public transport.

I want to be able to explore easily without having to pay too much for taxis. From there I check reviews but take them with a grain of salt as they are so subjective. I basically check if the majority is positive or negative, and look over the facilities – what is in the room, do they offer free wifi, is breakfast available, etc.

Choose how to get around

How will you get around while you are on holiday?

Will you rent a car, use public transport or walk?

Check the cities tourist website because many offer ‘city pass’ style cards which can get you free use of public transport and entry to museums.

Also, be sure to look up how far away your accommodation is from the airport and the best way to get there.

Do you need a visa?

Will you need one for this holiday and is there enough time for it to process?

Many visitor visas are able to be obtained quickly over the Internet, while others take longer and require you to send in your passport so best to double-check.

What is the expiry date on your passport?

For international travel you generally need your passport to be valid for 6 months AFTER your trip and some countries also require a certain number of blank pages.

Take care of your pets

Will you have a friend housesit, put your pets in a kennel or use a pet sitting service like Rover.com.

Personally, I use a local kennel, but use whatever is best for your pets.

Pre travel checklist phase 2 – researching

Can you drink the water?

Something that’s definitely good to know is if the water is safe to drink.

If not, you can stick to bottled water during your stay, eat at reputable places, don’t order drinks with ice and maybe pack some travelers probiotics to give your guts some help with the changes.

Are vaccinations required?

Check if you need any specific vaccinations for the destination and if so, get those organized asap.

Do you need an adapter?

What’s the voltage and will you need a power adapter?

I like having a universal adapter because then I can just take it everywhere with me.

How will you stay connected?

Will you have access to wi-fi or will you be getting a travel sim?

What are your roaming charges on your phone?

I typically turn my phone to airplane mode before I board the plane then use wi-fi where I can while traveling.

For longer trips or your first solo trips, you may want to have more connectivity so a simple travel sim card may be a good option (they can usually be obtained easily at the airport when you arrive).

Are there any local laws to be aware of?

With new countries comes new laws and new standards of what’s acceptable so I think it’s really important to look up the local laws and customs so you know what NOT to do.

I use the Smart Traveler website.

Part of your pre travel checklist should be to check if there is a dress code where you will be visiting

Learn a few common phrases

If you are going to somewhere with a different language to yours, make sure to

1. have a translation app

2. Google some useful, common phrases – thank you, good morning, hello, etc.

Even if you butcher the pronunciation and don’t have perfect grammar, it’ll go a long way to show respect for the place you are a guest of.

Check your medications

If you take regular medications make sure you have enough to last the trip.

Also, check if you need any extra paperwork to get it through customs.

How will you pay for things?

What is the currency?

Will you be able to use a card or should you have cash?

If you’ll be getting cash in the local currency, how will you get it?

Currency exchanges are usually a rip off so I prefer to use an ATM at the airport when I arrive at the new place.

When I am using a card I only use my credit card which isn’t linked to my regular payments or paychecks so that if anything happens with fraud it is much easier to cancel and manage.

IMPORTANT: When you get cash out or pay with card, always decline the conversion and pay in your own currency. This way your bank will charge the conversion and it’s usually always A LOT cheaper than the foreign bank.

I don’t know who needs to hear this but always decline the conversion when paying with card or using an ATM while traveling. When it asks you to choose local currency or your own, choose local. Your bank will give a better exchange than the foreign bank. #traveltip

— Katie McIntosh ✈️ (@katieshowblog) January 17, 2020

Pre travel checklist phase 3 – things to do

Download offline areas

Here is a guide on how to download offline areas to the Google Maps app on your phone.

Get the whole area you will be traveling to and this way you will always have a map to use even if you don’t have an Internet connection.

Another option is to use the Maps.me app.

Notify your bank

To prevent your funds from being frozen while you’re traveling, set a travel alert with your bank account.

Notify government organization

As an Australian, I use Smart Traveller to register my travel.

This way if, worst-case scenario, a natural disaster or something happens, the government will be tracking that they need to stage an elaborate rescue and send Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson come and save me.

Check the government organization for your country and register your travel.

Get travel insurance

Some countries like America actually require this, but even if it’s optional for the country you are visiting make sure you have travel insurance.

If you can’t afford insurance then you can’t afford to travel.

Pack

Duh. It is a travel checklist, right? Don’t forget your phone charger and toothbrush!

Photocopy your documents

Make a photocopy of your ID, Passport, and travel insurance documents and keep them separate from your actual ID’s.

Some people prefer to leave the hard copies in the hotel and carry photocopies with you, others prefer the opposite, but whatever you do – make sure you always have one set of ID documents on you.

Plan the fun stuff

Time to make a list of the fun things you want to see, do and eat while you’re on holidays – hopefully, my blog can help you plan your trip if you are going to one of the places I have been to.

It’s also a good idea to make a daily budget and then track your daily expenses while you’re traveling to keep you on track too (especially if you’re traveling for a longer period of time).

Get a travel journal

On my first solo trip when I was 12 (yes that’s true), my nana bought me a notebook and told me to write in it each day of the holiday.

I’m so glad she did because I still have that travel journal and am glad that I have those memories preserved.

I love them so much that I made my own and you can pick up your own copy of Katie Show Blog Travel Journal (and support my work in the process, win-win!)

Make sure any bills are taken care of

If there are any bills that will need to be paid while you’re gone make sure you take care of them prior to leaving, especially if you will be away for a long time or won’t have much internet access while you’re gone.

Get an International Drivers License (if necessary)

If you will be driving, get an International Drivers License before you leave.

They’re usually required for renting cars in other countries and are relatively cheap and easy to organize.

Pre travel checklist phase 4 – around the home

Prep your mail

Ask a neighbor or friend to check your mail.

Even if it’s just junk mail and you wouldn’t read it, overflowing mail is a sign of an empty house – a prime target for robbery, so it’s best to have a plan for your mail to be collected.

Will someone have access to your house?

This is another that’s dependent on where you live and how long you will be gone, but it may be worth giving someone keys to your house so they can hang out there a couple of times while you’re away.

They can check up on everything and, more importantly, help it not look like an empty house.

If you’re going to be away for a longer time, ask them to flush the toilets so the water doesn’t become stagnant.

If you’re not having anyone house sit, just let your neighbor, landlord or someone you trust know.

Turn off appliances

Before you leave, turn off any excess appliances – wi-fi, fans, lights, microwave, kitchen appliances, TV etc. in your house.

Organize your car

What will you be doing with your car while you’re away?

If you’re driving to the airport, you’ll need to book parking.

If you’re leaving it at home, can you leave it somewhere out of the elements?

For longer trips, it might be a good idea to leave the keys with someone so they can run it now and then to avoid the battery going flat.

Organize any beauty appointments

Of course, we all want to look and feel good while we are traveling and sometimes a fresh haircut or manicure can help you feel great.

Charge your camera

Get that camera ready for a gazillion travel photos by making sure it is charged and ready to go.

Here’s what I use:

• Sony Alpha a6000 for photos
• GoPro for selfies and videos
• Shorty pole (compact selfie stick and tripod)

Throw out perishable items

The last thing you want to come home to is moldy food in the fridge so make sure to toss anything perishable before you go.

On the topic of mold, it’s also good to leave the washing machine and dishwasher doors open to prevent mold too.

Print boarding passes

Make sure you check-in online and print your boarding passes/tickets.

If you prefer a tangible list, I made it into a travel checklist you can print.

Other guides you might find useful

• Save Money For Traveling With This Ultimate Guide Of REAL LIFE Tips

• Solo Female Travel Safety Tips That Actually Work

• Long Haul Flight Checklist – How To Survive Long Travel Days

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