plan a trip checklist

49 Things You Need to Do to Plan Your Best Trip (Free Travel Research & Planning Checklist)

• Updated: 01/02/2024

Before you jet off on your next adventure, ensure you have all your travel research and planning in order. To help, use this ultimate travel research checklist  to guide you through the necessary steps for more enjoyable planning and a stress-minimized trip.

I love to travel, though I do not necessarily enjoy all the tedious steps required to get out the door and start having fun. So, I rely heavily on checklists like this planning list , a packing list , and a prep and close-the-house list  to streamline my departure. Leaning on these saves me time and money and helps to avoid unexpected situations, making for worry-free trips. I hope they can do the same for you.

So, whether you are a seasoned traveler or a first-time adventurer, I have designed this travel research and planning guide to cover the things you must cross off your to-do list before leaving for a trip. 

From the fun stuff like flights, accommodation, and local attractions—to the necessary details, especially for more complicated international travel, like getting visas , knowing about local customs, and purchasing travel insurance , use this list to explore the world confident you have things covered. 

Table Of Contents

Download your free travel planning checklist here.

Prefer not to print? Jump to my explanation of the 14 stages of trip planning  with 49 separate things you should do below. Otherwise, click the image beneath to access and print my free Travel Planning Checklist .

The Importance of Travel Research

Before setting off on any adventure, it is crucial to do your research. Travel research helps you gather information about your destination, allowing you to make informed decision s and avoid unnecessary stress. By taking the time to research and plan, you can uncover hidden gems, know about local events, find the best deals, and arrange your itinerary to maximize your trip enjoyment. 

Plus, conducting research helps travelers be more thoughtful and respectful visitors by being aware of local customs.

Sign up for my monthly Discovery Newsletter & get a free Trip Budget Calculator !

Learn how to further simplify your trip research, planning, and organization for every stage of your trip in “ 5 Proven Ways to Simplify and Organize Your Travel Research .”

When to Start Planning a Trip

When is the ideal time to start planning a trip? Whenever you decide to go! Though—several months, or at least six months in advance , is generally best.

However, some destinations, like high-demand national parks with limited visitor and lodging capacity, may require planning up to 12 months or more in advance. 

Plus, it depends who is traveling . Solo or couple travelers can more easily plan last-minute trips as they tend to have more schedule flexibility (i.e., not following family school break schedules) and can choose from more affordable double or single-room lodging options, which tend to be more abundant.

Because families usually require more of everything , from plane tickets to more spacious lodging and even bigger rental cars, planning further in advance becomes more necessary, especially as it allows them to secure the best of these resources at the best pricing. If you are a family traveler or part of a big multi-generational group, you will want to begin planning further in advance—six months to a year is ideal.

14 Stages of Trip Planning & 49 Tips

How you follow these 14 stages of travel planning depends on how long you have before you depart for your trip and your comfort level with leaving things to the last minute. 

Because I do not enjoy the feeling of big to-dos being undone or last-minute scrambles, I aim to complete all 14 stages of travel planning anywhere from one to several months in advance. Alternatively, you may feel more comfortable playing your timeframes looser. 

Step 1: Decide on Your Destination (7 Questions)

Step 2: International Travel: Understand Visa & Vaccination Requirements & Travel Restrictions/Warnings (4 Tips)

Step 3: On Budgeting, Know What You Can Spend (Budget Template)

Step 4: Set a High-Level Itinerary (Get Shortcuts)

Step 5: getting there, find the best deals on airfare (3 resources).

Step 6: Getting Around, Rental Cars & Local Transportation Options (6 Tips)

Step 7: Choose Where to Stay (Shortcuts & Resources)

Step 8: Decide, Save & Book the Things You Want to Do (4 Tips)

Step 9: Focus on Food, Reserve Restaurants & Learn About Local Dishes (2 Recommendations)

Step 10: Create, Update & Finalize a Detailed Trip Itinerary (Resources)

Step 11: Plan for Emergencies & Unexpected Situations (3 Tips)

Step 12: Packing & Prepping Your Home Before Your Trip (Resources)

Step 13: Make Your Finances Accessible on Domestic & International Trips (13 Tips)

Step 14: Stay Connected While You Travel (Resources)

You may have several destinations in mind for an upcoming trip—or none at all. To get assistance narrowing down your options, consider your travel wants, needs, and limitations by answering the seven questions below to help you figure this out.

How long do you have to travel?

Your work and school schedules or family obligations may dictate the duration of your travel. Or perhaps budget  constraints cap the number of your away-from-home vacation days.

So, before you choose where to go, know how long you can spend there. If your holiday break is limited, you will want to minimize the time or expense of transportation, guiding you to pick closer destinations or places with direct flights.

What do you want to do?

Do you want a warm week lounging on the beach within reach of an easy and affordable nonstop flight? Or are you looking for a city trip with cultural activities? Perhaps the pull of nature is strong, and you want a hiking adventure? Or a bit of all of the above? Know what experiences you or your group would like to have during your time away and pick a place that meets it best.

This question is linked to the one above but digs deeper. Confirm your potential destination offers the right breadth and depth of activities and cultural or culinary highlights. Are there enough things to do and experience to last your trip and meet your wants and needs? Determine whether these options will make for an ideal visit. 

How to get there?

Explore how to get to your potential destination. Does getting there require a multi-day drive? Or a flight with a long layover? Gain a high-level idea of the time and cost involved with the “getting there” part of travel and confirm your time off can easily accommodate long transit times if required. Then, further dive into this step by learning your best options for getting around  once you arrive, here .

When is the best time to go?

To avoid destinations during their rainy seasons and less ideal temperature times, look up historical weather averages for your potential vacation spot before you commit. Use a helpful site like SunHeron  to look at month-by-month temperatures and rainfall for nearly any destination. Doing this will give you a better chance of having the weather be a helper for a great experience instead of a hindrance

What do you want to pay?

It is never fun to start digging into a trip to an incredible place only to realize a few steps in that you cannot afford it. This exact situation happened to us. Several summers ago, we did not plan far enough in advance for a family summer trip to pricey Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Limited availability and expensive lodging options forced us to backtrack and find a more budget-friendly alternative destination—surprisingly, Vail, Colorado.

So, before committing to a spot, set your budget , then do quick hit searches on the costs of available transportation, lodging, activities, and dining to confirm they fit what you can afford.

Is it safe?

Ensuring your health and safety during your trip should be a top priority, especially when visiting an international destination and you are unfamiliar with the customs and language. Before you go, look up travel warnings , read recent traveler accounts on blogs or social media channels, and even message the account owners with your safety questions. Then, check the local news sites.

Gathering information about recent on-the-ground experiences will help you decide if this destination is right for you.

Step 2: International Travel: Understand Visa & Vaccination Requirements & Travel Restrictions/Warnings (4 Tips)

This step is for international travel. Before buying your plane tickets, understand entry requirements related to passports and visas, if applicable. 

Ensure you have an up-to-date passport & learn about visa requirements.

For international travel, always ensure your passport will not expire soon and it will be valid for your dates of entry. A good rule of thumb is your passport should be valid for six months after entry . However, sometimes it is less. Confirm exact entry requirements by researching this with the official government customs and tourism organization for the country you plan to visit.

A quick online search should get you the answers you need. For US travelers, check and confirm destination requirements on the helpful “ Learn About Your Destination” page of the US State Department website.

If your passport is expired or set to expire within a validity window, like six months, take immediate steps to renew it. In the US, obtaining a new one can take weeks, if not several months. Get all the details you need about obtaining and renewing US Passports here .

Review travel advisories, security alerts, vaccination & other health requirements.

For US citizens planning to travel abroad, search for your destination on the US State Department website , look for travel advisories, security alerts, and detailed information about health matters, including links to vaccination requirements. Or go directly to the US Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) Destinations page for extensive health recommendations.

Additionally, maintain your safety by booking lodging  in busier and well-known areas and following the tips I recommend here  to prepare for unexpected emergencies .

If traveling to Europe, know about EITAS, a coming-soon travel permit requirement.

Also, if you plan to travel to Europe, learn about the new electronic travel authorization (ETIAS) for visiting Europe. This coming-soon authorization is not a visa. It is a travel permit. As non-EU Schengen members, US travelers must eventually apply for this new travel authorization before entering Europe.

US travelers, enroll in STEP.

For US travelers for an extra measure of security and safety, consider enrolling your trip with the US State Department as part of their Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, or STEP . Doing this will share your travel status with the US government which will allow you to receive important safety information about your destination country and help the US Embassy contact you in an emergency. Enroll here. 

Step 3: On Budgeting, Know What You Can Spend

Does your budget determine where you can go? Or does your destination determine your budget? 

An essential part of your travel planning is being realistic about what you can afford . There are few better ways to ruin the effect of a top-notch vacation than to return home after it, realizing you overspent, and then having to contend with the pain of outsize credit card debt and the regret that comes with it. 

Instead, book a trip to a place that meets you where your money is. Memorable travel experiences do not have to cost a fortune.

Use a budget calculator like the one I provide for free with signups to my monthly Discovery travel newsletter , shown above. Or create your own budget that includes the major expense items like transportation, lodging, activities, meals, and incidentals that cover anything from souvenirs to travel insurance to pet sitting.

Once you decide on your destination , determine if you will stay in one place or move around and make multiple stops. Will your path of travel be circular—where you end up in the original place you began so that you are flying into and out of the same airport? Or will it be linear? A linear path means you will fly to one destination and return home from another—requiring plane tickets commonly referred to in the travel industry as open jaw tickets. 

Your budget and available vacation time may dictate staying in one place. Or it will allow you to include several different stops in one trip.  Get shortcuts to quickly determine a high-level itinerary for any destination in this article .

Flights and related on-the-ground transportation costs can often be the most significant expenses of any trip. 

To find the best airfare deals, compare prices across multiple airlines. Consider flexible travel dates to take advantage of cheaper fares and rates. Additionally, look to redeem frequent flier miles or sign up for travel credit cards that give you miles bonuses.

Maximize your savings by learning to find the best fare deals using Google Flights Explore and Google Flights price tracker . Or read this overview of how to track down the best airfare deals .

Step 6: Getting Around, Rental Cars & Local Transportation Options (6 Tips)

Familiarize yourself with these six transportation tips for taxis, public transit, rental cars, and safe walking routes applicable to any new destination.

Plan for how to get around.

Knowing in advance how you plan to get around your vacation spot will impact where you decide to book your lodging . If you plan to rent a car and drive, you will want vacation accommodation that provides easy vehicle access—and ideally nearby and free parking. Or, if you plan to rely on ride shares and public transportation, you may want to ensure close lodging proximity to taxi stands or train or bus stops. 

Familiarize yourself with local transportation options.

Before you arrive at your destination, familiarize yourself with the local transportation . Research different options, such as public buses, trains, ride shares, and taxis, to determine the most convenient and cost-effective ways to get around. These alternatives can be very different in international destinations. 

For example, the most recommended rideshare in Malta, which we visited for a spring break trip , was Bolt, followed by a few others I was unfamiliar with, like eCabs and Ryde.

If you learn about these things in advance, you can pre-download the apps , set up an account, and link payment methods before you arrive. Additionally, consider purchasing local transportation cards or passes, as these often offer discounted rates for multiple journeys.

Get rental car tips & gather resources.

If you plan to rent a car, review these 15 rental car tips which will save you money, reduce potential hassles, and explain how to get complimentary upgrades. Then, understand whether you need to buy rental car insurance —something that even the most experienced travelers get confused by—with this thorough overview .

When traveling internationally, research to find out if you need an international driving permit for your destination. If you do, get this permit in advance, as sometimes the paperwork may take a few weeks. Check to see if you need an international driving permit via this helpful article . 

Learn the (local) rules of the road.

For any international travelers, you will want to familiarize yourself with the local driving rules in the country you plan to drive in advance. Doing so can help you avoid unintentional penalties and minimize the chance of on-the-road incidents. 

US travelers can understand driver safety abroad by referencing this State Department page . This page provides helpful country links and outlines local driving rules—from default speed limits to signaling requirements to where to park.

Consider pre-booking an airport pickup.

Especially for international trips, if you do not feel confident about your understanding of local transportation options, make things easy for yourself upon arrival. Consider requesting your lodging to arrange a pickup for you . This reserved ride will likely be more expensive, though it will give you peace of mind that you will not get things “wrong” when you arrive.

Then, when at your destination, ask for assistance from your accommodation manager or concierge to help better explain your on-the-ground transportation options .

After an international overnight flight, our family sometimes pre-books airport taxis, as we did on a visit to Rome . When exhausted and running on empty from a long and likely sleepless flight, it is a relief to know our in-town transportation is reliably taken care of. 

Know safe walking routes.

If you plan to explore a new destination on foot, familiarize yourself with safe walking paths . Research this ahead of time. Or ask once at your accommodation. The front desk staff and management, who generally live locally, are a valuable resource for sharing the best routes, areas, and times for moving around safely.

Step 7: Choose Where to Stay (Shortcuts & Resources)

Pinpointing the right location for lodging is never easy. To figure it out fast—my first stop is to use the “ Where to stay ” button on Google Hotels , which will show neighborhood-by-neighborhood descriptions and ratings for all major destinations, allowing you to quickly zero in on the right neighborhood for you to stay in. See where to find it in the quick clip below.

Alternatively, run an AI or online search on “ best places to stay in [your destination] ” and review the results. Or, reference up-to-date travel guidebooks , which generally provide a helpful point of view on the best areas to stay. 

Additionally, since I find great lodging in top locations has an outsize positive impact on our travel experiences, I put a lot of effort into finding the best places to stay. 

Get tips on how to do this for your lodging searches in this article .

Step 8: Decide, Save & Book the Things You Want to Do (4 Tips)

Now that you have the framework of your trip set, it is time for the most fun part—figuring out things you want to do once you get there.

Search for things to do online.

If your best trip experience includes seeing top attractions and activities, you will want to research the top things to do in a destination that best fits your interests. Run AI searches or look online for “things to do in [your destination].”

Travel blogs, social media, and sites like Pinterest or Reddit are helpful for this. Or read a guidebook  or visit Google Travel , searching your destination to get an idea about the top attractions and get recommendations for more things to see or do.

To determine what you want to do most, read reviews from fellow travelers to understand what to expect. Then, consider purchasing tickets or making reservations for the most popular attractions to avoid long queues and secure your spot.

Save your favorites.

My preferred way to keep track of things I want to do in a destination is to save them to a custom list in Google Maps . Doing this gives me quick access to my favorites on my mobile phone via my Google Maps app while traveling. I share why and how to create similar custom lists in this article . 

Check out the guided activity and tour options.

Another good way to round out your research for what to do in any area is by checking out tour booking sites like Viator , Get Your Guide or Airbnb Experiences . Use them to look at the top-rated experiences for your destination. You might discover a cooking class, photo tour, guided hike, history walk, and so much more—activities that could be one of the more memorable parts of your vacation.

Ask for recommendations.

Before your trip, ask your friends, family, and acquaintances for suggestions for what to do in your planned destination if they have already been there. 

And then, when your trip is here, and you finally and excitingly arrive— connect and chat with your lodging managers, taxi drivers, tour guides, servers, and any other locals you can befriend to ask for their recommendations. 

By doing this, we have learned about many things we would have missed if we did not connect with locals, like off-the-radar restaurants, event-related parades, holiday processionals, or the best spots to catch sunsets. While traveling, we value these local recommendations so highly that we often will reshape our entire plan for how we spend a day to accommodate them. 

Step 9: Focus on Food - Reserve Restaurants & Learn About Local Dishes (2 Recommendations)

Does your culinary experience matter to you on vacation? I have a food blogger and cookbook author friend who makes researching places to eat and reserving restaurants her immediate third activity after booking airfare and lodging for any trip. So, if incorporating an epicurean experience into your travel is important, include the two steps below in your pre-trip planning.

Make restaurant reservations.

Search online to get a list of top eateries in your destination. Reference Google Maps, articles, blog posts, or run AI inquiries. Or ask other travelers who have been to the area recently, as they are always happy to share their favorites.

Prioritize the places you want to eat and make reservations. If you cannot do this in advance online, do not sweat it. Do it in person when you arrive. Or ask your lodging for dining recommendations and assistance with booking reservations.

Learn about the food before you go.

Although international trips provide ample opportunities for new food experiences, you do not have to go far from home to indulge in regional food specialties while on vacation. For example, on a fall getaway to Door County, Wisconsin , near our hometown of Chicago, we were sure to order cheese curds, a Badger State specialty, paired with local brews. 

Before your trip, search online for “best food to eat in [your destination]” to see what tops the list. On a spring trip to Rome , it was Jerusalem artichokes. When in Malta , it was a rabbit dish and many other unfamiliar foods.

Eating at different places and trying new dishes, drinks, and snacks can be one of the most memorable aspects of your travel. To get a head start, take a global tour from these food guide and cookbook recommendations .

Step 10: Create, Update & Finalize a Detailed Trip Itinerary (Resources)

Now that you have your transportation, lodging, activities, and possibly even your dining planned or loosely set, it is time to put it all down to paper. 

Use an online app like TripIt to keep track of your bookings and day-to-day plans. Or go semi-old school like I do and put it in an Excel document . Since I have yet to find an app that functions exactly how I want, I created my own itinerary framework that includes all the elements I prefer.

I share this free framework  downloadable in four file types in this article . In it, I also link to more places to find free or affordable trip itinerary templates. 

Then, for safety purposes , share your itinerary with family and friends so they know where you will be when you are away from home.

Step 11: Plan for Emergencies & Unexpected Situations (3 Tips)

Follow these three recommendations to help you avoid or quickly recover from emergencies and unexpected situations while traveling.

Conduct practical safety prep.

Before each trip, familiarize yourself with local emergency service numbers and healthcare facilities in your planned destination. When traveling internationally—particularly to an area at risk for conflict, know where to find your local embassy or consulate. 

Additionally, ensure your family and friends know where you are going and how to reach you. If you created a detailed itinerary  share it with them. Then, continue to check in throughout the trip.

Buy travel insurance.

It is an extra expense every traveler would love to skip. However, given the cost of your vacation and what is at risk—your trip budget, your health, and your property—the cost of travel insurance should be considered an essential and non-negotiable expense, especially for international trips.

Read about why to get travel insurance and where to find it in this article .

My preferred resource for buying travel insurance is InsureMyTrip , an online travel insurance agent and search engine that I use to shop policies from different insurers, buying from the ones with the highest user ratings.

Know what to do in case of theft.

Do you have a plan for what to do in case your wallet, phone, computer, or passport is taken or goes missing? Do you know how to protect your sensitive data? Or how to quickly replace credit cards or a phone? Or get a replacement passport so you can get home?

If not, familiarize yourself with these steps in case your phone goes missing , or read this account of a traveler who had to navigate getting her phone stolen out of her hand in Cartagena, Colombia.

Then, make front-and-back print and digital copies of all IDs, passports, credit cards, and travel insurance policies, keeping copies easily accessible in case of emergency, theft, or loss. Share copies of all items with a trusted friend or family member who can quickly send them back to you if needed.

Step 12: Packing & Prepping Your Home Before Your Trip (Resources)

Taking care to pack efficiently will make your trip a more comfortable one. Before you go, research weather conditions at your destination and plan accordingly. Make a checklist of essential items, such as toiletries, medication, electronics, and travel adapters. Pack versatile clothing items that can be mixed and matched for different occasions and temperatures. And remember a travel first aid kit with essential medical supplies.

Because I bring many repeat items every time we travel, I spent a year carefully crafting, updating, and tweaking a universal and printable packing list to reuse for every trip. Using this helps me avoid “recreating the (packing) wheel” every time I leave home, which helps save time and minimizes prep. 

Access, download, and print this universal packing list , which includes a comprehensive medical kit, here . 

Additionally, since I am a fan of checklists and streamlining tasks, I created a second checklist to close the house and prep for packing—that includes to-do items like buying trip-specific gear or picking up medical prescriptions in advance to avoid last-minute scrambles. Check out the list here. 

If you are new to traveling and packing, get 25 of my best packing tips that I follow for every trip.

Step 13: Make Your Finances Accessible on Domestic & International Trips (13 Tips)

Before you go on any trip, be sure to have a plan for how to pay for all expenses, access your cash, and use your credit cards.

On domestic trips: two tips on spending and cash.

If your getaway is domestic, this step should be relatively easy, as how you spend will be similar to what you do at home. However, there are two things you may want to consider before you leave. Getting extra cash from a local no-fee ATM and ensuring you have up-to-date logins with mobile pay apps like Zelle or Venmo. 

Even in this age of high connectivity, it is still relatively easy to encounter a market vendor, fair, or pop-up snack shop that does not accept credit cards. So, you will want a cash supply handy . Doing this will help you avoid unnecessary and out-of-the-way stops at high-fee and out-of-network ATMs. Sometimes, vendors will also accept mobile payments from apps like Venmo or Zelle. 

For example, during a recent domestic trip to New Orleans, our family enjoyed listening to musicians who accepted tips via Venmo, allowing us to scan their QR code and drop some cash—in appreciation of their talent and time. So, before you leave for your trip, if you use these apps, ensure you are actively logged in and can access your accounts.

On international trips: 11 tips for spending, credit cards, cash, and safety.

Prearranging and maintaining comprehensive and secure financial access requires a few more steps when traveling internationally. Here is a list of 10 things you will want to plan for: 

1. Determine which credit card(s) you plan to use . Ideally, choose the one(s) that offers the lowest, or zero, foreign transaction fees.

2. If you use a mobile hands-free payment like Apple Pay, ensure your default credit card linked to your mobile payment account is the card with the lowest foreign transaction fees. 

3. For travelers who do not already use a hands-free payment method like Apple Pay, consider setting it up, as it is a convenient wallet-free way to pay when traveling. Keeping your wallet tucked away may also make you less of a target for potential pickpockets who tend to mark international travelers.

4. If you plan to use a credit card while traveling internationally, process your transactions in the local currency . At the point-of-sale, avoid converting the transaction to your home currency since this often translates into a less advantageous exchange rate. 

5. Know the currency exchange rate between your home and destination country before you leave home—this will help you better manage your spending and budget. Download a currency converter app like XE , to easily translate local prices to your home currency.

6. Plan to take out the local country currency from an ATM when you arrive. Some travelers prefer to pre-buy foreign currency at their local hometown bank before they leave for their trip. However, we are always comfortable doing this at the airport upon arrival.

Know which local ATMs offer the lowest fees for international visitors for cash withdrawals and which charge the highest—and should be avoided. Visit traveler forums and social media groups , or read guidebooks  to learn this information.

7. Bring back up cash in your own currency , which you can exchange in an emergency. Include small bills if you can. You can often use these in a pinch for tips and when you run short on small denominations of local cash. However, local currency—depending on the country—is generally preferred.

8. Remove all unnecessary credit , identity, membership, and banking cards from your wallet that you do not plan to use while traveling and store them safely at home. Doing this is preventative in case of wallet loss or theft. Keeping so many cards at home means you will have fewer to cancel or replace.

9. Make copies of both sides of your banking and credit cards . Keep print or digital copies accessible. For a backup— share them with a friend or family member who will be staying home and can send them to you in the event of loss or theft. 

10. Have a plan for keeping your wallet and valuables safe while on your trip. Assume on an international trip, you may be a target for pickpockets. Make it difficult for would-be thieves by using secure carrying bags and backpacks with zippered pockets.

Practice never leaving your personal items unattended or on the back of chairs. If you need to set a bag down, wrap a strap securely around a leg or arm. Also, ensure all openings are fully zipped and face inward toward your body. Depending on your destination, consider sewing hidden interior pockets to pants or using money belts under clothes to keep cash and IDs secure.

Another helpful step you can take includes being aware of your surroundings and avoiding being distracted in public by your phone while traveling. It is relatively easy for a cyclist or motorcycle rider to whip by and grab an unlocked phone from unsuspecting hands.

11. Finally, before you go, move ample cash into your checking or ATM-linked account to fund your trip and to fully process automatic bill withdrawals to eliminate the possibility of overdrafts or other unpleasant financial surprises that could happen while you are away. If you do not have auto bill payments set up, pre-pay all upcoming bills before you leave.

Note: Many credit cards and banks no longer require you to alert them when you plan to leave the country as they track trip-related purchases like plane tickets, taxis, and hotel bookings. 

However, check with your banking and credit card companies before you go to understand their travel recommendations and to avoid possible suspicious-activity freezes on your accounts.

This step is easy for domestic journeys, as depending on your data plan, you can ideally use your mobile phone to text and call to stay in touch like you would at home. 

However, constant connectivity gets more complicated for international trips. When traveling abroad, you want to determine how you plan to use your mobile phone .

Will you stay off-network and use it only when connected to Wi-Fi? Or pay a daily network international roaming fee—up to a pricey $10 per day with networks like Verizon? Or, instead, buy a data plan from a local network using e-sim technology?

Does this feel complicated? Even to me, a regular international traveler, and others—it does also. Based on your budget and connectivity needs, you will want to figure out which way of staying connected is right for you. To decide, price out international plans from your mobile carrier and then learn more about going the eSIM route with info in this helpful article .

Once you know how you plan to stay in touch, download apps you anticipate you may need to use. When traveling internationally, this may include downloading What’sApp , a global messaging app and voice-over-IP service heavily used outside of the United States. 

When abroad, I frequently use this app to communicate with lodging contacts and tour guides and to confirm reservations.

Additionally, be sure to have all lodging or tour booking apps downloaded and updated on your phone. You will want to access the messaging functionality within apps like Airbnb, Booking.com, or other hotel apps, which you may need to use to send and receive communications. 

Hands-down, thorough travel research is the key to a stress-free adventure. By taking time to gather destination information so you can make informed planning decisions, you can ensure a smooth and memory-making journey. 

From researching your destination and finding the best deals to understanding local customs and preparing essential travel documents, each step plays a vital role in creating your best travel experience.

So, before you embark on your next adventure, check off the items on this ultimate travel research checklist. With research and planning complete, you can explore the world with confidence and peace of mind. The more you know, the better prepared you will be for any unexpected challenges or opportunities that come your way. Happy travels!

Related Reading

If you are searching for more travel planning assistance to help you save time and money and to stay organized, check out the related articles below.

• Google for Travel: Plan Better with These 8 Tools
• Why You Will Love Google Maps for Trip Planning
• Travel Better: How to Best Use Google Flights Explore
• How to Save Time & Money with Google Flights Price Tracker
• 5 Proven Ways to Simplify and Organize Your Travel Research
• Rental Car Insurance: When You Need It & When You Don’t
• Pack Faster & Better with This Universal Printable Packing List
• 25 Expert Packing Tips to Help You Travel Better
• Pre-Trip: A Practical Checklist to Close the House & Pack

Additional Trip Planning Resources

To further help you with travel planning, I share my go-to resources for every trip below. 

Google Flights. Save money and time by searching this free flight search engine for affordable and direct flight options. Learn more about why to use it here . 

Google Hotels . Use its “Where to stay” button to discover which neighborhood to stay in and which hotel to book. Learn more in this video clip . 

Booking.com. You will love its more flexible cancellation and payment options, user reviews, discounts, and easy-to-use interface for hotels and rentals.

Viator , Get Your Guide , & Airbnb Experiences . Search any of these tour and experience booking platforms to find and pre-purchase highly rated guided activities.

Google Travel Things to Do & Google Maps . Discover more travel things to do on Google Travel, then record the places you want to visit on your own Google Maps lists. 

AllTrails . Use AllTrails to find top hiking and biking trails. Get up-to-date route info, like trail difficulty ratings, what to expect, user reviews, and access points. Sign up for   AllTrails+ to download offline maps.

Guide Along . For U.S. road trips and National Parks. Download these 5-star self-guided audio tours that are GPS-compatible and work offline. Hear stories, fascinating facts, and tips for visiting. We loved the  Glacier National Park tour .

Insure My Trip. Stay protected using this online travel insurance agent and search engine to shop policies from different insurers. Buy from the ones with the highest user ratings. Learn why to buy it here . 

Want to know the 15 travel apps I have downloaded and updated for every trip? Check them out here .

About the author:  Janice Moskoff is a travel writer and blogger who loves hiking, exploring the world, and reading. She writes to inspire travel-loving families, adult friends, and couples on her blog,  Gather and Go Travel . Check out  her bio , learn how she became  a blogger , and discover how to  work with her . Sign up for her monthly  Discovery Newsletter  to get her latest travel recommendations and  how-to’s .

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Welcome to Gather and Go Travel , a blog inspiring families, adult friends, and couples to explore US and international destinations and to get outdoors. I am Janice, an experienced traveler to over 50 countries and a travel writer, book lover, and blogger. Learn more about me , read our story , and how to work with me .

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The Ultimate Travel Checklist | 37 Things to Do Before Your Next Trip

Say goodbye to stressful planning. With this travel checklist in hand, you’ll always be ready for your next adventure.

