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Going on a trip soon?
If the answer is yes, then you have found yourself in the right place. The purpose of this Travel Checklist is to provide you with the answers to all travel questions you may have right now. No matter if you have some travel experience already or it’s the first trip abroad you are preparing for at the moment. Thinking of traveling long-term? We’ve got you covered, too.
Best travel apps and resources? See our favorites here.
The Ultimate Travel Checklist
1. Your Pre-Trip Checklist
1.1 Planning a Trip
1. Decide on a destination;
2. Check the weather in the country you’re planning to travel to. What’s the best time for travel;
3. Check the prices. Accommodation, transportation, top attractions, food;
4. Check the validity of your passport. When you’re traveling internationally it must be at least 6 months after the day of return;
5. Check the visa requirements. If you need a visa & how to obtain it;
6. Learn about the vaccines. Check if there are some recommended travel vaccines. Use this website and ask your doctor;
7. Learn more about local festivals and holidays;
8. Book flights;
9. Book accommodation. Book something at least for the first night;
10. Buy a travel insurance.
1.2 Getting Ready for a Trip
1. Don’t put off planning for too long;
2. Write down your travel itinerary. At least a very basic one;
3. Make a photocopy of your documents. Your passport, driver’s license, visas, your bank cards. Save it online and on your phone;
4. Make some document photos. Especially if you are planning to travel long-term.
5. Learn something about the local customs and mentality. A few basic phrases and words in the local language may come in handy at some moment as well.
6. Check the guide to sleeping in airports. If you are going to have an overnight layover.
7. Use free layover tours. Check if there are such in the city you’ll be transferring. Sometimes free transfer hotel might be offered by your airline (mostly you have to register);
8. Don’t forget about a proof of onward travel. As more and more countries are asking for it. Return ticket counts;
9. Notify your bank about your travel plans;
10. Get yourself a travel bank card. We recommend Revolut;
Don’t forget about a proof of onward travel. As more and more countries are asking for it. Return ticket counts. Rent an onward ticket from BestOnwardticket.
11. Get yourself second bank card. Don’t leave with just one bank card;
12. Set up account notifications. So you can easily notice if there are some suspicious activities going on. In case your bank card data has been stolen, which may happen abroad;
13. Find out about 24-hour and multi day public transportation tickets;
14. Learn about unsafe areas of the cities you’ll be traveling to. Learn about most common tourist scams;
15. Learn about roaming tariffs;
16. Create a packing list. Pack your bag;
17. Notify your friends and family about your travel plans;
18. Download all the travel apps you’ll need. Your airline’s app? Currency exchange? See our favorite travel apps.
19. Download an offline map. Use Google Maps or Maps.me;
20. Save the address of your hotel. Write it down and save it in the maps app;
21. Learn how to get from the airport to the city center;
22. Take some extra cash. Preferably in American dollars, British pounds or euros, something everyone around the world knows;
23. Check the weight of your luggage;
24. Check in online. Print your boarding pass;
25. Print visa approval letter / invitation letter. If there is one necessary;
26. Obtain some foreign currency. At least for a day or two.
1.3 Before You Leave for the Airport
1. Charge all your electronics.
2. Take your prescription medicine. Put it in your carry on bag;
3. Check if you have put all the essentials in your carry on. All the things you may want to use during the flight. As well as verything that’s not allowed in checked in luggage, like power banks. And the most fragile and valuable items;
4. Check if all the doors and windows are locked;
5. Check if the taps aren’t leaking;
6. Uplug all appliances (except for maybe a fridge);
7. Turn off water heater & heater, turn off air conditioner.
1.4 After the Arrival
1. Get yourself a local SIM card. If you aren’t going to use yours from home (that might be super expensive in some cases). You can also buy an e-SIM. It’s easy and reliable.
