Pre-Travel Checklist: 24 Things to Do Before You Travel

 

Everybody knows that the days right before a trip can be very busy.

Whether you're going to the beach for the weekend or traveling abroad for a month (or two, or three), it's easy to feel like you have too much to do.

We made this helpful pre-travel checklist to help you avoid a lot of stress and running around at the last minute.

Here are 24 things you should do BEFORE you travel:

1. Buy travel insurance

Most people only need this if they are going somewhere outside of their home country.

There are different plans and options for travel insurance, but most of them cover emergency medical care, evacuation, lost luggage, and cancellation of the trip.

Find out more in our guide to the best travel insurance.

2. Get a driver's license that is valid in more than one country.

Even though an international driver's license isn't required in every country, it's a good idea to have one just in case.

Also, getting an IDL is very easy.

If you are an American, you can go to any AAA and they will set you up with one. Just bring two photos for your passport and $15, and you're all set.

3. Pick up extra passport pages

This may seem like a no-brainer, but it's important to make sure your passport has the right number of blank pages, especially if you need a visa.

Most countries won't let you put a visa on anything but a visa page. This means that a "amendments page" won't work (something we learned the hard way).

Also, some countries won't let you in if your passport will expire in less than 6 months from the date of your trip.

4. Make sure you have the right visas.

Obvious? Yes.

Often overlooked? You bet.

People are turned away from countries every day because they don't have the right visa, which means they can't even leave the airport.

You'll have to leave the country right away on the next flight, so this "little mistake" could end up costing you a lot of money.

Check out our interview with the founders of Allied Passports or go straight to the Allied Passports website to learn more about visas and passports.

5. Get shots

Before going on a trip, it's always a good idea to see your doctor to make sure any prescriptions you need are up-to-date and filled, and to talk about any other medical steps that need to be taken.

Depending on which country you are going to, you may also need to get certain shots. Not sure if you need to get shots before going to a country? Look at this handbook from the CDC.

6. Book a room for one night ahead of time

Whether you're a spontaneous traveler who likes to go with the flow or a careful planner who likes to have everything planned out, we suggest you book at least one night's stay in advance.

If you get to a new place and don't have a place to stay, you'll find one eventually, but it will be stressful.

We've found that it's worth it to book something ahead of time to ease your mind on the first night.

The next day, you can always look around to see if you can find a better spot.

7. Print out copies of your hotel booking.

Even though most places will now accept a copy of a reservation on a phone or laptop, it's always good to have a hard copy.

So, you won't have to worry if you don't have cell service or wifi.

Because you are ready, everything is much easier.

8. Have copies of your tickets printed.

Like with hotel reservations, some people won't accept digital copies of tickets.

We've had this problem a lot on trains, and having to buy a whole new ticket while on the train even though we had a confirmation number and a digital copy on our phone was not only frustrating but also very expensive.

Learn from our mistakes and don't make the same ones yourself!

9. Photocopy your passport.

Better safe than sorry, and making a copy of your passport is a good idea for two reasons:

If you lose your passport, at least you have a copy.

Some places to stay may need a copy. Even though most places have copiers, we have had to find a place, like Airbnb, to make copies to give to our hosts.

10. Give a copy of your itinerary to a friend or family member

It's a good idea to let someone at home know where you are in case of an emergency.

This also gives your family peace of mind because they know where you are.

11. Sign up for the Smart Traveler Program (STEP)

Join the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program on the U.S. Department of State's website. It's easy and free!

If you join, they will help you if you lose or have your passport stolen while you are traveling or if there is a serious problem. This program will also keep you informed by sending you alerts and updates.

12. Double-check the dates for your reservations

Like most of the other tips in this guide, this one comes from a mistake we made.

We made a reservation for the wrong day when we were taking a high-speed train from Rome to Milan.

Whoops!

After losing $150, we vowed to always check the dates twice.

13. Find out what the rules are for carry-on and checked luggage.

Every airline is different, so make sure you are not nickeled and dimed at the check-in counter, especially if you’re traveling on budget airlines.

14. Check the weather where you're going

Now that you can see the forecast at least 10 days in advance, you should have no trouble packing for your trip.

So, you can decide if you really need those extra layers or a raincoat.

15. Pack a survival kit

What this means to us is:

Neosporin \sBandaids

Ibuprofen \sEarplugs

Eye mask

Sleep aid

Headphones Medications by prescription

Hand sanitizer \s16. Use packing cubes

Having a plan makes it easier to travel and pack.

You can use these packing cubes to keep your things from spilling out of your suitcase and all over your room. Plus, it makes it much easier to repack!

17. Pack a travel adapter

When you get to a new country, you'll need a travel adapter, but many airports now have places to plug in.

It's always a good idea to have this handy so you can get some work done or (let's be honest) check Facebook or Instagram while you're at the airport.

18. Make sure your devices are charged before you leave.

So, if you forget your adapter, you'll still have enough battery power.

Or, if your mode of transportation doesn't have any entertainment, you can easily read or watch a movie on your device.

19. Bring some snacks to eat on the plane or at the airport.

Depending on the flight, train, or bus you're taking, you might not have many or any food options.

Plan to bring snacks with you to keep you going until you reach your destination.

We usually go to the store and buy lots of cheap, healthy food.

Check out our guide to long-haul flights for more tips on how to get through them.

20. Set up your bills to pay themselves.

If you set up your online bills to pay themselves automatically, you won't have to think about it while you're away.

If you can't do this, you should pay the bill before you leave.

21. Make plans for the post office to pick up or hold your mail.

If you can't have a friend or family member pick up your mail while you're away, you can call your post office and ask them to hold your mail until you get back.

This is very important if you are going to be gone for a long time.

22. Tell your bank where you're going.

Most of the time, we remember to do this.

In some places, like most of Europe, which your bank considers "safe," it doesn't matter, and your bank probably won't turn down your card.

But if you go to a "high risk" country, you can't use an ATM unless you tell your bank. If you don't, you'll be cut off quickly.

Make a quick 5-minute call to your bank before any travel, and you should have no problems. Many banks also let you notify them online.

23. Get a credit card with no fees for using it in a different country

The Chase Sapphire Reserve is our favorite card for trips.

Not only can you earn points while traveling, but there are no extra fees for exchanging currency.

Check out our list of the best travel credit cards to see more cards that don't charge fees when you use them abroad.

24. Always carry a small amount of cash with you

So, if your ATM card doesn't work, you can always use cash and exchange it for the local currency. You should also bring some local currency with you in case you go to a restaurant or store that doesn't take credit cards.

Worry-free travel with our list of things to do before you go.

We hope this list made you feel better about your next trip. Using a checklist may seem like a small thing to do, but it can save you a lot of stress and trouble.

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