Before Travel Checklist

Way in Advance

Get vacation days approved
Contact friends or family that may want to join you on vacation
Review vaccination needs & suggestions
Visit a travel doctor
Arrange for medical checkup with primary care physician
Renew passports
Obtain visas or other entry requirements
Update will
Check status of homeowner's insurance
Arrange for child care
Arrange for pet care
Purchase travel accessories
Buy lots of new clothes
Start learning a new language

what to do when

Sometimes it's difficult to know what to do when. Hopefully this checklist will get you started. Certainly there will be items specific to your life that require other interventions, and you can add those on your own. This is just meant for reference and inspiration. It is in no way a full comprehensive list for your life.

Enjoy the process and the peace that being prepared offers.

2 Weeks Before

Confirm child care
Confirm pet care
Arrange for garden care
Arrange for house care
Visit barbers, hair, nail and lash salons
Fill prescriptions
Submit foreign currency request
Contact cell service about settings needed for coverage in destination
Break in new shoes
Write your packing list

Packing List

Finding a packing list specific to your travel destinations, season, agenda and style is nearly impossible. Your best bet is to make your own packing list.

Instructions and inspiration for how to do that can be found on this site.

1 Week Before

Register your trip with STEP
Stop mail, newspaper & other delivery services or arrange for pick up
Drop off/pick up dry cleaning
Do laundry
Meet with and orient caretakers
Pay bills/balance checkbook
Alert home-security company
Inform neighbors of travel plans
Forward plans to family or friends
Read through travel documents
Photocopy passport, ID, credit cards, documents, etc.; Take 1 set and originals along on the trip and leave 1 set at home
Update luggage tags with travel agent's contact info
Start packing

What is STEP?

STEP or Smart Traveler Enrollment Program is a free service through the US State Department that allows those traveling abroad to register their trip with the nearest embassy or consulate. Basically you are just letting the government know where you are in case of emergency due to weather, civil unrest, security concerns, natural disasters, etc. Plus you will receive alerts direct from the embassy in the event of these same situations.

It's just another layer added to your peace of mind.

1-2 Days Before

Set timers for lights, sprinklers, etc.
Set auto-response for email
Verify landline voice mail access code
Charge batteries and devices
Return library books, movies & any other items due
Get pet food
Get keys & access codes to caretakers
Pick-up dry cleaning
Pick-up foreign currency order
Clean house
Clean out the refrigerator
Bring in hidden keys
Mow the lawn
Water plants & outdoor pots
Check weather in destination & adjust packing plan accordingly
Finish packing

On The Way Out the Door

Take out trash
Run garbage disposal
Park cars in garage
Adjust thermostat program
Shut windows, blinds & curtains
Set timers
Set home alarm
Unplug power-surge-sensitive appliances (TVs, electronics, etc.)
Make sure oven, iron, coffee pot & everything else is off
Lock doors
Close garage door
Exhale and relax...you did it.