Stress-Free Holiday Travel Checklist
Online resources make it possible to eliminate stress this holiday travel season
Download PDF version of this Travel Checklist
| Completed? | Planning | Notes |
| Book airline tickets | ||
| Book hotel rooms | ||
| Book discount airport parking at www.ParkRideFlyUSA.com | ||
| Enroll in frequent flyer mileage program | ||
| Request in-flight meals for special dietary needs | ||
| Check auto insurance policy to ensure coverage on rental car | ||
| Check medical insurance policy for coverage of out-of-town needs | ||
| Decide whether to purchase travel insurance. Visit Insuremytrip.com to review travel insurance options. | ||
| Purchase or arrange to borrow guidebooks and phrase books for destination. | ||
| Ensure passport or visa is current | ||
| Completed? | Arrangements | Notes |
| Arrange for pet sitter | ||
| Arrange for houseplant and lawn care | ||
| Arrange for pickup of packages and solicitations left at door | ||
| Leave emergency contact info and itinerary with relative or friend | ||
| Get appropriate inoculations for destination | ||
| Verify available spending limits on credit cards | ||
| Purchase local currency - check conversion rates at Tripstuff.com. | ||
| Purchase traveler's checks | ||
| Pay bills | ||
| Put hold on newspapers | ||
| Put hold on mail | ||
| Completed? | Packing | Notes |
| In checked luggage: | ||
| Shoes (walking/dress/beach/hiking) | ||
| Swimsuits | ||
| Exercise clothing | ||
| Sweaters, coats, hats, gloves | ||
| Comb/brush | ||
| Shampoo, hairspray | ||
| Hair dryer | ||
| Deodorant | ||
| Lotions/creams | ||
| Cosmetics | ||
| Shaving cream, shaver | ||
| Nail clippers, emery board | ||
| Toothbrush/paste/floss | ||
| Sunscreen | ||
| Insect repellent | ||
| First aid kit | ||
| Mini sewing repair kit | ||
| Travel plugs/adapters if leaving country | ||
| Travel alarm clock | ||
| Extra luggage space for purchases | ||
| In carry-on luggage: | ||
| Prescription medications | ||
| Vitamins and over-the-counter medications (travel sickness, headache, indigestion, diarrhea) | ||
| Extra pairs of sunglasses, prescription glasses, contact lenses | ||
| Address book/PDA and PDA charger | ||
| Cell phone and charger | ||
| Camera, video camera, film, batteries, binoculars | ||
| Magazines, books, portable music or DVD player, playing cards | ||
| Travel maps, guidebook, phrase book | ||
| Travel neck pillow | ||
| Snacks and bottled water | ||
| Lip balm | ||
| Towelettes | ||
| Ear plugs | ||
| Credit cards | ||
| Health insurance card | ||
| Long distance phone card | ||
| Driver's license | ||
| Auto insurance policy number and agent telephone number | ||
| Passport/visa | ||
| Recent photos of all travel companions | ||
| Local currency | ||
| Traveler's checks | ||
| Airplane tickets | ||
| Confirmation numbers for hotel, rental car, and other reservations | ||
| Completed? | Day Prior to Departure | Notes |
| Set timers for lights in house | ||
| Water plants | ||
| Empty trash | ||
| Update voice mail and e-mail auto-reply message | ||
| Update Web sites that you manage | ||
| Give or throw away perishables from refrigerator | ||
| Get seat assignments for flights | ||
| Completed? | Day of Departure | Notes |
| Lock all windows and doors | ||
| Turn down thermostat | ||
| Disable garage door opener or set to vacation mode | ||
| Remove unnecessary cards from wallet (library, video rental, punch cards, extra credit cards) | ||
| Check in for flight via Web | ||
| Power-off computer and other sensitive electronic equipment | ||
| Lock all luggage; ensure all pieces have current ID tags | ||
| Set house alarm |