It's easy to get swept up by the hype when you're planning out a trip. Whether it's international or local travel, daydreams of relaxing on a beach or skiing down snowy slopes can easily occupy your mind. Of course, you won't forget the basics like booking your flight and getting your travel visas in order. Meanwhile, packing lists, house chores, reservations, and transport arrangements take a back seat, right behind the more exciting stuff. As with everything important, though, it's not until you need something that you realize it's not there. Luckily, we've got just what the travel doctor prescribed: 37 things to do before your next trip.

Each item on this list will ensure that everything is in order, from your packing checklist to your house plants. If you’re looking for a quick step-by-step guide, feel free to follow the bulleted travel checklist below. For a more detailed walkthrough, follow along with the video at the end of the list and read on.

A Month Before

• Create a travel packing list
• Book your accommodation
• Apply for an International Driver’s Permit (if you plan on driving in another country)
• Check for vaccination requirements
• Get an advanced supply of prescription medication
• Get travel insurance

A Week Before

• Check the weather and change your packing list accordingly
• Pack your bags
• Notify your bank that you’ll be traveling
• Get your finances in order
• Make arrangements for someone to take care of your household
• Confirm your reservations

2-3 Days Before

• Organize your travel documents
• Arranging transportation to and from the airport
• Share your itinerary, accommodation address, and contact info
• Charge your batteries
• Double-check your bag
• Start adjusting to timezone differences
• Clean your house

A Day Before

• Take out the trash and any perishables
• Pack your travel snacks
• Double-check your personal item bag
• Unplug the electronics you’ve been charging
• Put your bags near the door
• Check in to your flight
• Download your digital boarding pass
• Set an away message for your email
• Lay out your outfit for the next day
• Eat before you go
• Take out any remaining trash and leftovers
• Pack up your toiletries
• Make sure the plants have been watered and the pets have enough food
• Unplug appliances around the house
• Grab your phone
• Triple-check you have all your essential travel documents
• Adjust the thermostat
• Grab your bags and go!

A month before the big trip, it's important to decide what gear you'll need, i.e., (1) create a packing list . It essentially acts as a travel checklist, but only for what goes in your bag. Packing checklists depend on a lot of things, such as your destination's climate, duration of stay, personal and work-related needs, and local customs and culture. That last one is a bit nuanced, but a good example would be how temples and other religious sites enforce dress codes that require the head and shoulders to be covered.

At the core of any packing checklist for a vacation (or otherwise) are your absolute necessities, like clothing, toiletries, travel documents, and medication. It’s these items that must go first before you can move on to less essential gear like electronics, cosmetics, and other accessories. If you aren’t sure where to start, you can check out ours—such as our Digital Nomad and Budget packing lists—which are good templates that you can modify as needed.

Once you’ve got a working manifest of everything you need, it’s time to (2) book your accommodation . If your trip coincides with a holiday season or travel-heavy seasons in general, hotel and Airbnb prices usually go up during those times. Additionally, finding a place to stay tends to get more difficult as more and more people book. In other words, it’s better to lock one in as soon as possible.

If you’re traveling internationally and plan on driving a motor vehicle, like a car or motorcycle, you’ll have to (3) apply for an International Driver’s Permit . Procedures and requirements may vary from country to country. The processing time can be a few weeks, so it’s best to get the application process rolling early.

While you’re on the web looking up those permits, (4) check the vaccination requirements for the country you’re visiting. If you’re unsure which vaccines are required and which are recommended, the CDC’s (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) website has an extensive travel checklist and is an excellent resource to get you sorted.

On the subject of health, make sure to top up and (5) get an advanced supply of your prescription medication from your doctor. You never know if you’ll have to extend your stay, and your specific medication may not be available at your destination. Furthermore, it’s important to check the laws and regulations on bringing medicine and drugs into the country beforehand to avoid legal troubles or confiscation.

After you have your vaccination and prescription medicine prepped, one additional layer of readiness you’ll want is (6) travel insurance . Travel insurance coverage varies depending on your provider, but typical coverage includes emergency medical treatment, personal liabilities, and loss of personal items like travel documents and baggage. Again, you never know what could happen while you’re traveling, so it’s best to be prepared in case of an emergency.

A week before your trip is a good time to (7) check the weather and change your packing list accordingly . Weather is one of the most finicky aspects of a travel checklist, as a particular day can go from sunny to rainy in a snap. That said, forecasts are still a safe bet for adapting your packing checklist. After all, what good are flip-flops and shorts when it's going to rain the entire trip? You can still wear them, but you'll be sad, wet, and look totally unprepared.

Now we really get into the thick of things: (8) packing your bags . We've already gone over how you should create your packing checklist, but there's also the question of how it all comes together. Start the process by laying out everything you think you need, then try cutting the quantity down in half. It's never too late to unburden yourself of excess weight, and who knows—maybe the extra space can afford you to bring something you initially had to cut.

Some items need to be packed last because you’ll be using them right up until you leave the house—we’re talking about toiletries, chargers, and house keys—so make sure to save some space in your bag for them. (Psst—that's where this travel checklist comes in handy.)

Once everything’s packed, keep track of your bag’s (or bags’) total weight. If you’re traveling with just a carry-on, airlines have different weight and size limits, so be sure you’re well within them. You can check your bag’s weight by weighing yourself on a bathroom scale with and without the bag then subtracting the difference. If you need a guide for packing a carry-on , we’ve got you covered.

Other than friends and family, you’ll also want to (9) notify your bank that you’ll be traveling . No, you won’t need to shed a few tears of sadness for them like you would for your pet. You’ll be doing this so that they won’t flag your purchases outside your typical area as fraudulent. Tell them the exact dates you’re traveling and where you’ll be. There are few things more embarrassing than having your credit card declined when you’re trying to pay for a fancy dinner; worse if you’re treating someone else.

On that note, check up on any upcoming bills that may come your way while you're gone. In other words, (10) get your finances in order . Don't worry—this won't be as complicated as doing a complete audit; you're simply making sure you're not coming home to find the electricity and internet disconnected.

This one's for the pet lovers and plant havers: (11) make arrangements for someone to take care of your household . Oh, how we wish we could just take our dog and/or three-foot fern with us to the Bahamas. But alas, it's not the most practical idea. The next best thing? Ask a neighbor, friend, or family member to feed and water them from time to time while you're away. Just make sure to bring them back something nice (for the caretaker and the pet/plant).

Someone else who might miss you while you're away is the mail carrier. To keep mail from piling up unnecessarily, you may want to contact your local post office to put your mail on hold if you're going on an extended trip.

While you're still a week away from your trip, (12) confirm your reservations . This not only goes for your accommodations but also for restaurant reservations and any specific events you plan on attending. Last-minute changes to events aren't unheard of, so it's worth re-checking.

Okay, by this point, your hype levels are probably fast approaching critical mass. Hold your horses and passports, though, because there are still a few things to do during these last few days.

Still holding your passports? Okay, good, because it’s time to (13) organize your travel documents . Without these, there is no trip, except to the terminal or station. The documents you’ll want to keep track of are your passport, itinerary, insurance, visas, and tickets. If your everyday wallet can fit all those, then great. If not, passport wallets do exist, and some bags come with dedicated security pockets that can take them in.

The trip from where you're staying and to the terminal probably isn't the one you're particularly excited for, but it's worth prepping for anyway. (14) Arranging transportation to and from the airport is just as important in our eyes, unless you fancy a long walk. To avoid expensive parking fees or taxi fares, you can ask a friend or family member to give you a ride. There's a chance they won't be available on that day, though, so having someone extra as a backup is a good idea. If you’re taking an Uber or Lyft, schedule a pickup in advance so you won't have to wait long on the day itself. The same goes for when you're riding from the airport to wherever you're staying; book it now, so you aren't left waiting needlessly for a ride.

At this point, you’ve already told friends and family about your big trip, but now it’s time to (15) share your itinerary, accommodation address, and contact info . You won’t be doing this to brag, but to make sure they know where you are and how to reach you in case of an emergency.

If there’s something that needs constant attention throughout this travel checklist, it’s the (16) charge levels of your batteries . Even when they're just idling, laptops, smartphones, and handheld consoles like the Nintendo Switch are slowly but surely sipping power. Topping them up just before you leave ensures they're ready when you actually need them.

Okay, now it’s time to (17) double-check your bag . It's not like anything's escaped between now and the time you've packed it a few days back—this is just to make sure you haven't forgotten anything. Plus, it gives you the chance to make a few tweaks to what you've packed and to squeeze in some last few items if you want to.

After you’ve double-checked—and maybe even triple-checked—your bag, you’re probably feeling a bit tired. Too early to go to bed? It may not be the worst idea to (18) adjust now and prevent jet lag . If you’re traveling to a different time zone, you can prepare yourself for the switch by changing your habits. This includes eating dinner an hour earlier or later (depending on the time difference), and the same goes for your sleep schedule.

This may be the least popular tip on the list, but it's worth doing anyway: (19) clean your house . Think your house is dirty as it is? Imagine it days or weeks later when no one's been home to keep things tidy. Trust us, piled-up laundry (worse: piled-up dirty dishes) only becomes more of a chore after you've come back from your trip, exhausted from all the traveling you just did. Do them now.

You've already cleaned the house, expelling all the dirt off of plates, clothes, and any reachable surfaces. But this is the day before the main event, and there's one more thing (or set of things) to throw out. Have you guessed it? Yep, time to (20) take out the trash and any perishables you have lying in the kitchen and pantry. We support eating as much as you want of the perishables since wasting food is just, well, wasteful.

While you’re in the kitchen, you can go ahead and (21) pack your travel snacks . Airport snacks tend to get pricey, and you won’t believe how much you can save just by bringing your own. Just be mindful to pack foods that are easy to eat, not messy, and don't smell. It’s also worth checking out which foods are considered liquids and need to follow TSA’s 3-1-1 rule (we’re looking at you, goat cheese).

Now, (22) double-check your personal item bag , a.k.a your carry-on. This is to ensure your travel essentials are all there, especially your travel documents and money. After you’ve done that, (23) unplug the electronics you’ve been charging , like your laptop, game console, and power bank. By this point, almost everything is packed up, so (24) put the bags near the door where you can grab them and go.

There are just a few more things to sort out before you hit the hay! Before you go to sleep, (25) check in to your flight to save time at the airport. Most airlines have an app that allows you to check into your flight 24 hours ahead of time. Checking in this early lets you pick a good seat, so do that if you haven't already. If you've been issued a (26) digital boarding pass , take this chance to download it to your phone now to save you the hassle later.

Before you put down your phone for the night, make sure to (27) set an away message for your email . That is, unless you’re traveling for work or working remotely . If this is your vacation, turn off all work-related notifications so you can make the most out of your well-earned rest.

Once you’ve put down the phone, (28) lay out your outfit for the next day . Having your clothes laid out and ready will help speed things up as you’re rushing out the door. We don’t know about you, but we move faster just before we sleep than after we’ve just woken up.

At last, we've finally arrived at the day you've been waiting for. It's the main event: the day you actually leave for your trip. Hopefully, you weren't kept up all night by the excitement for your adventure, though we really can't blame you if you were. At the very least, you can go ahead and (29) eat breakfast or lunch to help stave off any hunger that could lead to unnecessary snack purchases at the airport. After you're done eating, (30) take out any remaining trash and leftovers you still have lying around.

Remember when we said some items need to be packed last? Well, it's time to get those aboard as well. After you've freshened yourself up, (31) pack up your toiletries and place them where you can easily get to them when you get to security. Putting them underneath anything else will hold up the line as you search through your bag to get to them, as TSA officers need to check those fluids to make sure they meet regulations. Bring out your packing checklist and ensure all remaining items are in your bag.

And don't forget about your housemates! Namely, your house plants and pets. (32) Make sure the plants have been watered and the pets have enough food to last until your designated caretaker gets to them.

The next tip will help you save money on electricity. (33) Unplug appliances that won’t be in use while you’re away, as they can still sip a tiny amount of electricity if, say, they have LED indicators. This includes TVs, microwaves, coffee makers, and desktop computers. Plus, unplugging will help prevent any potential fires if something accidentally shorts while you’re away. Speaking of unplugging, make sure you (34) grab your phone , earbuds, or Kindle in case you’re doing any last-minute charging.

Yay! You’re almost out the door. But wait! It’s time for another passport check. (35) Triple-check if you have all of your essential travel documents . You can never be too careful in trying to avoid being that person awkwardly digging through their bag at the last minute just before boarding.

While you’re walking towards the door, make a quick (36) walk-over to the thermostat and reduce the temperature . No one’s going to be home, so there’s no need to rack up a pricey heating bill. Needless to say, keep your pets and indoor plants in mind when you’re adjusting this. At this point, consider doing one last pass over this full travel checklist to make sure you're all set to go.

Got all that? Well then, time to (37) grab your bags and go! Careful not to trip in excitement!

If you’re reading this while you’re on a train or aboard your flight, congratulations! 37 travel checklist to-do’s sound like a lot, but once you’ve completed this travel checklist a few times, it becomes second nature. These are tips we follow ourselves and we haven’t missed a beat ever since. No missing passports, accommodations are on point, and the pets are just as happy to see us as when we left them—and it makes the trip all the more worth it.

This travel checklist is brought to you by the Pack Hacker team. We’ve collected these tips through many fun trips and a couple not so fun ones.

December 20, 2021

Author: Jude Miguel De Leon

Miguel loves road trips and actively takes the scenic route to make things interesting. When he's not behind the wheel with a trunk full of gear, you'll find him tinkering with a computer; a hobby he picked up while watching tech reviews starting at age 12. You'll never see him consider a product without being armed with plenty of product research & testing first.

39 Step Guide to Planning for a Vacation (Checklist & Timeline PDF)

Planning for a vacation can feel overwhelming, especially if you are traveling with kids. Luckily travel planning is my superpower and over the years, I’ve gotten my process and timeline down to a science. To help others, I’ve boiled down my 20-plus years of trip planning experience into this trip planning checklist.

Since travel planning gives me joy, along with the anticipation of the trip, I tend to start planning as early as possible. Therefore, this vacation planning timeline and checklist is spaced out over a 12 month period, which is ideal for international trips. It also allows you to tackle just a few tasks at a time and not be overwhelmed with the planning process.

However, I realize everyone is not an advance planner like I am, so you can always compress this vacation planning timeline to suit your trip.

Download the Vacation Planning Checklist

Planning for Vacation Checklist

If you are planning an international trip, especially if you are traveling during peak season or to a very popular destination, you need to start planning quite early. The preliminary stages should begin as far out as 12 months to decide on a destination, budget, and timeframe.

There are destinations, such as National Parks in the summer or Caribbean resorts during Festive Week, that can book up as early as nine to twelve months in advance.

Here is my step-by-step guide for planning a vacation:

Pick Your Destination

The first step to planning a vacation is figuring out where you are going. It sounds easy, but sometimes it takes a lot of work to figure out when, where, and how much. Start by discussing your vacation preferences and how you will make a decision. Will your choice be influenced by budget? Finding a flight deal? Will everyone in the family get a vote?

This process usually requires a bit preliminary research into a various destinations such as how much a trip costs, popular things to do, and the best time of year to visit.

Determine Your Trip Budget

We all have dream destinations, but there is a reason why there is something called a “bucket list”. Not every destination is affordable to us at this time. Sometimes we need to save up for years to afford a trip. Maybe we need to strategize about earning points and miles to make travel more affordable. Other times we need to wait for a flight sale. The whole reason we went to Morocco and Vienna was because we found a flight sale (although those destinations were ones that we were considering.)

When planning your trip budget, be sure to include airfare (if needed), accommodations, local transportation, activities, food, and other expenses such as gratuities, travel insurance, visas, etc. I have many guides to help you understand the trip cost for many destinations including Europe , London , Paris , Italy , Portugal , Amsterdam , Scotland , Iceland , Ireland , Japan , Morocco , and more.

Decide on Dates

Many times, especially when it comes to family travel, we don’t have a lot of flexibility when it comes to travel. Even so, you need to decide if you are traveling for spring break, summer vacation, or over the December holiday break. If you have more availability, you may want to research weather and trends to visit destinations during shoulder seasons or off-season when things are more affordable. Once you decide on a general time frame, you can start to research flight prices.

Research Airfare and Set Alerts

Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no cost to you.

Once you have determined your destination and dates, it is time to start planning in earnest. I recommend using an app such as Hopper to see the cheapest times to fly. You can also set alerts and the app will let you know when they think it is a good time to buy.

I also subscribe to Going , which is a flight deal service that lets you set your preferred home airports and destinations and they will send out flight deal alerts.

Lastly, if you want to find the best way to accumulate points and miles through credit card spending and sign up bonuses, I’d suggest downloading the Travel Freely app to track your credit cards and learn how to earn points.

Request Paid Time Off

Before you book anything, especially anything non-refundable, be sure to request time off from your employer and get the approval on record.

Book Flights

Once the above steps are complete, you have a bit more breathing room. I typically try to book my international flights about six to eight months in advance for the most availability of reward seats and the best rates. Domestic flights should be booked about three to six months if possible, or at least four to six weeks in advance.

This is a good time to start paying attention to those flight deal alerts and look for sales around major events like Black Friday or Travel Tuesday. Some airlines also offer anniversary sales (JetBlue) or seasonal sales (Southwest.)

Book Accommodations

If you are traveling during a particularly busy time, you will want to start looking for accommodation early. National Park lodges book up very quickly after reservations open for the following year, generally nine to twelve months in advance. Other destinations that have limited availability and book up at least six months in advance include the Amalfi Coast, Greek Islands , and anywhere that you don’t have a large inventory of rooms and there is a limited season. Remember that you can always try Airbnb and these competitors too for alternatives to hotels.

For other trips, look to book accommodations anywhere from six months to three months in advance.

Purchase Travel Insurance

Purchasing travel insurance as soon as you book your trip has a few advantages. First, it protects you in case something comes up that forces you to cancel before you leave (for included reasons.) Also, if you are purchasing cancel anytime or cancel for any reason coverage, you generally need to purchase this within 14 days of your first trip deposit.

Having a travel insurance policy on your whole trip will typically also protect you against trip interruption, baggage loss, theft, and, importantly especially when traveling internationally, medical coverage.

Double Check Passport Validity

Remember that many countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your arrival. Double check the expiration dates of all of your travelers’ passports if traveling internationally. Also research your destination’s validity requirements and make sure that you are within that window. Be sure to give yourself a minimum of eight weeks to get a passport renewal and remember that things like government shutdowns can make this time frame much longer.

Check Visa and Vaccination Requirements

When traveling internationally, research if you require any visas or additional vaccinations including yellow fever, Covid-19, and others. If vaccinations are required, you may need to book an appointment at a travel clinic. Some visas can be purchased on arrival but others require paperwork to be completed in advance.

Start to Research Activities and Things to Do

Around three to six months out, you will want to begin to research your activities and things to do. I have some suggestions on how to do this and other ways to prepare kids for an international trip . You need to do this in advance because some attractions require advance reservations that sell out as soon as they open up (such as the Eiffel Tower in Paris or the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam ).

You don’t need to create your full itinerary yet, but what I do is open a Google Doc and when I find something I’m interested in, I copy the website, opening days/hours, and any relevant information (e.g. advance tickets required) into the document so that I can go in later and start to organize by day. I also open Google Maps and star/save each location on the map so that I can start to visualize where everything is in relation to each other and where I am staying (or would like to stay.)

Create An Itinerary Outline

By three months out, you need to really dig into your vacation planning. That is, unless you want to be disappointed when things you want to do or places you want to stay are booked. Start by putting together a skeleton outline.

Go back to the document that you started when researching things that you want to do. Refer to the hours and days they are open and the map to see which things are near each other. You will also want to make sure you have a balance of activities and downtime.

When traveling with young kids, I try to make sure that we only have one organized activity a day, two at most. You can also look to incorporate at least one thing a day that the kids chose to do. Plan the more physical activities and tours in the morning when everyone is fresh and take into consideration the weather as well.

Book Tours & Activities

Start booking your tours, classes, private guides, and activities between three months and one month out. Keep in mind, as mentioned above, some attractions have tickets that go on sale at very specific times and they sell out very quickly. Other attractions, such as the Louvre Museum and many others, require timed entry tickets.

If you are visiting National Parks, keep in mind that some require reservations (such as driving the Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park ) and others require permits for specific hikes.

As you book your activities, put the confirmation numbers, contact information, cancellation policy, meeting place, and meeting time in your itinerary and/or your calendar (for the appropriate time zone!) Print any tickets or save them to your mobile wallet. You may also want to file or upload any confirmations or documentation to the Cloud so it is accessible at any time.

Book Your Other Transportation

If you require a rental car, try to book one between three to six months out for international trips, especially if you require an automatic transmission. Since there is usually limited inventory, those tend to book up fast and car rental prices increase the closer you to get to the date.

Trains can also book up, especially if you want an assigned seat in a premium cabin (which makes it easier for storing luggage.) Often trains start taking reservations from about 90 days in advance, but others open earlier.

Book Dining Reservations

Between four and two weeks out, it is time to start researching and booking dining reservations (earlier if you are looking for Michelin Star restaurants.) When reading blogs, I usually make a note about restaurants that they recommend and add them to my Google Doc and Map. I also use Yelp, TripAdvisor, OpenTable, The Fork, and Resy. Because I’m a bit of a research nut, I don’t just look at reviews, I also look at the restaurant websites to get a sense of formality, menu, and price.

I then consider the other activities we have planned for the day and where we will be for lunch and dinner time. If we are exhausted, I know we will want to stay close to the hotel for dinner and have something informal. For days with more downtime, or maybe the last night of the trip, we might want more of a splurge or special meal. When booked, add the reservation time and address, along with the booking method in case you need to cancel, to the itinerary.

Finalize Your Itinerary

Once everything is booked, it is time to finalize the itinerary. I usually keep this as a Google Doc and set it to be available offline. This means that I can edit it and access it on the road. I also print out at least one copy to carry with me and sometimes I’ve given a copy to my daughter too so she can easily see what we are doing each day. When she was younger, we would review the itinerary each night to discuss what we would do the next time. This helps a lot with sensitive kids.

It is a good idea to also send a copy to friends or family in case of an emergency.

Obtain an International Driving Permit

If you are renting a car in another country, you should research whether or not that country requires an International Driving Permit. Note that car rental companies are not very good about providing this information. You can get one at AAA offices, just call ahead to see if you need an appointment.

Order Foreign Currency

It is possible to get foreign currency from a local ATM when you arrive in-country, but then you need to pay additional fees if the bank doesn’t have a partnership with your home bank. And, the ATMs in airports tend to have higher fees. Just in case I have trouble finding an ATM or getting my card to work if I don’t have a PIN, I like to have some currency in my pocket when I arrive. You can usually get a pretty decent exchange rate from your local bank.

I know with Bank of America, you can place your order online and either have it shipped to you or you can pick it up at your local branch. This is a good time to take care of a few other money-related things:

• Let your bank know that you will be traveling so that they don’t put a hold on any transactions;
• Make sure your credit card(s) of choice don’t charge foreign transaction fees;
• Make sure you have a PIN for your chip-enabled credit cards, as some international terminals require a chip and PIN;
• Also notify your credit card provider to let them know about any international travel plans so they don’t trigger fraud alerts or deny transactions.

Arrange Pet Sitting or House Sitting

If you have pets, make sure you arrange pet sitting or kennel boarding. You may also want to consider house sitters for someone to take care of your plants, bring in the mail, and make sure your house isn’t empty. You can find house sitters on sites such as TrustedHouseSitters.com and other resources if you don’t have someone already.

Determine International Cell Plan

Make sure you know what your cell carrier’s international plan options are. Is some data included, like T-Mobile, or do they charge a daily fee, like Verizon? A cheaper option is often to purchase an e-SIM for unlocked, compatible phones. I use Textr because it is much cheaper than using my Verizon international plan. If you are interested, you can sign up using this link to save $3.00 off your data plan.

Purchase Travel Items

This is a good time to look through your closet and see if you need anything for your upcoming trip. Do you have good walking shoes? A lockable day bag? A good packable sunhat ? Are you suitcases in good working order? Do you need a travel umbrella? An international adapter? Make sure to give yourself time to shop and for order to deliverable.

Download Apps, Maps, and Entertainment

While you are on your home WiFi, be sure to download all the mobile apps that you might need on your trip including transit apps, phrasebook apps, airline apps, etc. Also go into Google Maps and download maps for the destinations you are visiting.

Make sure all your mobile tickets are saved in your mobile wallet and download any books, movies, or shows that you might want to use on the trip including on the plane.

Arrange for Mail to Be Held

Call the post office and arrange for your mail to be held while you are away (unless you hired a house sitter.) You may also want to ask your neighbors to keep an eye out for any package deliveries.

Alert Your Alarm Company or Police

If you have a home alarm monitoring service, you should reach out to them and let them know that you are traveling and give them alternate ways to contact you. You could also let the local police know so that they can schedule patrols.

Back Up Your Computer and Phones

If you are traveling with your computer, make sure it is backed up before you leave, same with your phone. Phones are a prime target for theft and computers have a way of getting stolen, broken, or left behind.

Arrange Parking and Airport Transportation

At least 24 hours before departure, figure out how you are getting to the airport and make your transportation arrangements or reserve your airport parking. If using a ride share service, you can schedule a pick up in advance to ensure a driver will be availability.

Packing for a big trip requires some thought so don’t leave it until the last minute. Make sure you are aware of your airline’s luggage weight and size restrictions. Also remember a clear, quart-size bag for your carry on liquids. Don’t forget your important documents, Passports, tickets, medications, etc.

See my tips for packing for a long flight .

Check In and Download Boarding Passes

Check in to your flight, double check your seat assignments, and download your boarding passes. You want to make sure your passport information and Known Traveler Numbers are all saved in your airline profiles before you check in.

This brings you up to your departure day and that last race to get things done before you leave for the airport!

Set Your Out of Office Message

Enjoy your paid time off! Set your out of office message to let people know that you will be on vacation.

Change Your Voicemail Message

If you are going out of the country and won’t be able to get voice calls, let people know by changing your voicemail message. You can suggest they contact you on FaceTime to WhatsApp instead.

Reset Your Thermostat

Before you leave the house, reset your thermostat so that you aren’t paying to heat or cool your house more than you need to while you are gone.

Empty Perishables from Refrigerator

No need to come home to a stinky fridge! Empty your refrigerator of all perishables before you go away.

Take Out Garbage

Now that your fridge is empty, time to take out the garbage. If you don’t want to bring it all the way to the curb, ask your housesitter or neighbor to bring it out for you on garbage day.

Unplug Appliances

Make sure you unplug appliances such as hairdryers, curling or flattening irons, toasters, or other devices that could catch fire.

Put Lights on a Timer

You can easily turn your lights into smart devices and either set timers or use the app to turn the lights on and off at appropriate times so that your house doesn’t look deserted while you are away.

Secure Valuables

Thieves prey on houses when people are on vacation, that is why it is important to not post on social media until you get home and have the lights go on and off to make it look like you are home. Even still, secure your valuables such as jewelry and computers in a safe location, such as an in-home safe.

Add Last Minute Items to Suitcases

Don’t forget all those last minute items that need to go into your suitcase and carry-on bag…toiletries, brush, wallets, money, chargers, etc.

Double Check Tickets / Passports / IDs

Before you jump in the car, make sure you have your IDs, passports, and any tickets or documents that your trip requires.

Set the house alarm (if you have one) and off you go…have fun!

Download the Trip Planning Checklist PDF

Tamara Gruber is the Founder and Publisher of We3Travel. A former marketing executive and travel advisor, Tamara is an award-winning travel writer and recognized expert in family travel. Tamara is a member of SATW and the Adventure Travel Trade Association, and serves on the Board of the Family Travel Association. She is also the publisher of YourTimetoFly.com and the co-host of the Vacation Mavens travel podcast.

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Publish Date: March 17, 2024

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10-Step Guide for Planning a Trip

Home | Travel | 10-Step Guide for Planning a Trip

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Planning a trip can be stressful if you’re not sure where to start or you’re afraid you’ll forget something important.

I have to admit that I love travel planning , but part of that is because I use a detailed checklist and the most helpful websites. So, if you don’t know how to organize a trip and you want to avoid feeling overwhelmed, I’ll help you out with this guide. Below, I’ll share the steps I typically follow as well as the best apps and websites to book your flights, tours, and accommodation so you can travel cheaply .

Guide to planning a trip in 10 easy steps

These are the steps that I always follow when I’m planning a trip , although I might skip one or two depending on the type of trip and where I’m going:

• Search for flights
• Apply for a visa
• Book the accommodation
• Set up your transportation
• Decide which attractions to visit
• Book a tour
• Get travel insurance
• Apply for a commission-free credit card
• Buy a SIM card
• Pack your suitcase

Remember that, depending on the destination and your reason for traveling, you may not need to do all these steps. So, rather than worrying about checking off a long to-do list, enjoy the process of planning your trip itinerary . For me, making a travel plan is almost as much fun as traveling itself!

