Counting down to vacation is the adult equivalent to kids counting down to Christmas.  Except when you’re an adult, all of the preparation falls on you to have an unbelievable, worry-free vacation.

From major necessities like making sure your passport is valid to small tasks like holding your mail, this post will help you navigate. This is the one checklist I refer to every time I travel!

Get ready to travel like a DINK and follow this checklist timeline of 24 Pre-Travel Necessities to Enjoy a Worry-Free Vacation!

BEFORE BOOKING – WORRY-FREE VACATION

(1) Verify your Passport is Valid

It goes without saying but if you’re traveling out of the country you need a Passport.  Please don’t be that person that realizes your Passport is expired and hope and pray your replacement arrives days before your trip.  Some countries even require your Passport to be valid an additional 6 months after travel.

Take the worry out of planning and check ahead of time.  If you do need to get or renew a Passport – check out this link to the USA government page with the most up-to-date information.

(2) Confirm your PTO (Paid Time Off) balance

Yes, I think the majority of people wish they had a full-time job where you could work off your laptop on a sandy beach with a cool breeze in your hair. 

Until that time happens, make sure you have enough PTO to cover your time off.  If you’re traveling over the New Year, make sure your PTO rolls over or allows you to take time before accruing hours.

(3) Check the season

Thinking of going to Australia over July to enjoy their famous beaches and sunbathe? Make sure to bring a coat because this is considered Australia’s winter.  How about September in the Caribbean? You’ll probably find a great deal because this is considered peak hurricane season.

Make sure to check the weather and season before traveling to a destination as it may not be what you expect.

(4) Visas & Vaccinations

With an American Passport, you can worry-free vacation to many places for up to 90 days without a Visa. 

However, it’s always good to check the US – Americans Traveling Abroad site.  It provides a list of useful information like visa & vaccination requirements, travel advisory alerts, health concerns, and safety & security measures.

You can find the link HERE.

(5) Buy Travel Insurance

Do you really need travel insurance? Let me rephrase, would you like your $5,000 back for your trip of a lifetime if you are accidentally injured?  What about being reimbursed for items you needed to buy because your airline has a baggage delay?

The answer is YES – you NEED travel insurance.  At a minimum, purchase travel insurance for international travel.

The juggernaut in the space is World Nomads for travel insurance.  Many destinations with World Nomads costs less than $100.  For the cost of dinner, you can have a worry-free vacation that if anything happens, you’re covered.

To get an instant quote for your next trip, click HERE.

ONE WEEK BEFORE TRAVEL – HOME – WORRY-FREE VACATION

(6) Share travel details

Make sure to let someone know where you are going and give your house keys to a trusted neighbor or friend in case of an emergency.

(7) Pay Bills

Just because you’re having the time of your life on a worry-free vacation, your credit card, utilities, and house payments still need to be paid.  Make sure to pay them in advance, or better yet, set up autopay.

(8) Schedule a mail hold

This is one step I usually forget but is super important.  Hold your mail if you will be out of town for more than a long weekend. At best, your mailbox is overfilled, at worst, something important is stolen.

It takes about 5 minutes to put a USPS hold on your mail and you can even schedule for accumulated mail to be delivered when you return.

To schedule online, click HERE.

(9) Set light timers

It’s a good idea to place your lights on timers before you leave for a long period of time. Many light timers have a randomized setting so it looks like you may be home.

(10) Clean out the fridge

No one wants to play ‘What’s that smell?’ after a long flight home. Do yourself a favor and make sure to throw out that leftover Chinese food before you leave.

(11) Freezer meal

As much as I love Thai food and eating at restaurants, after a month in Thailand, all I wanted was a home-cooked meal. 

Be nice to your future self and create a freezer meal in advance that you can pop in the oven and eat when you return.  Chances are all you’ll want to do is get started on laundry, sort through all your mail, and not leave your comfy couch.

