Why a timeline beats a long list
A single long checklist tends to get read once and ignored. A timeline works better because each job has a natural moment: passports need weeks, prescriptions need days, and the fridge needs emptying only on the last evening. This travel checklist is grouped by when to do each task, so you only ever look at the handful that matter today.
Adapt it to your trip. A weekend away by car needs a fraction of this; a long international vacation (holiday) with children needs all of it and then some.
The timeline at a glance
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| As soon as you book | Check passport expiry and entry rules, buy travel insurance, note booking references |
| 2 weeks before | Arrange pet care, order any currency, check your phone plan, start a packing list |
| 1 week before | Hold the mail, tell your bank, refill prescriptions, download offline maps and playlists |
| Night before | Check in online, charge devices, set an out-of-office reply, water plants, empty the fridge, finish packing |
| Day of | Thermostat to away, trash (bins) out, unplug appliances, lock up, documents in hand |
The sections below explain each step and what is easy to forget.
As soon as you book
Passport and entry rules
Find your passport and look at the expiry date today, not the week before. Many countries ask for a passport that is valid for some time beyond the day you leave; for the Schengen area, it should be valid for at least 3 months beyond your departure from the Schengen area. Some airlines apply a stricter rule of their own.
Then check whether you need a travel authorisation such as an ESTA for the United States, a UK ETA for the United Kingdom, or a Canadian eTA if you are flying to Canada. Our guide to ESTA, UK ETA and ETIAS explains each one. Check the official source before you travel.
Insurance and bookings
- Buy travel insurance when you book, so cancellation cover starts straight away.
- Save every confirmation number in one place: flights, hotel, car rental, tickets.
- Take photos of your passport and cards and store them somewhere secure that you can reach offline.
- Check the baggage allowance on each ticket, especially low-cost fares; our airline carry-on sizes pages are a quick reference.
If anyone in your group will need a new passport, start the renewal now. It is the one job on this list that cannot be rushed at the last minute.
Two weeks before
- Book a pet sitter or boarding. Good sitters fill up early in school holidays.
- Check your phone plan. Find out what roaming costs, or whether a travel eSIM or local SIM makes more sense.
- Order foreign currency if you want cash on arrival. A small amount for taxis and tips is usually enough; cards work in most places.
- Check vaccinations or travel health advice for your destination with your doctor or pharmacist if you are going somewhere new.
- Start your packing list. Write it now, while there is still time to buy or borrow what you are missing.
In Wayfold, the packing list is built from your trip type, destination, dates, weather and activities, and anything you mark as “need to buy” goes to a shopping list. The app is coming soon to iPhone and Android; until then, our packing lists are a good starting point.
One week before
- Hold the mail. In the US, use the USPS hold-mail service; in the UK, arrange Royal Mail Keepsafe or ask a neighbor (neighbour) to collect it.
- Tell your bank you are traveling (travelling) if your bank still asks for it, and check your card works abroad.
- Refill prescriptions so you have enough for the whole trip plus a few days.
- Download offline maps and playlists. Maps that work without data are invaluable on arrival.
- Confirm transport to the airport or station, and how long it really takes at that time of day.
- Do the laundry you need for packing, so you are not waiting on a dryer the night before.
Money and phone
Carry two cards from different accounts and keep them in different places, so losing a wallet does not leave you stuck. Note your bank’s number for calls from abroad. On your phone, turn on any travel or roaming option you chose, update apps you will rely on, and make sure your boarding passes and bookings are saved where you can open them without a signal.
Flying carry-on only? Our guide to packing carry-on only for a week covers what fits and the liquids rules.
The night before
- Check in online and save the boarding passes to your phone; screenshot them too.
- Charge every device, including the power bank and headphones.
- Set an out-of-office reply and a voicemail message if you need them.
- Water the plants, or group them in a cool spot away from windows.
- Empty the fridge of anything that will spoil.
- Finish packing and put documents, wallet and keys in one place by the door.
- Check the weather at your destination one last time and adjust layers.
Put your passport in your bag the night before, not the morning of. It is the one item you cannot replace at the airport.
Leaving the house
- Set the thermostat to away (turn the heating down).
- Take out the trash (bins) and recycling.
- Unplug appliances such as the TV, chargers and the coffee machine.
- Lock windows and doors, including the back door and garage.
- On long trips, turn off the water main to avoid a leak while you are away.
- Give a trusted neighbor (neighbour) or friend a key and your travel dates.
A last look around each room takes two minutes and saves hours of worrying on the plane. Walk through in the same order every time: kitchen, bathroom, bedrooms, then the front door. Habit is what stops the “did I lock the back door?” feeling an hour into the drive.
Documents to carry on the day
- Passport, and driver’s license / ID (driving licence / ID) if you will hire a car
- Boarding passes or tickets
- Travel insurance details, including the emergency phone number
- Hotel and car rental confirmations
- Any travel authorisation confirmation, such as ESTA or UK ETA
- A card and some cash kept separately from your main wallet
Wayfold’s documents vault keeps photos and PDFs of these encrypted on your phone and available offline, with a reminder before your passport expires.
Frequently asked questions
What should I do before leaving home for a vacation (holiday)?
Hold the mail, arrange pet care, tell your bank, refill prescriptions, check in online, charge devices, empty the fridge, set the thermostat to away, unplug appliances and lock up. Spread these over the week before.
How far in advance should I check my passport?
As soon as you book. Some destinations need your passport to be valid well beyond your return date, and renewals can take time. Check the official source before you travel.
What documents do I need to travel abroad?
A valid passport, your tickets, travel insurance details, accommodation confirmations and any required travel authorisation or visa. Carry digital copies too.
Should I turn off the water when I go on vacation?
On longer trips it is a sensible precaution, because a small leak can do a lot of damage before anyone notices. Make sure you know where the main valve is before you need it.