Going on a trip? Checklist on what to do a few days before you leave

Logistics, what to google, along with other tips and tricks

Where this guide fits in: After bookings, a few days before travel — I’m assuming that travel arrangements are made, hotels are booked, and the excitement is high!

Before you leave for your trip, here’s a quick guide for smoother sailing. I’ve added some of the items over my own travel experiences, so feel free to pick and choose items that might be applicable to you too! I’ve also tried to include some tips/tricks that I no longer follow, but might be beneficial to some.

Take screenshots of bookings! (Photo by Mika Baumeister on Unsplash)

Download things offline

1. Take a screenshot of travel and hotel bookings

• Particularly so, if you’re going to a place where mobile service can be spotty

2. Download offline maps

• Google Maps does this very nicely!

3. Download offline movies and songs for the journey!

Specific to International Travel:

1. Inform banks that you’re traveling internationally

• This helps avoid a situation where your debit or credit card gets disabled on suspicion of ‘fraudulent activity’
• Some travel credit cards don’t require this, so check if yours does

2. Unlock phone if you plan to use a different sim card

• This is probably most common in the US, where a ‘locked’ phone is tied to T-Mobile, Verizon, or another phone carrier. To use a sim card from a company other than the one it is tied to, you’d have to ‘unlock’ the phone. Most carriers can do this for the requested time period.

3. Request Special Meals on flights

• If you have a dietary restriction, this is SUPER useful

4. Travel insurance

5. Note down contact info and location for Embassies

Other useful Tips:

1. For good advice, google “Things I wish I knew before visiting <country>”

Luggage tips:

1. Write down serial numbers of laptop, camera, expensive technology in case you lose them
2. Name and info tag inside and outside your suitcase, backpacks
3. Take a photo of your suitcase (with yourself) to prove in case it goes missing

If there something else that’s part of your routine, let me know!

Happy traveling! And as usual, leaving you with a meme:

Source: Pinterest