Travellers ToDo List

As a list making fan, I’m including this ToDo list here as an easy access checkpoint for those who might be feeling wobbly about what to take. It’s easy to stray a long way from optimal, so it’s always worth thinking the peripheral stuff carefully especially where the airport is concerned. It all starts quite a while beforehand.

Preparation

ToDo Months Ahead

• Ensure passport is up to date for the duration
• Check for required VISAs
• Check for necessary vaccinations
• Investigate ‘must-do’ holiday plans
• Plan for pets, plants and home to be cared for
• Buy guidebooks, maps or apps

ToDo Weeks Ahead

• Get travel insurance
• Get EHIC pass for American trips
• Note useful translations
• Get some local cash
• Arrange car parking for airport
• Organise transfers at both ends
• Pay off credit cards
• Buy missing holiday items
• Complete vaccinations
• Acquire VISAs
• Consider using an alternate phone or sim
• Check baggage size and weight restrictions
• Take accommodation address and transport schedule
• Confirm hotel details
• Check mobile phone data roaming plan

ToDo Days Ahead

• Empty fridge of perishables
• Check baggage allowance
• Pack bags
• Get an idea of the exchange ratio for quick calculations
• Tell bank you are using your credit cards abroad (log a travel plan)
• Confirm flights
• Let others know of trip dates and confirm contact details
• Clear fridge of perishable foods
• Charge electronic devices
• Prep luggage and add unique marks for easy identification
• Trim hair and nails
• Book taxi
• Confirm animal carers understand when they are expected
• Print out tickets and make a photo a backup on your phone

ToDo Hours Ahead

• Put milk into freezer
• Set alarm clock
• Set heating controls
• Turn off unnecessary electrical items
• Activate security alarms
• Put cleaning products into drains
• Set up lighting, curtains, blinds
• Take a soft divider between you and other passengers (eg: a towel or jumper etc).

Items to Consider

Essentials

• Passport
• Airline tickets/boarding passes
• Local cash
• Credit cards
• Phone (charged)
• Driving license
• Transfer arrangements
• Spare pair of glasses is required for driving in some countries
• Contact numbers and email addresses

Fallback Copies

• Family, friends and financial phone numbers
• Passport number
• Credit card numbers & emergency telephone, 0800 won’t work abroad
• Insurance policy number and contact details
• Plane tickets

Generally Useful

• Fully charged mobile phone
• Charger and cables
• Torch (phone)
• Alarm clock (phone)
• Maps and Apps (phone)
• Camera (phone)
• Driving licence
• Travel adapter (electrical socket adapter)
• First aid kit
• Toothbrush & paste
• Sunglasses + case
• Something to read (ebook?)
• Plastic bag for used clothes
• Small backpack for daily use
• Compass

Camping Extras

• Swiss Knife
• Beer and wine bottle openers
• Can opener
• Self-sealing bags
• Shoulder bag or back-pack
• Tea or coffee with powdered milk
• Washing lines, powder, and pegs

Care

• Medicines
• Plasters
• Insect repellant
• Toothbrush + paste
• Deodorant
• Razor blades instead of shavers
• Sunscreen
• Earplugs

Clothes for Hot Climates

• Short sleeve shirts for the day
• Long sleeve shirts for the night to avoid mosquito bites
• Shorts
• Light trousers
• Light Shoes
• Sandals
• Sunglasses
• Swimwear

Clothes for Cold Climates

• Gloves
• Layers
• Waterproof shoes, trousers, and jacket
• Neck warmer
• Sunglasses in snowscapes