Things to do before planning a vacation

Before I give you a detailed look at my checklist for planning a trip , I want to point out that choosing your destination is the real starting point. Not only is deciding where to go an important part of any travel plan , but it’s also a good idea to learn some crucial information about it. For example, you should research things like the best time to visit and what the weather will be like when you go.

Once you’ve chosen a destination and you have a solid timeline for when you’ll visit, you can begin the trip planning process. If you want some travel inspiration, here are some beautiful places to go, as well as some information about them:

Best Countries in Central America

Best countries to visit in Africa

Best countries in South America

Best Caribbean Islands

1. Search for flights, the first step to planning a trip

Once you’ve chosen your destination and travel dates, one of the first things to do to organize your trip is to look for flights. This is usually one of the most tedious steps, but you can make it much easier by reading our guide on how to find cheap flights .

We always use Kiwi and Skyscanner since they make it super easy to find the best prices on flights. Moreover, if you’re not sure where you want to travel but you want to take a cheap trip, you can choose the “Anywhere” option and see the best deals, listed from the lowest price from your selected airport.

Kiwi and Skyscanner also show you the cheapest dates to travel, which is extremely useful if you have flexibility in your trip plan calendar . Don’t forget to activate flight alerts to receive notifications when a ticket price changes. That way, you can jump on the best deal before it runs out.

While I hope you don’t have to use it, AirHelp is a handy website to turn to if your flight is canceled or delayed. This company handles the claims process for you, although they will take a commission fee from your compensation. You can learn more about how to get compensate for delayed flights  in our guide, where I show you how to get up to $600 in compensation .

2. Apply for a visa, a must-do when planning a trip abroad

Step number two of planning a trip is to check what type of documentation you’ll need to enter the country you’re traveling to. Even if you already have the proper paperwork, double-check that it won’t expire before or during your trip.

For example, if you’re planning a vacation to Europe, you should be fine with a valid passport, and travel insurance for Europe . The same applies if you’re visiting Australia, New Zealand, and most countries in South America. But be aware that most countries in Asia and Africa require a visa.

For those cases, I highly recommend going to the iVISA website to check what kind of documentation you need for your destination. We’ve used iVISA several times without any problems and consider it to be one of the best travel planning websites .

3. Book the accommodation, an important step in any trip plan

Another crucial part of organizing a trip is booking your accommodation. There are lots of trip planning apps to help with this, although we almost always use Booking . Here, you can find hotels, villas, apartments, and other types of lodging to suit any budget, which is why we consider it to be one of the best options.

The main advantage of using Booking.com to plan our travels is that we can pay right on the website, and cancellations are usually free until 24 hours before the trip. Also, if you use the website frequently, you can upgrade to the Genius plan, which offers the best deals and discounts. So, if you want to find cheap hotels anywhere in the world, even if you’re planning a multi-city trip , I highly recommend Booking.com .

4. Set up your transportation, an essential part of any travel plan

The next step in this trip planning checklist is to think about transportation once you get to your destination. You can either use public transportation or rent a car.

We prefer renting a vehicle because it grants us more freedom to explore places that might be off the beaten path. That said, some cities and countries have very good public transportation systems, so it’s up to you. When creating your travel itinerary , think about the destination and what you want to do during your trip. That should help you decide whether or not to rent a car.

If you decide to go with a rental, I recommend going through RentalCars . Without a doubt, this is the best option for renting a car, especially if you’re not used to organizing road trips . A nice thing about RentalCars is that it shows you a comparison of different rental websites, so you’re guaranteed to find the cheapest rental cars .

Of course, if your planned travel route is more like a cross-country trip, take a look at Motorhome Republic , which offers the best prices and conditions for motorhomes. We’ve used this app several times to plan trips around Iceland and the United States, and it’s always been a positive experience.

Again, many cities and countries have great public transit networks, so if you plan on getting around by bus or train, you can get low ticket prices on Omio . Simply enter your destination, and the website will compare bus and train tickets from different companies to find the best deal for you. You can even search for the cheapest or fastest route. Flixbus is often listed on Omio since its prices are some of the lowest and they operate all over the world. We’ve used Flixbus on several trips around Europe, but you can also use Flixbus in the U.S., Canada, Brazil, and more.

Public transportation or renting a car, tips for planning a trip

Finally, you may be planning your vacation to an island destination like the Canary Islands, where ferry transport is more common. In that case, I recommend getting your tickets through Direct Ferries , which offers excellent ticket prices for all kinds of time slots. We’ve used this site for our trips to the Canary Islands and Indonesia.

To sum up, organizing your transportation can be a bit stressful, but these travel planning tips and websites will streamline the process for you .

5. Decide which attractions to visit, the most fun part of planning a trip

Among all the steps for planning a trip , choosing which attractions to visit is one the most enjoyable. Step number five in this travel planning checklist is looking at which attractions and activities (free and paid) are available at your destination.

If you’re going to see a show or a concert, Hellotickets can be useful in reserving tickets in advance. That said, if you’re visiting a city that has lots of things to do and offers attraction passes or cards, I recommend getting one. This way, you can access several top attractions while getting the maximum savings. So, if you’re visiting a popular city, check if it offers the Sightseeing Pass , the City PASS , or the Go City pass.

Depending on the destination, some of these cards may also include certain tours or tickets for the sightseeing bus . So again, I highly recommend this option, especially if you’re planning a vacation in a metropolitan city.

Regardless of where you’re going, I suggest making a list of all the tourist attractions you want to visit to better organize your trip . Remember, it’s usually better to focus on seeing things that really interest you, rather than trying to cram as many attractions as possible into your itinerary or planner .

6. Book a tour, a key step in many tourist plans

The next thing to do when planning for a trip is to book any tours you’re going to take at your destination. A tour or excursion can help you discover little-known places and learn more history about the city you’re visiting.

While not every destination calls for a detailed tour plan , some places are known for incredible excursions, like seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland, or taking a walking tour through New York.

When we’re creating a travel itinerary and we know we want to take a tour, there are two websites we use. First, Civitatis offers interesting excursions and some free tours around the world, while GetYourGuide has an extensive list of tours in practically any destination.

Using these online trip planner websites is super easy since all you have to do is enter your destination and hit the search button. You can filter the results by category, price, duration, and more, so they’re two of the best trip planning apps out there.

You don’t want to skip this step, especially if you’re not sure how to plan a trip or you’re visiting a place for the first time. Booking a tour or two will help you make the most of your trip, and since a guide will lead you, it’ll be an informative and entertaining experience.

7. Get travel insurance, something you can’t forget when planning a trip

Another must-do when you’re travel planning is to get travel insurance coverage.

No one likes to think about it, but unforeseen events can and do happen while traveling, and in those moments, having travel insurance makes all the difference. The worst-case scenario would be getting sick or hurt while abroad and not having any of your extra medical expenses covered.

Currently, we have annual multi-trip insurance with Heymondo , which is the best travel insurance on the market with the best coverage-to-price ratio. You can even get a travel discount with Heymondo just for being our reader.

5% OFF your travel insurance

In addition to medical assistance for injury or illness, Heymondo covers baggage loss or delay, medical quarantine expenses, and more. You’ll also have Heymondo’s 24/7 chat, which is available to help you should you run into an emergency while abroad.

I can’t recommend travel insurance enough, and while it’s probably the least enjoyable part of planning a trip , it’s the most important. This is particularly true in countries like the U.S. or Japan, where medical treatment is very expensive. Plus, if you opt for trip cancellation insurance , you’ll be covered if an unforeseen event prevents you from traveling.

Best travel insurance

Cheap Travel Insurance

Annual [multi-trip]

Cancellation

Europe travel insurance

Travel insurance for the USA

Medical Travel Insurance

The best only medical travel insurance

Cancel for any reason insurance

The best cancel for any reason plans

Pre-existing conditions

Best insurance for pre-existing conditions

Best travel insurance for seniors

Best family travel insurance

Best insurance for traveling with kids

8. Get a no foreign transaction fee credit card, another important part of your trip plan

Another important thing to remember when planning your itinerary is to get a travel credit card . If you’re going abroad, you’ll want a card with no foreign transaction fees , so you can make payments or ATM withdrawals without the pesky currency exchange fees. Fortunately, you can take advantage of some great options on the market.

We use the Revolut debit card, which you can get for free and use at ATMs and stores around the world. With Revolut, you can withdraw up to $1,200 a month from foreign ATMs without fees, as well as exchange up to $1,000 a month.

We also carry a Wise credit card with us, which comes in handy when we need to withdraw more money and want to avoid extra fees. With Wise, you can spend money in over 50 currencies.

For more information about the Revolut card and the Wise card , I recommend reading our full reviews of each .

9. Buy an international SIM card, a must-do when you plan to travel

One of the most common concerns we hear about how to plan a trip is related to mobile data. We’ve looked at all the possible options for getting Internet for travel , and have found Holafly to be the best solution.

The Holafly eSIM card, which you can get here , is a prepaid digital SIM card that you can use to get Internet while abroad. It’s cheap, quick to arrive in your email inbox, and allows you to keep your number on WhatsApp and other mobile apps.

All you have to do is select the country you’re planning a trip to and choose the best international SIM card for the number of days you’ll be there. Depending on the destination, you can find cards for five to 90 days. After selecting your eSIM, you’ll receive the digital card via email, and you can scan the QR code to activate it. This means you can even buy it when you’re already abroad, so it’s the most convenient option.

There’s no doubt that the Holafly eSIM card is the best mobile data option, but you can learn more about it in our full review.

5% OFF your international eSIM card

If your phone does not support eSIM cards , you can also opt for a physical SIM from SimOptions , which is another very good option.

10. Pack your suitcase, the last step when planning a trip

Now that you’ve done all the tedious steps to plan your itinerary , all that’s left to do is pack your suitcase. If you’re traveling for the first time or you need new luggage, you’ll have no problems finding backpacks and suitcases on Amazon .

For longer trips, we’ve been using this large suitcase (30 inches) for years, and it still holds up. When we’re planning a trip for the weekend or the short term, we use this small suitcase (21 inches) and this carry-on bag .

If you’re curious about how we plan for a backpacking trip , we follow the steps above and depend on this backpack (80L), which is ideal for longer trips. If you’re taking a backpacking trip and want some tips, check out our guide on how to prepare a backpack for long-term travel.

Whether you’re packing a suitcase or a backpack, remember to check the temperatures at your destination so you can bring the appropriate clothing and footwear. Also, don’t forget your toiletries and a small first aid kit since even getting ibuprofen while abroad can be difficult. Other essentials you can’t forget while planning your trip include your passport, wallet, phone charger, and power bank.

These days, you can keep most documents on your phone, but I still recommend bringing along physical copies of your boarding pass, reservations, and insurance policy just in case.

Finally, if you find yourself in a scenario where you don’t have a place to keep your suitcase and you don’t want to drag it around the city with you, you can opt for a luggage storage service. We’ve used Nannybag and Bounce a few times and it made all the difference in how enjoyable our trip was. I also recommend keeping Apple Airtags in your luggage so you can locate it in case it gets lost or stolen.

Bonus step: Pack your photography gear, an essential part of our tour planning

One of the best parts of traveling is seeing amazing landscapes and architecture, which brings me to my bonus travel planning tip . If you love photography as much as we do, don’t forget to bring your camera and other gear with you. We always pack the essentials, especially for our photo tours , and we always keep our equipment well protected.

If you don’t have travel photography gear , you have two options. You can buy what you need on Amazon or B&H Photo , or you can rent the equipment from LensRentals , which I recommend if you’re only going to use it for that trip.

You can get all the details on where to rent camera gear in the U.S. in our guide. I think renting the equipment is a great idea if you’re not a dedicated photographer and don’t plan on using it too much. Plus, you save 15% in LensRentals with our code ATLAS15.

Other tips when planning for a trip

Now you have all the top tips for planning a trip from start to finish. Before I say goodbye, I want to recommend some trip planning apps that can make organizing your trip even easier.

Maps.me has become a must-have travel app for us, even on our weekend getaways. This online travel planner app gives us maps of places all over the world, which we can access even when we lose Internet connection.

Another great tool is TravelSpend , which makes planning a trip with friends super easy since you can organize the travel expenses and determine who pays what.

Of course, travel planning is a process that takes time and effort, but if you follow the advice in this guide and use the websites I mentioned, it’ll be much easier. If you have any questions or want to share your trip planning experiences or tips, leave me a comment below. I’d be happy to hear from you!

Until then, good luck, and have fun planning the trip of your dreams!

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Travel Better, Cheaper, Longer

16 Easy Steps for Planning Your Next Trip

I remember when I started planning my first trip around the world. I had no idea what I was doing.

When I decided to quit my job and travel the world , I walked into a bookstore and bought Lonely Planet’s Southeast Asia on Shoestring . Buying that guidebook was my first step toward long-term travel. It made the trip seem more real, more tangible. It made it all seem possible.

While helpful, the book didn’t exactly prepare me for planning a trip around the world. Back then, there weren’t really travel blogs, sharing economy websites, and apps like there are today. I was excited and determined — but I was lost. I had to figure it out as I went, hoping I didn’t miss anything important.

Trip planning can be a daunting task. Where do you begin? What’s step one? What’s step two? What’s step three?

It’s easy to get overwhelmed, especially when you haven’t done something like this before — and especially considering just how much information there is out there these days. Blogs, social media, and guidebooks have never been more plentiful. There’s a firehose of information out there that can sometimes make the task of planning a trip even more challenging and overwhelming.

After a decade of traveling the world , I’ve planned countless trips and vacations for myself, friends, family, and even group tours. In the beginning, it was trial by fire and I learned a lot of lessons the hard way . However, that helped me develop an efficient checklist that ensures I don’t miss anything important during the trip planning process.

After all, I don’t want to get to my next destination and then realize I forgot something. And neither do you!

There is a lot of information on this website ( and even more information packed into my book ), but one question that comes up frequently is, “Matt, how do I put this all together? How do I plan a trip?”

In a continuing effort to help you get out the door and into the world, I’ve created this step-by-step guide on how to plan a trip. It works for any kind of trip — no matter how long you’re going for! Just follow this checklist and you’ll be off in no time!

Table of Contents

Step 1: Decide Where You Want To Go

Step 2: decide the length of your trip, step 3: research your costs, step 4: start saving money, step 5: get a travels rewards credit card, step 6: switch to no-fee atm cards, step 7: stay focused and inspired, step 8: check for last-minute deals, step 9: book your flight, step 10: book your accommodation, step 11: plan your activities, step 12: sell your stuff, step 13: automate your bills, step 14: pack, step 15: buy travel insurance, step 16: enjoy your trip.

If you want to jump ahead, simply click on any of the links above.  

It’s a lot easier to mentally get behind “I am going to Paris in the summer” than “I’m going to Europe” or “I’m going somewhere.” Not only will your trip become more concrete for you and easier to commit to, but it will make planning easier as well…because you know what to work towards. Get specific with your plans. Get detailed. The more focused and concrete your goal, the easier it will be to actually reach it.

Resources for picking your travel destination:

• 200+ In-Depth Destination Guides
• 10 Destinations Under $50 Per Day
• The 10 Best Places to Visit as a Budget Traveler
• The 20 Best Tropical Islands in the World

How much does it cost to travel? That depends!

Without knowing how long you’re going away for, I can’t answer that question. And it’s a question you need to answer so you can start planning!

In order to figure out how much you need to save you’ll need to know how long your trip will be.

Are you going away for a week? A month? A year?

The length of your trip is a huge factor in determining how much money you need. Spend some time mulling that over until you have your answer.

For example, after you say “I’m going to Paris this summer,” add “for X days.” That way you can start to narrow down just how much money you’re going to need to save. “I am going to Paris for 10 days” is a trip that you can plan for. It’s an attainable goal.  

So you know where you’re going and how long you’ll be there, but to really nail down how much money you need, your next task is to research the costs in your destination at the style of travel you want.

Do you want to backpack, or would you rather stay in luxury hotels?

How much are hostels, hotels, restaurants, and attractions?

Knowing will allow you to estimate how much money you’ll need for your trip. Here is how to research costs:

• Buy a guidebook.
• Check out my travel guide section .
• Google prices for specific things you want to do, such as scuba diving, bungy jumping, winery tours, etc. ( Get Your Guide is a good place to start for that)

You don’t need to do more than that. There’s so much information on the web that if you go down the rabbit hole of overplanning, you’ll get lost and confused by the firehose of information. Stick to those three things and you’ll be set!

In our example, if you are going to Paris for 10 days and need at least $75 USD a day (not including your flight), you know you need to save $750 USD (though round up to $800-900 USD since it’s good to have extra) for your trip.

If you were to travel around the world for a year, you’d need $50 USD a day .

Here are some other insightful posts that will help you better estimate your costs:

• 5 Ways to Make Your Money Last When You Travel
• How to Know the Travel Info You Find is Legit
• How I Research My Solo Travel Destinations

People bleed a lot of money every day through small purchases: a coffee here, a snack there. All of that adds up. In order to make changes to your spending habits, you first need to understand them. Making a list will do just that. It will also put your financial needs into a better perspective.

For example, if you need $2,000 USD for the trip you’re taking in eight months, that means you only have to save $8.33 USD per day. Couldn’t you find a way to save $8 USD per day? Heck, your daily coffee is most of that!

If you’re struggling to save money, here are 23 ways to cut your expenses and save money for travel . This will help you get started and on the road to saving money in no time!  

These days, most cards have welcome offers of up to 100,000 points when you meet their minimum spending requirement. That’s enough miles for a free flight almost anywhere in the world!

If you want a free flight, sign up for the cards that help with that. If you want free hotel rooms, get a hotel card. Either way, sign up for a travel credit card and start earning points today. As long as you can pay off your monthly balance, you’ll get free travel credit.

You don’t need to sign up for very many cards either; pick one or two and focus on those. Do this the moment you decide you want to travel. Don’t wait — waiting equals lost miles, which means less free travel.

Collecting points and miles is what all the experts do to cut their costs and travel longer. It’s what has kept my costs down and me on the road for so many years. While the best cards are only available in the US, there are still plenty of options for Canadians as well as folks from Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.

For more information on travel credit cards and using points and miles, check out these posts:

• Points and Miles 101: A Beginner’s Guide
• How to Pick the Best Travel Credit Card
• The Best Travel Credit Cards
• How to Earn Points by Paying Your Rent
• The Ultimate Guide to Points and Miles
• How to Use Points and Miles in Canada

Once you’re abroad, you’re going to need money. While many countries accept credit cards, in the majority of countries cash is still king. That means you’ll need to use ATMs to withdraw the local currency.

And that also means you’re going to get dinged by ATM fees.

If you’re just away for a week or two, paying a few dollars in ATM fees isn’t the end of the world. But if you’re away for a longer period, those fees add up and chew into your travel budget — a budget you’ve worked hard to grow. Don’t give banks any of your hard-earned money.

How? By using a no-fee ATM card.

I use Charles Schwab , but there are lots of other banks (don’t forget to check your local banks) that don’t charge ATM fees. Additionally, you can join a bank in the Global ATM Alliance .

By using a no-fee ATM card you can avoid those pesky ATM fees, leaving you more money for what it was intended for: travel.

Here’s exactly how you can avoid ATM fees while traveling .  

While you get closer to your goal, make sure that you keep feeding your desire to travel. Travel planning can be exhausting and overwhelming — especially if you don’t have support from your friends and family (and especially if your trip is still months away). It can often get discouraging and feel out of reach at times.

Luckily, there are tons of ways to stay focused and keep your spirits high thanks to the amazing community we have on this website. Here are some inspiring travel stories to help keep you inspired to travel:

• Why It’s Never the Perfect Time to Travel
• 13 Travel Books That Will Give You Serious Wanderlust
• How to Change the “I’m Too Poor to Travel” Mindset and Say Yes to Travel
• 8 Ways to Stay Motivated to Travel

Additionally, be sure to join our online travel community The Nomadic Network . Not only will you find support (and tons of tips) online, but we also host regular in-person and virtual events all around the world. These are a great way to get inspired, meet other awesome travelers in your area, and get travel advice.  

Okay, you’re inspired, prepared, and on your way to saving money for your trip. But before you go buy that flight or book that hotel, check for deals you might have missed. You may dream of Paris but maybe there are great deals to Berlin right now. Or maybe you can get a seven-day cruise for 70% off, a package deal to Hawaii for the price of your flight to Paris, or 50% off sailing trips around Greece.

These days, there is always a deal to be found — especially if you’re flexible with your dates and/or destinations. Some deal websites worth checking out are:

• Going (Formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights)
• The Flight Deal
• Holiday Pirates

Fortunately, there are still many ways to avoid being the person on the flight who paid the most for their ticket. My two favorite sites for finding cheap airfare are:

• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is the best website for searching multiple destinations at the same time.
• Google Flights – Like Skyscanner, Google Flights is great for open searches to multiple destinations.

For the best deals, book your flight about two-three months in advance. Here are two articles on how to score a cheap flight:

• How to Find Cheap Flights
• Booking Flights: Everything You Need to Know

For trips longer than two weeks (or if you are going to be traveling long-term) just book your first few days. That will ensure you have a place to go on arrival. Once there, you can get insider advice from your hotel/hostel staff as well as other travelers. You can then use that info to plan your next steps.

While you can book more than your first few nights, you might end up wanting to change your plans once you land. I prefer having flexibility, which is why I always just book my first few nights and go from there.

Here are my go-to sites when it comes to finding the best deals on accommodation:

• Hostelworld – Hostelworld has the largest selection of hostels and is my go-to site for finding affordable hostels.
• Agoda – Agoda has the best results if you’re heading to Asia (though they sometimes have good US deals too).
• Booking.com – Booking.com is the best overall platform for finding budget hotels and guesthouses.

If you’re on a tight budget or you want to connect with more locals during your travels, consider joining platforms like Couchsurfing or BeWelcome . These communities allow travelers to stay with locals for free as a sort of cultural exchange.

Long-term travelers can also try housesitting or WWOOFing as well as they both offer free accommodation (in exchange for pet sitting or farm work respectively).  

Search online for discounts as well. While some countries offer cheaper prices in person, others give discounts to those who book early/online. Research which is which for your itinerary so you can save money.

For shorter trips, you can also book your activities in advance to ensure you get tickets. For longer trips, book as you go.

Additionally, before you leave home, have a rough idea of what activities are priorities for you. That way, if you run out of time or money, you can focus on your top activities so you don’t miss out. Also, make sure to double-check that there are no holidays or other obstacles that will prevent you from certain activities as well.  

If you are going on a long-term trip (six months or more), consider selling your stuff in order to earn extra money for your trip. Start doing this about 60 days before you leave. Some sites to use are:

• Gumtree – An online classified site with a focus in the UK and Australia.
• Amazon – The biggest online store in the world.
• Craigslist – Online global classifieds that have both local and global reach.
• eBay – Another global online classified site.
• Facebook Marketplace – Great for finding people near you (so you don’t need to ship your items).

If you aren’t going to be gone that long, skip this step. If you are going away long-term but want to keep your stuff, move it to a friend’s house or keep it in storage. A good storage company in the US is Public Storage . It’s one of the most affordable options out there.  

Get rid of your mail, go paperless, and set up online bill payment for your recurring bills to ensure you won’t miss any while overseas. If you are still going to get paper mail, use a service like Earth Class Mail , which will collect and scan your mail for you. (If you are going on a two-week trip, you don’t really need to worry about this, so you can skip this step, too.)

If you have the option (and don’t want to pay for a mail service), you can also have all your mail sent to a friend or family member.

Additionally, you’ll want to make sure you cancel any phone plans you have or switch your plan to one that is more travel-friendly. T-Mobile is great for travelers going on trips under 3 months. For any trips longer than that, you’ll want to cancel your plan and just buy SIM cards abroad as that will be much cheaper.  

I travel with a 45L REI bag and then a smaller day bag.

Unless you’re heading to multiple climates and need bulky winter gear, you don’t need a massive 70L bag stuffed to the top. Here’s my suggested packing list to help you take just the right amount of stuff and avoid overpacking ( here’s a list for female travelers as well ).

While what you pack will depend on where you are going, remember that you don’t need to pack everything you own. You can buy things you need on the road. You can do laundry overseas. At the end of the day, you have to carry everything you bring. So bring less!

There are a few extra items you might want to pack beyond your everyday clothes, though. Some things I like to bring with me are:

• First aid kit
• LifeStraw bottle with built-in filter
• Packing cubes (to stay organized)
• Travel lock (for hostel lockers)
• Travel adapter
• Quick-dry towel

Additionally, make sure you bring any prescriptions with you so you have enough for the duration of your trip. If that’s not feasible, bring a doctor’s note and prescription with you so you can fill it abroad.  

While a lot of people think, “I’m healthy, I don’t need travel insurance . I won’t get sick,” travel insurance is much more than just medical protection. It covers you when your camera breaks, your flight is canceled, a family member dies and you have to come home, or if something gets stolen.

Yes, it’s an added expense. But it’s always better to be safe than sorry. I never leave home without it because I’ve seen first-hand just what can happen on the road.

I never thought I would pop my eardrum while I was scuba diving in Thailand or break my camera in Italy .

I didn’t know I would get knifed in Colombia .

My friend never thought he would break his leg hiking.

Another friend didn’t expect her father would die and she would have to fly back home.

Unfortunately, bad things can happen when you’re traveling. True, these events are few and far between. But they can cost tens of thousands of dollars to handle on your own. If you’re not prepared to pay out of pocket, buy travel insurance.

To help you figure out the best plan for you and your trip, here’s my ultimate guide to picking a good insurance company . It will show you how to pick a good plan that covers you for when you get sick, your flights get canceled, if you get injured, something gets stolen, or your trip is delayed.

Here’s a breakdown of my recommended travel insurance companies so you can see what company offers the best plans for your needs and budget:

• SafetyWing – Super affordable plans for budget travelers.
• Insure My Trip – Best for senior travelers.
• Medjet – Provides additional evacuation coverage to ensure you get home should an emergency occur.
• Insured Nomads – In-depth emergency and non-emergency coverage for long-term travelers and digital nomads.

For more information on travel insurance, you can check out these posts:

• What Does Travel Insurance Actually Cover?
• Is Travel Insurance Worth It?
• Do You Need Medical Evacuation Insurance?

Additionally, make sure you know your rights as an airline passenger. For example, delayed flights to/from Europe often mean you’re entitled to compensation (beyond anything insurance-related).

Learn how to ensure you are compensated if your travels are delayed or your flight is canceled .  

If you’re feeling nervous, don’t worry — that’s perfectly normal. You’re about to embark on an amazing adventure — and that’s a huge change. Feeling anxious or nervous or unsure is something every traveler experiences. But you’ve made it this far. Trust your planning, follow your instincts, and you’ll have the trip of a lifetime. I guarantee it.

By using this post as a guideline for your trip planning, you can better organize and prepare for your trip. You’ll check all the boxes, not miss anything, and have plenty of money for your vacation. It can be as simple as booking a flight and packing or as complex as rearranging your entire life to go backpack the world forever.

But, no matter how long your trip may be, this list will help you stay organized and motivated as you plan your trip and step out into the world.

P.S.  – Yes, I did leave out visas and vaccinations, because needing those isn’t as universal as the other stuff on this list, but don’t forget to check if you need those, too!  

Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner . It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld . If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• SafetyWing (best for everyone)
• Insure My Trip (for those 70 and over)
• Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)

Want to Travel for Free? Travel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation — all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to picking the right card and my current favorites to get started and see the latest best deals.

Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip? Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can find cool walking tours, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more.

Ready to Book Your Trip? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use when I travel. They are the best in class and you can’t go wrong using them on your trip.

Got a comment on this article? Join the conversation on Facebook , Instagram , or Twitter and share your thoughts!

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I recommend only products and companies I use and the income goes to keeping the site community supported and ad free.

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Travel planning checklist: 11 steps to plan your trip

By AAA staff

March 22, 2021

It’s a blast to dream about travel, but tackling the logistics that make it actually happen can be a lot less fun.

Whether it’s choosing from a bunch of tempting options, sorting out trip finances, or learning the art of savvy packing, this travel-planning checklist can help you proceed with more confidence and direction.

1. Read the reviews

It’s never been easier to research travel destinations. While we’re firm believers in the value of a good guidebook (such as AAA's TourBook ®  guides and maps) , there’s also a lot of quality information in online reviews. They can provide recent updates on access, closures, fees, and the like, as well as serve up practical advice—some of which you’d be unlikely to find elsewhere.

Another source of up-to-date online info is AAA's new digital TourBook Guides , a rapidly growing collection which will soon cover a wide range of North American destinations.

