Affiliate Links

8 Things to do Before Going on Holiday

You are unlikely to have a “home alone” moment and forget to take your actual child on your family holiday. However, it is really easy to forget some important things in the chaos leading up to the trip. Here is a reminder of some of the important things to do before going on holiday!

Passports

Check that your passports are in date. Many countries require that a minimum of 6 months are left on the passports.  You will need to get on top of this early as we all know how long it can take to renew your passport.

things to do before going on holidays

Finances

It’s handy to order some foreign cash before you leave.  Having a small wad of foreign currency ensures you don’t have to search around for an ATM when you first step off the plane so that you can pay for a cab or get something to eat.

Important: Let your bank know you are going overseas!  I learnt the hard way when my bank picked up an overseas transaction and put a freeze on my card.  Depending on your bank, you may be able to do this online when you log-on to internet banking.

Medical

Get any necessary vaccines for the country you are visiting and make sure you have enough of your regular medications. Some medications (for e.g. pain relief with codeine) can’t be purchased over the counter in other countries. For hints on packing your travel first aid kit, check out what I include here.

things to do before going on holiday

Visas

Do you need a visa for the country you are visiting? I always organise this at least 4 weeks in advance as some countries require a bit of stuffing around and sending passports off etc.

Pet and House Sitters

Have you organised a house sitter or someone to look after your pets? I nearly always use www.aussiehousesitters.com.au to organise a house sitter for our property in Australia. The house sitter looks after our house and pets in exchange for free accommodation. From the website above, you will find links to similar sites in the UK, US and NZ.

Work

Make sure your work knows the exact dates you will be away.  If you are self-employed and can’t completely shut up shop, make sure you have access to everything you need whilst away for e.g. MYOB online or internet reception for returning emails.

Insurance

This is so important and if you skimp on travel insurance because you can’t afford it, then you can’t afford to travel.  The last thing you need is a bill for hundreds of thousands of dollars because urgent medical treatment was required in a foreign country.

In some countries, you won’t even be able to access medical treatment without it. This is a serious risk to your life and your families life. It’s just not worth it!

Check the Weather

Check the general climate of the country and city you are travelling to and pack accordingly. Don’t assume that every city in the same country will have similar temperatures.  Is it wet season or dry season? A quick google search will give you the answers.

You don’t want to show up to Harbin in China where it gets down to -25 degrees in winter with only jeans and a jumper. Likewise, you won’t need jeans and a jumper on a pacific island where it’s permanently pleasant.

Hint: Check the seven-day forecasts for the areas you are visiting the week before you leave.

 Want Some More Tips?

I teamed up with a great bunch of family travel bloggers for this post.  Here are the links to their articles and tips on what travellers should not forget before heading off on holidays.

A list of must do’s before you travel from Adventures in Family Travel can be found here.

You can check out Magnets from Everywhere’s checklist for travel here.

Need Some Family Holiday Inspiration?

For more information on great places to visit as a family, head on back to the home page for inspiration on destinations and activities worldwide.

Sign up to my monthly newsletter so you don’t miss out on the good stuff, including when the Family Holiday Destination digital mag is released.