2. Exchange or withdraw some cash. If you haven’t already. At least for a day or two.
2. Make Sure Not to Forget Any of These
1. Your passport;
2. Money and credit cards;
3. Boarding passes, train and bus tickets;
4. Your bookings, itinerary, travel insurance (digital copy works just fine mostly; but make sure you can access them without WiFi);
5. Onward ticket (here you can rent one, if you don’t know when and where are you going next);
6. Written down a name and address of your first hotel or hostel;
7. Pen (for filling in arrival forms and immigration cards);
8. Medication.
3. Travel Gear (2019)
Here is our travel gear essentials list.
You DON’T need all of that for EVERY single trip.
BACKPACK & PACKING ORGANIZERS
1. Backpack
Multi-purpose: Osprey Farpoint 40 (review), Osprey Fairview 40
Hiking: Osprey Aura AG65 (review), Kelty Redwing 44
Guide to the best carry on backpacks.
2. Backpack Rain Cover
Best for the buck: Osprey Ultralight Raincover
Best cheap: Joy Walker
Guide to the best backpack rain covers.
3. Daypack
Packable: NeatPack Foldable Daypack
Non-packable: Osprey Packs Daylite Plus Daypack
More travel daypacks.
4. Dry Bag
The Original DrySak Waterproof Dry Bag
More dry bags.
5. Electronics Organizer
AmazonBasics Universal Travel Case
6. Travel Wallet
Zero Grid Neck Wallet
More neck wallets.
7. Waterproof Pouch
CaliCase Extra Large Waterproof Floating Case
8. Packing Cubes
Eagle Creek Pack It Original Starter Set
9. Shoe Bag
Here are some great shoe bags.
TRAVEL CLOTHING & SHOES
10. Pants
Men’s: CQR Men’s Tactical Pants
Women’s: Columbia Women’s Just Right Straight Leg Pant
11. Thermal Pants
12. Shorts
Our favorite travel shorts + few other options.
13. T-shirts / Tops
14. Long Sleeve
15. Fleece or Hoodie
16. Weather-Resistant Jacket
Men’s: Columbia Men’s Watertight Ii Jacket
Women’s: Columbia Women’s Arcadia II Waterproof Rain Jacket
Or a quality rain poncho.
17. Shoes
Here are some great travel shoes for men.
18. Flip Flops
19. Swimwear
20. Underwear
21. Socks
IMPORTANT TRAVEL ACCESSORIES
22. Sunglasses
SunGod Renegades
23. Microfiber Towel
WildHorn Outfitters Microlite Travel Towel Bundle
24. Buff / Bandana
25. Sarong
26. Water Bottle
Contigo Jackson Reusable Water Bottle
27. Head Torch
PETZL Tikkina Headlamp
ELECTRONICS
28. Smartphone
29. Camera
Fujifilm X100F
More backpacking cameras.
30. International Travel Power Adapter
Multi-purpose: Syncwire
Best cheap: Ceptics
More travel power adapters.
31. External Hard Drive
32. Memory Cards
33. Power Bank
Best for the buck: RAVPower Portable Charger 22000mAh
34. Headphones / Earphones
Best for the buck (wireless): JBL T600BTNC
35. Chargers
36. Laptop
37. Protective Laptop Sleeve
HIKING GEAR & ACCESSORIES
38. Tent or Shelter
Best for the buck: ALPS Mountaineering Lynx 1-Person Tent
More survival shelters.
39. Sleeping Bag
Best cheap: TETON Sports Celsius XXL Sleeping Bag
40. Hammock
Best for the buck: Wise Owl Outfitters Hammock
41. Trekking Poles
42. Camping Mat
43. Pocket Knife
44. Carabiners
45. Camping Stove
46. Camping Cooking Gear
47. Shampoo and Soap for Camping and Backpacking
Soap for camping.
Biodegradable shampoo for camping and backpacking.
48. Hiking Gadgets
See the list of the best hiking gadgets.
Remember – you are not going to need all of that during every single one of your trips. What we want to show you is all the different essential travel gear categories, so you have a better idea what to pack for a trip. And we are giving our travel gear recommendations.
Create your own packing list!
Anything you would add? Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.
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