2. Research your destination's climate

Go beyond knowing that, say, Costa Rica is tropical and Hokkaido is snowy. Learn about the seasonal differences (or lack thereof), and pay attention to the average temperature highs and lows and rain or snow patterns for the time of year you’re considering visiting. This can help you pack the right clothing and gear, improve your all-around comfort, and narrow down your schedule options.

A knowledgeable travel advisor can be a big help, especially if they've visited the destination before—they can share what the weather was like and what did (and didn't) work for them.

3. Start putting aside travel funds early

Once you’ve decided on a location and schedule, you'll have enough to know your budget. Start saving for the getaway ASAP. Fulfilling travel doesn’t have to break the bank, and you can further lessen the financial burden by setting aside small amounts over a longer period.

4. Schedule some downtime

It’s tempting to pack your itinerary with as much activity as possible, especially with limited time. If you know from experience that this kind of travel works for you, go for it. But for many of us, it’s going to be exhausting and stressful, and we may leave feeling like we didn't get a real sense of place.

Break up the schedule with some “free days”—or at least some free mornings—for blissfully unstructured R&R, decompression, and a little spontaneity. Once you're at your destination, you’re going to find things to do and see you didn’t know about, and if you’re completely booked, you may end up kicking yourself.

Working with a travel advisor can help you better distribute your time, as they'll likely be more familiar with what you can reasonably expect to fit into your schedule, and more aware of time-consuming quirks specific to your destination.

5. Test out new equipment

Planning a big backpacking trip in a national park, going on safari, or doing a guided hut-to-hut trek? If you’re new to these kinds of activities, you might make the all-too-common mistake of buying fancy new apparel and equipment but not trying them out until the trip.

Boots need to be broken in, backpacks properly fitted, and headlamps, GPS units, and weather radios tested out in field conditions. It’s no fun to find yourself blistered or chafed from ill-fitting gear a few days into your adventure, or that your expensive gadgetry doesn’t actually work. 

RELATED: Going abroad? Make sure to bring the right power adapters and converters

6. Pack early to maximize space & minimize bulk

We’d say leaving packing until the morning of your flight is a beginner’s mistake, but experienced globetrotters do it too. Packing in a stressed-out rush leads to forgetting essential items while possibly hauling a bunch of unnecessary stuff.

Give yourself a few weeks to get ready so you can be sure you’re bringing truly useful, space-efficient items and can play around with different packing methods to find one that best suits you.

7. Notify your bank & credit card company

It’s easy to forget this step, but ATM withdrawals and credit card charges from the other side of the world may be flagged as suspicious, and you may even find your card frozen unexpectedly. Let your bank or credit card company know where you're going and for how long to keep this from happening.

8. Bring backup credit & debit cards

Speaking of banking: Bring a couple of your go-to debit and credit cards on your trip. That way, if one is lost, damaged, or not working for whatever reason, you’ve got a backup ready.

RELATED : Don't want to carry cash overseas? Consider the AAA MemberPay Visa ® Prepaid Card. 1

Learn more about the AAA MemberPay Visa Prepaid Card

9. Book your flight at the optimal time

Every once in a while you may luck out with a last-minute cheap flight, but generally, booking airfare in advance is the way to go. For domestic flights, several weeks or a couple months in advance is ideal. For international flights, booking as early as possible—as in at least several months out—is usually best. Remember, if you’re planning a trip over a holiday window, or to a destination during its peak tourism season, you’ll want to reserve your spot that much earlier.

If you're hunting for a true steal, working with a travel advisor can give you a leg up. They may know about the latest airfare trends and can help sort out what's really a deal from what airlines what you to think is a deal.

10. Research COVID safety & rules while planning

The COVID-19 pandemic has certainly made both domestic and overseas travel a bit more complicated, but getaways are still possible with planning. Research the COVID situation in destinations you’re interested in, check any travel restrictions, and contact hotels, resorts, and other accommodations to find out their COVID protocols so you’re choosing safe, responsibly run lodgings. A travel advisor can help streamline the process by, for example, guiding you to resorts that are offering on-site COVID testing.

11. Speak with a travel advisor

A travel advisor can be a huge help when it comes to planning a trip, from choosing a destination and finding the best deals to figuring out the logistics and many of the topics listed above. Learn more about why you should consider getting a AAA Travel Advisor's help.

AAA can help you navigate a changing travel world

Handling all the details is no small task when planning a vacation this year. A knowledgeable travel advisor will be familiar with the travel rules, testing requirements on departure and return, and shifting change and cancellation policies that could impact your trip.

Get a AAA Travel Advisor's help by calling our dedicated travel advisor phone line, submitting a request for assistance online, or finding a AAA branch near you.

1-877-425-7012

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How to plan a trip of a lifetime – Step by Step Vacation Checklist

Discover how to plan a trip easily and stress free in this step by step guide. The perfect vacation checklist and trip planning process for your next trip or vacation.

In this guide, I'll share some helpful travel tips for planning the perfect trip so you can enjoy a relaxing vacation.

Best way to plan a trip

There's no need to get stressed about planning a trip as long as you take the time to plan it right.

I'm going to show you just that–a step-by-step guide on how to plan your trip without forgetting anything! If you're thinking of traveling overseas to your dream destinations , then this is the article for you!

Trip Planning Tips

Planning your next vacation can be overwhelming. It's hard to keep everything in mind while organizing all the details of where you're staying, what you'd like to see, and what you shouldn't miss out on when there etc.

For this reason it's good travel advice to have a concise checklist or bullet point list.

Underneath, is a basic bullet point list of the main things you might consider when planning to travel.

The order you choose to do some of these steps in might depend on your own personal circumstances such as if you're a budget traveler, your travel destinations, and if saving money before you go is needed.

Further on in this guide on how to organize a trip, I'll break each point down into more detail.

Checklist to Plan the Trip

The easy way to plan a trip, step by step. 

Step 1: Choose your destination

Step 2: make sure you are visiting at the best time of year, step 3: decide how long your trip will be, step 4: work out your travel budget.

• Step 5: Book transportation such as flights

Step 6: Organize your accommodation

Step 7. start planning an itinerary.

• Step 8: Finalize your finances
• Step 9: Make sure your paperwork is in order

Step 10: Pack, throw away half the stuff, and pack again

Step 11. you're on your way.

So, where do you want to go? What is your dream destination? Seek inspiration. Build a bucket list. Research is fun!

The planning and dreaming of a trip can be an exciting time! With a map in front of you, it feels like you can go anywhere and see anything.

No travel destination is out of reach, whether you want off the beaten path adventures or boutique hotels in a beautiful location. Your imagination is your only limit.

Perhaps you've got a destination in mind, but even so, you might want to find out more about it. For example, people ask me how they can combine visiting Santorini , Zakynthos and Athens in a week – and the answer is they can't (which they would have realised if they had looked at a map!).

You might also want to look at if your desired destination has any travel restrictions or visa requirements for entry. I'll go over documents and travel itineraries later on in this list, but these are all things to store away in the back of your mind for future reference.

Stuck for inspiration? Travel blogs are a great read. Take a look at my  European bucket list  ideas.

When is the best time to go? Are some months cheaper than others? What will the weather be like when you travel? Why do long term travelers avoid peak season?

Once you have a destination sorted out, you might want to check when is the best time to go there. For example, if you are traveling for the party season in Mykonos , you don't want to rock up in November.

You might also want to find out when high season is, and travel just outside that window if you want to avoid the higher prices that will be applied to flights and accommodation.

Travel planning tip: Shoulder season (the months either side of high season) are typically a good time to visit most destinations. Check my guide on how to find cheap flights .

Do you have limited vacation days? Do you already have a set budget? How many days do you need in a destination (too much time is not always good).

Whether you're planning a weekend city break, or an epic around the world cycling tour , it's good to have some idea how long the trip will be. Generally speaking, the shorter the trip, the more accurate you can be with how long it will take.

For example, a 2 week trip in regular vacation time is easy to plan for. An open-ended trip might not be based on time, but instead based on budget – kind of like when the money runs out, the trip is over!

Also read: City break packing list male

Research Your Costs. Will you Travel Solo? How much money do I need? How do budget travelers make ends meet?

One of the most important steps in planning a trip is considering your budget. You need to understand how much money you can spend on the excursion before setting off for your adventure abroad.

You'll also need to consider how much you should be spending on each aspect of the venture, from plane tickets to transportation. Will you have enough money for food while at your destination? Do you have any other big costs? How much do you need to be saving and when do you need it by?

Your best bet is to sit down with a pad of paper and pen along with your budget worksheet. Consider what things will cost and how much they'll set you back.

You should also allow for unexpected costs , like emergency travel insurance or replacement of lost baggage. Keep in mind that airfare can be the largest expense when traveling overseas, but it's still something you need to budget for.

Once you have a travel budget written out in at least pencil, I'd suggest using a bank account that is dedicated to your trip. Keep it simple – only put money into this account, never take it out!

Related: How to Save Money for your Next Trip: Budget Tips, Hacks and More

Step 5: Book transportation such as cheap flights

Can you find any last-minute deals? Which airport are you flying into? Are you making a round trip and flying out of the same airport? Or is your departure location different than where you're arriving at?

When booking your flight, you should know that airline companies don't have equal prices, so the key here is to know exactly what it is that you want.

Be sure to check and see which airlines offer “promoted deals”-this may be cheaper than other available flights; maybe even in Economy Class! However, it could also end up being more expensive if each airline charges different fees associated with traveling (such as baggage carryon costs).

Ryanair in Europe is notorious for their additional fees in terms of carry-on hold luggage. This is why I recommend doing some research on whether or not getting a promotion would be worth it for your trip, otherwise you might end up overspending.

You might also want to look at ways of getting from the airport you land at to your hotel. Of course, you can always take a taxi or rent a car if your hotel offers parking.

I would check with the staff of the hotel to see how much they cost and if it's worth it for that trip. Taking taxis in Europe can be very expensive; however, there are ways you can save money on taxis . Sometimes you might just want to look into public transportation such as trains and buses to get around.

What type of place do you want to stay in? Look at where to book places online?

Before you go ahead and book any places to stay on your trip, take some time to work out what types of accommodation you might use. If your planned trip is for just a few days, the chances are you will want more high quality accommodation than if you are traveling for months at a time.

Nowadays, people use AirBnB as their first go to point, but my personal travel experience has shown that Booking is better.

For trips of just a few weeks, you'll probably want to book your accommodation in advance. If your trip planning goes out beyond this, there's no real point in booking accommodation way ahead just in case plans change.

What do you want to see? What are the highlights of your destination? How will you get around?

I like to list all of the sights, activities, and locations in my destination that sound interesting. I balance this by things I wouldn't want to miss out on (like the Acropolis in Athens for example), with other things that might interest me (street art in Athens). This way, I get to check out all the ‘must-do' attractions as well as another side to the destination.

For cities specifically, I normally like to allow 3 days for each one when possible. For large cities like London, perhaps 5 days or even more might be needed. It all depends on how much you want to see and do!

Once I have my list, I usually split it up into categories. This is not strictly necessary, but it does help me plan the trip better if I group the sights by location or type.

For example, a city trip might include a category for each district of the city (like ‘City Center' or ‘The Old City'), locations (like museums), and other countries nearby.

On the other hand, something like a beach vacation would have categories for different beaches in that area as well as villages/towns/cities nearby where it's easier to get food (if needed). Generally speaking though, it's best to go with your instinct when planning an itinerary!

An alternative to packing everything in to a short amount of time is to travel slowly. Find out more: What Is Slow Tourism? Benefits Of Slow Travel

Step 8: Finalize your finances – save money!

Tell Your Card Companies You’re Traveling. Automate Your Bills. Get hold of travel cash.

Hopefully, you've accumulated enough money for your travel plans, but you'll now need a way to use the money on your trip! It's always best to let credit card companies know that you will be traveling so that your card doesn't get blocked when overseas.

Also, you don't want to rely on just one card – make sure you have 3 or 4 cards with different banks you can take with you.

When I travel, I like to make use of Wise and Revolut accounts. They give great exchange rates in the different countries I travel to!

You might also want to make sure that any bill payments are taken care of for when you're away on your trip. Automate your bills for credit card repayments, mortgage, phones, and loans (and anything else you can think of!) to make sure that you don't have to worry about things when away.

Related: How to hide money when traveling

Step 9: Make sure your paperwork is in order – travel insurance

Don't forget the travel insurance. Do you need visas? I hope your passport hasn't expired!

True story – My brother went on vacation, and it was only on the way to the airport that he realised his daughter's passport didn't have enough time left on it! Somehow, he got away with it (I have no idea how), but you probably don't want to find yourself in that situation. Make sure your passport is valid before you travel!

Additional paperwork or admin task include getting travel insurance for your trip, getting online visas if needed for some countries, and nowadays making sure you are complying with whatever covid travel restrictions there might be.

You'll probably want to buy some suitable clothes for your vacation or trip, but don't go overboard when traveling abroad! There's no point in lugging around lots of clothes you'll never need, especially if it's you that has to carry a heavy bag everywhere! Take a look at my travel packing checklist for ideas.

Perhaps you also want to think about what luggage to use. Wheeled luggage has its advantages, as do bags with straps so they are easy to carry. For my style of traveling, I like to take a wheeled backpack which seems to suit me just fine.

Related: How to choose the best digital nomad backpack

You've used these easy trip planning tips, and now you're on your way! Take plenty of photos and video, make meaningful memories, and have a great time!

FAQ About Planning A Trip

Here are some of the most popular questions asked by other travelers when it comes to planning their trips and dream vacation:

How far in advance should you plan a vacation?

No matter where you are going, it's a good idea to plan at least six months in advance. Going more than a year in advance will allow you to find the best deals and get the most from your vacation days!

What is the best way to plan a vacation?

The best way to plan a vacation is by following these steps:

• Figure out your budget
• Define what you want to do on vacation
• Create a list and group it into categories
• Research each location on the list that you want to visit
• Pick the best places
• Book flights, hotels and activities

How do you figure out how much a trip will cost?

You should always start by figuring out how much money you have for your trip. If it's a vacation, then we recommend looking at the average travel cost of the country you're going to visit. You'll also want to consider things like visas, clothing, and souvenirs – these can add up easily so make sure that you account for them!

How much does a round the world trip cost?

This really depends on the style of travel, mode of transport, and how long you want to travel around the world for. I have cycled around the world on 10 dollars a day. Some travelers spend 25,000 dollars a year on their trips. Most people should probably aim for somewhere in between.

Can I work and travel as a digital nomad?

Any job you can do online you can do anywhere in the world. This guide takes a look at the best digital nomad jobs for beginners .

Do you have any suggestions on how to plan the trip of a lifetime? We'd love to hear them, so please leave a comment at the end of this blog post!

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My Checklist: How to Plan a Trip From Scratch (Without the Stress)

Home » Favorite Posts » My Checklist: How to Plan a Trip From Scratch (Without the Stress)

I have been traveling internationally for 8 years and the “planning” stage is a part that I still love. I don’t get stressed anymore, and I wanted to share with you how to plan a trip from start to finish without getting stressed and touch on all the aspects of planning that will help your trip go off without a hitch.

So, if you want to take a vacation, I hope you can use this checklist to help you plan your trip in 10 easy steps

How to Plan a Trip WITHOUT Stress in 10 Steps

1. recognize your real budget.

Don’t try to inflate your budget . It will only cause you a headache later. It’s best to find your budget and then choose a destination so you can go somewhere affordable. It’s best to have a vacation fund set aside, but if you don’t, you’ll want to save money for your trip before you go on to the next step.

If you’re on a lower budget, one the biggest tips I can give is to travel to places off-season . You can save about 50% off your total trip by doing this because not only are flights cheaper but so are hotels and even tours (if you go for a tour, I suggest G Adventures ).

If you want to see more tips for saving money while you travel, here are 13 ways that I save money while I tavel.

2. Choose a Destination + Paperwork & Flights

Once you have your budget you’ll want to choose where to go! Sunny? Snowy? Paradise island? Backpacking Europe? Figure out what the dream destination of the moment is. You might feel torn, but that’s because there is so much of this beautiful world to see. You might never feel 100% sure, but you can’t travel without choosing your destination, so pick the one that stands out the most.

Then you’ll have to do the boring things like paperwork and flights

• Book your flights. I am OBSESSED with kiwi.com and use it to book all my flights these days. You can see my review here .
• Get travel insurance. You’ve gotta have it! I use World Nomads . It’s affordable and what Lonely Planet trusts. I wrote out a post about what they cover and what they don’t.
• Get a visa. Check if you need a visa to the place you’re visiting . You can use iVisa to do this easily. They take a fee but it’s so worth it.
• Money. Tell your bank when you’re leaving the country. Here are some tips on how to manage your money while you travel .
• Passport.  Make sure your passport has at least 6 months left on it for travel and at least two blank pages or you might not be allowed in.
• Final paperwork.  I have a list of 15 documents you should consider taking with you on a trip abroad.

3. Map It Out

I highly suggest that once you have a destination picked out, that you pull up Google Maps and you get an understanding of the place you are going. Check out what the popular areas are and where the tourist attractions are.

You can see an example I did of this in my post for Maui and Istanbul . I try to do this is my big city guide blog post to help out, but you can also do this yourself. You wouldn’t want to pick out lodging or research too much on a destination if you didn’t know where different cities and towns were on the map.

4. Research the Destination (Travel Blogs!)

Now that you have your flights booked, paperwork done, and have looked a map to get an understanding of your destination, you’ll want to RESEARCH the destination very well before you take the next steps.

Of course I’m biased but I think travel blogs are a great way to research. For example of my blog you can go to my “ Destinations ” page and research by country or you can type in the city to my search box on the homepage.

Other than travel blogs, you can also search food blogs and design blogs to see what other niches are saying about the destination.

You’ll want to really get an idea of what is all of offer before you start your itinerary, that way the itinerary will be a quick thing to do.

5. Make an Itinerary by Area

Now that you really know a lot about the place you are going, you can start to make an itinerary. Note: we still haven’t booked anything!

You’ll want to write out the dates you’ll be there, each day separately like a calendar. Mark the dates you’re flying in and out as you won’t be able to do much those days.

Now, you’ll want to look at the days you can travel and see where you want to be in which areas. For example, in Florida maybe you want to be in Orlando at Universal for 2 days and Disney for two days, then go to Miami for 3 days… etc.

You need to break it down! You could do this too like in Maui where you would decide if you have two weeks there maybe to stay on the West coast for a week then go to Paia for a week where you can be closer to the start of the Road to Hana and going to the mountain view point.

6. Book the lodging & car rental

Itinerary: done!

Next, you’ll book your hotels and set up a car rental if you need one. You can see what rental cars are at the airport you arrive at and compare prices .

If you don’t need a car rental, then you’ll want to figure out what type of transportation you can use (train, metro, buses, taxis) and research the cheapest and easiest way to do that.

I recommend Rome2Rio  to search the easiest ways to get from point A to B and using city specific apps such as CityMapper in London to get around the tube. Downloading relevant travel apps like Uber before your trip will be helpful!

Hotels are most fun part! I love researching hotels and I love reviewing them on this blog. You can search on Agoda (my favorite booking site). I’m also big on Airbnb if you are traveling with a group or want to save money by cooking in.

I have a discount code for you: $35 off your stay if you  use this airbnb link to sign up to a new account .

Before booking, you can Google “( insert hotel name) review” and see what bloggers are saying about these hotels. Often you’ll find dozens of reviews which are usually more trustworthy than TripAdvisor reviews.

7. Add in activities

You’re really almost to the end now. You’ve done all the hard stuff!

Now, you have those hotels added to that calendar I said you should write out.

Start planning out the biggest activities first. Things like scuba , sightseeing in the city center, theme parks, anything you need to pre-book for, any adventure sports you want to try… etc!

I suggest research “top adventure activities in ____”  so that you can see what all your options are. For example, you can see if you went to Langkawi, these are the 11  biggest adventures you can take. You will find blog posts like this all over the internet on nearly every destination!

Once you’ve decided which days you want to do these, go ahead and book them online.

8. Final research: restaurants, epic sunset spots…

Now for the last little fun bit of research: where you want to chill, eat, and party! You can read blogs until you’re blue in the face, check Pinterest, and even a guide book if you are old school like that. You don’t have to schedule this but it’s good to have places in the back of your mind so that you’re not googling good places to eat in the city you’re visiting at 7 pm when you’re hungry!

9. Pack Appropriately

Packing is the best! I love shopping for a new trip and packing for it. I have SO many packing tips on my blog so suggest checking those out.

Here is my packing category with all my posts . I get pretty specific and have these handy graphics on each post!

10. Arrive at the Airport ON time & plan airport transportation

Lastly, make sure you aren’t starting your trip off on the wrong foot by showing up at the airport late. You should get there on time (preferably with snacks lol).

I usually have a hotel send someone to pick me up at the airport, but if not that then you need to have Uber downloaded (assuming there is free WiFi to use it at the airport, unless you have a WiFi device ) or a rental car set up so that when you land, you can start your trip without a hitch.

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17 Comments

I understand that some people might feel stressed about the planning process. However, for me, I relish in it – I enjoy experimenting ideas and looking for possible destinations or activities by city. But for those who might be stressed out, these recommendations provide a definitive action plan!

Yay someone else who loves it!! :D

Great Article to pack your bags without any stress. It’s amazing. I like the point paperworks + flight.

my idea is just pack your bags and go beyond your thinking, always surprise yourself with new places.The most important thing that travel has taught me is how to enjoy the moment.

Hey Rachel! Regarding #4, as a travel blogger, I’m curious – what are your go-to / favorite blogs when researching a new destination? Thanks!

hey! I have a post on this: my favorite travel blogs

I just Found your blog, it’s so amazing and inspiring, I am currently looking to travel to India but since I will travel alone I got some second thoughts, mostly from being scared since I have only traveled alone in Europe ( I am from Sweden) and it’s not quite the same! But your blog is inspiring and giving me more confidence to travel! Thank you:) May I ask where you are now? Still in India?

Thank you so much for such nice words about my blog! :D Yes, I get your thoughts and it’s normal to worry about it a little before coming. I’m still in India, based in Goa!

Great advice. I’m planning a trip at the moment and stressing like crazy! The hardest part for me is actually making a decision on what I want to do, once I’ve decided I love planning the rest.

This is so useful- thank you! I’ve been doing planning backwards for a long while, I can see, lol!

haha well, no way is wrong! This is just my way of doing it. Backwards could work :)

Planning is the worst. I love how simple your steps make it!

I love this! All of your points are necessary in planning any kind of trip, whether it’s to another country or the next state over. I think the most important point is #1: sometimes our wishes and dream destinations are bigger than our wallets!

Hi Rachel! Your post is so comprehensive and has such great planning tips. I really appreciate how you break everything down and make it all so clear. I love your style of writing and your pictures as well. Planning the trips I go on (or want to go on) is one of my favorite parts too!

Thank you Elizabeth!

Hey lovely lady, What a great article with helpful suggestions! The planning of a trip can and should be just as fun and exciting as the actual trip. One should always relax, enjoy and be unstoppable when planning a trip!

My husband and I want to go on a vacation to celebrate our fifth anniversary, so we appreciate your tips. I like how you mentioned the importance of choosing a destination that stands out to you. I think that it would also be important for my husband and I to go through a great airport so that we start and end our trip on a high note.

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A Blissful Wanderer

Travel & Lifestyle Blog

Travel , Travel Tips · October 19, 2023

How to Plan a Vacation on a Budget: A Stress Free Trip Planning Checklist

Are you dreaming of the perfect vacation, but worried about breaking the bank? Don’t fret! We’ve got you covered. In this stress-free trip planning checklist, we’ll show you how to plan a vacation on a budget and create the ultimate getaway without sacrificing your savings account. From setting your vacation budget to finding affordable accommodations and packing tips, we’ve got all the essentials covered. Plus, we’ve broken down this checklist into a manageable timeline, to ensure you don’t get overwhelmed. So get ready to embark on an unforgettable adventure without the stress of overspending. Let’s dive in and learn how to make your dream vacation a reality!

What You Need to Plan One Year to Six Months Before Your Vacation

1. setting your vacation budget.

One of the first steps in planning a vacation on a budget is setting your vacation budget. By determining how much you are willing and able to spend on your trip, you can make informed decisions about where to go and how to allocate your funds. Here are some tips to help you set your vacation budget.

Review your financial situation

First, take a look at your overall financial situation. Consider your income, expenses, and any additional costs you may have in the near future. This will give you a realistic idea of how much you can afford to spend on your trip.

Plan out your vacation priorities

Next, decide what your priorities are for this vacation. Are you looking for a luxurious hotel stay or are you more interested in exploring new destinations and trying local cuisine? Understanding your travel preferences will help you determine where to allocate your budget.

Trip duration

Consider the duration of your trip. A week-long vacation will obviously cost more than a weekend getaway. Be realistic about how long you can afford to be away and factor in any lost income or additional expenses that may arise during your time off.

Transportation costs

Don’t forget to account for transportation costs. Whether you plan to drive, fly, or take public transportation, make sure to include the cost of getting to and from your destination in your budget. Research different transportation options to find the most affordable and convenient one for your trip.

Unexpected expenses

Lastly, leave room in your budget for unexpected expenses. No matter how well you plan, there may be unforeseen costs that arise during your vacation. By setting aside a small cushion in your budget, you can handle these unexpected expenses without derailing your entire trip.

By carefully setting your vacation budget, you can ensure that you have a stress-free and enjoyable getaway without breaking the bank. Once you have determined your budget, you can move on to the next section of this trip planning checklist to choose the right destination for your dream vacation.

What You Need to Plan Six Months Before Your Vacation

When you plan a vacation, it’s important to remember that with your big ticket items, like the airfare and hotels, the earlier you book, the more you will save! While, there are sometimes last minute sales, these are few and far between, and you won’t necessarily get your first pick at dates. In the next section I share more about this is greater detail.

2. Book your flights and accommodation

Without a doubt, it’s always better to book your flights earlier versus later; accommodation, on the other hand, can wait till a couple of months ahead of your trip. However, if you plan a vacation at peak season or around a special event, it’s best to book early. You’ll have the most options to pick from, and this is one less thing to worry about.  Plus a lot of accommodations have cancellation policies, so if you change your mind, or find something better, you can always cancel without penalty. Just make sure to save your cancellation deadline in your calendar.

Savings: Booking your flights or accommodation more than six-months ahead can save you up to $500, if not more.

Booking Engines I personally use to Book Flights and Accommodation

• Hotels.com – love their loyalty program which allows you to earn a free night after 10 nights booked through them. We have gain over a dozen free nights for future trips through Hotels.com.
• Booking.com – the booking engine most used in Europe. And it has the biggest variety of properties, 28 million worldwide to be more specific!

3. Passport Check & Visas

Passport check.

Don’t be the girl that shows up to the airport and your passport expires next month. With most countries, you need at least six months left on your passport before it expires, or won’t be allowed to even step onto the plane. Make sure to check this when you book your flight a couple of months ahead of your trip. This will you lots of time to renew your passport if need be. Whereas if you leave this to the last minute, there can be expensive charges to rush order a passport. 

Savings: It only takes 2-minutes to check your passport expiry in advance and yet it could save you the $335 it costs to rush order a passport.

Travel Visa Applications

If this is your first time travelling overseas, it’s important to know that we aren’t talking about credit cards here. the Canadian Government defines travel visas as “an official document, usually stamped or glued inside a passport, giving permission from a foreign authority for you to enter a country.”

They range per country you visit, the passport you carry, and how long you want to be there. For example, in order to go to Australia for up to 3 months, as a Canadian, it costs me $20 that needs to be paid and registered before stepping onto the plane. In my experience, after I applied and paid online, it got approved 24 hours later, and was digitally linked to my passport. It’s important to know that they actually check this at the airport, and if you don’t have this organized in advance they can deny you entry onto the plane. So it’s VERY important to look into before you go. Some visas are very easy and quick to apply for, whereas others can take a long time.

If you are confused about your particular visa application, I recommend consulting with a travel agent , and they can either apply on your behalf or guide you in the right direction.

What You Need to Plan 2-3 Months Before Your Vacation 

4. medica l.

Do you need shots, medication, or special pills for your destination? Places like Asia, India and Africa normally require travel shots and malaria pills. When in doubt, I recommend seeing a travel doctor before you leave, or check your countries government website, as they normally have travel advisories. Here is the Canadian travel vaccination website  for reference.

I also recommend reading my guide on how to avoid getting sick on vacation . 

5. Money & Currency Conversion

Pick up cash in the currency of the country you are travelling to. Tip: Shop around for the best exchange rates. I have found exchange stores are better than the bank.

Alternatively, months before your vacation apply for a multiple currency prepaid Visa card. These cards allow you to load them like a debit card, and it will exchange them into multiple currencies at the lowest rate, and without an additional fee. As Canadians, we  used this one in Europe, USA, and the UK, and loved it!  

