We all love to travel (at least we hope so).
With all the problems and responsibilities we have on a daily basis, it is necessary whenever we have the time and financial ability, to go somewhere on vacation to rest, relax and recharge.
However, going on holiday is not that simple. We don’t just book plane tickets, a hotel to stay and go.
You need to be patient and properly organized so that there are no unexpected events.
We know that the whole process of planning and organizing a trip properly can be quite stressful and tiring. We constantly worry about everything:
- Did we book a nice hotel?
- Is our budget good enough?
- Will our luggage be safe?
Therefore, it is best to treat vacations a bit like work projects. And just like all tasks and projects, vacations need organization in order for them to be as great as we imagined them.
That’s why in today’s article, we’ll go into detail about everything you need to consider when planning a trip step by step.
Plus, we’ll share with you our travel checklist to make sure that you don’t forget anything, so keep on reading!
Why Having a Travel Checklist is Essential
Usually, when we have many tasks to do in our daily lives, we choose to make a to-do list in order to stay organized and not fall behind.
Similarly, when we plan a trip, it’s essential that we have a system of organization, whether it’s a to-do list or something else.
For this reason, we will give you tips about the entire process, as well as the ultimate packing checklist, that you can download at the end of the article.
With the help of the steps we’ll show you, combined with the downloadable travel checklist, you’ll never have to worry about forgetting something again.
So, without further ado, let’s get started with Step 1.
Step #1: Pre-Travel Checklist
Before we get to the more advanced steps of our planning, let’s just start off with the basics.
Choose Your Destination
We know that it is very difficult to choose just one destination for your vacation.
We’ve all been there. In some ways, it’s like being a kid in the candy store. We just want everything!
How can you possibly choose between destinations like London, Paris or New York?
Nonetheless, with the help of our next point, pick one of the many countries and cities that you want to visit and let’s begin planning.
Do the Right Budgeting
This might be THE most essential point in our process. Our budget dictates almost every factor of our trips. It is crucial that we know how much we can afford for our holidays.
Based on the money we can allocate for our trip, we also clarify the options we have for the other parts of our holidays. One of them is our next point.
Check Flight and Accommodation Reservations
Once you’ve decided where you want to go and what is your budget, you can now start searching for transportation (flights, trains etc.), as well as accommodation options.
It is important to make sure that both the arrival and departure times, as well as the price of the tickets are convenient and in line with your budget and schedule. The same concept applies for your accommodation.
Download the Right Travel Apps
Nowadays, there’s a plethora of applications that make our holidays easier and more enjoyable. Some that you definitely need to check are:
- Airbnb to find places to stay at good rates
- TripAdvisor to suggest ideas for your upcoming trip
- Stasher for luggage storage
- SkyScanner to book affordable flights and many more
We highly recommend you to explore and try any of these apps and figure out which ones suit you the best.
Prepare Essential Documents
Before any trip, one of the obvious things to do is to make sure you have all the necessary documents with you.
- Boarding pass (if you don’t trust the digital version you can always print it)
- Passport or visa
- ATOL certificate
- You ID
Something that might be useful for you is remembering as much personal information as you can (for example your passport details). It makes the whole process at the check-in a bit easier.
Once you are done with the aforementioned issues, you are ready to go to step 2.
Step #2: Packing Your Bags
Another of the most important parts of preparing for a trip is your suitcase. Make sure that its size is commensurate with the days of your holiday.
Carry-ons are also a great idea, so you can keep your personal belongings (phone, wallet, etc.), especially if you are traveling by plane, where you won’t be able to keep your suitcase there.
Clothing and Accessories
One of the most common mistakes we all make is to overpack our suitcases with clothes.
So, in order to save space, make sure you take as many clothes as you really need.
It goes without saying to take a few extra to be safe, but try not to overdo it.
Packing cubes are really helpful in case you really need to pack a lot of clothes.
Additionally, your clothes must align with the weather of your destination. So don’t take coats and ski boots if you’re traveling to a hot country.
