There’s a lot to think about when it comes to travel planning and pre-departure checks before you head to the airport. Oftentimes, we focus so much on what we’re packing, the 3-1-1 TSA rule to really be worrying what you need to do in advance of the trip, and around the house just before you leave.
Take it from someone who leaves the office at 2AM and only had finished 50% of my packing and tried to get a 7AM flight (meaning I had to be at the airport around 5AM at the latest). What I’ve done is jot down exactly what I do each time I prep for a trip – starting from as far as out 2 months (to get the vacation days approved and book the flights).
I hope you find the following travel pre-departure checklist helpful to prep for your next trip with as little stress as possible!
8+ weeks in advance
- Get vacation days approved
- Research destination
- Make reservations
- Renew documentations (passports)
- Get entry visas
- Get Vaccinations
- Purchase travel accessories
2+ Weeks Before
- Arrange pet / garden care
- Arrange home car
- Fill prescriptions
1+ Week Before
- Arrange mail / deliveries to be temporarily stopped
- Do laundry / dry cleaning
- House cleaning
- Pay bills in advance
- Manage accounts (banks, online statements, etc)
- Call banks to advise them of your travel plans
- Photocopy important documentations (passport, IDs, itinerary
- Get foreign currency
- Make packing list
- Begin packing
- Finalize itinerary
The Day before Departure
- Fully charge rechargeables (phone, camera, tablet)
- Clean house
- Confirm reservations
- Check weather
- Return outstanding items (library books, movies, etc)
- Finish packing
- Update contact info on luggage
- Remove perishables / food from fridge
- Take out trash
- Share final itinerary with family / friends in case of emergencies
- Register your trip in case of emergencies abroad with your local government agency so you can access consular services (Canadians can register their trips with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada)
Day of Departure
- Adjust thermostat
- Close windows / blinds
- Unplug power to surge-sensitive appliances
- Ensure everything is off / unplugged
- Set home alarm
- Lock house / garage
- Double check that you have important documentations (passport, itinerary, backups)
- Ensure you’ve packed your electronics / 3-1-1 liquids appropriately
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