Everyone should make or print out a checklist when preparing for a holiday. It can sometimes be a lot more complicated than people think and can become very time-consuming. It is far too easy to let your excitement become clouded by the stress of pre-holiday arrangements, so follow these easy steps so you can prepare stress-free
What To Do A Few Days Before Your Trip
Confirm luggage weights and sizes with your airline; you can find this information out by looking on the website of your chosen airline. Or you can call them directly. Every airport has different rules, so don’t think that it will be the same as last time.
Plan your route from home to the airport, ensuring you have all the contact details for the airport hotel or car park (if you are staying in one,) and the airline you are flying with.
Leave your house keys and contact details with a trusted friend or relative so if for any reason they need to go in your house or contact you – they can.
If you have a house alarm, make sure a trusted neighbour has the details or the alarm company if necessary, also ask your neighbour to collect any adverts that are posted to your door. If people see a big pile of flyers, they will assume you are away, and this is unfortunately how people get their homes broken into.
Pack your bags if you haven’t already!
Reconfirm your flight times with the airline just to be 100% sure you have the correct information.
What To Do The Day Of Your Trip
Check your flight for delays.
Put all tickets, visas, foreign exchange and passports safely in a travel belt or bag, and keep these documents with you at all times.
Check all electrical appliances are switched off and unplugged in your home, and in winter, turn the water off at the mains to prevent the pipes from freezing.
Securely lock all windows and doors…
Essential
Passports and visas
Be sure to have the passport and/or visa on you at all times. If you don’t have this, then you are not going anywhere. Before you even think about going anywhere, check that everything is up to date. It would be terrible if you planned your whole trip only to realize that your passport is expired!
Medication
When going on holiday to a foreign country, it is important you take with you any medication that you are on, or that you will need. If it’s a prescription, make sure you bring the documentation with you. Also, think about getting any vaccinations or shots before you go away. (Do your research on where you are going and what you will need.)
For example, depending on where you go, you may need malaria tablets for your holiday, etc.
Airline tickets & hotel documentation
Have these printed out and ready. It is a very good idea to make a few copies of these, just in case they get lost – you will have a backup and won’t risk losing your place.
Credit cards and ID (Driving license)
Keep these safe on you. If you lose your credit cards, it is going to be very difficult to take any money out, especially in a foreign country.
Foreign currency/travelers’ cheques
Don’t forget to change the currency of your money, either before you go, or once you are there.
Hand Luggage
Hand luggage is the thing that you will put in the bag that you keep with you on the plane. It either goes under your seat or above your head in a cabinet. The items should include things you may want during the flight:
*Valuables: Camera, Phone, etc.
*Sunglasses.
*Books/Magazines
*Travel sickness remedies
*Sweatshirt/Jumper
Main Luggage
The main luggage is what you put in your big suitcase that the airports take once you have checked in. When they have taken it off you, you will not see it again until you have landed, so make sure there is nothing in your case that you will need with you during the duration of the flight. (Like a medication of some sort.)
Items will include:
*Clothes/Underwear/Hats
*Shoes
*Beach towel
*Jacket/Waterproofs
*Swimwear
*Electronics
*Suncream
*Toiletries
*Travel adaptors
*Jewellery
Simple things such as having a holiday packing list to hand can be priceless. Add that alongside your personal baggage allowances, flight information, and online check-in, to name a few, and it won’t be long before you feel like a holiday checklist pro.