Also, on the topic of credit cards, don’t forget to call your other credit cards to advise them you are leaving the country. You wouldn’t want them to freeze your cards while you are on vacation. Some banks also allow you to do this online.

6. Do Your Research

Read blogs or guide books before your trip and make any necessary reservations for restaurants and or tours, and book your on ground transportation (ie. buses, trains, rental cars). 

*Tip: Ask your friends and family! Think of anyone who has visited the place you are going to, and ask for tips. Fellow travellers normally offer the best and most honest advice. My boyfriend always puts out a mass ask on IG stories telling people where we are going and asking for tips. You’d be shocked by how many people respond with great suggestions. 

What You Need to Plan & Do a Week Before Your Vacation 

7. documentation.

Photocopy 2 copies your documents or take a photo of it and save it on your phone (ie. passport, credit cards, travel insurance/ care card, driver’s license, international driver’s license, etc). If you photocopy them, I always recommend keeping one in your bag separate from the actual documents and give the other set to your travel buddy, heaven forbid anything happens to your real documents. If you take photos of them on your smartphone, make sure to email a copy to yourself and your travel partner or family back home.

8. Travel Insurance

Buy travel insurance or do you have travel insurance on your credit card? You never know what could happen, so it’s better to be safe than sorry. Most of our travel credit cards have extensive travel insurance, but if you don’t have a credit card with insurance you can  purchase it through a travel agent  or at an insurance broker.

I recommend and use either travel insurance included on my travel visa credit card or we use Safety Wing for longer trips.

I like packing at least a few days before leaving incase I realize I am missing something vital for my trip. This gives me tons of time to pick up anything I need at the store before taking off on my travels.

10. Phone Data

Purchase a phone data package from your home provider or buy a local data cards in the destination to stay connected.  Word of advice, one thing that always takes the stress out of travel for me is having data on my phone when we travel. Whether it is for Google Maps, to look up travel guides, or just to get in contact with people, data makes life easier. Plus, it doesn’t hurt, that you can post that amazing travel pic on Insta, while you are on the go.  

Travel tip: In the last two years, I have bought local sim cards once we arrive at the destination, as they’re normally the cheapest. Unfortunately, Canada has some of the most expensive phone plans in the world, so if you are ok to have a different number while you are travelling, buying local sim cards are a great option. You can even bring your home SIM card with you and pop it in your phone if you need to check texts. Also, we normally buy just data packages. Most of the time they will come for a local number, but we find data is the best since we can still make FaceTime or Skype calls and iMessages.

Depending on where you are travelling the plugs and electrical currency might be different than your home country. To save you some stress, buy a converter plug ahead of time. I also suggest a plug with multiple USB sockets and a portable charger for when you are on the go! I use this one , and I love it because it can charge two phones at once, and it also can charge my camera too.  

Funny enough, on our recent trip to Italy I couldn’t find our electrical converter plug the day we were leaving and I was forced to buy one in a German airport. I was shocked to see they were asking €69 for the same converter, when I paid $20 Canadian!! In the end I found a super basic one for €19 without the USB plugs, but I regretted taking my own advice and buying this affordable and awesome amazon converter . So save your pennies and buy this in advance! It’s good for any country worldwide.

What You Should Do the Day Before you Travel

12. check into your flight.

If it is a long flight and you want a good sleep, I definitely recommend checking in as soon as it is available. Most airlines it is 24 hours, but some have extended it to be 3-4 days in advance. Best to check, and set an alarm to remind you. You don’t want to be stuck in the middle seat for 9 hours. I’ve done it, and it isn’t fun!

13. Download your travel apps to use offline

Apps like Google Maps, Google Translator and XE (currency exchange) can all be used offline if you download what you need before you go. This is a great hack to save your limited data or if you won’t have data at all.

• Google Maps: pre-download the country or city you are visiting. 
• Google Translator: download all the languages you will need. This feature has saved us so many times in grocery stores or with restaurant menus. We’ve also been able to have full conversations with locals thanks to this handy app.  
• XE app: If you are a shopper, this app is super helpful for you to quickly convert a price into your local currency. 
• Also, download any music, podcasts, and audiobooks or buy a real book to make your trip more enjoyable.

What to Do on the Day of Departure 

The day as finally arrived to leave on your well planned vacation! Today is the last step in your travel planning check list.

14. Pack you Carry-on

Check you have packed your passport one last time. This is the one thing you need; if you forget anything else you can always buy it there. Also, pack your carry-on bag and those last-minute items like toiletries, PJs, and make-up.

That’s it! Is there anything you always do before a trip? Let me know in the comments below. And if this article was helpful, make sure to share it with someone who could use it. Safe and happy travels!

Read Next: More Resources on How to Plan a Vacation

The Best Travel Packing Tips to Ease Anxiety

Travel Planning Resources & Travel Gear

Booking a Trip Online vs. with a Travel Agent

Pin it: How to Plan a Vacation on a Budget

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Finding travel that feels supportive, happy, and well.

How To Create The Perfect Travel Checklist In 12 Easy Steps

July 10, 2023 //  by  Ciara //   10 Comments

Disclaimer: This post contains some affiliate links. That means I will receive a small commission on the purchase at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support friend!

Have you been daydreaming about where your next dream vacation will be? Or what wellness adventure lies ahead of you? While planning a trip and creating a travel checklist can seem stressful with daily to-dos, I find it quite rewarding as it helps build excitement and anticipation before your trip. Plus, I secretly love the process of planning a trip and finding ways to incorporate wellness into the planning process .

Related Post: How I found the Ultimate Adventure at Sea in Ibiza, Spain

Once you’re there, you get to see all your long hours of research and planning come to life. Think of those white dusty beaches along the coast of the Bahamas, trekking through deep green foliage somewhere in Peru, or taking a cross country road trip through the United States. Your windows are rolled down in your car, the sun’s out beaming gently, and Google Maps is directing you where to go. Or in my case, where not to go if you’re on the hunt for vegan food in Bulgaria— but that’s a different story.

(Don’t worry, Google Maps and I eventually worked it out. Together with my husband, we found warm, mouth watering vegan dishes in the center city of Sofia, Bulgaria .)

While we may not be able to travel now, we are able to dream about future trips and plan for exciting times ahead. How do you plan the perfect travel checklist with health and wellness in mind? What are things that you should pack or things that should be left at home?

Combining wellness with a travel checklist

One thing I’ve learned on my health and wellness journey is the art of bringing wellness to packing. At first, it sounded a little strange trying to tie wellness with packing and trip planning. However, the more I practiced it, the less stressful trips were on my mind and body.

Here are some packing travel hacks for the wellness-focused traveler to boost your health and wellness. Whether you’ve planned an adventure road trip or decided to explore the epic train travel in Europe this travel checklist is for you.

Related Post: What is Wellness Traveling? The Quickest Way to Understand

Travel Checklist Guide

Decide how much luggage you are taking.

One way to reduce travel stress is by deciding how much luggage you want to take at least two weeks before your trip. If flying, I recommend reading about your airlines luggage weight limit. The luggage weight limits do change occasionally, so always double check before you fly. It will let you know if you get a free 50 lb check-in bag, free hand luggage, or just a personal item with your ticket.

On the other hand, trains have a different luggage limit and allow passengers to carry more luggage. The best part is there’s no extra charge if you need to bring another bag, or two! (I won’t tell anyone if you don’t.) Again, check with your train company for exact guidelines. For road trips, just make sure you can see through your rear view mirror and you’re comfortable in your car.

Decide what type of experience you want and buy travel insurance asap

While we can’t pack for everything, we can do our best to pack for what lies ahead. For example, if you know you want to experience an overseas adventure travel at your destination, make sure to include a travel checklist that has options for adventurous items such as: underwater protective phone case, outdoor sandals, sunblock, selfie stick, and more.

After you have an idea of what type of experience you want, buy travel insurance .

In my opinion, it’s better to buy travel insurance as soon as possible just in case you need to change your flight or an emergency happens. Based on the type of travel experience you’re wanting to have (i.e. bungee jumping, etc.) and what your packing (i.e. expensive camera, etc.) you can add in extra coverage for support these.

For those traveling long-term, Safetywing is a great option. Another option is Travel Insurance Master , which is great for short trips.

Side note : If you’re on the fence with buying travel insurance, I get it. It can be confusing and it’s another cost after an expensive trip. BUT, at the same time it’s the best way to safeguard your health and trip. And health is your number one asset. If you’ve got questions, I got you covered. Here’s everything you need to know about travel insurance .

Add a copy of your driver’s license and passport to your travel checklist

While traveling is a adventure filled with excitement and new experiences, you probably never want to feel those types of sensations about your personal documents. The best way to safeguard your personal documents, is to make copies. Make a copy of:

• Driver license
• Credit Card
• Medical Insurance
• Travel Insurance

Leave one copy of your documents at home with a loved one, and take the other copy with you during your travels.

Research your destination

Researching your destination will not only help when packing a suitcase, but it will give you more travel tips specific to your travel destination. It will help you select what outfits are appropriate to pack, give you insight into the culture you’re about to experience, and give you more ideas about what things to do in that particular city.

For example, if you’re planning a trip to Barcelona next year —here’s a list of 50 Things To Do & See in Barcelona, Spain to plan out your dream itinerary.

Start packing earlier to avoid pre-trip stress

Yes, it’s a thing! Have you ever been stressed out two days before a trip, running around last minute to buy more items for your suitcase? Or do clothes bombs explode your in room, with clothes covering every inch of your floor? Packing one outfit, then dumping out your suitcase to pack another, only to find yourself finishing up packing at 1 am the day of the of your departure. ( I have to admit, but this used to be my normal packing strategy. )

Packing earlier could be your solution. Not only does it allow you to relax days before your trip to avoid stress (so does essential oils or a massage!), it also allows you to keep your normal routine intact. I’ve found using both of these healthy travel tips combats stress and allows for happier and healthy travels.

Related Post: The 6 Best Essential Oils Every Traveler Should Have

Pack extra clothes in your carry-on

If you have a checked bag, this packing list tip is for you. Sometimes bags get lost, it happens. However, you can be one step ahead of this luggage mishap by packing a spare pair of clothes, and underwear in your carry on or backpack. I’d also recommend packing a couple TSA approved cosmetics in your carry on too. Some zero waste bathroom products that are easy to pack are: mouthwash tablets, body conditioner bars or soap, shampoo bars, and lotion bars.

Get packing cubes or bags to stay organized

I personally love these ones from Amazon! This travel checklist item makes it relatively easy to locate any item in your suitcase since all your clothes and gear now have a home. It also can help you avoid overpacking, since you know what gear and clothes to fit into each cube.

Put flip flops on your travel checklist

This is probably the first thing I check off on my packing list for vacation. Flip flops, or sandals, are extremely versatile. For cold weather, they can double as slippers to keep your feet warm from the cold tile, or bath shoes for a getaway spa day. (I’m a slight germ a-phobe, so flip-flops for a day trip to a spa is a must.) On the other hand, in the hot weather they can be a excellent wardrobe choice for your summer attire, used for a pool day, and if you’re staying at a hostel, say hello to your new shower shoes.

Pack A LOT of healthy travel snacks

Aim to pack healthy travel food that’s high in fiber, protein, and fats. While I’m not a nutrition expert, I can say whenever I’ve used these healthy travel snack tips with my husband, everyone’s tummy and mood seems to be happy. Here’s some snack ideas to add to your travel checklist to help boost your well-being on the road:

• Granola Bars
• Fresh fruit
• Hummus and carrots
• A sandwich made with whole-grain bread, avocado, loads of veggies and a protein

Related Post: 4 Quick Steps to Understand a Plant-Based Diet

Pack your breakfast for the next two mornings in your carry-on

Packing your breakfast can be a great way to wellness travel because it allows you to have some normalcy once you arrive to your travel destination. Choosing the right healthy travel food for your trip can boost your wellness and health by giving you the nutrients to refuel your body after a long flight or drive.

Put prebiotic foods on your travel checklist

Prebiotics are a type of high fiber that brings healthy nutrients to the gut bacteria. Some research suggest these nutrients in turn help improve your digestive system , boost your immune system and possibly enhance your metabolism. Prebiotics in food are readily found, and they can be a great addition to your healthy travel food list. Plus they can be found almost anywhere! Here is a good prebiotic food list to get you started:

Don’t overpack

Remember, less is more.

Do you have a secret packing list hack for the wellness-focused traveler? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

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Reader Interactions

May 15, 2020 at 4:06 am

I have that same purple suitcase – I Love it! You have some great suggestions here! I need to pick up some packing cubes, they’ve been on my wish list for awhile.

May 16, 2020 at 1:31 am

I always need a good pack list for whenever I travel. Thank you for the tips.

May 17, 2020 at 12:12 am

Ah, this is perfect! I try to travel with only a carry-on if at all possible. That’s a great tip on keeping a copy of your license/passport with you when traveling!

May 17, 2020 at 4:57 am

I never thought about making a copy of my passport and drivers license. I’ll definitely do that next time! 🙂

May 17, 2020 at 9:23 am

Thanks for sharing this. Hopefully, this pandemic will be over very soon so we could all travel safely.

May 17, 2020 at 4:33 pm

Such an amazing packing guide! I just started using packing cubes recently and omg they are such a big life saver!

May 17, 2020 at 5:12 pm

So cool that you mentioned prebiotics, I’ve never seen this before on packing lists! As someone who struggles with gut issues I really appreciate it!

May 22, 2020 at 12:39 pm

I am loving these tips – especially not to overpack and to bring breakfast. I’ve even started doing those for work travel and they are so useful! Can’t wait to get back to travelling again. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts!

May 23, 2020 at 10:15 pm

I’ve never really thought of packing cubes until recently and they seem awesome! I will have to buy some for when I plan to travel later in the year.

May 27, 2020 at 7:34 pm

Great advice! I can’t agree more with the packing early tip. Weeks before we go away I throw everything into a tote so I have everything put aside. I also only ever travel with a carry-on so that’s especially important! I can’t live without my packing cubes!

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The Complete Travel Packing Checklist for 2024 & the Best Packing Tips [Printable]

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Before you even take your suitcase out of the closet

When you’ve done your prep and you’re almost ready to pack, apps for packing assistance, apps for itinerary management, before leaving the house.

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When it comes down to it, packing for a trip (domestic or international) can be stressful. Do you wait until the last minute? Put off researching what you’ll need for certain activities or weather at your destination? Get distracted easily, or have young kiddos that need attention? It happens to the best of us!

On one hand, if you under-pack you might not be prepared. But if you over-pack, you run the risk of incurring hefty baggage fees or missing out on space to bring home that lovely souvenir. If you forget an essential travel document, you could even miss your trip altogether! We get stressed just thinking about it!

That’s why Upgraded Points is bringing you a guide full of packing tips and tricks, a printable travel checklist, a list of apps to help you out, and reminders for to-do’s around the house before you leave.

We’re here to assuage your anxieties and make sure you’ve got what you need, you’ve cut what you don’t, and there’s no wallet/phone/swimsuit/teddy bear left behind!

Hot Tip: Don’t forget to also check out our “Carry-On Travel Essentials” guide where we’ve compiled a “His” and “Hers” list of some great products that we simply can’t do without when we travel!

📋  Click To View Our Printable Travel Packing List >>  📋

General Packing Tips & Tricks

Check the weather at your destination.

This seems intuitive, but you’d be surprised how many people are stuck traveling in rainy season without a raincoat.

Note how many days/nights you will be away.

This will help you decide the number of necessary outfits. Obviously, how often you prefer to wear the same clothes plays a part in this as well.

Note any special activities/events you may partake in.

Traveling for a birthday? You don’t want to forget that heartfelt gift you bought weeks in advance. Going to a wedding? It’d be a shame if you showed up without your suit. Hiking in Hawaii? Your water-shoes won’t get much use if you leave them behind.

Make a packing list early and review it at least twice. (Yes, twice.)

You can easily find printable vacation packing lists online (like ours above), or you can write out your own. There are also a number of apps you can utilize if you prefer something more tech-based. Read about several of these below!

Timing is key here. If you jot things down or review your printed list in advance, it gives you the opportunity to take a second look with a fresh mind. All too often you’ll remember something you didn’t yesterday when your brain was thinking about pizza instead of packing.

If you’re printing a list that’s not trip specific, review it first and immediately cross off items you won’t need. Why bring a winter coat to the beach?

Take items you can grab at your destination off the list.

If you’re planning to travel with only a carry-on, this tip is especially important as it will save space (at least for your outgoing journey!).

Most times when traveling, your hotel will provide shampoo, conditioner, body wash, toothpaste, etc.; why waste space packing them? If you’re a little picky about your toiletries or you’re not staying at a hotel, you’ll probably still encounter a drugstore where you can buy anything you might need.

Purchase travel-sized containers or toiletries if you plan on bringing your own.

Remember regulations for the amount of liquids you can bring in a carry-on for a flight. You’ll want travel-sized containers if you plan on carrying liquids this way.

Even if you’re flying with a checked bag and are allowed more liquids, do you really need that 16oz bottle of shampoo for a weeklong trip? Cutting it will save you room for other essential items.

Choose the right luggage.

Yes, different airlines have different restrictions on sizes for carry-ons and checked bags but stick to some general guidelines and you should be safe.

For carry-ons, you’re generally accepted at/under max linear dimensions of 155cm/45in. For checked bags, you’re generally safe under 158cm/62in max linear dimensions. However, be sure to check the airline you’re flying with prior to packing, as some can be stingy!

You also want to seriously consider the type of bag you enjoy traveling with – shoulder bag , backpack , roller bag, hard shell , soft shell, etc. There are definitely loads of options so just remember, your bag shouldn’t stress you out, it should make traveling easier.

Hot Tip:  We’ve done tons of research on this topic so don’t miss our articles on the best carry-on bags and the best checked luggage bags for any type of traveler. 

Essentials first.

Gather your most important items first. This includes all travel documents such as your passport, ID/driver’s license, boarding passes, hotel reservations, etc. This also includes anything you’ll seriously regret forgetting and can’t purchase while traveling: wallet , credit cards , camera , cell phone, etc.

This being said, there are a number of apps that can assist with itinerary management and decrease the number of printed documents you’ll need to carry. See our list of helpful packing apps at the end of this post.

Choose an appropriately sized suitcase.

If you only have 1 suitcase, then you’re set. If you’ve got more options, attempt to use the smaller one – most people tend to overpack when their suitcase is too large for their trip. You don’t really need an extra sweater, 2 more t-shirts, and another pair of boots just because they fit! Plus, your baggage will be a lot easier to handle if it’s smaller and lighter, which will cut your stress level significantly.

Lay everything out.

Laying all of your items out allows you to plan outfits and account for your days/nights away. When everything’s laid out, you can clearly see how much you’re bringing and spot missing items easier. This also includes shoes, accessories, toiletries, etc.

Dividing items into sections based on where they’ll be packed is also helpful.

Lastly, don’t forget to lay out your plane/travel day outfit and consider it with your other pieces.

Pick simple mix-and-match pieces to prevent overpacking.

In general, choose simple tops and bottoms that can be mixed and matched to make multiple outfits. Did you know that just 3 bottoms (pants, shorts, skirt, etc.), 4 tops (tee, tank, etc.), and 2 outer layers (sweater, coat, or cardigan) can make up to 24 different outfits??

Depending on the reason for your trip, you might need to pack a special item that can only be worn once (suit, bridesmaid dress, etc.), but try to keep these to a minimum! This step is key if you’re pressed for space.

PUT STUFF BACK!

Once you’ve laid out all your items, really consider the number of days you’ll be on your trip. Chances are you could stand to put a few things back in the closet in order to pack more efficiently. Remember, no one wants to pay a fee for overweight baggage or lug around extra clothes for no reason!

Pack it up.

You never thought we’d actually get to this step, did you? There are a number of recommended packing tips when it comes to getting everything neatly in the suitcase. This can be overwhelming, but if you pick up the right habits packing will seem much less stressful.

Check, double-check, and triple-check your essentials.

Put a checkmark next to each item you’ve packed and DON’T TAKE IT OUT OF YOUR BAG. If you’re not ready to pack an item, do NOT check the box! That’s exactly how you leave your phone at home on the charger next to your bed. “But the box was checked!!!” you’ll say…

(Note: this rule actually goes for everything, not just essentials.)

If you’re notorious for leaving essentials at home, print an extra travel checklist just for those items and tape it to your front door the night before you leave. Make a promise that you can’t walk out without reviewing the list one final time.

Fold, Interfold, Bundle, or Roll?

By now you’ve probably heard that old-fashioned folding isn’t the best method to use when it comes to packing, especially in tight cases. If you have the room to spare, virtually any of these methods will do.

Interfolding involves layering clothes on top of each other in a top-to-bottom, bottom-to-top format, then interweaving them as you fold them together. If you fold the items in accordance with the size of your suitcase, you’re left with a neat little bundle that will fit right in. Additionally, this style of folding will leave your clothing virtually wrinkle-free.

Bundle packing is very similar to interfolding, but you are tightly folding or wrapping your clothing items around a soft core (like a dopp kit , stack of underwear, cloth zippered jewelry bag , etc.). Bundle packing is also said to reduce wrinkles and save space.

Many people also recommend rolling when packing your clothes – at least for softer items and jeans. Again, this method tends to save room and reduce creasing in the process.

If none of the above methods are doing the trick and you don’t have the option of a hanging garment bag , it may be beneficial to learn the proper way to fold nicer items (like a dress shirt or suit coat ) for the best results.

Pack liquids in secure bags.

Toiletries that can leak will leak. These should be placed in a plastic zippered bag or another secure bag of your choosing. Some travelers even encourage cutting small squares of plastic wrap to cover the opening between bottles and their lids in attempts to prevent further seepage.

Utilize shoe space when you can.

Rolled-up socks, belts, gloves, stocking caps, and other small items can easily fit into shoes (as long as they’re relatively clean and not smelly!). This also helps the shoe hold its shape throughout your travels. Rolled-up belts can also be used to keep a shirt collar stiff if needed.

Prevent dirty shoes from soiling clothes.

Pack them in a separate space or utilize plastic bags/shower caps to cover the bottoms and prevent dirtying the rest of your clothing. Have a delicate pair of dress shoes or heels? Pack them in their own bags if possible, or clean the bottoms and wrap with a durable garment.

Toss a dryer sheet into your suitcase to keep things smelling fresh.

While you’re at it, grab a stain pen or stain wipes for your carry-on. If you happen to spill on one of the only tops you’ve brought and don’t have laundry facilities, you’re cutting your number of outfits drastically. If you know you’ll have laundry facilities or need to wash your clothes by hand, you can purchase individual detergent packets.

Pack a change of clothes in your carry-on.

By packing a change of clothes and undergarments in your carry-on , you’re covered for at least a day if your baggage gets delayed or lost. Some travelers may want to pack an extra pair of shoes just in case.

Similarly, if you’re heading to a beach locale, pack a swimsuit and sandals . If you have to wait to check into your hotel, you can head to the pool while the concierge keeps your luggage.

Keep expensive/irreplaceable items on your person.

As a general rule of thumb, you should leave irreplaceable items at home. This includes objects such as expensive jewelry and heirlooms. If you must travel with them, these items should be kept with you at all times. Do not trust them to be safe when placed in checked baggage; if your suitcase is lost, delayed, or stolen, you’re out of luck.

Similarly, if you must travel with official documents such as birth certificates or social security cards, check to see if a certified copy will suffice. Or maybe take a photo on your phone for less hassle. Otherwise, the same rule applies to these irreplaceable documents.

Follow the TSA 3-1-1 rule for liquids in carry-on baggage.

3 – Travelers may carry liquids, aerosols, gels, creams, and pastes in containers of 3.4oz (100ml) or smaller.

1 – These items must fit into 1 clear plastic quart-sized bag.

1 – Only 1 bag per passenger is allowed.

Remove this bag from your carry-on and place it separately in the screening bin. This is meant to slightly expedite passing through security .

The following apps can be ultra helpful for those who prefer a mobile device to the standard pen and paper methods.

Evernote: While Evernote isn’t technically travel-oriented, it’s all about lists and can be a big help for packing. With Evernote, you can sync your packing list across all your devices, making it easy to keep track of things no matter where you are…even out at the store buying items from your list!

Evernote also enables sharing notes with others, which is especially helpful for group trips. Need reminders? No problem, you can set alerts in Evernote to keep you on top of your game.

Packing Pro: This app is everything you ever wanted if you’re a list maker, and everything you didn’t know you needed if you’re a forgetful person. Packing Pro helps travelers get organized via packing lists. From templates and suggestions to customizable designs, Packing Pro has options for every type of traveler. Users are allowed an unlimited number of packing lists of an unlimited length, and you can even add images, alerts, and mark “need to buy” items.

It also has iCloud support and the ability to share your lists via email, AirDrop, Dropbox, etc. You can also export and edit your lists with Excel, Numbers, or Google Docs. If you’re the type that physically needs to cross things off, you can send directly to a printer too.

The Expert List-Making Assistant is a cool feature if you’re low-maintenance: it will take your parameters (number of people, destination, weather, etc.) and automatically create lists for you.

PackPoint: PackPoint’s purpose is to take the guesswork out of packing. The app pretty much tells you what to pack based on how long you’re traveling, where you’re going, the weather when you get there, and any activities you have planned (chosen from a pre-defined list in the app). With PackPoint Premium, users can connect to TripIt, share their lists across devices, and add customizable packing items/activities.

Travel List: Travel List seems to have fewer bells and whistles. You can do many of the same things as with Packing Pro and PackPoint: create customizable packing lists, sync across your devices, share with other people, and create alerts/reminders. One nice component is their calendar view, which gives a different type of visualization that some people really prefer. And this one is compatible with Apple Watch, which can be a huge organizational perk.

Lists To Do: This app keeps things simple for general to-do lists and is super easy to use. See your list’s percentage progress for a clear visual on how much you have left to do/pack before jetting off and set yourself reminders and share lists with your travel companions.

The following apps are helpful for keeping all your travel information in one place. From flight itineraries to hotel confirmation, event tickets to dinner reservations, they’ve got you covered. Plus, this means fewer printed travel documents you need to worry about carrying with you.

Google Trips: In a nutshell, Google Trips seamlessly integrates reservations (flights, hotels, rental cars, etc.) from your Gmail and creates a specific “trip” in the app. These trips are like folders of information including some basic categories like Reservations, Things to Do, Saved Places, Day Plans, Food & Drink, Getting Around, and Need to Know.

It also provides opportunities for travel inspiration, traveler reviews, dining/drink options, and encyclopedic information on several hundred top cities and attractions around the globe.

Also good to note: when you download your trip, everything is available offline in case you’re stuck without WiFi or data.

Kayak Trips: Part of Kayak’s main app includes a platform called Trips, which acts as an itinerary management app to keep all your pertinent travel information together. With Trips, you can forward your booking confirmations to [email protected] , where your itinerary is managed for you in a nice timeline format with maps and important info all on one screen.

Kayak Trips gives you the ability to send other people access to your travel plans through sharing options, link to your calendar app for planning consistency, and receive SMS and email flight alerts.

TripIt: TripIt is one of the most popular travel organization apps on the market. The app automatically imports flight, hotel, rental car, and other booking confirmations ( concert tickets from StubHub, dinner reservations from OpenTable, etc.) from your e-mail. If you don’t appreciate the e-mail scan, you can always forward your emails to [email protected] or manually input all the information into the system.

TripIt then creates an itinerary in an easy-to-read format, including space for directions between airports, rental car pickup, and hotel details. TripIt also allows for calendar syncing and makes it easy to send your travel info to family/friends by sharing via text, Evernote, LinkedIn, Slack, or WhatsApp.

With TripIt Pro, users get real-time flight alerts, help to find alternative flights, an airline seat tracker for better seats, reward program points tracking, and interactive airport maps.

In this section, we list some steps you might forget to take when you’re in a hurry to leave for vacation.

Remember to:

• Download your travel resources (guidebooks, language apps, etc.)
• Notify credit card companies of upcoming travel if required (international trips)
• Set an email auto-responder if necessary
• Take out the garbage
• Check the washing machine for wet clothes
• Check the dishwasher for dirty dishes
• Turn off all lights and electronics
• Set lighting timers
• Water the plants
• Drip taps (in cold climates where pipes could freeze)
• Close/lock all doors and windows; pull all curtains
• Set alarm system

For longer trips, don’t forget to:

• Empty the refrigerator/pantry of perishable food
• Unplug electronics
• Put a hold on your mail
• Consider having a friend check on your house from time to time

The Upgraded Points team is always jetting off somewhere and even we  still have trouble packing sometimes!