Below you will see why it is worth having space in your suitcase.
Toiletries and Personal items
Although hotels usually provide some toiletries (soap, shampoo towels, etc.), we all prefer to bring our own.
There is no need to take everything you have in your bathroom. Just the essential toiletries.
So try to leave behind items like your eye mask and skincare products (unless they’re essential to you).
Ideally, it would be great if you could put them together with some of your promotional items that you want to take with you in your suitcase. In case they don’t fit, put some in your backpack.
Electronics and Gadgets
Regardless of where and how many days we elect to travel, we all need some gadgets with us.
Aside from your cell phone which is the obvious one, you may want to bring a professional camera to take nice photos, a tablet or your laptop to watch a movie or the next episode of your favorite show when you’re at the hotel.
So, make sure you have room in your suitcase or backpack to stow your electronics along with all their essential gadgets and cables (chargers, extra memory card etc.).
Medication and First-Aid Kit
We do not think it is necessary to go into this issue at length.
You should always carry the necessary medicines and first aid supplies with you in case a health issue should arise.
Tip: What NOT to Pack in Your Bags
When traveling, there are certain things you should not pack in checked bags.
Otherwise you set yourselves up for trouble. The most common ones are:
- Fluids (water bottle, alcoholic beverages etc.)
- Lighters
- Gels
- Vape pens
- Big amounts of cash
- Sharp objects
So, on your next trip, especially if you’re traveling abroad, try and avoid the aforementioned.
Step #3: Additional Things to Consider
Now that we’ve covered the basics of planning a trip, let’s look at some additional tips that may help you even more.
Where to Store Your Luggage
No matter how many bags and suitcases you take, their safety is paramount.
Remember, the purpose of a holiday is to relax and recharge. Not to stress about the safety of your belongings.
Luckily for you, there are companies like Stasher that can safely and reliably store your luggage for as long as you want.
You are provided with a huge range of places to store your luggage. From local shops and cafes to train stations.
Also, the whole booking process is much simpler than you might imagine. With the link below, you can see via demo how to book your luggage storage at Stasher.
Traveling with Children?
If you are traveling with children, you need to be even more careful about some things:
- Help them pack their suitcase, or double check in the end so they don’t forget anything
- Take with you whatever you think is necessary in terms of medication and food (baby milk)
- Calculate your budget accordingly
Traveling for Work?
When you travel for business, it’s obviously a different type of trip. Therefore, there are a couple of things that change compared to going on holiday:
- It significantly changes the style of clothes you need to take with you. For example, you will need suits, ties, shirts, and good pairs of dress shoes
- You will probably need to take your laptop and any other documents you need for your work
Currency Exchange
If you are traveling to a country that has a different currency from your own, be sure to go to one of the specialized shops or ATMs to exchange.
However, before you do this, take into account the equivalents and some indicative prices in the country you’re visiting to see where your budget lies.
Having cleared that up, let’s go through the holiday checklist we have prepared for you!
Download Our Free Travel Checklist
And now the moment you’ve been waiting for.
As we mentioned, traveling is quite stressful, but it doesn’t have to be if you’re prepared enough.
That’s why we create a complete travel checklist for you to download and use.
Make a copy of our checklist here.
As you’ll see, we’ve put all actions into a certain category to make things even easier for you.
All you have to do is check-off every item or action when completed, and you’re good to go!
Let’s wrap things up with some final words.
Now Over to You
We know all of the above may seem like a lot at first. Βut trust us that once you’ve followed these steps, you’ll be well prepared for an amazing (and organized) stress-free trip.
Our travel checklist will definitely help make the packing process smoother and more fun. So don’t forget to download it.
Just like packing our clothes and essentials, storing them somewhere is equally important in order to have a great trip.
So, before you decide to move forward with the trip, go find a location to store your luggage with Stasher, and you’ll never have to stress about the safety of your luggage and other valuable items ever again.
