Traveling can be so much fun. You get to see new places and experience different cultures. But, it can also be quite stressful. You’re away from your home, in a strange place and you can’t always keep up with your regular routines.
Preparing for a trip is one way to reduce the stress. You’ll feel more in control and be able to relax and enjoy your holiday. Here are seven things to do before traveling.
7 Tips To Become An Organized Traveler
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1. Have A Travel Checklist
Packing the necessary things for travel is one way to really enjoy your trip. It minimizes wasted money spent on items you forgot. You can also dive right into enjoying your holiday instead of worrying about where you can go to buy stuff you need.
A comprehensive travel checklist is a great way to ensure you have all the essentials for traveling abroad. Print a copy for each member of your family and tick items off as you pack. That way, you can be sure you have everything.
Below is a free printable travel packing list that you can download and use.
Click here to download this Travel Packing Checklist.
2. Pack Ahead Of Time
Some people wait until the last possible second to pack for a trip but this is one sure way to forget vital items you need.
Instead of waiting till last-minute, make sure you start packing a few days prior to your departure. The only items you should pack last-minute are things you may be using up until you are ready to leave your home e.g. hair tools and makeup.
3. Have All The Essentials For Overseas Travel
Of course, everyone thinks about the typical toothbrush and travel-sized toiletries when they are taking an international trip. But, there are some other factors you may not consider that can influence the list of things to carry while traveling abroad.
After you plan your trip, be sure to investigate the climate and weather around the time you’ll be traveling. Just because a place is known for its hot, sunny weather doesn’t mean it’s that way year-round. Even sunny places get cold. It might be just your luck that you travel during the rainy or winter months.
Make sure you take simple, practical clothing that can be layered. If the weather is unpredictable, you can bundle up or take off some items as needed. It sure beats sweating your life away while wearing a heavy jacket you no longer need or freezing because of your light sweater.
Does your destination have a lot of mosquitoes or biting flies? Take insect repellent with you and apply it generously when you land. Check to see whether you need any vaccinations for the specific area you’re traveling to as well. Both insect repellent and vaccinations are important to stay healthy while traveling.
Organize luggage for travel using packing cubes. These make it much easier to find things and stay organized while traveling. You can take your entire toiletries bag to the bathroom instead of lugging individual items there. Include separate bags for dirty laundry and shoes.
4. Securely Store Documents
An organized traveler should store their travel documents in one location. A travel document organizer is the perfect solution. These allow you to easily secure and access your passport and other paperwork as needed.
You can even find travel document organizers with built-in RFID blocking shields. This technology is really important if you plan to store credit cards as it prevents identity theft.
5. Create A Travel Itinerary
When preparing for a trip, create an itinerary with the following information:
- Flight numbers and departure times
- Important contact information and addresses e.g. hotel, travel agent, airlines, rental car companies, emergency contact, your country’s embassy
- Name and addresses of places you plan to visit
TripIt is a great way to create a travel itinerary. With this app, you can organize your travel plans, find alternative flights, get real-time alerts for cancellations, delays and gate changes and more. Best of all, it’s free and you don’t need WiFi to access the information!
6. Secure And Protect Your Home
I know you’re probably wondering why taking care of your home is on this list of things to do before a trip. But, it’s important that while you’re away, your house is in good care. Nothing will stress you out more than wondering if or knowing that something went wrong with your home while you were on vacation.
Here are some important steps to take before you travel that will protect your home:
- Unplug electronic equipment like computers and TVs
- Stop mail and newspaper delivery—A pile of letters and newspapers sitting outside is like waving your arms at a thief and begging him to break in to your home
- Arrange for lawn care while you are gone. Again, a wild garden signals to people that no-one is home
- Alert your alarm company and make sure to set the alarm before you leave
- Lock all windows, doors and the garage door
- Set timers on interior and exterior lights.
- Don’t leave spare keys outdoors.
- Do NOT share posts about your intended trip on social media
While some of these may seem fairly obvious, it’s usually the small things you forget that end up biting you in the butt.
7. Keep An Eye On Current Events
Make sure to watch or listen to any news about your destination. Stay up-to-date on events like life-threatening weather conditions, political unrest or anything else that may influence whether you actually go on your trip.
Following these travel preparation tips can severely reduce your stress levels and allow you to thoroughly relax so you enjoy your trip.
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