Additionally, if you’re interested in “the best of the best” travel products to up your packing game, check out these posts:

• All Our Best Travel Product Reviews – In One Place
• The Best Checked Luggage Bags For Any Traveler
• The Best Carry-on Luggage Bags for Any Traveler
• The Best Travel Duffel Bags on the Market

Lastly, if you’re looking for the top travel-related gifts, we’ve got you covered with our Best Gifts for Travelers .

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it better to fold or roll clothes in a suitcase.

Whether it’s better to fold or roll clothes for your suitcase may depend on a number of things. If you’ve no concern about saving space, folding could be just fine. However, if you’re trying to fit a lot of clothes into a small bag, there’s no shortage of youtube videos out there which prove rolling clothes can help with this task.

Additionally, interfolding and bundling are other techniques that could be helpful space savers. However, to save the most space, vacuum bags will be your best bet – just keep in mind your weight limit when packing a lot of things into one case!

Do packing cubes really save space?

Packing cubes don’t necessarily save space but they definitely help you stay organized when packing.

They can also help by keeping items separated — who wants smelly gym clothes next to their fancy dinner outfits?

How do I maximize space in my luggage?

To maximize space when packing, try using these methods for your contents: roll, bundle, or interfold (explanations above). Each has its own special technique but all can help you save space and fit more into your luggage of choice.

Another quick space-saving tip? Utilize typically unused space. For example, pack socks or belts inside your shoes.

How to I pack clothes without wrinkling them?

Here are a few quick tips to decrease wrinkling when packing your clothes into a suitcase: iron first, use a roll or interfold method, pack wrinkle-prone items in garment bags or utilize tissue paper between folds and layers, and/or choose fabrics that are less likely to wrinkle in the first place (wool, Tencel, knit, cashmere, polyester, nylon, spandex).

How should I pack toiletries in my suitcase?

When packing toiletries, you’ll want to be sure they’re kept separate from your clothes in a special bag or case. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy — a Ziplock baggie will do — but this will prevent the leaking of liquid onto your clothing items.

Additionally, you can place a small piece of cling-wrap between the bottles and lids of your liquids to prevent leakage.

If you’re bringing them in your carry-on, you’ll want to be sure you’re adhering to the 3-1-1 rule (use 3 oz containers max, in 1 quart-sized bag, with one bag per traveler) in order to pass easily through security.

Should I pack valuable items in my suitcase?

Always keep valuable items on your person while traveling. This includes identification cards, passports, visas, money, credit cards, jewelry, important medications, etc.

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About Erin Miller

An experienced points hacker, Erin is Alex’s partner-in-crime and contributes to Upgraded Points with in-depth guides and relationship management. Erin’s work has been cited in multiple major publications.

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The Ultimate Packing List

Christine Sarkis

Ashley Rossi

There's a 95 percent chance Senior Editor Christine Sarkis is thinking about travel right now. Follow her on Instagram @postcartography and Twitter @ChristineSarkis .

Christine Sarkis is an SATW-award-winning journalist and executive editor at SmarterTravel. Her stories have also appeared on USA Today, Conde Nast Traveler, Huffington Post, and Business Insider. Her advice has been featured in dozens of print and online publications including The New York Times , Conde Nast Traveler , and People magazine. She has also shared travel tips on television and radio shows including Good Morning America, Marketplace, and Here & Now. Her work has been published in the anthologies Spain from a Backpack and The Best Women's Travel Writing 2008 . She is currently working on a travel memoir.

The Handy Item I Always Pack : The Trtl Pillow . It's easy to pack and comfortable, and makes it so I can actually sleep on flights.

Ultimate Bucket List Experience : Seeing the Aurora Borealis from the comfort of somewhere warm, like a glass igloo or hot spring.

Travel Motto : Curiosity is an amazing compass.

Aisle, Window, or Middle Seat : Aisle all the way.

Email Christine Sarkis at [email protected] .

Ashley Rossi is always ready for her next trip. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram for travel tips, destination ideas, and off the beaten path spots.

After interning at SmarterTravel, Ashley joined the team full time in 2015. She's lived on three continents, but still never knows where her next adventure will take her. She's always searching for upcoming destination hotspots, secluded retreats, and hidden gems to share with the world.

Ashley's stories have been featured online on USA Today, Business Insider, TripAdvisor, Huffington Post, Jetsetter, and Yahoo! Travel, as well as other publications.

The Handy Item I Always Pack : "A reusable filtered water bottle—it saves you money, keeps you hydrated, and eliminates waste—win-win."

Ultimate Bucket List Experience : "A week in a bamboo beach hut on India's Andaman Islands."

Travel Motto : "Travel light, often, and in good company."

Aisle, Window, or Middle Seat : "Window—best view in the house."

Travel Smarter! Sign up for our free newsletter.

Packing mishaps range from inconvenient (heading to the Caribbean without a swimsuit) to disastrous (discovering you left the country without your wallet), but most are preventable. We’ve created this ultimate packing list to help you pack well every time.

The Ultimate Packing Checklist

To see the ultimate packing list, scroll down the page or click here for an editable PDF version that you can save or print out. To customize the list, simply download or print it, then edit for your specific needs. You can also download the editable, mobile-friendly checklist here .

Clothes to Pack

• Dress Shirts
• Casual Shirts
• Sweatshirts
• Laundry Kit
• Leisure Shoes
• Hiking Boots
• Dress Shoes
• Collapsible Tote

Shop Our Clothing Packing List

Toiletries to Pack

• Dental Floss
• Conditioner
• Styling Tools
• Facial Cleanser
• Face Lotion
• Moisturizer
• Contact Lenses
• Contact Solution
• Shaving Supplies
• Makeup Remover
• Menstrual Products
• Birth Control/Medication
• Nail Clippers
• Hand Sanitizer
• First-Aid Ointment
• Insect Repellent
• Pain Relievers

Shop Our Toiletries Packing List

Miscellaneous Items

• Laptop/Tablet
• Film/Memory Card
• List of Medications
• Banking Contacts/Information
• Electronic Chargers
• Emergency Contacts
• Copy of Passport
• Plug Adapter

Shop Our Miscellaneous Items List

What to Pack in Your Carry-on

• Books or E-Books
• Travel Blanket
• Travel Pillow
• Disinfecting Wipes
• Change of Clothes
• Empty Water Bottle
• In-Flight Medications
• Passport/Visa/ID
• Credit/ATM cards
• Insurance Cards
• Maps/Directions

Shop Our Carry-On Essentials List

Packing Tips for Clothes and Other Items

When packing for a vacation the most important things to keep in mind are the length of your trip, the weather, and any non-standard clothing or gear you might need.

Your first step when packing is to decide if you’ll be checking a bag or only taking a carry-on and then curate the amount of clothing you’ll need based on that decision. Typically, you should avoid checking a bag in situations where you have a layover since the likelihood of your bag going missing goes up with every connection . You might also want to avoid checking a bag if you absolutely need items in your bag on arrival—for example, if you’re going on a cruise.

If you’re packing more minimally, focus on packing layering clothes in more neutral colors. That’s not because we don’t like fun colors and patterns; it just means that neutral-colored clothing is more versatile, so you can wear these items more than once when you’re tight on space.

How to Pack in Just a Personal Item Sized Bag

Also invest in clothing that does double duty, like multi-use wraps , crushable hats , self-cooling and heating fabrics like merino wool layers , bug-repellent clothing , wrinkle-resistant shirts, quick-drying activewear and undergarments, casual sneakers, UPF-proof clothing , and compressible jackets … just to name a few. Look toward popular athleisure brands like Lululemon , prAna , and Athleta for comfortable yet stylish travel clothing.

When curating your packing list, you should keep in mind the length of your trip and decide on quantities from there. For a shorter trip (three to five days), you can probably manage with the following: one pair of underwear and socks per day, one pair of pajamas, one to two dressier outfits, one to two activewear or athleisure outfits, one to two casual outfits, and one to two pairs of shoes. For a longer trip (over a week), you can manage with one pair of underwear and socks per day, two pairs of pajamas, three dressier outfits, three to four casual outfits, two pairs of shoes, and two activewear or athleisure outfits.

And if you’re able to do laundry on your vacation, you can probably manage with even fewer items. Just don’t forget to pack a travel laundry kit .

Scrubba Untouched Review

Also make sure to bring along accessories like a money belt, scarf or sarong (can be used for things like an airplane blanket , coverup at the beach, or to throw over your dress on a cool evening), and a collapsible tote or day bag for any extra items you might acquire on your travels. If traveling to a city or destination that is prone to pickpocketing, make sure to pack some pickpocket-proof clothing and gear .

Depending on the type of trip you’re going on, you may need to invest in some special travel gear. We’ve tested out everything from waterproof baby carriers to interchangeable heels , so you can trust our recommendations. If you’re headed out on an organized group tour , you’ll most likely get a packing list from the tour provider, which should make your trip planning easier. If not, do your research online (one tip is to look at locations on Instagram and see what people are wearing) and consult this story for other handy lists of tips.

For more active trips, make sure you have a sturdy pair of hiking boots, quick-drying clothing, a day pack, snacks, and any necessary equipment. Check out our specific packing lists for hiking trips and camping trips .

The 5 Most Crowded National Parks (and Where to Go Instead)

Another type of trip that you may need to pack slightly specific items for is a cruise . Make sure you pack non-standard items like seasickness remedies, formal wear, dress shoes, and your bathing suit. Beach vacations also require different items like water shoes, towels, sunscreen, and maybe even snorkel gear. Luckily for you, we also have a specific cruise packing list and a beach vacation packing list .

Lastly, you need to consider the weather. For warm-weather destinations like jungles and Caribbean islands, you can obviously skip the coats and gloves, but if you’re headed out on a ski vacation then you’ll need a whole slew of things like goggles, a neck gaiter, snow boots, and more. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with a specific Caribbean vacation packing list , a Mexico vacation packing list , and even a ski trip packing list .

The Best Ski Hotels in the US

To help keep things organized, we love using packing cubes and/or compression sacks. They’re especially useful for when you’re traveling to multiple destinations in one trip.

Wondering how to pack all of your items? Enter the great debate of the rolling vs. folding method! While this is definitely a personal preference, we put two editors to the test to find out which method is in fact, more space-saving. Watch the video below to see the answer.

How to Pack Toiletries and Medications

Whether it’s important medication or your favorite lipstick, forgetting any type of toiletry can range from being mildly inconvenient to becoming a serious problem. For toiletries, make sure to pack your essentials, like medication, contacts, and any other items that you might not be able to purchase or replace during your travels. (Put them in your carry-on bag, not your checked suitcase.) However, if you forget items like a toothbrush or razor, you can typically call the front desk at the hotel for a spare.

We also recommend traveling with some type of a travel first-aid kit , which includes items like tweezers, first-aid ointment, bandages, travel-sized hand sanitizer, sunscreen, and insect repellent. Make sure to check TSA guidelines if you’re traveling with medication , as well as the policies and regulations at your destination.

Packing Tips for Everything Else …

Traveling without tech items like your phone, laptop, tablet, or camera can be a major bummer. For those traveling abroad, you’ll also want to remember to pack electronic adapters and converters . Other tech-related items for photographers to pack are a sturdy camera bag , backup batteries, and memory cards, as well as lens cleaner. And don’t forget smartphone essentials like a backup charger, waterproof case if you’re headed out on the water, and a phone stand or tripod for photos.

A travel packing tip we’ve learned the hard way? Travel with a copy of your passport, credit card, and bank contacts, as well as a list of medications and your emergency contacts.

If you are traveling abroad, we have an entire checklist for you, but the most important thing to note here is your passport and visas . Make sure that your passport is up to date, has as least six months of validity, and has enough blank pages for any stamps. Another tip for international travel? Give yourself plenty of time to apply for any visas that you might need and to arrange for a visit to a travel clinic if any special medications or vaccines are needed. You should also familiarize yourself with any remaining COVID-19 travel restrictions at your destination.

There are also some items that you may not think to pack, but should, like an electronic tracker , duct tape , toilet paper, a decoy wallet, or a whistle.

The 10 Best Expandable Suitcases

What to Always Pack in Your Carry-on Bag

In case you’re separated from your checked bag or other items, you should always make sure that you have your ID, wallet, house keys, medications, valuables, camera, phone, laptop, tablet, pen, cash and cards, glasses, and copy of your itinerary with you on the plane.

Other items that you might want to have handy with you include entertainment for your flight, comfort-promoting items like a blanket or pillow, as well as an empty water bottle to fill up post-security (here is a list of our favorites ), a change of clothes (just in case your luggage is lost or delayed), snacks, and gum.

If you’re looking to pack carry-on only, you guessed it: We also have a separate packing list and tips for that, as well as the best bags to use for carry-on only .

What to Pack to Stay Healthy While Traveling

The pandemic has significantly changed the way we travel and, by extension, the items we prioritize in our luggage. While many destinations have loosened or entirely lifted COVID-19 restrictions, some venues and events may still require a mask or proof of vaccination/negative COVID test to enter. Plan ahead to see if any activities on your itinerary have restrictions in place.

Sanitizing wipes and hand sanitizer , while always a good idea to have on hand at the airport , have become absolute carry-on musts. Wiping down areas like your tray table, airplane seat armrest, and hotel television remote can spare you from a variety of common travel bugs.

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2013. It has been updated to reflect the most current information. Ashley Rossi contributed to this story.

All of the products featured in this story were hand-selected by our travel editors. Some of the links featured in this story are affiliate links, and SmarterTravel may collect a commission (at no cost to you) if you shop through them.

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Planning a Group Trip Checklist: Everything You Need

by Danielle Owen | May 30, 2023 | Group Travel | 0 comments

Figuring out accommodations, finding the cheapest flight options, coordinating arrival times… there’s a lot that goes into planning group travel. That’s why planning a group trip needs a checklist. When lots of people are traveling together, it’s easy to lose track of the details. Whether you’re planning a trip to Greece or a girls trip to Miami , the steps are all the same!

We’ve put together a comprehensive checklist for your next group trip- check it out:

Group trip checklist

• Decide on dates
• Choose a destination
• Book a flight
• Book your accommodations
• Decide on transportation
• Plan your activities
• Make dinner/show/event reservations
• Have a plan for splitting group expenses
• Confirm the essentials are in order

Checklist items to plan a group trip

1. decide on dates.

First things first. When are you traveling? This seemingly easy first step in planning a group trip can quickly turn into a nightmare. Everyone will inevitably have something they “can’t miss” over some of the suggested dates.

That’s where Troupe makes it easy. Create a trip with Troupe and invite all potential travelers to join.

Next, enter all the possible date options for your group vacation. Troupe will allow all travelers to vote on the dates that work best for them and all group members can see the results.

Whichever date works best for the majority, lock it in! No more need for diplomacy or awkward conversations from the group trip planner.

2. Choose a destination

Perhaps the best part of the group trip planning checklist: choosing a destination ! When it comes to choosing a destination, it’s the same deal with Troupe. Narrow down the options based on what works before for your group, add them all to your Tripsite on Troupe, and group members can vote on their favorites.

Once all travelers have voted, you’ll be able to view the winning destination and start making flight and accommodation bookings.

3. Book flights

Decided where you’re going? Congrats! Now for one of the most vital parts of the planning a group trip checklist. It’s time to find the best flight options for all travelers and click the purchase button. This is where the group trip planning gets real. Booking a flight is the ultimate sign of commitment to a group trip. Once all travelers have made that commitment, you can start looking at where you’ll stay, activities, and more.

4. Choose accommodations

Now for another fun part of the group trip planning checklist experience: picking a place to stay. Choosing the right accommodations can make or break a trip. When it comes to Airbnb vs. hotels , which one is right for you? Think about how much privacy your group will want, whether you want the ability to cook for yourselves, and what location you want to be in. And, of course, give everyone in the group a say after you narrow down the options by allowing them to vote on their favorites.

Then, Troupe makes it easy to book your stay directly from the app.

5. Transportation

There are a couple of points during your group trip that you’ll need to think about transportation:

• How will you get to and from the airport at your origin?
• How are you getting to and from the airport at your destination?
• What will you do to get around at your destination?

Now is the time to look at the costs of carpooling to the airport and paying for airport parking vs. taking an Uber/Lyft to the airport as a group. Once you arrive at your destination, look into options for transportation to your accommodations. Not all destinations have Uber/Lyft available so you’ll want to know what a taxi should cost (ask your hotel or Airbnb host). Frequently, you can also book a shuttle through your hotel which is great for groups.

As you’re beginning to look at activities to do on your trip, think about whether the added expenses of a rental car (rental fee, gas, parking costs) are worth the benefit of having your own transportation.

5. Plan your activities

Ready to check the adventures off the lists? In Troupe’s group trip planner, group members can add notes, videos, and links to articles about all the cool things they discover at the destination. Activities can include things like free walking tours, nature walks, trendy restaurants, museums, boat trips, and more.

Depending on who you’re traveling with, whether it’s a family trip with small children or a getaway with coworkers, there are plenty of fun things to do on vacation based on your trip type.

6. Make dinner/show/event reservations

Once you have a list of possible activities to do at your destination, it’s time to get some things on the books. Narrow the items down to the ones that require reservations or advance planning and get those booked ahead of time.

Within Troupe, this is where you can start creating a day-by-day itinerary as well. All group members will be able to collaborate on the itinerary and view it at any time.

7. Have a plan for splitting group expenses

When you’re traveling with a group there are sure to be plenty of shared expenses. Have a plan ahead of time to save yourself stress when you get to the destination. Some suggestions include putting one person in charge of financials, settling up as you go using Venmo, or keeping track throughout using apps like Splitwise. Learn more about splitting shared expenses here .

9. Confirm the essentials are in order

This item is intentionally ambiguous because the “essentials” are different for everyone. Is your trip international? Make sure you look into all visa/vaccination/entry requirements. Do you have pets? Are you hiring a pet sitter or are they staying at a kennel?

Here are a few essential items to consider before a group trip:

• Arrange a pet sitter/kennel stay or make sure you understand airline rules for traveling with pets
• Look into visa requirements at your destination
• Get any necessary or suggested vaccinations before traveling to certain countries
• Think about anything that might need to be done at your home while you’re away (plant sitter, etc.)
• Are everyone’s passports up-to-date with at least 2 blank pages?
• Purchase travel insurance
• Notify your bank/credit card company of your travel plans
• Unplug electronics in your home
• Clean out anything that may spoil from your fridge
• Put a hold on your mail delivery
• Look into an international plan for your cell phone

Planning a group trip doesn’t have to be stressful. Take everything step by step and use an app like Troupe to help you collaborate easily with the rest of your group. Once you’ve got everything checked off your group vacation checklist, sit back and start getting excited for your adventure!

How to Plan a Trip: An Executable Guide on Planning Your Next Trip

Have you had dreams of an adventure and yet to put together a plan to bring that dream to life, in this article are some tips on how to plan a trip, these will guide you through getting things ready for a perfect vacation.

The ideas for vacation often feel so wonderful, but without going about it the right way, you might end up only seeing the impossibilities and at worse drop the idea.

However, with a bit of preparation and keeping the dream alive, this dream can come into reality.

A lot goes into perfectly planning and executing a travel plan, this article aims to give you some important trip planning tips which will make your trip planning process an easy one.

Are you feeling confused and asking How do I plan a trip?, here is a step guide on how to plan a trip.

How to Plan your Next Trip

1. choose your destination.

Before you travel, the first thing is to decide where you want to go. Some people are a bit indecisive on how to present where they are headed.

Try as much as possible not to be vague when picking a destination. The importance of this can’t be overemphasized.

Can you mentally picture this difference? “I will visit London in the winter” and “I will visit a place in the winter”. This is the base for your building and makes your planning easier. You work with guided direction because you have a place in mind.

2. Determine the Length your Trip

It is not only essential to know the cost of where you are visiting. It is a good one but you should not be clouded by that alone. Are you going to be away for a week? A month or a year?

Some people may have a specific vacation length probably as a result of their professional engagement or kind of work. Some others could be visa or savings restrictions.

This would help you save unbudgeted costs. So, spend quality time thinking over this until you get an answer.

3. Are you Traveling Alone or with Someone?

One big decision to make here is knowing if you’ll be going alone or traveling with a partner. They both are great options but it is highly dependent on your choice.

A solo travel gives you that liberty of going wherever you want to. Like, you just move wherever you wish to. But, it involves you planning everything yourself (may not be easy, especially for newbies).

Traveling with a partner means you respect that person’s presence. But, you have someone who helps you in planning the trip. At least, you have someone you can chat with, spend a good time on the road, or discuss relevant matters.

No one is a wrong choice anyway, would you like to meet travel buddies, here is a guide on how to find a travel buddy to assist you on ways to find one.

4. Research Your Costs

Now, you know your destination and length of your trip, the next is to know how much it would cost you.

To get this done, you have to research the cost of your location and the style of travel you would like. It may not be easy but knowing these would help you pen your costs down.

Would you need a hostel or would you lodge in luxury hotels?

What type of restaurants would you visit? Are there side attractions you have in mind?

It is good you know how these would affect you financially, for example, travelers who choose lodge inexpensive hotels or dining in high-class restaurants end up spending more money!

This is a guide on making research costs

• Procure a guidebook on your location of interest
• Check out communities, join online forums and social groups relating to this.
• Search on Google the specific items, attractions, and accommodation with the prices
• Read up good blog post relating to your location on travel websites
• Resist the temptation of going overboard when planning.
• Get Updated with Steady tips

5. Make and Save Money

Now you are done with the overall cost of your trip, next up is gathering that amount of money.

First off, you have to bear in mind how much you have at hand and also how much you need to spend. I advise you to keep a detailed list of your current expenses so you have a clear view of how you spend. It helps you to cut back once you’re overshooting.

People to spend daily on unnecessary ventures thereby incurring avoidable expenses. It hovers often around small purchases and they keep building up.

Decide on how much you are to save per day and stand by it. A piggybank would be of help.

6. Obtain a Travel Rewards Credit Card

While you are saving money, get a travel credit card. It opens you to the added benefits attached to owning the card.

Some of them focus more on the cash back rewards while some offer you travel deals. The benefits may include earning sign-up bonuses and some points for your free flights, restaurant deals and hotel reservations, and more.

Most cards, these days offer you up to 50,000 points or more towards their flight by just meeting their minimum spending requirement.

Very essential is you sign up for a card with offers you the rewards you desire. So, feel free to select from the list the card that matches your preferences.

Most professional travelers are now masters in the art of gathering points and miles through credit cards. Putting these cards in good use could be a difference between years of travel and a week-long vacation.

7. Get a No-Fee ATM Cards

When you move abroad, you might need cash mainly. While some countries accept the use of credit cards, some others adore cash the more.

Hence, the need for ATM for withdrawal of local currency. You are going to get hit by the ATM charges.

Like we’ve already established, try to cut out any form of little recurring cost, they accumulate and you would be surprised how much you save by avoiding them.

So, if you are going to stay away for a long period, I advise you to do something in that regards so that banks don’t chew into your hard-earned money

Before starting your trip, you should get a no-fee ATM for withdrawals.

You can check your local bank for listings of these banks that operate these cards. Any bank within the Global ATM Alliance as they don’t charge such fees.

8. Remain focused and Continually Inspired

As you get closer to achieving your goal, your desire to travel must be kept alive.

Planning your travel can be stressful and exhausting. It even becomes more tiring if your family and friends are not in full support of your trip.

This lack of enthusiasm from relatives has discouraged some people and even made them lose their desire.

There are a vast number of ways to remain upbeat and focused before you begin your trip. I will help you with some.

• Read up books that would inspire you about adventure and traveling.
• Follow and read blogs with a post about travelers and their experiences.
• Follow and join social media platforms where find full-time travelers. Engage yourself with their content.
• Be updated on any news regarding your destination.
• See movies about traveling.
• Pay zero attention to naysayers and gainsayers.

9. Anticipate and Look Out for Last-Minute Deals

Before you book a hotel or purchase a flight ticket, please have the patience to check for some last-minute discounts. You are potentially saving hundreds of dollars on your holiday if you get the right offer.

It would not hurt checking for these deals even if you have chosen a destination already. Hopefully, an offer you can’t resist would show up.

Tokyo may have been on your mind, but then you see and offer in Helsinki. You may find a week cruise for 60% off to the Bahamas or 70% off sailing trips around Lakeland.

You could save a reasonable amount of money if you exercise flexibility as a traveler.

10. Note Down Country-Specific Requirements

There are specific requirements that are peculiar to different countries. Vaccinations and visas as very important requirements you have to place in your mind when planning your trip.

For example, China and Nepal have as a requirement that every citizen of the U.S must apply for a visa before gaining entry into their countries.

However, most European countries do not need visa applications from any U.S citizen. They accept the United States passport as a visa for tourism.

This is the same with vaccinations, some countries require you to show proof of vaccination when you arrive.

11. Book Your Flight

By now, you must have paid for your travel credit card, met the minimum requirement (limit), and received the sign-up bonus and reward miles.

Formerly, it was not tough booking a flight with reward miles, but now it’s not the same way. The reason is because then they were not much more available? So, to beat this, do ensure you place bookings very early.

Also, you try to avoid being on a flight where you are made to pay more for just tickets. here are some recommended sites.

• Momondo – A great platform for finding cheap flights.
• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is one of the best websites for searching multiple destinations at the same time.
• Google Flights – Like Skyscanner, Google Flights is great for open searches to multiple destinations.
• Kiwi – Kiwi is great for finding lesser-known routes or smaller carriers.
• AirTreks – AirTreks focuses exclusively on multi-destination RTW tickets.
• For the best deals, book your flight about two-three months in advance.

12. Book your Accommodation

After you’ve confirmed your flight, it is now safe to book your accommodation. You should wait after confirmation of your flight to book a place for yourself. Little changes in flight schedule may bring about costs you never imagined.

If your trip is for a fixed schedule, go ahead and book an accommodation covering that period before you leave.

Let’s say, you’ll be traveling for two weeks. You are free to book the accommodation that is for the duration of these 2 weeks all at once.

But, if your trip would be more than 2 weeks (or some long-term), then you are advised to book your accommodation for the first few days. You can pay more as you stay more days.

Checkup these go-to sites for the best deals in accommodation, they are Hostelworld, Agoda, Booking.com, Airbnb.

If you wish on staying in various hotels during your visit, then sign up for a hotel credit card before you leave.

Obtain cards from Marriott’s Bonvoy Boundless. They offer a massive welcome bonus and give you six time the points in hotel stays and even get a yearly free hotel stay.

13. Make a Plan of your Activities

There is no vacation without activities to take in during the period. Hence, you must make a list of the main activities you want to get involved in or enjoying during your travel.

Ensure you have a well-budgeted list with the attaching costs.

In a bid to achieve that, you can make some adjustments to the way you save. It helps you make more money for your trip.

Also, search for discounts. Some of the countries give you discount in person while others offer a discount based on early bookings

In the end, the list of activities helps in giving you this concrete direction. Because you are working with priorities, hence you don’t spend unnecessarily.

14. Sell off Some Properties

Now, if you are making a long-term trip, (let’s say about 6 months, probably more) its expedient you sell off some of your belongings.

First is this, you would make some reasonable amount of money from the sales. I tell you, you’ll be surprised how much you realized at the end.

Secondly, you need not pay for storage! Imagine complete 6 months. That is huge! You can calculate how much it would cost you to store these stuffs for the said time.

So, before making such a long duration trip, start selling about 2 months before your set date. Here are some recommended sites to sell those properties.

• Amazon – Largest online store in the world.
• Craigslist – Classified site, reaching global and locals.
• eBay – An online classified website
• Facebook Marketplace – Here you can find buyers close to you
• Gumtree – online classified site having main focus in Australia and the UK

This step can be skipped if you are not going for long.

15. Switch to Automated Emails

Leaving for a trip does not mean other aspects of your life should change. Before you travel, you should set your emails to paperless options.

Go paperless and ensure you have an online bill payment set up to foot your recurring bills. You would not want to miss any while you are away. You can do this by contacting your bank, they will help with the automation setup.

But, if you still need a paper mail, then Earth Class Mail is at your service. They can access your mail and scan them while you’re off.

Also note that this step is optional, If you wouldn’t stay for long, then skip this too.

You can still switch your mail to a family member or a friend, that’s if you don’t want to pay for mail service. Overall, automation of emails is simple, cheap, easy, and reliable.

16. Inform your Credit Card Company of your Trip

It does not matter how long your trip will be. It would be wise to inform your credit card companies that you will be going overseas.

With this notification, they wouldn’t mark any of your transactions over there as fraudulent and the risk of blocking your card is blotted off.

It’s not fun to sit on the phone discussing with your credit card company trying to iron out issues while enjoying your holiday.

Ensure you have diverse credit and debit cards in your wallet. With this, you remain safe if one card is stolen or gets flagged or even gets lost. So, with this backup, you still enjoy your trip.

 17. Time to Pack

Here is one aspect of traveling that often take a deal on most travelers? People tend to exhibit mixed feelings about when it comes to packing for a trip .

