pre travel checklist essentials

My Pre-Travel Checklist: Everything I Check Before Every Trip in 2026

Everything I check before every trip – from flights and hotels to travel insurance, tech and packing.

Over the years, I’ve realised that stress free trips rarely happen by chance.

A few days before every trip, I go through the same checklist. Some things are obvious. Others are simply the little details that are easy to forget before travelling.

Whether you’re heading away for a weekend, a beach holiday or a long-haul adventure, I hope it helps.

Flights

  • Find your booking email.
  • Download the airline app (if you don’t already have it).
  • Add your booking.
  • Screenshot your booking reference and flight details.
  • Share them with your travel companion.
  • Check your pre-booked seats.
  • Note when online check-in opens.

Hotel

  • Find your hotel confirmation email.
  • Download the hotel’s app (if available).
  • Double-check the hotel name.
  • Save the hotel address and phone number.
  • Screenshot your reservation number.
  • Check your room type.
  • Check what’s included (room only, breakfast, half board, etc.).
  • Confirm your arrival time (if required).

Passport / ID Card

  • Check the expiry date.
  • Check whether you need an ETA, ESTA or visa.
  • Save a digital copy of everyone’s passport or ID card.
  • Save passport/ID numbers and expiry dates in your Notes app.

Travel & Medical Insurance

  • Take a photo of your insurance card (if applicable).
  • Create a note with your policy number and emergency assistance number.
  • Check whether you need prior approval before receiving treatment.
  • Take a quick look at what’s covered (medical, baggage, cancellation, etc.).
  • Download your insurer’s app (if available).
  • Check whether 24/7 video consultations are included.
  • Declare any pre-existing conditions (i.e. nut allergy so you can check coverage).
  • Check whether you’re covered through your credit card or a standalone policy.
  • If relying on credit card insurance, make sure you paid for your trip with the correct card.
  • Take your UK/EU Health Insurance Card (if travelling within Europe).

Airport Parking / Taxi

  • Decide how you’re getting to the airport.
  • Pre-book airport parking or a taxi.
  • Reconfirm taxi or transfer pick up the day before (namely if very early in the am).
  • Check the journey time.
  • Allow extra time during busy travel periods.
  • Pin your parking location before heading to the terminal.

travel packing checklist

Fast Track & Lounge Access

  • Check whether your airline, cabin class or status already includes Fast Track or lounge access.
  • If not, decide whether it’s worth pre-booking.
  • If you have Priority Pass (perhaps through American Express or another card), add it to your digital wallet.
  • Check how many visits you have available.
  • Check whether guests are included.
  • Save your membership details.

Arrival Transfer / Car Hire

  • Decide how you’re getting from the airport (taxi, Uber, pre-booked transfer or car hire).
  • Download any apps you might need before you travel.
  • Check your apps are working and your payment card is up to date.
  • If hiring a car, download the app and link your booking.
  • Complete driver verification or online pre-check-in (if available).
  • Join the loyalty programme if it offers benefits such as priority collection.
  • Save your transfer or car hire confirmation.
  • Check whether collection is on-airport or off-airport.
  • If off-airport, check where the shuttle departs.
  • Check the car hire opening hours.
  • Check which documents you’ll need.
  • Take your American Express if it offers additional travel or car hire benefits.
  • Also take a Visa or Mastercard credit card, as many European car hire companies don’t accept American Express for the security deposit.
  • Check whether your car hire excess is already covered by your travel insurance or credit card.

Roaming, eSIMs & VPNs

  • Check your roaming allowance.
  • Install an eSIM if needed.
  • Set up your VPN before you travel.
  • Use a VPN for online security, streaming and consistent search results abroad.

Travel Money

  • Check the local currency.
  • Decide whether to order cash or withdraw on arrival.
  • Check if you have any spare cash from previous trips.
  • Open a currency account in Wise or Revolut (if you don’t already have one).
  • Load your Wise/Revolut account before you travel.
  • Add your main payment cards to Apple Pay or Google Wallet.
  • Check your cards haven’t expired.
  • If you mainly use American Express, take a Visa or Mastercard as a backup.

Restaurant Bookings

  • Decide if there are any restaurants you don’t want to miss.
  • Check whether OpenTable, TheFork or another local booking app is commonly used.
  • If you can’t book online, contact the restaurant directly or ask your hotel or credit card concierge to make the reservation.
  • Ask your hotel concierge if any hotel restaurants should be booked in advance.
  • Add bookings to your calendar and include the local reservation time in the notes.
  • Cancel any bookings you no longer need.

Tech

  • Download airline, hotel and car hire apps.
  • Download offline Google Maps.
  • Check your roaming plan or activate an eSIM.
  • Download Netflix, Spotify or podcasts before travelling.
  • Charge all your devices.
  • Charge your power bank.
  • Pack all chargers and cables.
  • Pack a travel adaptor (if needed).
  • Check your AirTags or luggage trackers.
  • Clear enough storage on your phone for photos and videos.

Packing

  • Double-check the weather forecast (cooler evenings? Pack a cardigan or pashmina).
  • Double-check your baggage allowance (saving arguments at the airport!).
  • Weigh your suitcase before leaving home.
  • Pack any medication, prescriptions and anything that’s difficult to replace abroad.
  • If you wear contact lenses, pack enough for the whole trip.
  • Carry spare contact lenses and your glasses in your hand luggage.
  • Keep one change of clothes and essential toiletries in your hand luggage.
  • Leave a little space for shopping on the way home.
  • Take a photo of your packed suitcase (helpful if you ever need to make a baggage claim).

I hope this pre-travel checklist helps make your next trip that little bit easier. Whether you’re planning a weekend away, a family holiday, a beach escape or a long-haul adventure, spending a few minutes checking the details before you leave can save a lot of time and stress later.

Mrs. O

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