As much as I love traveling, I don’t love the lead-up to travel. There are many, many logistics involved in preparing for a trip, so I’ve created this guide to make things easier for you.

How To Beat Jet Lag and Survive Long-Haul Flights

Whether you’re going on a road trip, a long-haul flight, or just a weekend getaway, this pre-travel checklist will help you be as prepared as possible for your trip.

Here are the most important things to do before every trip!

Check if any vaccinations are required for your destination. If you need any shots or medications, make sure you determine if there are required time-frames for receiving shots or starting a medication before departing. Then make sure you bring an electronic and hard copy of your vaccination records with you on your trip.

Buy and pack enough feminine products, contacts, medications, and toiletries for your entire trip in case you can’t get your preferred brand or supplies where you’re going.

Pack your COVID-19 vaccine card (if it’s needed), along with electronic and hard copies of it, in your carry-on.

Check the expiration date on your passport. Most destinations require passports to be valid for six months past the end of your trip, and you need to have blank pages. New or renewed passports can take up to eight weeks to be sent to you, so give yourself plenty of time to get your passport before you travel.

Determine if you need a visa or are required to submit any pre-entry documents.

Buy travel insurance. Travel insurance is one of the best investments you can make on your trip. Travel insurance usually only costs 4-10% of your trip budget, and this insurance can save you lots of money if your trip is canceled or delayed.

If you’re going to rent a car, check if your destination requires an international driver’s license. Getting an international driver’s license is relatively easy (you fill out a form and pay a fee), but it can take a couple of weeks for the license to be issued to you.

Check if you’ll need a wall charger adaptor.

Finances, Phone Plan, Important Documents

Check expiration dates on all credit and debit cards you plan to use.

Alert your credit card companies and bank that you’ll be traveling. The best travel reward credit cards and most banks no longer require you to submit a travel notification, but you still need to check your financial institutions to see if they require a travel notice.

Change your bills to auto-pay, and arrange to have your mail picked up or held at the post office.

Set up your phone plan. Have your cell phone and data services sorted out before you arrive at your destination. You don’t want to be trying to figure out phone plans and sim cards when you’re settling into a new place.

Make copies of all important documents, and take pictures of your passport, driver’s license, and credit and bank cards.

For Road Trips

If you’re renting a car, make sure you reserve in advance to ensure the availability of the kind of car you want.

Download maps, apps, and playlists before you start driving. There’s no guarantee you’ll always have service. Plus, you don’t want to use up all your data.

Have a fully-stocked roadside emergency kit with you.

Make sure your driver’s license meets local requirements. Some countries and territories require international driver’s licenses or a national driver’s permit.

If You’re Flying

Start looking for flights early. You should book international flights 4-7 months ahead of time and domestic flights 2-3 months in advance to get the best deals.

If you’re a U.S. citizen, have TSA Pre-Check or Global Entry to make going through security and customs easier and faster.

Confirm your luggage meets the required size and weight restrictions for all of your flights.

Take an immune supplement and vitamins beginning a few days before your flight to help your body fight off germs.

Download movies, music, and ebooks to keep from having to pay for onboard WiFi.

Make a packing checklist. Starting a few days before your trip, write down everything you’re going to need. This will help you plan outfits, keep from packing duplicate items, and not forget anything.

Practice lifting your carry-on bag over your head. On a plane, you’ll have to be able to lift your bag over your head into the luggage bin. So if you can barely lift your suitcase from the floor to your bed, then you’ve packed too much.

Only pack half. Lay out all the clothes you want to bring, then only pack half. If you laid out six pairs of pants, only take three. If you’ve got four sweaters, only bring two. Your back and arms will thank you later!

Coordinate items with your traveling companions. If you’re traveling with a group or a friend, plan ahead so you don’t double up on sunscreen, feminine products, toiletries, and other items you’ll all need.

Packing

Collect everything for your trip in a central location so you won’t forget anything when you’re packing your bags.

Use packing cubes to save space in your suitcase. I recommend getting small organizing bags for your toiletries, makeup, cords, and jewelry. You should also bring a laundry bag to keep your clean and dirty clothes separate.

Pack all important travel documents, prescriptions, toiletries, cash, and two days’ worth of clothes in your carry-on in case your checked bag gets delayed.

Wear your bulkiest items on the plane. Jackets, boots, and hats can take up a lot of space in your suitcase, so wear them on the plane to save space. I always wear a few layers when I fly to avoid overpacking and make sure I can be comfortable no matter how cold or hot the plane is.

Put a couple of dryer sheets in your suitcase to keep it smelling fresh.

Shop My Travel Essentials

Do you have other important things to do before every trip? If so, share with us in the comments!

More Travel Tips

YOUR TRAVEL CHECKLIST

PIN THESE TIPS!

This is not a sponsored post, and, as always, the thoughts and opinions expressed in this article about important things to do before every trip are entirely my own. Some of the links in this article about important things to do before every trip are affiliate links, and, at no cost to you, I may earn a small commission.