It is could be full of emotions because you would maybe stuck in packing a lot of belongings in “just a case”. But that is the opposite, because when it comes to traveling, it is less.

You don’t need to pack 6 pairs of shoes and 4 sweaters. You just get by it less. So you must be able to strike a balance on what you will be using so as not to pack a whole lot. Expect you are visiting varying climates. You can also pack to sleep in the backseat of your car.

Overpacking can lead to discomfort in your walks, expensive transportation costs, and the likes. So do everything best to avoid the whole hassle.

There are things you can always get abroad so, there is no need to come with them from home. You can easily do your laundry, you can purchase some stuffs by the road, so why bother?

There is one working rule of thumb you can apply here. That is, remove 20% of whatever you packed initially. The remainder will amount to something reasonable that will last s few months.

18. Purchase a Travel Insurance

A lot of persons make this mistake of ignoring the procurement of a travel insurance `and even forgo the coverage at the same time.

Some of them say, “It is not necessarily getting an insurance, I’m not sick. I’m very healthy.” Their thoughts tell them no reason why they should buy travel insurance while on holiday.

There is more to travel insurance than just the health protection. This insurance covers you when a flight is canceled, or when your camera gets damaged, or something belonging to you gets damaged or there is a need you go back home to attend to an emergency.

It may look like an added expense, yea. But it is better not to be stranded in difficult situations like these. You can’t tell what would happen next.

We strongly recommend World Nomads. They are good at providing quality insurance. Then for the elderly (over 70 years of age), Insure my Trip is the best.

19. Have Super Fun on your Trip

Now that everything is in place, it’s time to leave, and don’t forget to have fun.

After, finalizing your bookings (all of them), and having your activities all ready, head straight to the airport and board your plane.

Look up, you’ve got to enjoy this, it is the fruits of your labor. You will be amazed at the number of months some people spend in preparation and working out their vacation, only to end up hating their trip.

Put up positivity! True that some people have genuine misfortunes abroad, but a good number of times, travelers suffer from their poor attitude.

You may be nervous (that’s normal for some situations), but don’t let it weigh you down. Trust your plans, show positive. Also, do well to protect your money during your travel to avoid any frustrating situations during your trip, this is an experience of a lifetime, so it’s going to be full of goodness. I guarantee you that.

Irrespective of the timeframe of your trip, this guide will help you stay motivated as you plan. Pin this article and implement these ideas towards achieving that dream vacation.

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Vacation Planning Checklist

Jan 5, 2016 | Add to Cozi , Blog

Mandi Ehman is a wife and homeschooling mom of four spunky girls. She’s also the founder of Life…Your Way , where she helps her readers sort through all of the information and opinions that are thrown at them each day to make the best decisions for their families on everything from organizing and decorating to success and motherhood.

Have you started planning your summer vacation yet? Now is a good time to think about what you’d like to do before it’s too late to find accommodations or tickets for the places you’d really like to go!

Not to mention that pre-planning helps prevent (some of) the rushing around to get it all done during the couple days before any family trip.

Try using a vacation checklist as you plan and prepare. And most importantly, try not to stress about the “perfect” vacation but rather just make the most of the time you have with your family!

• DECIDE WHERE TO STAY
• List your top 3 choices with pros and cons of each
• Research package deals
• Find accommodations that meet your needs
• MAKE TRAVEL PLANS
• Create a budget
• Book accommodations
• Book airline tickets, reserve rental cars, etc
• Purchase tickets for any events or attractions
• TO DO BEFORE YOU GO
• Request time off work
• Arrange for a house or pet sitter
• Put a hold on mail/newspaper delivery
• Pay bills that will be due during your time away
• FOR THE CALENDAR
• Record your vacation dates
• Reschedule appointments and activities that conflict with your vacation
• Make a loose schedule of activities for the trip
• FOR THE SHOPPING LIST
• Supplies and gear for your destination
• Gift for your hosts if you’re staying in someone’s home
• Gifts for friends and neighbors who take of your house, lawn, or pets

See more shopping lists and checklists in the Cozi List Library .

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Planning a Trip to Ireland: Your Easy 12-Step Checklist

Home » Travel Guides » Planning a Trip to Ireland: Your Easy 12-Step Checklist

Planning a trip to Ireland? You’re in luck – we have a step by step guide on how to do that!

While planning a trip to Ireland, many of our readers have sent us a message asking about the next steps or what they should do.

That’s why we thought we could better organize all of this information into an article that answers all of your questions.

So we came up with this travel checklist to Ireland covering all essential aspects and what you need to keep in mind when vacationing to the Emerald Isle.

Besides the things you should do while planning your trip, we also have a few tips on what to avoid doing – very important!

Planning a Trip to Ireland

We have been to the Emerald Isle many times at this point, and we have made several mistakes along the way.

*Unfortunately*, this has given us first-hand knowledge on how to plan a trip to Ireland and what you should avoid doing.

Whether you’re traveling to the laid-back Galway to the rugged north of Donegal or to the buzzing Dublin, these tips apply to everyone planning a trip to Ireland!

Vacationing to Ireland

Here are 12 steps to plan the perfect trip to Ireland!

Step 1: Before planning your trip to Ireland, check if you need a visa

Well, you can’t travel to Ireland without a visa, can you?

Obviously, many people don’t need a visa for the Emerald Isle. Still, it’s better to be on the safe side. Therefore, before planning your trip to Ireland, do check if you need a visa.

Note that Ireland is not a member of the Schengen area. That means there is no free movement between other European countries and Ireland. The customs officers will check your documents, so be sure to have them right.

We’ll list below the countries that  do not need a visa  to enter Ireland. Mind you, this list might change without prior notice.

Although we continually update this Ireland blog, do check an  official website  before planning your own trip to Ireland.

Andorra, Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic.

Denmark, Dominica, El Salvador, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Hong Kong (Special Admin. Region), Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kiribati.

Latvia, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau (Special Admin. Region), Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal.

Romania, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland.

Taiwan, Tonga, Trinidad & Tobago, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom & Colonies, United States of America, Uruguay, Vanuatu, and Vatican City.

Step 2: Plan your Ireland itinerary

Planning your Ireland itinerary in advance is better than traveling without a set route for several reasons.

First, because you will have a better idea of how many days to spend in each city and town.

For instance, many tourists spend one day in Dublin or even two days in the Irish capital before going on a road trip through the country.

We went on a 7-day Ireland road trip passing by Doolin and Galway, and we loved every minute!

Second, because you can save some money by booking accommodation and tours in advance, but more on that later.

Finally, because you can also save your precious time in the country. Instead of searching for all activities and things to do in Ireland, you can do most of the research at home.

Still, that doesn’t mean you should plan your trip to the minute. Let some free time for sightseeing and doing things as you go.

Step 3: Book your flight tickets

You’ve planned your itinerary. Now, it’s time to book your tickets!

Unless you’re already traveling around Northern Ireland, chances are you will fly to Ireland.

While many people find it overwhelming to search for flights online, it doesn’t have to be difficult.

We always follow some easy steps to ensure we snag the best deals possible, and we want to share them with you.

First, we search for flights on  Google Flights  using different filters, such as one-way or return tickets.

Sometimes it’s well worth it to buy each leg of the trip separately, or even buy the return ticket departing from another airport, which is less touristy. That’s also cheaper.

Then, once we find the tickets for our trip, we buy them directly on the airline website.

Step 4: Plan tours and activities before going to Ireland

You’ve planned your itinerary and booked your tickets. Now, let’s look into some tours to get to know Ireland better!

Booking your tours ahead of time will save time and money. That’s a fact!

For the most popular tours, such as the Cliffs of Moher , tickets might be sold out, especially if you’re planning a trip to Ireland in the high season.

The very first time Bruna went to Ireland was in the winter. Still, her bus to the Cliffs of Moher was completely full! Can you imagine how it would be in the summer?

What we are trying to say is you’re better off not relying on luck.

When booking tours, we prefer to look for good deals on GetYourGuide and Viator because they are both reliable companies. We trust them!

Oh, and if you would like to broaden your options further than the Cliffs of Moher, you might want to read our guide on the best day tours from Dublin .

These are some of the best tours in Ireland:

• Cliffs of Moher from Dublin
• The Aran Islands & Cliffs Cruise
• Cliffs of Moher Cruise from Doolin

Step 5: Budget your trip to Ireland

After you’ve booked your tickets and tours, it’s time to budget your trip to Ireland.

It’s not a secret that Ireland is an expensive country. Still, you can considerably cut back on your expenses if you spend fewer days in popular cities, such as Dublin.

We are currently working on a guide explaining how much a trip to Ireland costs for different budgets. Once it’s done, we will link to it from here.

In the meantime, we will give you a rough budget idea below.

If you want to backpack Ireland, go for shared dorms and be prepared to cook for yourself. You can expect to spend around $60-80/day.

You can have considerably more comfort while traveling in Ireland by spending a little more.

If you want to eat out, enjoy some typical Irish dishes, sip traditional Ir i sh drinks , go on a couple of tours or day trips , and stay in a private room, you’ll spend somewhere between $100-120/day.

Now, if you have a little more budget to fully enjoy Ireland’s high-end restaurants, go on multi-day guided tours, visit some towns, and stay in nicer hotels, know that you’ll need at least $200/day.

The sky’s the limit here. Your vacation in Ireland can be as expensive as your banking account allows.

Step 6: Book your accommodations

Once you’ve sorted out what you want to spend per night on accommodation, it’s time to book your stay!

For starters, we always browse Booking.com for the best deals. We really enjoy using this platform because it is reliable, and it has a straightforward canceling policy.

Here at the blog, we have a few accommodation guides for Irish cities.

These guides have not only information about the central neighborhoods in each city, but also the average budget and activities in the accommodation’s surroundings.

For instance, we have a guide on where to stay in Dublin , Galway , Cork , and Killarney .

Still, if you want to splurge a little and receive royal treatment, you will want to stay in one of these magical castle hotels in Ireland – some are pretty affordable!

We hope you find these guides useful!

Step 7: Book your rental car

It’s essential to rent a car for vacationing in Ireland.

After all, the countryside covered in undulating lush landscapes is something you can’t afford to miss!

However, if you’re starting your Ireland trip in Dublin, book your rental car only for the day you’re leaving the city. There is no need to drive in Dublin!

Still, having a car will give you much more flexibility when traveling in Ireland, especially if you’re planning a family trip to Ireland.

We always browse Discover Cars to find companies with competitive prices. For our first Ireland road trip, for example, we found out Europcar had the best fares at the time through Discover Cars.

Moreover, we recommend Discover Cars because it is a reliable and easy-to-use platform.

Here are some tips for renting a car/driving in Ireland:

• Irish roads are notoriously narrow, so you will want to rent a small car.
• Do read the fine print of your rental contract carefully. You will also want to check if you need an IDP, or International Driving Permit, (some companies require it) and whether there are any license restrictions you need to be aware of.
• The speed signs, as well as the speedometer, are all in KPH.
• The Irish drive on the left side of the road.

Step 8: Purchase travel insurance

No matter where you’re traveling to, you always need travel insurance .

There is nothing more important than this insurance. Seriously!

Many things that are out of our hands can go wrong before, during, and when returning from your vacation.

Besides, most activities in Ireland are either in touristy cities or outdoors, meaning you can fall victim to theft or have an accident.

With travel insurance, you can recover any expenses resulting from these situations and finish your vacation hassle-free.

We use and are very satisfied with Safety Wing . This has been our insurance for years in a row, and we’ve never had any problems when making claims. We’re happy to recommend them to our friends and family. Click here to get a quote.

Step 9: Pack some essentials for your Ireland vacation

The Emerald Isle is an incredible place to visit. Still, there is one aspect of this fascinating land that might need some extra attention – the weather.

The weather in Ireland is unpredictable.

For that reason, you will want to add a few essential items to your Ireland packing list . Click to see our complete packing list for all seasons!

For instance, a waterproof /windbreaker jacket ( for him ) is a must to keep you dry. Some people prefer a travel umbrella , but that’s personal.

Anyway, it rains a lot in Ireland!

That’s especially true if you’re planning to visit the coast, which also happens to be very windy.

And because of that, you might want to pack a wool sweater ( for him ) to keep your body temperature from dropping.

Oh, and waterproof shoes ( for him )! These are a no-brainer. If you don’t want to get wet, you certainly will need it. Oh, that horrible feeling of having wet socks…

In the same line, you will also want to pack a waterproof phone case . This universal pocket is perfect for traveling to Ireland, the beach, and beyond!

All without worrying whether you’ll ruin your phone or not. We can’t recommend it enough!

Another item we were glad we purchased for our Ireland trip was a reusable water bottle .

It was convenient not only in the city but also while hiking in the countryside.

That saved us some money and avoided us from producing so much waste with plastic bottles. Win-win.

Step 10: Learn a few essential words and phrases in Irish

Although people in Ireland also speak English, Irish is their official language.

Therefore, you will find many signs in Irish throughout the island, and it might be handy to learn some sentences while planning a trip to Ireland.

We always study a little of the language of where we are going so that we can communicate with locals.

Often, people are more open and willing to help when you show them you at least tried to learn a little more about their culture.

Besides, it is a fun thing to do!

Basic phrases in Irish:

• Hello – Dia duit
• Please – Le do thoil
• Thank you – Go raibh maith agat
• Excuse me – Gabh mo leithscéal
• I’m sorry – Tá brón orm
• Cheers – Sláinte
• Open – Oscailte
• Closed – Dúnta
• Yes/no – tá/níl

Step 11: Prepare your arrival

You’re almost done with planning your trip to Ireland!

We know you’re excited to travel, but two last steps demand your attention.

First, transportation from the airport to your hotel.

Most tourists find it overwhelming to look for transportation abroad because the local websites are hardly ever user-friendly.

We totally get that!

Also, taxis are either untrustworthy in many countries ( taxi scams , anyone?), or are far too expensive. Other times private shuttles will charge excessive amounts. These are just a few examples.

Anyway, considering you’re arriving in Dublin, where Ireland’s biggest airport is, we recommend you take the Airlink Aircoach to the city center.

While you can always get a taxi from the airport, this shuttle bus is very affordable and rides in front or near most hotels in town.

For a thorough explanation, check out the detailed guide we wrote on how to get from the airport to Dublin city . We also talk about other options in this guide.

Second and finally, keep a list of addresses and phone numbers of your accommodations in Ireland.

Step 12: Enjoy your vacation in Ireland!

Last but definitely not least! Enjoy your trip to the Emerald Isle!

Not that you need us to tell you this, but still…

You have done an excellent job of planning your trip to Ireland. Still, don’t stress out too much if things don’t go as planned.

Just be sure to have travel insurance to protect you from unexpected situations.

Also, do buy some souvenirs to take back home, learn some Irish facts and tales over a pint of Guinness, and try to enjoy the country.

We are absolutely crazy about Ireland. We’ve had such incredible moments in the country, and every time we go, we find more reasons to fall in love with it.

We hope you do too!

Some tips while planning an Ireland trip

• Give your bank a notice about your upcoming trip so that you can withdraw money at ATMs if necessary.
• Take copies of your documents, including your passport.
• Save the travel insurance number and policy number on your phone and on a piece of paper.
• Save the local emergency number on your phone: 112 and 999.

What to avoid when planning a trip to Ireland

• Avoid doing too much in one day or trying to visit many places in Ireland on a trip.
• While Dublin is a fantastic city, avoid spending too much time in it. Instead, go visit other cities and towns in Ireland.
• Most tourists never leave the city center, especially in Dublin. By doing that, they miss out on a lot of the fun and local vibes. Wander through the city!
• Although we said the Irish roads are notoriously narrow, don’t be afraid to drive in Ireland. It is perfectly safe. You just need to be a little more attentive.
• Avoid only traveling to Ireland in the summer. Many tourists wait till summer to travel to Europe. Still, if you travel to Ireland in the off-season, you save money and avoid jam-packed attractions.

Did you like this article about planning a trip to Ireland? Then save it to Pinterest or share it with a friend who might like it too!

Don’t Forget About Travel Insurance!

Before you leave for Ireland, make sure you have a valid travel insurance policy because accidents happen on the road. We have been paying for Safety Wing travel insurance for a little over a year now, and we happily recommend them to our family and friends.

If you get sick, injured, or have your stuff stolen, you'll be happy to have the ability to pay for your medical bills or replace what was stolen.

Because, for just a couple of dollars a day (depending on how long your policy is for), you're going to get lots of things covered. Be smart and get travel insurance .

Saturday 30th of December 2023

Hi, Your blog and 7 day itinerary has been very helpful but we will have planned a trip from May 31 (we arrive at 11:25) until June 14 ( we fly out at 1:35pm. We have booked a stay at Waterford Castle for June 11-13 at the end of our trip. We decided to start in Dublin, two nights (June 1 being my son and DIL 5th anniversary) leaving on June 2 to drive up to Belfast, take the ferry to Scotland then return to Ireland and drive west,south,west, making a circle. Ending at Waterford for our 2 night castle stay (guys golf) then drive to Dublin for one before flying home. With all of that said, we finding it difficult to schedule Belfast, ferry to Scotland and back to Ireland to begin our journey. I would appreciate any suggestions because we are about to lose our minds trying to schedule.

Blessings, Cynthia McKee

Planning a Trip to Iceland for the First Time (Your Easy 10-Step Checklist!)

Glacier hikes, puffin sightings, thundering waterfalls, and geothermal wonders: there is so much to be excited about when planning a trip to Iceland!

A trip to the Land of Fire and Ice is truly a vacation like no other, and we were smitten with it from the moment the plane touched down and we got to admire the lupines growing along the runway (seriously).

Iceland is an incredibly unique destination and offers a magnificent array of once-in-a-lifetime travel experiences, all in a (fairly) compact location.

However, to best take advantage of all that beauty within a limited time frame, you’ll need to do quite a bit of planning before you take off on your first trip to Iceland.

Some links in this post may be affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please see our disclosure policy for more detail.

While you could certainly arrive with little advance planning and see some incredible sights, experiencing the best things to do in Iceland isn’t as easy as hitting the open road with no (literal or figurative) plan.

The country’s extreme popularity coupled with rural attractions and weather unlike what most people experience in their day-to-day lives means that you’ll have a much better time if you carefully plan your trip to Iceland!

Follow this step-by-step Iceland travel checklist, and you’re bound to have an unforgettable adventure when visiting Iceland for the first time.

Step 1: Check visa and entrance requirements.

Toto, it is definitely not 2019 anymore: while checking visa and entrance requirements has always been important before visiting a foreign country, it’s safe to say that we’ll all be paying a bit more attention to it in years to come than we did pre-2020!

As of late 2023, there are no travel restrictions to visit Iceland–but just in case, this official website provides up-to-date requirements for entering Iceland, including any testing requirements.

Icelandair also has a detailed page on entry requirements.

Don’t forget to check any requirements that your home country has for returning, too!

In addition to these more topical necessities, don’t forget the usual needs, like having more than 6 months of validity left on your passport.

Step 2: Book your flights (the biggest step when planning a trip to Iceland!).

Without a doubt, booking flights is one of the most exciting parts of planning a trip to Iceland (or anywhere else)!

Once you book flights, your trip is official and you can start building the details of your adventures in Iceland around the states of your flights.

If your dates are somewhat flexible, we suggest checking prices a few days before and a few days after your intended arrival and departure dates when shopping for flights to Iceland.

You never know what deals you may happen to come across!

As the vast majority of all international flights in Iceland go through Keflavik International Airport in Reykjavik (KEF), shopping for flights to Iceland is a fairly straightforward process.

Step 3: Reserve your rental car (and read the fine print).

While some travelers to Iceland may choose to base themselves in Reykjavik and only take organized tours outside the city, for most visitors, visiting Iceland means that it is time for a road trip!

Whether you want to drive Iceland’s legendary Ring Road (it’s incredible), explore the popular South Coast in-depth (also incredible), or get off the beaten path in places like the remote Westfjords (again, incredible), renting a car will deeply enhance your trip to Iceland.

Given Iceland’s extreme seasonality, rental cars can be a bit of a hot commodity in the summer, so book as far in advance as you can!

We use and recommend Discover Cars to find out which company has the most competitive prices and best rental contracts.

On our recent Iceland road trip, the best choice ended up being Global Rent a Car, and we had a great experience with them.

Wondering if you need to rent a vehicle with 4-wheel drive?

For a traditional Ring Road itinerary , a standard 2-wheel drive vehicle is just fine–but to drive on Iceland’s unpaved “F” roads, 4-wheel drive is required!

We made use of our 4-wheel drive option several times on our road trip, but I wouldn’t consider not having one a dealbreaker unless you have your heart set on driving yourself into the Highlands or to a particular offbeat spot.

We would’ve had a great trip to Iceland with or without F-road access!

Shop rental cars for your trip to Iceland today!

Step 4: Plan your Iceland itinerary.

With a seemingly limitless number of beautiful places to explore, there are as many possible Iceland itineraries as there are visitors!

A few tried-and-true options, though, include these amazing routes.

Iceland Ring Road Trip

The most classic Iceland itinerary, a Ring Road trip is perfect for visitors who have 10+ days in Iceland and want to see it all.

This is what we did, and honestly, we plan to go back and do it again one day–maybe more than once.

From the iconic attractions of South Iceland to the lesser-visited corners of the Eastern Fjords and North Iceland , the Ring Road makes for an incredible Iceland vacation.

Iceland South Coast Road Trip

Have a week or less in Iceland and want to take an epic road trip?

Try the popular South Coast!

This is where you’ll find many of Iceland’s most famous attractions, such as Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, Vatnajökull National Park, and the iconic Skógafoss–just to name a few!

Reykjavik-Based Trip

Only have a few days in Iceland?

Don’t worry!

By basing yourself in Reykjavik and taking well-planned day trips, you can enjoy some of the most iconic sights in Iceland (like the Blue Lagoon and Golden Circle ) very quickly.

While we’d always recommend a longer trip to Iceland if possible, for the right traveler, even a 3-4 day Iceland vacation is well worth the effort it takes to get there.

Step 5: Finalize your Iceland travel budget.

There’s simply no getting around this one: taking a trip to Iceland is expensive!

To save money when traveling to Iceland on a budget, you can make some concessions like shopping in grocery stores for food (and eating lots of gas station hot dogs–a must-have Iceland experience on any budget), staying in basic lodging, and prioritizing only the experiences that are important to you.

But… even with all that, the price tag is still high.

Before booking your lodging and attractions (more on that in a few paragraphs), be sure to run the numbers and see exactly what you have to spend.

Better to make informed decisions along the way than have a nasty surprise bill at the end of your Iceland vacation!

This guide to budgeting for a trip explains how we budget for our travels in a step-by-step way and can help you create an Iceland budget that works for you.

Step 6: Decide where to stay and make reservations.

If you’re taking an Iceland road trip, especially during the summer, booking your hotels and/or vacation rentals as far in advance as possible is essential.

Most of Iceland’s most popular attractions are found in rural areas, and there are often only a few hotels or guesthouses nearby.

In order to complete your road trip efficiently–for example, driving the Ring Road–you’ll want to have your lodging chosen and booked before starting your trip.

We use Booking.com to find and book lodging in Iceland!

A few hotels that stood out on our recent Iceland road trip are Hotel Vík í Mýrdal (fantastic central location in Vik), Hótel Laxá near Mytvan (rural but convenient), and Fosshotel Nupar (perfectly located for glacier hiking in Vatnajökull National Park and visiting the glacier lagoons).

Step 7: Book bucket list tours and activities in advance.

Glacier hikes, snorkeling between tectonic plates , soaking in the famous Blue Lagoon, riding Icelandic horses: many of the absolute best things to do in Iceland require booking a tour or ticket!

And, like rental cars and hotels, tours and activities have a tendency to sell out in the summer.

If there are any bucket-list Iceland experiences you want to make sure you don’t miss, be sure to book them when planning your Iceland trip!

Here are a few popular options that are great to book in advance:

Silfra Snorkeling Tour — Want to snorkel between Europe and North America?

Iceland is the only place you can, and we will never forget this incredibly unique experience !

Glacier Hiking in Skafatell National Park — Hiking on a glacier is one of the most incredible experiences in Iceland, and we loved this tour .

Blue Lagoon — The Blue Lagoon is one of the most famous places in Iceland, and you can’t simply show up for the day–especially during the summer.

South Iceland Day Trip — Basing yourself in Reykjavik and don’t want to drive during your first time in Iceland?

This popular day trip will show you Iceland’s most famous waterfalls and beyond.

Step 8: Make a packing list (and shop).

More than most destinations, packing for Iceland requires some advance planning!

The country’s extreme climate paired with the fact that most people who plan a trip to Iceland are planning to do things they’ve never done before–like a hike on a glacier , perhaps–means that you’ll likely want to purchase some gear before taking off!

While you can certainly find most of what you would need in cities like Reykjavik and Akureyri, most of the best places to visit in Iceland are quite rural, with few stores around.

And, Iceland is not exactly a budget-friendly place to shop!

A detailed breakdown of what to pack for Iceland requires a whole other blog post (and packing for Iceland in winter is even more intense), but here are a few things we recommend bringing:

Travel Adaptors for Iceland — If you’re coming from outside of Europe, you’ll definitely need adaptors for your electronics!

Waterproof Jacket — Mine is no longer available but is similar to this popular jacket , and Jeremy loved this one in Iceland.

Sleep Mask — Midnight sun during the summer in Iceland is no joke, and a sleep mask is a must!

I don’t typically like to wear sleep masks, but I was so glad to have one during our summer trip to Iceland.

Lonely Planet Iceland — We don’t use travel guides in every destination, but in rural, widespread, land-of-confusing-spellings Iceland, we loved having one!

Waterproof Pants — Perfect for hiking on glaciers with! I use these ; Jeremy uses these .

Waterproof Boots — There’s nothing like having warm and dry feet! I adore these boots and have been wearing them for years.

Reusable Water Bottle — Avoid plastic waste, cut your expenses, and enjoy even more of Iceland’s fantastic tap water. Win/win/win.

Step 9: Purchase travel insurance for your trip to Iceland.

Don’t forget to buy travel insurance when planning a trip to Iceland!

While Iceland is an incredibly safe country to travel in, traveling in general opens you up to vulnerabilities you simply don’t have at home.

If you lose your luggage, have a fender bender in your rental car, get pickpocketed, or–heaven forbid–get injured, you’ll be glad you have the insurance.

Given how inexpensive travel insurance is when purchased in advance (especially as compared to the cost of flying to and then renting a car in Iceland), we consider it well worth the investment.

However, that being said, travel insurance companies have been about as prone to changing requirements over the last couple of years as borders have been.

Safety Wing is generally considered a reliable option, but be sure to double and triple-check coverages for any travel insurance policy these days, especially if you’re looking for protection from COVID-19-related issues.

Check travel insurance prices and coverage for your Iceland vacation now!

Step 10: Make an arrival plan for your trip to Iceland.

Once you finally finish planning your trip to Iceland and board your plane bound for the Land of Fire and Ice, you’ll still have one final logistical hurdle to overcome before kicking off your adventures: getting from the airport to wherever you’re going next.

For many travelers, that will mean walking or hopping the shuttle over to whatever rental car office they’re using (that’s what we’ve done).

However, if you’re not renting a car on the day you arrive in Iceland, you’ll likely still need to get from the airport to the center of town, which is about a 45-minute drive (there isn’t a train).

Bus transfers like this are the most popular and economical option to get from KEF to central Reykjavik for those who aren’t driving.

If you’re looking to splurge as you put your Iceland travel plan into action, though, private transfers like this are also available and will get you to your hotel faster.

Both options have their pros and cons, but the time to decide isn’t when you’re jetlagged, exhausted, and desperate to be done traveling.

A little advance planning can go a long way, and ensure you step off the plane confident that you’ve planned the perfect first Iceland trip!

About Kate Storm

In May 2016, I left my suburban life in the USA and became a full-time traveler. Since then, I have visited 50+ countries on 5 continents and lived in Portugal, developing a special love of traveling in Europe (especially Italy) along the way. Today, along with my husband Jeremy and dog Ranger, I’m working toward my eventual goal of splitting my life between Europe and the USA.

2 thoughts on “Planning a Trip to Iceland for the First Time (Your Easy 10-Step Checklist!)”

Thank you for your Iceland guides! The info is incredibly helpful as we opted for a DIY trip instead of booking a pre-planned tour. We are heading out in Oct. Since we are native Minnesotans :-), we should be able to handle the weather (fingers crossed). Thanks again! I look forward to checking your guides to other destinations.

That’s wonderful to hear, thank you, Elaine!

I suspect you guys will definitely be just fine with the weather. 😉

Have a fantastic trip!

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Travel Planning Checklist: 10 Essential Steps

It’s important to use a travel planning checklist to help you stay focused and organized from start to finish.

