Planning a trip, whether a quick domestic getaway or an extended international vacation, takes time and preparation. Having an organized ultimate travel checklist will help ensure you don't forget important travel documents and details that could ruin your travel experience.
This comprehensive checklist has everything you need to plan your next adventure from start to finish.
Why You Need a Travel Planning Checklist
Creating a packing list and gathering essential travel documents is only part of trip planning. Outlining all aspects of your vacation itinerary in advance helps save time and avoid unnecessary stress while traveling internationally. A detailed checklist allows you to thoroughly organize your travel to enjoy every moment of your trip abroad.
A checklist will help you:
- Organize travel documents and arrange transportation
- Decide what to pack and make a packing list
- Book accommodations and research your destinations
- Share your itinerary with family and leave emergency contacts
- Confirm trip insurance and notify your bank about travel
- Arrange proper pet care and home services while gone
- Automate bill payments and mail holds so you have peace of mind
- Create an itemized budget to understand total trip costs
- Find out visa/passport requirements before you go
- Learn entry rules, travel advisories, and local customs
- Verify health information like vaccinations for your destinations
With a detailed checklist guiding your planning, you’ll want to start finalizing plans 60-90 days before departure if possible. For extensive international travel or group trips, 6-12 month head starts lets you take advantage of early booking discounts, too.
The Essential Travel Checklist
Use this extensive travel checklist when planning your next vacation. Copy and modify it to match your specific trip details and timeline.
90+ Days Before Departure:
- Choose your destination(s)
- Set your budget and get trip estimates
- Research airfare & transportation options
- Decide on accommodations & book rentals
- Check visa/passport requirements for entries
- Verify vaccination/health precautions needed
- Check travel advisories for your destination(s)
- Learn entry rules, local customs & travel tips
- Purchase travel insurance for the entire trip
- Begin saving money each month for the trip
60 Days Before Departure:
- Book plane tickets & transportation
- Reserve event tickets for tours, shows, etc.
- Confirm hotel, hostel, vacation rental stays
- Verify passport validity for 6 months after travel and renew if needed
- Schedule a visa appointment if necessary
- Arrange proper pet accommodations
- Hire house sitters or schedule home services
- Automate bill payments while traveling
- Set mail forwarding & newspaper holds
- Order medical items like prescriptions
- Get basic immunization or medical checkups
- Print out insurance policies to carry copies
30 Days Before Departure:
- Create your packing checklist
- Gather the following travel documents:
- Flight information
- Hotel confirmations
- Transportation/tour reservations
- Prescriptions
- Insurance cards & travel policy
- Credit/debit bank cards
- Itinerary printouts
- Maps & travel guidebooks
- Arrange airport parking or transportation
- Schedule a pre-trip car inspection
- Return rental cars and equipment
- Begin packing essentials that can be set aside
- Reconfirm event reservations & tour times
- Notify credit card company of travel dates
- Arrange childcare or pet care coverage
- Organize travel items in your home space
- Print extra copies of reservations & records
- Make sure electronics are charged
- Share detailed itinerary with contacts
- Book airport lounges & prepay amenities
- Notify cell phone carrier of international use
2 Weeks Before Departure:
- Finish packing everything
- Make sure to have travel-sized toiletry items
- Weigh luggage and rearrange items if over the limit
- Get copies of reservations to carry separately
- Pick up foreign currency
- Confirm final payments due for tickets, tours, etc.
- Schedule newspaper/mail holds to start
- Arrange TSA PreCheck if available
- Notify bank & credit card companies of travel
- Suspend memberships & services not needed
- Create emergency contact cards to carry
- Print extra passport/ID copies to bring
- Freeze fresh foods to use up before departure
- Set auto replies for email & social media accounts
- Pack travel electronics like power adapters
- Check destination forecast & finalize clothing
- Clean out and disable DVR recordings
- Back up devices & update antivirus software
- Create folders of confirmation emails & records
- Schedule pet's vet visit & board reservation
- Arrange plant care or yard upkeep while gone
- Return library books and rented items
- Clear browser history and cookies
- Unplug small appliances
The Night Before:
- Recheck packed bags and items
- Charge devices fully
- Set the thermostat for energy savings
- Confirm flights are on schedule
- Load bags by the door
- Finish cleaning the house
- Water indoor & outdoor plants
- Take out trash bins & recycling
- Lock windows and doors
- Pack an overnight bag for your trip home
- Set the alarm and prepare clothing/items to wear
- Get a good night's rest!
Departure Day:
- Confirm no power is on, and appliances unplugged
- Have a friend/family member pick up mail & newspapers
- Turn off the water to the washing machine
- Empty the refrigerator & take out garbage
- Finish laundry to avoid mildew smells
- Verify nothing will expire or spoil while gone
- Lock all windows and doors
- Drop off pets at boarder or sitter
- Turn off lights & lock the home safely
- Have documents ready in a personal bag
- Arrive early at the airport
- Print boarding passes if not on mobile
- Notify contacts that you arrived safely!
Your Ready To Start Planning and Organizing Your Travel
Having a detailed checklist makes travel planning much smoother. You can customize and rearrange it based on your trip details. Saving the list for future getaways also helps streamline preparing for your next adventure.
With thorough preparation, you can feel confident that everything is organized at home and for your travels. Getting ready ahead lets you focus on creating priceless memories while away. So start planning early and use this checklist to ensure nothing slips through the cracks!