What to Think About Before You Go

A good travel checklist isn't about packing everything you own. It's about making sure you've thought through the things that matter before you walk out the door.

The right checklist will change depending on whether you're heading away for a weekend, travelling internationally, going on a family vacation or flying somewhere for business. But there are a few things that should be considered before every trip.

Start with the basics

Before you think about clothes, think about the trip itself.

Where are you going?
How long will you be away?
What will the weather be like?
What activities are planned?
Will you be walking, sightseeing, swimming or attending special events?
Will you need business attire?
Will you have access to laundry?
Are there any entry requirements or documents you need?

These answers will determine almost everything else you put in your suitcase.

Your essential travel documents

This is the part of your checklist you don't want to discover you've forgotten at the airport.

Make sure you have the appropriate passport or identification, visas or travel authorizations where required and any other documents needed for your destination.

It's also a good idea to have secure access to copies of important documents and your travel information.

Think about:

Passport and identification
Visas or entry authorizations
Flight and accommodation information
Transportation details
Travel protection information
Emergency contact information
Important medical information
Frequent traveler or loyalty information

Don't rely on only one place to find your information. If your phone isn't available, you want another way to access what you need.

Your people should know where you are

This is important whether you're travelling for business or pleasure.

Someone you trust should know your general itinerary, where you're staying and how to reach you.

For a longer trip, make sure someone knows where you'll be on specific dates. If you're travelling between countries or cities, make sure your itinerary is available to the person you trust.

You don't need to announce every coffee stop, but someone should know where to start looking if something unexpected happens.

Have a backup and a backup to the backup

This may sound a little excessive, but it's one of those things you'll appreciate if something goes wrong.

Think about what you would do if your phone stopped working, your luggage was delayed or you couldn't access your email.

For important information, consider having:

A digital copy
A securely stored backup
A trusted person who can access the information you may need

The goal isn't to expect problems. It's to make sure a small problem doesn't become a major one.

Personal travel needs

For a personal trip, think about what you're actually going to do rather than packing for every possible occasion.

A beach vacation might call for swimsuits, sandals, casual clothing and something comfortable for evenings.

A European city trip might mean comfortable walking shoes, layers, a day bag and a nicer outfit for dinner.

A winter getaway could require completely different footwear and outerwear.

Your itinerary should help build your suitcase.

Business travel needs

Business travel requires another layer of preparation.

Think beyond your clothing and make sure you have everything you need to actually do your job.

Depending on your trip, that might include:

Laptop and charger
Phone and charging cable
Power bank where appropriate
Presentation materials
Business cards
Headphones
Adapters
Work documents
Meeting information
Client or colleague contact information
Appropriate business attire
A comfortable outfit for downtime

Remember that you're also planning for when the workday ends. If you're away for several days, pack something comfortable for dinner, exercise, sightseeing or simply relaxing in your hotel room.

Pack for the number of days, not the number of possibilities

This is where many suitcases get out of control. If you're away for five days, you probably don't need twelve complete outfits. Instead, think in terms of combinations.

Choose a few pieces that work together and can be dressed up or down. A pair of comfortable trousers might work for travel, meetings and dinner. A simple dress can work during the day and look completely different with a jacket and accessories in the evening.

Your wardrobe should work as a team.

Remember footwear options

Shoes can take up a surprising amount of room, so choose them based on what you'll actually be doing.

If your itinerary includes walking tours, sightseeing or exploring a city, comfortable footwear should be a priority.

If you have a business meeting or special dinner, bring something appropriate for that occasion.

If you're going somewhere warm, consider what you'll need for the beach, pool, daytime activities and evenings.

A good question to ask is:

“Will I actually wear these shoes?”

If the answer is probably not, they're probably not coming with you.

Consider the little things you use every day

Think through your normal morning and evening routines.

Glasses. Contacts. Medications. Skincare. Toiletries. Chargers. Hair products. Reading glasses. Whatever you use every day should have a place on your mental checklist.

A great trick is to imagine yourself getting ready for bed in your hotel room.

What would you reach for?

Then imagine waking up the next morning.

What would you need?

You'll often remember the things that a standard travel checklist doesn't mention.

Travel protection belongs on every checklist

Travel protection shouldn't only be something you think about when you're leaving the country.

Even when you're travelling within Canada, it's important to understand what your provincial health plan will actually cover when you're away from your home province.

Don't assume that your provincial coverage will automatically take care of every medical expense elsewhere in Canada.

Please verify every detail of a credit card offering travel protection. It may not mean that all medical expenses will be covered. Credit card benefits can have specific eligibility requirements, limits and exclusions.

Before you travel, take the time to understand what coverage you already have and where there may be gaps.

For international travel, medical travel protection becomes even more important because medical treatment outside Canada can become extremely expensive.

The best time to find out what your protection covers is before you need it.

Check the technology

Before you leave, make sure your devices are ready to travel with you.

Check that your phone, laptop, tablet and headphones are charged. Make sure you have the right charging cables and adapters for your destination.

If you're travelling for work, don't wait until you're sitting in an airport lounge to discover that an important document isn't available offline.

Download what you'll need before you leave.

Think about your first and last day

The first day of a trip is often tiring. The last day can be just as busy.

Make sure you have easy access to whatever you'll need during your travel day.

And when you're packing to come home, remember that your return journey may be different from your departure.

You may have souvenirs, gifts, dirty laundry and possibly a few things you didn't leave home with.

Leave yourself a little room.

Before you close the door

Do one final walk through your home.

Check the things that are easy to forget because they're not normally packed.

Medications
Glasses
Keys
Wallet
Phone
Chargers
Important documents
Travel protection information
Anything you need immediately when you arrive

Then check your itinerary one more time. Not because you're expecting something to go wrong, but because knowing where you're supposed to be and when makes the entire trip easier.

A good travel checklist isn't about being overly cautious or perfectly organized. It's about giving yourself fewer things to worry about once you're on your way.

Whether you're travelling for a weekend with your family, crossing a border, attending an important business meeting or heading away for several weeks, a few minutes of preparation can make a very big difference.

The best checklist is the one that lets you close the suitcase, walk out the door and start enjoying the trip.