Here are 10 Travel Planning Tips we use to that include: selecting the destination and travel dates; booking the flights and accommodations; setting a budget; and more!

Plus you’ll find US vacation ideas, printable packing checklists, travel snack ideas, and more!

Planning a trip can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. With the right travel planning checklist, you can make sure you’re prepared for any adventure.

With this guide, you’ll never forget an important item or overlook an important detail again!

This site contains affiliate links which means WE may receive commissions for purchases made through these links. We only provide links to products we actually use and/or wholeheartedly recommend! As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Read the full Disclosure Policy.

Travel planning checklist: 10 important steps.

From booking flights and hotels to researching destinations and packing the right items, having a comprehensive checklist is essential for any traveler.

Here are the 10 steps we recommend for planning your next vacation!

1. Select The Destination

Many people have a bucket list of places they want to visit. Create a list for yourself and highlight your top choices.

The remaining steps on this list will help you research things like the best times to visit and estimate the cost of all travel-related expenses for your dream destinations. This will help you narrow down which trip is best based on the various parameters.

TIP: If you are flexible, the best way to travel on a budget is to take advantage of online deals.

You can get discounted package deals to amazing locations if you aren’t constrained by certain travel dates, or set to visit a certain location. Also, last-minute deals can save you even more, but you have to be available to travel on short notice.

CHECK OUT: US Travel Destinations we recommend!

• USA Road Trip Bucket List Ideas
• California Bucket List Ideas
• Oregon Bucket List Ideas
• Utah Bucket List Ideas

2. Finalize the Dates

The hardest part of planning a trip is determining the dates of travel. Many travelers only have a set amount of time and must plan around breaks from school or slow times at work.

Once you know the number of days allotted to the trip, remember to calculate travel time for getting there and back. This will let you know how many days you have to spend at the destination.

The dates you select will influence where you can travel at that time. For that beach getaway in the winter, find locations that have summer weather during your winter.

If you have a specific destination in mind, but don’t want to travel during peak season, you will need to plan your dates around that time.

When your travel must be planned around specific dates, there will always be unique experiences for any time and season.

Remember, if your dates and destination are flexible, take advantage of online deals.

• Spring Vacation Ideas
• Summer Vacation Ideas
• Fall Vacation Ideas
• Winter Vacation Ideas
• Best US National Parks to Visit by Month

3. Research the Costs

Determine the style of travel you want for the trip. Will you fly, drive or take a train? Will you camp or stay in a luxury resort? How often will you eat at restaurants? For local travel will you rent a car, use taxis or walk? What tours or excursions will you do?

Account for the various expenses for each part of the trip.

Documentation & Vaccinations – What documentation and vaccinations do you need for each location? Timing is everything when it comes to these items.

Transportation – Consider airfare, airport parking and transfers, train ticket, rental car, fuel expenses, taxi, subway, etc.

Accommodation  – The key is finding the type of accommodation that best suits your needs without overextending your funds. If you’re traveling with a big group, renting a condo can sometimes be less expensive than renting several hotel rooms. Condos include cost-effective amenities like kitchens and refrigerators which reduce meal expenses. Find hotels that offer a continental breakfast every morning which accounts for one less meal each day.

Food – Except for all-inclusive resorts where meals are bundled with your room rate, you’ll need a generous budget for food. Include gratuity into the cost of eating at restaurants. Cut the food budget, and eat healthier meals, by using the fridge and microwave in your hotel room to prepare ‘almost home cooked meals’. Remember to include the expense of snacks and drinks. Take an extra banana or muffin from the free continental breakfast and save it for later. If you have a fully equipped kitchen in a condo, budget for groceries the same way you would at home.

TIP: Purchase drinks and snacks at local supermarkets instead of a hotel shop or gas station, prices are lower and they offer more healthy food options.

• Road Trip Snacks and Food
• Healthy Road Trip Snacks
• Road Trip Snacks for Adults
• Road Trip Snacks for Kids
• Portable Travel Snacks

4. Book Your Flight

There are many so many tips for finding cheap flights. I’ve summarized my favorites here.

Sign Up for Email Alerts –  Prices change as much as 3 times per day. Sign up for newsletters and deal alerts at the airline website or social media page to find out about sales in advance. Also consider signing up for price alerts to monitor a particular flight route and see when the price fluctuates to ensure you book at the cheapest price.

The best time to buy – Yes, you can play the waiting game and follow the research that suggests you book flights 47 days, that’s 7 weeks, in advance to get the best price (with the exception of flash sales and deals). But I suggest that if you know you have a set itinerary, and can’t be flexible with dates or location, it really is best to book your flight immediately.

Book ASAP for Holiday Travel –  Travel during a peak holiday season is serious business. Book your airline tickets immediately. Do not wait! Seriously.

Travel on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays –  Flying mid-week is usually the cheapest time of the week to fly. Sundays are typically the most expensive day to fly.

Buy on Tuesdays and Wednesdays –  Mid-week is known to be the best time to purchase airline tickets.

Use recommended resources – Use a booking company you know is reputable.

TIP: Save money by searching multiple booking sites and comparing flight prices. Your favorite site may not offer the best deal.

5. Book Your Accommodations

The type of accommodation you select is based on how much you are willing to pay and the level of comfort you want. Options include hotels , hostels, rental apartments/condos ( VRBO and Airbnb), B&Bs, campgrounds and more.

Start with your preferred search site, research two or three other websites, and finally check the hotel’s website or call as hotels will often match rates. 

READ THE REVIEWS.

TIP: Only spend 30 minutes of your time booking a hotel. The price variation between sites isn’t worth hours of your time trying to save a dollar or two. The larger booking sites have their own loyalty reward programs. If you consistently use one site, the rewards might be worth it to stay with that site, even if it isn’t the cheapest option.

We like to use Hotels.com because of their book 10, get 1 free program.

6. Buy Travel Insurance

The decision to buy travel insurance is based on these 2 factors: financial risk and medical concerns.

Are you concerned about losing money due to canceled trips, interrupted trips, lost bags, delayed trips, or medical expenses?

Are you leaving your home country where your insurance from home won’t cover you for accidents?

We recommend reading Travel Insurance Review  to get a better understanding of travel insurance and the many coverage options. Do your research on the various companies to help you select the company and plan that meets your needs.

TIP: Don’t waste money and be over-insured when travel insurance is unnecessary. BUT you’d be surprised what types of situations arise where travel insurance would be VERY helpful.

MUST-READ stories why travel insurance is a good idea !

3 situations when Travel Insurance is NOT necessary

Last-minute domestic trips : Since you have not pre-paid any non-refundable trip costs, you are not concerned with trip cancellation or interruption coverage.

Since you are within the U.S., your health insurance plan will cover you for any emergency medical situations.

Buying travel insurance would give you coverage for lost baggage and travel delays, but these coverages alone might not be worth the cost of a plan.

Cheap domestic trips : When you get a super deal on your flight and you’re staying with family members, you don’t have much money at risk.

Travel insurance is best used when your pre-paid and non-refundable expenses are more than you are willing to lose.

Again, you are missing out on coverage for baggage and delays, but these coverages alone might not be worth it.

If you can afford to lose your pre-paid trip expenses : If you can afford to lose the money, skip the insurance.

As stated above, travel insurance is best used when your pre-paid and non-refundable expenses are more than you are willing to lose. If you only have a few hundred dollars at risk, you can afford to ‘self-insure’ this risk.

7.  Research Local Transportation

Before you arrive at your destination, know how you will get from the airport to where you are staying.

A shuttle bus is a good value for being dropped right at your doorstep.

A cab will take you right where you need to go but is more expensive if you don’t have 3 or more travel companions.

Public transport can often be the cheapest, but not always the easiest to map out the bus or train route in addition to walking directions to your hotel from the stop.

8. Plan Your Itinerary

This is the FUN part! Create your itinerary to match your travel style.

Do you enjoy getting to know a location by visiting museums and historical points of interest? Do you prefer adventure activities like hiking, scuba diving and bungee jumping? Are you interested in the photography opportunities?

Customize the itinerary based on the time that would be required for the places you visit.

Search for activities and tours online. We use sites like Viator and TripAdvisor to see what activities are offered in the city we are visiting.

Sometimes it may be cheaper to book directly with the tour company. Once we know the activity we want to do, we then Google search, for example, ‘river rafting in Moab’. This will list the local companies that offer that activity so we can compare prices.

9. Create a Budget Plan

Calculate the costs for each destination based on the items above. There is usually one that is best based on travel style, available dates and cost.

If you have the estimated cost available to pay for the trip now, book it! If not, make a budget plan.

Divide the total cost of the trip by 6. Is that an amount you could set aside monthly? If so, that’s your six month budget. If you need a little bit more time, divide that total cost by 12 for a lower monthly savings to take the trip in one year. If you’ve planning a vacation where you really want to splurge, you may need to divide the total cost by 24 to give yourself two years to save.

10. Save Multiple Copies of Documents

It’s always a good idea to have printed, scanned/photographed and email copies of your documents and reservations.

There may be times you can’t access information on your device due to poor connectivity. 

Important documents include your passport, travel insurance card, tickets and confirmations of your bookings.

Follow this list to help you stay organized as you plan your next adventure!

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Road Trip Checklist: Packing Tips and Must-Have Items

Packing for your road trip doesn’t have to be a headache. Discover the packing essentials for the perfect road trip today!

Ready for the ultimate road trip?

Planning a road trip can be fun, but packing for one can be overwhelming.

Whether you’re traveling across the country or just taking a weekend getaway, this ultimate road trip checklist and packing tips will help you make sure you don’t forget a thing!

Don’t forget these must-have items and packing tips. This ultimate checklist has everything you need for a successful road trip, including the most important items to bring and things to consider so your adventure is smooth sailing.

So buckle up and get ready for an unforgettable road trip!

Packing Tips for a Successful Road Trip

Start by making a checklist of essentials like clothing, toiletries, and any medications you need to bring along. This post will help you out with that! I’ve provided a quick list down below so you don’t forget the essentials, but feel free to add your own necessities.

Pack light and only bring what you really need to avoid overpacking and clutter in the car. There’s only so much leg room in a car! You can use packing cubes to keep your items organized and easy to find. Check out my review of Knack expandable packing cubes here , which are perfect for organizing.

Bring a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated on the drive. You may also consider bringing a cooler with snacks and drinks to save money and time since you won’t have to make as many pit stops. Having plenty of snacks and water will also help you stay energized.

Bring entertainment options like music, podcasts, or games to keep yourself and your passengers entertained. Don’t forget to pack a charger for your electronics!

Plan for some roadside fun! Pack a small bag or daypack for side trips or outdoor activities. This can help break up the monotony of a long drive.

Bring a small first aid kit with bandages, pain relievers, and other essentials medications. It’s also useful for this emergency kit to have extra blankets and other essentials just in case.

If you’re camping, make sure to bring a tent, sleeping bags, and any necessary camping gear.

Finally, remember to pack a sense of adventure and a positive attitude! The drive may be long, but with a road trip, it’s about both the journey and the destination!

Must-Have Items for a Successful Road Trip

What you pack can make or break your road trip. Make sure you’re set up for the best road trip possible by packing these essential items (keep scrolling for a packing quick list!).

Essential Clothing and Toiletries

For clothing, it’s important to pack items that are comfortable and versatile. You’ll want to be comfortable in the car but able to get out and explore at an interesting pit stop.

Think about the weather and the stops you’ll be making along the way and pack accordingly. Layering is always a good idea. And don’t forget to include a raincoat or jacket in case of unexpected weather. If you plan on doing any hiking or outdoor activities, make sure to bring appropriate footwear and clothing, like hiking boots .

In terms of toiletries, you’ll of course want to bring along the basics like toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, and soap.

But don’t forget to bring sunscreen and insect repellent if you plan on making outdoor stops.

Emergency Supplies and First Aid Kit

Accidents and unexpected situations can happen during a road trip, no matter how meticulously you plan. To prepare for any mishaps, it’s important to pack emergency supplies and a first aid kit.

Your first aid kit should contain items like bandages, antiseptic wipes, pain relievers, allergy medicine, and any prescription medication you may need.

You should also pack emergency supplies such as a flashlight, extra batteries, a multi-tool, and a blanket. These items can be helpful in case of a breakdown or other unexpected situations.

Entertainment and Electronics

Keeping yourself and your passengers entertained during a road trip is also important. From music to car games, there are a lot of ways to keep yourselves entertained and alert on a long drive.

For passengers, load up your tablets , smartphones, and e-readers with your favorite movies, TV shows, music, and podcasts to keep you entertained. Don’t forget to pack the chargers and portable power banks to keep everything charged.

If you prefer to read a physical book, bring along a couple of good reads. I have a whole list of travel-inspired book that would be perfect for a road trip! Travel games like car Bingo or Mad Libs are great for kids and adults alike. Coloring books, crayons, or a deck of cards are also great options to keep passengers, especially kids, occupied on a long journey.

And don’t forget about music! Make a road trip playlist to play in the car.

Food and Snacks

When it comes to taking a long road trip, having the right snacks can make all the difference. Keeping stocked up on snack foods can help keep your energy up, help pass the time, and will help cut down on unnecessary pit stops.

Pack healthy and indulgent snacks such as granola bars, trail mix, beef jerky, chips, and candy. It’s also a good idea to bring a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated and be more eco-friendly .

In addition to snacks, planning out meals for the road trip can also be helpful. Consider packing sandwiches, fruit, and other easy-to-eat foods that won’t cause a mess. And don’t forget to bring utensils, napkins, and paper towels for easy clean-up.

If you plan to stop at restaurants, research ahead of time to find places that you may like. Planning ahead will help you avoid having to find somewhere to eat while on the road and possibly miss somewhere amazing.

Miscellaneous Items

What else can you bring along that will make your road trip more comfortable and enjoyable?

This may be things like a portable fan, sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses for hot weather, as well as blankets and extra layers for colder temperatures.

A GPS or paper map (yes, they still make those!) can also be helpful for navigation, especially if you’re traveling to areas with poor cell service.

Think about what other items you may need, and make sure to add them to your road trip packing list.

Read next: Expert Driving Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Road Trip

Road Trip Packing Checklist

Here’s your quick list of things to pack for your road trip:

• Versatile clothing
• Appropriate footwear
• Light jacket or rain coat
• Extra layers
• Insect repellant
• Reusable water bottle
• On-the-road meals
• Utensils and napkins
• Tablet , phone, e-reader
• Car games and entertainment
• Chargers and battery packs
• First aid kit
• Roadside emergency kit
• GPS or paper map
• Portable fan
• Packing cubes

Read next: How to Save Money on Your Next Road Trip

Start Packing!

Planning for a road trip can be overwhelming, but with our ultimate road trip checklist, packing doesn’t have to be. From entertainment to emergency supplies, we’ve covered all the must-have items for a smooth and enjoyable journey.

Remember to stay open to unexpected adventures, but also pack everything you need to ensure a safe and comfortable trip. As you hit the road, keep this checklist handy and enjoy the ride.

Looking for more travel tips? Check out these posts:

Make the most of your trip with these top travel tips, packing guides, and other resources.

• Ultimate Road Trip Guide: Tips & Tricks for the Perfect Adventure
• How to Save Money on Your Next Road Trip
• Expert Driving Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Road Trip
• The Best Bucket-List Road Trips To Take Before You Die
• Travel Essentials That Every Traveler Needs For Any Vacation

Ready to take a vacation? Plan your trip with these tips.

• Find cheap accommodation:  Use my  tips for finding cheap accommodation  for travel every time.
• Book your flight:  Find the cheapest flights using  Skyscanner , my favorite flight search engine.
• Pack for your vacation: Make sure you’ve packed everything you need by checking out my packing list resources .

What are your must-have items that always make your packing list for a road trip? Let me know in the comments!

The post Road Trip Checklist: Packing Tips and Must-Have Items appeared first on Paige Minds The Gap .

Road Trip Checklist: How To Prepare Your Car For Adventure

Summer is quickly approaching, and with it comes the season of exploration and adventure. For many, that means hitting the roads in search of new sights and experiences. If you're planning to set out on an adventure this summer — or during any other time of the year, for that matter — your first priorities are probably picking your destination and planning your itinerary . While those tasks are some of the most enjoyable parts of preparing for a vacation, they aren't the only things you need to do. If you're going to drive your car for an extended period on the interstate, you need to ensure that it's capable of handling the rigors of highway driving.

Don't worry. Preparing your car for a road trip isn't as hard as it sounds, and you should be able to accomplish every task on this list in one afternoon. That said, pre-road trip inspections are critical for ensuring your safety and the safety of your passengers on the interstate. The fact that it's a simple process should only increase your motivation to complete it. So, from checking under the hood to inspecting your tire tread and brakes, here's how to prepare your car for a road trip adventure.

Check your belts, hoses, and fluid levels

Your car's engine bay contains more than just the motor. It's home to innumerable other components that play vital roles in helping the engine run and keeping your wheels moving. Many of those parts get their power from a serpentine or drive belt. If the belt has damage, like fraying or large cracks, or if it's too loose or too tight, it could break or malfunction, causing you to lose several accessories, like AC and power steering. Other components and systems rely on hoses to carry fluid between various parts — for example, your vehicle's radiator hoses are responsible for transporting coolant between the engine and radiator.

All of these parts are critical for your engine to function smoothly and correctly. Before you set out on a road trip, it's essential that you inspect these components to confirm that they're in good condition. You should check all fluid levels — including coolant, engine oil, brake fluid, power steering fluid, and transmission fluid, if applicable — before you hit the road. Confirm that each level is within the appropriate range by checking your owner's manual or reading the marks on the fluid reservoirs or dipsticks. Additionally, you need to inspect your belts and hoses. 

Visually inspect your belts for cracks and fraying. To test the belt's tension, turn it sideways. You should be able to turn the belt about 90 degrees — any more or less, and the belt may be too tight or loose. Finally, check your fluid hoses, especially the radiator hoses. Look for any cracks or bulges. Squeeze the hoses in your fingertips, and if they feel overly spongy or soft, you should consider replacing them before you hit the highway.

Inspect your tire pressure and condition

Without quality tires, your car won't make it very far. A flat tire can quickly ruin a vacation and leave you stranded for hours, especially if you don't have a quality spare or your tire blows in a remote area. It's impossible to avoid flat tires entirely — even if you have brand-new, high-quality rubber, you could drive over a nail or other hazard. That said, taking the proper precautions can help you prevent tire damage and vacation-ruining blowouts. 

Before you hit the road, take a few minutes to inspect your tires' condition and air pressure levels. You'll need to check the tread depth to ensure your tires have adequate grip on the road in various weather conditions. The easiest way to check tread depth is to purchase a cheap tread depth gauge from your local auto parts store. Alternatively, you can use what's referred to as the penny method . Grab a standard U.S. penny, and place it upside down in your tire's tread. If all of Lincoln's head is visible, you need new tires. 

Finally, you also need to check your tire pressure. As a general rule of thumb, most tires should have around 35 psi. If your vehicle has extremely large tires, they may require more air pressure. That said, one of the best ways to confirm your tires' ideal pressure is to check the placard in your driver's door jam. Remember, however, that if you've installed aftermarket tires, the correct psi level may be different. In that case, check your tires' sidewall to discover the proper pressure rating.

Confirm that key accessories function

Some of your car's accessories are powered by a serpentine or drive belt, like the air conditioning, and we've already covered how to inspect the belts. However, other accessories are electric and get their power from your vehicle's electrical system. Ultimately, many of these accessories can trace their power to the serpentine belt, thanks to the alternator. But there are a lot of other components in between that can fail and cause things like power windows, the radio, and headlights to stop working. It's vital that you check all of these accessories before leaving on your trip to ensure that your drive is safe and comfortable.

Start by confirming that key interior accessories work. Check your power windows, windshield wipers, radio, seatbelts, and dashboard lights and gauges. You'll also need to confirm that your exterior accessories function. Get a friend to help you check your car's lights by standing outside as you turn on the turn signals, brake lights, reverse lights, hazard lights, low beams, and high beams. 

Finally, check to make sure your vehicle's horn works and verify that all of your mirrors are properly adjusted and unobstructed. If any accessory doesn't work, the first thing you should do is check your fuses. If your fuses are in good condition and a light doesn't work, you may have a blown bulb. If you've checked all of these things and an accessory still doesn't function, you should visit a professional mechanic to repair the problem before hitting the road.

Check your battery

Your car's battery is a critical component that allows you to start the vehicle with a turn of the key or a press of the start button. It also allows you to use accessories, like the radio and AC, without starting the engine. The 12-volt batteries that modern cars use typically need to be replaced every three to five years. They're able to last so long thanks to the alternator, which charges the battery as you drive. However, alternator problems or power drains can cause your battery to fail prematurely. It's a wise idea to check your battery before you set out on a road trip.

One of the best and easiest ways to inspect your car's battery is to visit a local auto parts store. There, the employees will most likely test your vehicle's battery and alternator for free. If your battery is weak or there's an issue with the alternator, the test will pick it up and let you know, allowing you to buy a new battery or fix the alternator before you break down on the highway. Alternatively, you can visit a mechanic for this service, but you should expect to pay a fee. The upside to visiting a mechanic over an auto parts store is that, even though you'll likely have to pay, the technician can inspect your entire vehicle, including all of the other components covered here, and tell you whether your car is highway safe.

Inspect the brakes

It's no secret that brakes are one of the most vital safety features of a car. They enable you to slow down and stop your vehicle and keep it stationary until you're ready to move again. However, brakes aren't magical components that stop your car on their own — at least not for most vehicles . Brakes require both driver input and maintenance to function properly. Most vehicles need brake pad replacements every 25,000 to 65,000 miles . But in between replacements, and especially before a big road trip, you need to check your brake system for damage and wear.

Before hitting the highway, take a few minutes to inspect your brake system. We already touched on the brake fluid above, but that's not the only part of the system you need to check. You'll also need to visually inspect the brake pads for wear. On most vehicles, you can do this by peering through your wheel's spokes with a flashlight. New brake pads provide about 10 to 12 millimeters of friction material. If your brake pads are less than 3 millimeters thick (roughly the size of one U.S. penny stacked on top of a U.S. nickel), they need to be replaced. If you can't see your brakes without removing the wheels, you still need to inspect them, but you'll have to pull the wheels off yourself or visit a professional mechanic for an inspection service.

Update your emergency kit or build one

So far, we've covered parts of your car that you need to inspect before heading out on a road trip. Make no mistake — performing a pre-trip inspection is essential for ensuring your safety on the highway, but it can't provide you with 100% protection. Accidents happen, and sometimes, things are simply out of our control, no matter how well we prepare. To help maximize your safety and plan for every possible scenario, it's worth putting together an emergency kit to keep in your car . That way, if the worst happens and you become stranded or face an unforeseen problem with your vehicle, you can stay safe and comfortable until help arrives.

Some of the things you should have in your emergency kit include jumper cables, hazard lights or emergency markers, first-aid supplies, extra water, some blankets, basic tools, food that won't quickly expire, like granola bars or canned goods, a power bank to charge your devices , and some way to signal for help, like a flare gun or ham radio. Most of those items aren't too pricey, and you can find many of them at local auto parts stores or even places like Walmart and Amazon. Even if you never need your emergency kit, it's better to have it and not need it than to find yourself stranded in the middle of nowhere with no cell service or way home.

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Travelling first time to malaysia the checklist will help you, top stories.

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In that case, you are at the right place as here you will get a detailed overview of the most essential things you need to check on before starting your trip. Ranging from necessary travel documents to what to pack, you will get an idea for all in here.

Be ready with eight essential travel checklists for Malaysia

In Malaysia, you will get to experience a wide range of adventurous activities like scuba diving, bungee jumping, rock climbing, hiking, and many more. Henceforth, you must be well-prepared for your upcoming Malaysia trip. That's why go through the following essential things that you must keep handy before flying off for your international trip.

The first and foremost important thing that you must check on is your passport. You would need a valid passport to enter Malaysia. Remember, your passport must be with more than 6 months of validity. Besides, carrying your original passport, you should make some photocopies of it, as you can use them while sightseeing in Malaysia or going outside your hotel, just to avoid your original passport getting misplaced. Moreover, Malaysian police can ask you to show your identity proof in case of any unforeseen situations.

According to the Malaysian embassy, Indian passport holders travelling to Malaysia from 31.01.2023 up to 31.12.2024 will be allowed to take visa-free entry. You must know that you can stay up to 30 days under each visa-free entry. However, if you are planning a trip post this period, then you would need to apply for a Malaysia visa prior to your family trip.

Travel insurance

Imagine, you are travelling to Malaysia with your family and you face a medical emergency. It sounds distressing, right? Henceforth, you must consider buying travel insurance online to safeguard your recent Malaysia trip. However, having travel insurance is not compulsory to enter this country, but it is best to be ready for unforeseen situations.

Foreign currency exchange

Carrying Malaysian currency (Ringgit) while travelling to this country is mandatory. Thus, before starting off your trip, it is advisable to exchange the currency from Indian banks or any other currency exchange service provider. Additionally, on arrival in Malaysia, you can exchange your currency from currency exchange counters in Airports or any other local banks/ATMs.

Confirmed return flight tickets

If you are travelling to Malaysia, then you have to make a pre-booking of your return tickets. Immigration authorities will ask you to show the confirmation of your return flights as proof of travel intentions. This document will act as proof that you would not reside in this country. Besides, it complies with the Malaysia visa requirements.

Get vaccinated

It is advised to carry your COVID-19 vaccination certificates while flying off to Malaysia. Additionally, Yellow fever vaccinations are a must for tourists within one year. Moreover, life is full of uncertainty thus, you should consider buying travel insurance Malaysia . In case of any unexpected medical emergencies, your insurance policy will cover a maximum of your medical expenses.

Clothes to pack

Malaysia is a hot and humid country so you should consider packing lightweight and coloured clothes like pants, t-shirts, crop tops, shorts, etc. Besides, most of the time in this country it rains, so do not forget to carry your umbrella. In Addition, clothes made of merino wool and cotton are best for having a comfortable day or night out in Malaysia.

Make an itinerary

You must make a travel itinerary before you start off your international trip with your travel companions. Having an itinerary not only helps to manage your trip's time efficiently but also helps you to get an estimated trip budget. While making it, you must do thorough research on popular places to visit in Malaysia and then prioritise the places as per your interest.

What are the perks of buying travel insurance?

If you are still wondering why you need to buy international travel insurance for your next Malaysia trip, then keep reading. You will have a detailed overview of the importance of having it.

● Medical expenses in Malaysia are quite expensive and lead to unexpected financial strain. In such emergencies, your insurance plan will cover your medical expenses.

● If your luggage gets lost or delayed in the airport due to transportation or any other reason, the insurance provider will compensate for such mishaps.

● Your insurance plan also compensates for a missed flight or denied/delayed boarding.

● Imagine losing your trip money while you are in Malaysia. Sounds distressing, right? For this kind of situation, a travel insurance plan will provide coverage.

● In case you lose your passport in Malaysia, the insurance provider will offer you a duplicate passport/emergency certificate.

● You will be covered on trip cancellation or rescheduling due to any unforeseen emergency.

● Malaysia offers various adventurous activities for its tourists. In case you have any accident or injuries, your insurance plan will provide coverage for all the emergency evacuation and medical bills.

What should you look for In travel insurance For Malaysia?

After buying a travel insurance plan for your upcoming Malaysia trip, you might think that you are well-prepared for your holiday. However, choosing the wrong insurance plan can mess up everything.

Just imagine, you lose one of your personal belongings on your trip but the coverage for it is not included in your insurance policy. That's why, have a glance at the below-listed factors you must consider while purchasing travel insurance.

● Self-assess your itinerary

Consider all the activities and places included in your itinerary before choosing an insurance plan. Look into all the inclusions of the plan and see if they meet all your coverage needs.

● Check all the limits and deductibles

You must go through the maximum claimable amount for every specific type of claim. Additionally, you should look into all the deductibles. It is the amount which you need to bear in case of any emergencies.

● Look into additional benefits

The majority of travel insurance providers offer additional benefits along with the standard plan you choose. Some of the common additional benefits are 24x7 travel assistance, trip cancellation coverage, and many more.

● Review and compare

Before you buy travel insurance for your Malaysia trip, you must dig in a bit more about the insurance provider or company. Review the online customer ratings and reviews to check the authenticity of the company. Additionally, compare various insurance plans to choose the most suitable one.

● Read policy terms

As a responsible travel insurance buyer, you must be well aware of all the policy-related terms and conditions. Give a quick read to get a comprehensive idea of all the limitations, inclusions, and exclusions of the insurance plan.

The bottom line

Before you fly off to Malaysia, you must have a clear understanding of the insurance claim procedure. While buying international travel insurance, take a quick guide about the whole process from your insurance providers. Now that you are well aware of all the things you need to tick on before starting your trip, put a countdown.

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