THE ESSENTIAL TRAVEL CHECKLIST
When traveling, it is important to do several things in advance to ensure that your trip goes smoothly. By taking care of these things before you leave, you'll be better prepared and can relax and enjoy your trip. TripList's Travel Checklist covers pre-travel guidance, packing suggestions and return considerations. For your convenience we have both a detailed mobile-friendly checklist and a simplified checklist that you can print or save to your device.
1. PRE-TRAVEL GUIDANCE
Check off all the key considerations that contribute towards a smooth travelling experience, applicable to any type of travel
1. TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
Check your passport and any necessary travel documents, making sure your passport is valid for at least six months from the date of your trip and that you have any necessary visas or travel permits
3. DESTINATION RESEARCH
Research your destination, learn about the local culture, customs, and any potential safety risks, and research what to pack, weather, and any health precautions you might need
5. INSURANCE
Purchase travel insurance, making sure you have adequate coverage for any potential medical or other emergencies
7. IDENTIFICATION COPIES
Make copies of important documents, this may include your passport, driver's license, and credit cards, and leave them in a secure place
9. INFORM FRIENDS & FAMILY
Inform friends and family about your travel plans and leave a contact information for them to reach you in case of emergency
11. MEDICINE & PRESCRIPTIONS
When travelling, consider any prescription or over-the-counter medications you may need, and to plan accordingly, pack enough medication to last for the duration of your trip plus a little extra in case of unexpected changes in plans
2. TRAVEL RESERVATIONS
Make travel reservations, this may include booking flights, trains, buses, and hotels, as well as reserving rental cars or other transportation
4. ITINERARY
Plan your itinerary, decide what sights you want to see, what activities you want to do, and any excursions you want to take
6. BANK & CREDIT COMPANIES
Notify your bank and credit card companies of your travel plans, this will help prevent your accounts from being flagged as fraudulent
8. HOME BILLS & PAYMENTS
Set up automated bills payments or arrange for someone to take care of them while you're away
10. VACCINATIONS
Vaccinations are an important part of preparing for travel, as they can help protect you from serious illnesses, check with your doctor or a travel health clinic to determine which vaccinations you may need
12. GOVERNMENT GUIDANCE
Governments often provide advice and guidance for citizens travelling abroad through their Foreign Offices, click here for our Key Contacts page for more information on your government's advice
2. PACKING GUIDANCE
Check off all the key packing considerations that contribute towards a smooth travelling experience, click the links below to read full articles on each topic
Luggage & Suitcases are a crucial part of any travel, playing multiple important roles, and when selecting the right luggage there are many factors to consider
A key part of packing organisation, keeping your liquids safe and secure, and separating your toiletries such as toothbrush, soap, aftershaves/perfumes and toothpaste
Don't forget your toothbrush and other essentials such as grooming kits & products, razors, aftershaves/perfumes, toothpaste, and make sure they fit within any travel guidelines to avoid wasting time & money
A key consideration for travel to help limit the times when you are unable to utilise phones and gadgets when mains power is difficult to access, with some modern portable chargers & power banks are even integrated with luggage
Travel can often be very bright, with light levels often out of our control, eye masks are a simple way to prevent light reaching our eyes, making it easier to get some much needed sleep
11. SNACKS
Keep your energy levels up with healthy snacks, travel outlets will often offer poor nutritional options, so packing health snacks such as fresh/dried fruits, nuts, energy bars and rice cakes are all good options
Support your overall health while on the move, incorporating certain supplements into your travel routine with some essentials for travellers
Travel cubes and dividers are great for keeping your belongings separated and well organised, making it easy to rearrange, and repack your things, bringing order to both your bag and your trip
Specifically designed for your key travel documents, they provide a safe, secure and easily accessible place for your documents, cards, currencies and identifications, making travel administration a breeze.
Wrapping around your neck, these pillows designed with travel in mind offer support for your neck, head and chin, alleviating some pain and discomfort when travelling in an upright position for extended periods of time
It can be very frustrating when you have brought all the right gadgets and chargers, but you can't use the mains power at your destination, make sure you either have an adaptor for your specific country/region or a multi-fit travel adaptor
Hydration is important in everyday life, and travelling is no exception, with water often being less accessible than home, prevent dehydration, headaches, fatigue and more when on the move
Keeping boredom at bay is often at the front of a traveller's mind, selecting the right headphones to take with you can make all the difference
12. MEDICINE
Don't be caught short on whilst away as ensuring you have enough medication is critical in preventing an administrative headache, and can really impact your health as well as your experience
13. CLOTHING
Clothing is one of the most critical factors to get right in any form of travel. The types of clothing you should take when traveling will depend on a number of factors, including the destination, the climate, the time of year, and your personal preferences. By packing the right clothing & accessories, you can enhance your travel experience and make the most of your trip. Just remember to keep it simple and pack items that are versatile, functional, and easy to carry. Here are some general guidelines to consider:
CASUALWEAR
SWIMWEAR
LOUNGEWEAR
BELTS
BAGS
THERMALS
FOOTWEAR
ACTIVEWEAR
HATS
JEWELRY
UNDERWEAR
GLOVES
NIGHTWEAR
FORMALS
SUNGLASSES
SCARVES
SOCKS
SPECIFIC
3. RETURN & POST-TRAVEL GUIDANCE
Check off all the key considerations that contribute towards a smooth travelling experience, applicable to any type of travel
1. PASSPORT & DOCUMENTS
Your passport is an official government-issued identification document that verifies your identity and citizenship, it is necessary for travelling internationally, including when returning home, as it is required to clear customs
3. TRAVEL RESTRICTION
Rules and guidelines have been known to change whilst we are away, double check if there have been any change in restrictions for your return home and check what you can and cannot bring back with you as these can change
5. CURRENCY EXCHANGE
Avoid getting stung by managing your currency, know the exchange rate before exchanging, use ATMs for a better exchange rate, and consider exchanging only a small amount initially
7. ACCOMMODATION
If you are doing a stop-over on your return trip, make sure you have all the details to hand, including times and location/s
9. LUGGAGE INSPECTION
Carefully inspect your luggage for any damage or items that may have been lost during your journey
11. HEALTH CHECK
If you've been to an area with a high risk of illness, it's important to have a health check with your doctor to make sure you're not carrying any infections or diseases
2. TRANSPORT DETAILS
Missing your flight, train, connection etc. can be costly, time-consuming and stressful, make sure you know when your departures are to ensure smooth travelling
4. HEALTH REQUIREMENTS
Make sure you are aware of any health requirements when returning home, e.g. quarrantine or testing
6. SECURE YOUR VALUABLES
Use a money belt or hidden pouch to carry passports, tickets and cash, lock your luggage with TSA approved locks, and
keep valuables in the hotel safe or use one in the room, only carry what you need and leave excess cash, jewellery
8. FAMILY & FRIENDS
Update your friends and family to let them know you are about to embark on your return travel home, this can ease minds, and help arrange any support plans, when you arrive back, touch base with family and friends to let them know
10. UNPACKING
Unpack your bags as soon as you arrive home, wash your clothes, and put everything away to help you settle back into your routine
12. REFLECT
Take some time to reflect on your travels, including what you enjoyed and what you could have done differently, to plan your next trip
