13 Pre-vacation checklist: Before you leave
- Turn down the thermostat in every room. This is a small act of responsibility that can make a big difference.
- Put your house lights on timers (now you can do that with your phone).
- Have someone check on your house (The insurance will not pay if you have water damage and the house is empty).
- Keep all valuables in your carry-on luggage to ensure peace of mind. This simple step can make a big difference.
- Create a haven for your jewelry in your house, a comforting thought while you’re away.
- Pack some clothes in your carry-on (in case the plane is delayed).
- Call your bank with the dates you are travelling.
- Pay off your bills.
- Have travel insurance with you. Unplug all your electronics.
- Make a checklist of what to bring…
- Charge your electronics and bring all your chargers and adapters (the electronics station is usually taken).
- Download movies and games on your tablet or phone. And books to your reader.
Why Do I Need a Checklist Before I Leave on Vacation?
Leaving your home for a vacation can be stressful, especially if it’s your first time.
*You might feel panicked, wondering if you locked the doors, turned off the water, or emptied the fridge.
*What about the dog? *Did I book a good kennel?
A checklist is a simple yet powerful tool for ensuring your vacation starts smoothly and stays enjoyable.
1- Organization: A checklist is not just a list; it’s a source of peace of mind. It keeps you organized throughout the planning process and the trip. You can systematically tick off items as you complete them, knowing everything is handled.
2. Reduce Stress: Knowing that you have everything in order can help reduce pre-trip anxiety and stress.
A checklist is not just a list of tasks; it’s a comforting tool that can alleviate stress. It provides a clear plan and ensures nothing important is overlooked, leaving you more relaxed and ready to enjoy your trip.
3. Time Management: Planning allows you to manage your time more effectively, ensuring you complete all necessary tasks before departure.
4- Avoid Overpacking: A well-thought-out list can help you pack efficiently, avoid unnecessary items, keep your luggage manageable, and reduce the chance of forgetting important things like medications, travel documents, chargers, or specific clothing.
5. Travel Documents: Ensuring all required documents (such as passports, visas, and tickets) can prevent last-minute issues.
6- Health and Safety: Preparing a list of medications, health documents, and emergency contacts ensures you are ready for any health-related issues.
7. Budgeting: Listing out expenses and budgeting for the trip can help you manage your finances more effectively.
8. Safety and Security: Before leaving, a checklist prompts you to secure your home correctly, such as locking windows and doors, setting alarms, and arranging for mail collection, among other tasks.
9- Enjoy Your Trip More: When you know you’ve taken care of everything before you leave, you can go on your vacation without worries, fully embracing the excitement and joy of your trip.
10- Save Time and Money: By planning, you can identify potential issues early, such as expired passports or incomplete reservations. This prevents costly last-minute fixes or cancellations.
11- Peace of Mind: Provides reassurance that you haven’t forgotten anything essential.
12- Passport and Visa: Check the expiration date on your passport (it should be valid for at least six months beyond your return date).
Please verify if you need a visa for your destination and apply if necessary.
13- Electronics and Accessories: Pack your phone, camera, and other electronic devices.
– Bring a travel adapter and voltage converter if needed.
– Consider a portable battery pack for on-the-go charging.
It's important to be prepared
Prescriptions & Medical Needs
* Fill your prescriptions for the maximum period (usually 90 days) and bring a label for refills while travelling.
*Bring a copy of the label or prescription for easy refills while abroad.
*Consider laminating your prescription to keep with your passport.
*Check your vaccinations and confirm your travel medical insurance covers overseas emergencies. Please add extra coverage if needed.
Ensure you have all the necessary vaccinations and check with your medical insurance provider to see if your policy covers emergencies overseas. If not, consider adding extra coverage.
Register online with your embassy and make photocopies of your passport and credit cards (keep one copy in your suitcase and another at home).
First Aid & Toiletries
**Refill your toiletries in travel-sized bags from more extensive, eco-friendly packaging. This will help you avoid overstocking and waste, and know when to repurchase.
*Pack a travel-sized first aid kit. Include essentials like bug spray, Calamine lotion, and Cortisone ointment.
*Refill travel-size containers from your full-size, eco-friendly products to avoid waste and clutter.
**Have a first aid kit ready for your trips and replenish it afterwards so you’re always prepared. Remember essentials like Calamine lotion, bug spray, and Cortisone ointment.
Could you consider laminating your prescription paper and keeping it with your passport for added security?
