You are unlikely to have a Home Alone moment and forget to take your child on your family holiday. However, there’s more to think about than just packing your bags. From passports and visas to travel insurance and house sitters, there are plenty of details that can make or break your trip. To help keep your travels smooth and worry-free, here’s a checklist of the 8 most important things to do before a trip.
Check your passports
Make sure everyone’s passports are valid well before your trip starts. Many countries require at least six months’ validity beyond your travel dates. Renewals can take weeks (or even months), so don’t leave this to the last minute!
Organise finances
The first thing you’ll want to do is notify your bank about your travel dates. You can often do this via messages on your internet banking (depending on your bank). Most banks will automatically freeze your card if they detect an overseas transaction that hasn’t been flagged – not ideal when you’re trying to pay for dinner.
Secondly, its handy to organise some foreign cash before you leave on your trip. You can organise this through your bank beforehand, or at a money exchange at the airport before you fly out. Having cash on hand makes it easy to pay for taxis, snacks or tips when you first arrive.
Sort out medical needs
Let’s start with a first aid kit – we’ve got a free checklist to help your build your travel first aid kit. Consider packing enough of your regular prescriptions and medications to last the entire trip. This is because some medications aren’t available over the counter, or even available at all overseas.
Some countries will also require proof of certain vaccinations, or in some countries, proof of vaccinations when coming back into your own country. You’ll need to visit your doctor at least six weeks before travelling to confirm what is required and organise this.
Check Visa requirements
Do you need a visa for your destination? Some applications are a quick online affair, while others may involve posting your passport away. Aim to organise visas at least four weeks in advance to avoid any delays before your trip.
Arrange pet and house sitters
Whether it’s pets, plants, or post, make sure your home is taken care of while you’re away. Websites like Aussie House Sitters and Facebook groups of similar names (there are similar sites in the UK, US, and NZ) are great for finding reliable sitters in exchange for free accommodation.
Notify work
If you’re employed, make sure your workplace knows your travel dates and has approved the time away. If you’re self-employed, set up email auto-replies and make sure you can access anything you’ll need remotely, such as accounting software or essential files.
Get travel insurance
This is non-negotiable thing to do before your trip. If you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel. Medical bills overseas can run into hundreds of thousands of dollars, and in some countries, you won’t even be treated without proof of insurance. Protect yourself and your family from unnecessary risk.
Check the weather
Don’t assume the whole country has the same climate. Research your exact destination and pack appropriately.
- Check if it’s wet or dry season (for tropical destinations).
- Look at the 7-day forecast before you pack.
Example: Harbin in China can reach -25°C in winter – not the place for just jeans and a jumper. Meanwhile, Pacific islands are usually warm year-round, so leave the heavy layers at home.
Planning ahead doesn’t just save stress. It gives you more freedom to actually enjoy your holiday once you arrive. With this checklist of the most important things to do before a trip, you can relax knowing you’ve covered the essentials.
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