Many of us will be traveling this summer after no or limited travel for the last 2.5 years so a bit of planning will be needed.  I’ve personally taken this opportunity to update my pre-travel checklist i.e., the list of things I do before leaving for a trip.  I’m happy to share it with you here.

WHEN BOOKING THE TRIP:

• Book air tickets / car rental / accommodation etc
• Check passport validity
• Check visa requirements
• Check covid testing requirements

TWO WEEKS BEFORE:

• Arrange pet care
• Arrange plants/garden care
• Inform neighbour and/or friend you’ll be away
• Go through your packing list and customise it based on your destination
• Make a list of items you need to buy before your trip, including medicine / first aid kit, and those to buy when you reach your destination
• Buy the items you need to buy before your trip
• Arrange transport from/to airport/train station

ONE WEEK BEFORE:

• Give spare keys to a neighbour or friend
• Ask neighbour or friend to collect your mail while you’re away
• Save all traveling documents, including passports, itineraries, car rentals, accommodation bookings, vaccination certificates, etc. on the cloud (or print them if you prefer to have a hard copy)
• Save important phone numbers on your phone
• Withdraw/change money
• Pay your bills
• Consume perishable food
• Cook and freeze one or two meals for your return
• Wash and put away laundry
• Clean your home
• Start packing based on your packing list

THE DAY BEFORE OR THE DAY ITSELF:

• Do online check-in (and print your boarding pass if you prefer to have a hard copy)
• Set an automatic out-of-office message
• Give or throw away perishable food
• Charge electronic devices: phone/tablet/laptop etc.
• Water plants
• Finish packing
• Bring toilets seat cover down
• Empty garbage bins
• Unplug electrical items / Switch off plugs
• Lock doors and windows

Save your pre-travel checklist so you don’t have to reinvent the wheel for your next trip.  Having a digital version that you can update over the years will save you a lot of time.  Adding checkboxes that you can tick as you complete your pre-travel checklist will keep you on track.  I personally use Evernote for all my lists.  I have a notebook (category) named travel where I keep my pre-travel checklist, my packing list, notes about the trip, a list of sightseeing activities in Singapore, etc.

Happy travels if you are traveling too!  If you have a bit of time, tell me what else you would add to your pre-travel checklist.