Ultimate Travel Checklist For Your Next Big Trip

However, planning your travels can come with a few stressful concerns. Will I go through immigration without any problems? Have I packed everything I need for my trip? Who will take care of my pet cat while I’m away?

Fear not my fellow travel enthusiasts. We have learned a thing or two from our
previous travels that we would be glad to share. Without further ado, here is our ultimate travel checklist and guide to help you plan for your next big trip.

Step 1: Trip Planning

Timing: 1 – 2 months before your trip
Goals: Choose a travel destination, make sure your travel documents are valid, and book your vacation

The first and probably the most exciting part of planning for your big vacation is to decide where you want to go, and also knowing how much you can afford to spend on your trip.  A rough estimate should work at this time.  Once you have decided where your next travel destination would be, you can add the following to your trip planning checklist:

1. Check visa requirements for your travel destination
Tip: Click here if you are a US citizen.  New travel visas may take 4-6 weeks to ship. Make sure you acquire a visa before booking your flight.

2. Check your passport’s expiration date and validity

3. Take the time to shop around and find the best travel deals for your destination
Tip: Use Skyscanner to quickly find the lowest airfare to your destination.

4. Book your vacation
Tip: Prices are generally cheaper the earlier you book, whether it is for your airfare or hotel.  Once you’ve decided where to go on your trip, the earlier you book your vacation, the more likely you’ll find a great deal.

Step 2: Plan your Trip Itinerary

Timing: 1 – 2 weeks before your trip
Goals: Develop an itinerary for your trip, start shopping for your travel essentials and develop your pet care plan if you have pets

Some people prefer not to make plans and just let everything just happen.  That is perfectly fine.  However, if you would like to make the most out of your vacation time, I would suggest to start planning your trip in greater detail.  Ask questions like: What would you like to enjoy on your trip?  What sort of activities would you like to do on your trip?  Research, research and more research.  It’ll be worth it in the end.  Also, a few more items to your checklist.

1. Create your travel itinerary
Tip: Make a list of the places you would like to visit and things you’d like to do during your trip.

2. Plan your transportation needs
Tip: You can always rent a car or take public transportation. Check to see what is available and plan ahead.

3. Start shopping for travel essentials
Tip: Some of my travel must-haves include TSA locks, power adapters, electronic scale, travel-sized toiletries, sunscreen and bug spray.

4. Have a pet care plan (if applicable)
Tip: Call your vet and find out if they have pet boarding options.  Otherwise, you might have friends or family members who can help take care of your pet.

Step 3: Trip Preparation

Timing: 3 – 6 days before your trip
Goals: Make sure you have everything you need on your trip and all is well at home when you’re gone.

A few more days and you’ll be leaving home for your trip.  Even though the excitement is overwhelming, the stress can be overwhelming as well.  This is the most crucial step because you don’t want to forget something that might cause you to worry while you’re on vacation.  Thankfully, all you need is to make a few phone calls and get some things done and you’ll be off to a hassle-free vacation.  Here are some of the things you can do to prepare for your trip.

1. Call your credit card company
Tip:  Pick at least two credit cards that you’ll be using for your trip.  Even though some credit card companies don’t require you to call ahead of time, it is still a good idea to call to avoid the possibility  of the company freezing your card account because of suspected fraudulent activities

2. Set up a short term international calling plan with your mobile phone service provider

3. Call your local postal service to hold all your mail

4. Call your local pharmacy and make sure you have ample supply of your prescription medications for the duration of your trip

5. Find a currency exchanger and purchase some of your destination’s local currency for your personal use

6. Pay your bills ahead of time to avoid late fees

7. Call your airline carrier or get on their website to do the following:
– Choose your assigned seats to suit your preference
– Research check in and carry on luggage allowance and policies

8. Download apps on your smartphone that would be essential to your trip.
Tip: These are the apps that I find very useful during my trips: Hotels.com, Tripadvisor, Yelp, Google Maps and Microsoft Translator.  With Microsoft Translator, you can download languages to your smart phone so you can use it even when you’re not connected to the internet.

9. Learn some key phrases of the local language

10. Start packing
Tip: The sooner you pack, the less likely you’ll unintentionally leave something behind especially during the last minute rush.

Step 4: Finalize Your Packing

Timing: 1 day before your trip
Goal: Making sure everything is packed and you have everything you need for your trip

After months of dreaming about your vacation, the day has finally arrived for you to board your plane and just have a great time.  Stress should be the farthest thing on your mind during your trip.  After days or weeks of preparation, here’s the final list of things to check and make sure everything is ready to go.

1. Make copies of your travel documents
Tip: Losing your travel documents while you’re on your trip is one of the most stressful things that could undoubtedly ruin your vacation mood.  While copies are not  replacements for the real thing, it does help to speed things up.

2. Write down or make paper copies of all your contacts and their addresses
Tip: This is another just in case scenario if your phone gets stolen or misplaced.  This way, it will be easier to ask for help especially if the local language is not your strong suit.

3. Bring cash, one debit card and at least two credit cards
Tip: It is best to bring a little bit of cash if you would like to check local shops.  Debit cards charge a lower fee when using an ATM machine if you ever need to withdraw some cash.  While credit cards are convenient, it is best to bring at least two just in case something goes wrong.  Additional tip:  Use a credit card that doesn’t charge a foreign transaction fee if you have one.

4. Check and double check your bags and make sure you didn’t leave anything behind.
Tip: Bring a few plastic bags for your dirty laundry.  Otherwise, you can also use the laundry bag in your hotel room to keep your dirty laundry separated from your clean clothes.