Travel Safety & Docs
*Register with your embassy online before you leave.
Make photocopies of your passport and credit cards—keep one copy in your suitcase and another at home.
Stay Informed
*Share your destination with a trusted friend or family member.
Tech & Communications
*Check your mobile plan to avoid roaming fees. You can just consider a travel SIM, you can top up before your next trip.
Bring a power strip or extension cord—some places have limited outlets available.
*Pack an external charger to stay powered on the go.
***Bring an extension cord or power strip to charge multiple devices from a single adapter.
*** Some places have limited outlets, so could you also bring an external charger?
***Read up on local customs, weather, and safety tips before you go.
Money
**Make sure your credit card will work in the country you’re visiting. Most banks have entirely switched to the more secure chip/PIN technology.
**AMEX is one of the cards not accepted at most places ( I found that out a long time ago).
**I always have local cash before I leave home, and I go to an ATM in the country I am visiting; it is so much easier than carrying lots of money.
You might need it for a taxi or the bus. Not every place, like trains or buses, takes credit cards.
**I will exchange my money at the bank before we leave. (The conversion centers in the airport or around the city are huge rip-offs.)
**Call your bank or credit card provider to tell them you will be outside your country. This will make it easier for you to make a transaction.
Luggage & Packing
*Pack an extra set of clothes and snacks in your carry-on bag, just in case. You never know what will happen.
*Checking a bag or not checking a bag. Most airlines have guidelines regarding the number of bags that can be checked or carried on for free; find out before leaving home.
I keep a small purse and a medium tote for my extra clothes, cameras, headphones, and other essentials.
**Bring warm clothes, even if your destination is hot. I suggest a light long-sleeve sweater and socks. I learned the hard way in one year. (January in Cuba, and it was a bit cold!!) 
**Always double-check your list.
Helping App for your travel
**Buy online tickets for places you know you will visit or see before you leave home. By buying in advance, you’ll be able to skip the lines. We missed the train once because I forgot to buy my tickets.** 
**These are all the APPS I have on my phone while travelling.
**https://www.rome2rio.com/ is very useful for travelling by plane, train, or bus. The app shows you the time and prices.
**Google travel app. This one gives you things to do and places to see in your destination.
**GPSmycity app: This app enables you to take a self-guided walk to explore local sights.
-Alternatively, you can print a map at home.
**Airalo. Travellers can download and install a digital data pack for over 200 countries and regions, and connect anywhere in the world as soon as they land. A wide range of eSIMs is available for different countries and territories. The tourist does not have to buy a card for a specific country. They can purchase a regional eSIM from Airalo if they plan to travel. For example, eSIMs are available for the entire continent of Europe.
**Get your Guide. It is a booking platform that helps travellers find incredible travel experiences wherever they’re headed. These experiences include skip-the-line tickets to the world’s most iconic attractions, walking tours by top local experts, immersive food and beverage tours, cooking and craft classes, bucket list experiences, and niche offerings you won’t find anywhere else.
**Klook. It is a platform for travellers to book hotels, cars, tours and activities, tickets to attractions, and shows at great prices. Thanks to the convenient app, travellers can access the most popular attractions and hidden gems at their fingertips.
**Rail Europe. It is the leading distributor of European rail products. The company offers access to a comprehensive range of rail products from over 50 European train companies.
**Trainline. Get the best available prices, times, and train or bus tickets for your journey.
Trainline is Europe’s leading train and coach app. They work with over 210 rail and coach companies to help customers travel to thousands of destinations across 45 countries.
**Please note that some links on this page are affiliate links. ** If you book through these links, I’ll earn a small commission at no extra cost. This will enable me to continue providing valuable travel content and run my blog smoothly.
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[Updated 2025]
ETIAS will start operations in the last quarter of 2026.
No action is required from travellers now.
The European Union will inform about the specific start date for ETIAS several months before its launch.
Great reminders! I’ve had a few trips where I forgot to do something but it turned out fine. Would be great to print this out to have as a reminder.
if you want my list I can send you a PDF :O)
Great tips! It’s so easy to forget something in the flurry of preparing that having a list like this is so important! And I love the idea of bringing an extra pair of clothes in your carry on!
These are really great things to do for vacations. Packing a first aid kit has been a helpful thing on many travels!
Always need it,because you never know !!
Great list of things to do before you leave on your vacation. All the money ones are especially important. I, also, like the Rome2Rio app – it’s so handy. Thanks for sharing!