ONE WEEK BEFORE TRAVEL – SELF – WORRY-FREE VACATION

(12) Notify credit card companies

Let your credit card companies know you are going out of the country in advance.  Nothing ruins a trip more than sitting down to a fancy dinner and having your credit card denied or worse suspended because you forgot to call. 

Worry-Free Vacation PRO-TIP: Most companies will let you go onto your online portal and set up your travel notification.

(13) Print travel info & docs

Like most people, I keep electronic information & documents on my phone.  However, it’s a good idea to print out confirmations and especially a copy of your Passport. 

In case your Passport or phone is lost or stolen, you’ll have printed copies to make it easier to replace.

(14) Download useful apps & entertainment

Nothing like sitting on a 10+ hour flight with nothing good to watch.  Start downloading movies and tv shows in advance to make your flight pass by.

As far as apps, at minimum download Google Maps and save (favorite) locations like your hotel, Airbnb, local restaurants, and activities.  This allows you to access the locations whether or not you have data/WiFi available.

(15) Refill your perscriptions

Make sure you have enough medications to last the duration of your trip. Call your doctors in advance and refill prescriptions if you know you’ll be out of town.

(16) Register with STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program)

It informs the US Embassy in the countries you’re visiting that you’ll be there and also the information you provide enables the U.S. embassy or consulate to contact you in an emergency. 

You can enroll in the free US service HERE.  

(17) International phone data

If you travel internationally frequently, I recommend investing in a skyroam which is a mobile hotspot that will connect up to 5 of your devices at 4G LTE speed in over 130 countries. (It is amazing, super fast, and no longer do I need to pick up a new SIM card for each new country). It’s also a power bank and super small so it easily fits in your pocket. 

After switching from Verizon (please catch-up and offer a reasonably priced international data plan) to T-Mobile (most plans come with free international data – just slow abroad), I found skyroam.  Yes, the upfront cost is pricey but if you know you’ll be traveling abroad frequently, it ends up being cheaper than other phone carrier plans. 

Skyroam also has a rental option. I also like it because it’s a much faster speed, secure, and spans so many countries without switching SIM cards.

To purchase a Skyroam, click HERE.

DAY BEFORE & DAY OF TRAVEL – WORRY-FREE VACATION

(18) Schedule ride to airport & Check into flight

Ask a friend or schedule a ride in advance.  Don’t panic yourself with an early morning flight to be flustered that rideshare ETA is longer than you anticipated.  Uber lets you schedule your rides in advance and gives you a 15-minute window when your ride will be at your house.

On the same note, check into your flight 24 hours in advance. Even if you have an assigned seat, check into your flight in advance to confirm you will be there and eliminate any risk of your seat being re-assigned.

(19) Secure luggage tag

So I heard luggage companies sell one or two of the same models to make a profit 🤷‍♀️ I use bright luggage tag to differentiate my luggage and make sure my information is attached in case my suitcase is lost or delayed. 

These luggage tags have cute designs and are made of durable silicone.  I have the cactus set as a cute nod to living in Arizona. You can purchase them on Amazon, click HERE.

(20) Photograph suitcase contents

Another worry-free vacation PRO-TIP, take a picture of the contents of your luggage in case it’s lost or stolen.  You’ll save yourself a headache trying to remember every item you packed.

(21) Charge electronics

Charge all your electronics the day before you travel.  Nothing like jumping onto your flight and having your iPad dead or phone not working when you’re trying to find your hotel confirmation number.

(22) Take out garbage

Remember tip #10, no wants to play ‘What’s that smell?’ Take the garbage out ahead of time.

(23) Lower/ Turn off – AC/Heat

Nothing I despise more than a huge AC bill for cooling my house while I’m out of town. Save yourself some money and make sure to lower or turn off your HVAC.

(24) House alarm

Set your alarm as you walk out the door and enjoy your worry-free vacation!

WHAT TO DO NEXT

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