According to UN Tourism, the tourism industry reached a whopping 88% of pre-pandemic levels in 2023. If you’ve ever packed for a trip only to arrive and realize you forgot something completely basic (say, your phone charger or the address of your Airbnb), welcome to the club. Preparing for travel is a bit like preparing for a heist. You’ll undoubtedly find it thrilling, and you’ll absolutely benefit from a selection of handy checklists.
But not just any checklists. While you can find hundreds of articles telling you to pack socks, we’re here for something more thoughtful. These lists keep your mind clear and your trip smooth, from what to do at home before you leave to what apps you’ll need when you land. This guide breaks down four essential checklists that go beyond your suitcase, so you’re prepared before, during, and even after your adventure.
The Checklists You Need on Any Trip
Whether you’re heading to Brazil, Bhutan, or Birmingham, these checklists will help you stay ahead of the chaos.
1. The ‘Before You Go’ Home Errands Checklist
You’re busy Googling where to eat pão de queijo in São Paulo, but before you go full wanderlust, there’s the matter of home to deal with. These errands might not be the most exciting, but they’re crucial.
Essential Errands to Check Off:
- Arrange Pet or Plant Care: Book a sitter early, especially if you’re leaving during a holiday season. Apps like Rover or trusted neighbors work wonders.
- Pause Subscriptions or Deliveries: No one needs a stack of HelloFresh boxes on their porch for two weeks.
- Set Outgoing Voicemail and Email Auto-Responder: This is especially helpful if you’re self-employed or taking a real break.
- Clean Out the Fridge: Because returning home to a science experiment in the crisper drawer is not a vibe.
- Get Travel-Ready with Vaccinations: If you’re planning to visit some tropical destinations, check if yellow fever or other vaccines are required. CDC Travel Health is a great place to start.
- Sort Out Currency Exchange: Do it early through your bank to avoid airport fees. Or skip it altogether and plan to withdraw cash at your destination.
2. The Digital Tools & Tech Checklist
Travel tech can be a lifesaver—if you remember to set it up ahead of time. From saving offline maps to updating your travel apps, don’t skip the digital prep.
Don’t Leave Home Without Checking Off These:
- Activate an eSIM Before You Land: eSIMs are becoming more popular all over the world. In fact, there were almost 600 million eSIM smartphone connections globally in 2024. Planning a trip to Rio de Janeiro? An eSIM plan for Brazil would likely save you a lot on roaming costs! You can also set it up beforehand, which means you’ll land with instant access to local data. No airport kiosk chaos, no SIM-swapping with that little pin you always lose.
- Download Offline Maps: Google Maps lets you save areas to use offline. Download key cities or neighborhoods you’ll be in.
- Travel App Arsenal: Install Uber, Google Translate, XE Currency, and your airline’s app for mobile boarding passes.
- Cloud Backup Your Docs: Scan your passport, travel insurance, and any visas into Google Drive or Dropbox, just in case.
- Set Up Travel Notifications: Enable alerts from your bank and credit card apps to keep an eye on spending and avoid freezes.
3. The Personal Planning Checklist
This checklist is not about packing, but about preparing you to travel well. It ensures you’re not just physically ready, but mentally on point too.
A Few Smart Pre-Travel Rituals:
- Make a ‘Must-See’ Hit List: Don’t just wing it—create a short list of places you’d regret missing. Even better, book timed-entry tickets in advance for museums or landmarks.
- Build in Buffer Days: If you’re traveling far, try not to pack your schedule on arrival. A recovery day (jetlag nap, anyone?) sets the tone for the whole trip.
- Create a Mini Language Cheat Sheet: Not fluent in Portuguese? No problem. Learn 10 essential phrases. It’ll help with everything from ordering food to not accidentally insulting someone.
- Sort Out Tipping Culture and Customs: Know the etiquette before you go. In some countries, service charges are included in the bill, but not always.
4. The Packing-with-Purpose Checklist
No, this isn’t a list of how many t-shirts to bring. It is about the overlooked but oddly critical things that make or break travel.
The Stuff You’ll Wish You Packed:
- A ‘One-Bag-Only’ Day Pack: You will not want to carry your checked luggage to Sugarloaf Mountain. Trust us.
- Essential Meds + Backup Copies: Bring more than you need, in original packaging. Also, pack electrolytes if you’re heading into hot, humid zones.
- Weather-Appropriate Layers: Climate varies from country to country. Even the hottest beaches get chilly sometimes.
- Earplugs and a Sleep Mask: Whether you’re fighting jetlag or Carnival street parties outside your window, you’ll want these to help dull the noise and help you get a bit of much-needed shut-eye.
- Reusable Water Bottle: Most airports now have fill stations nowadays, which is good news for you. Actually, it’s good for hydration and the planet.
- A Mini Power Strip or Outlet Splitter: Because hotel rooms never have enough plugs.
Stay Flexible, Stay Connected
No matter how many checklists you follow, things will sometimes go sideways. Always expect for something (big or small) to go wrong along the way. If you expect it, it’s no biggie; you can just delve into your arsenal of tools and handle it. Flights get delayed. Dogs eat your passport (don’t ask). But being prepared means the possible upsets and delays become comedy, not catastrophes.
Whether you travel regularly or you’re planning for an escape you’ve been looking forward to for months, using the provided checklists can make the entire experience a whole lot easier. So go on – run your errands, prep your tech, and pack like a pro!
