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The afootwego Absolute Ultimate Travel Planning Checklist offers a comprehensive list of items and actions for Travelers when they are planning a new adventure
Collage image of several travel scenes, including maps, luggage bags, signposts, and a kangaroo

Hey there, Your Absolute Ultimate Travel Planning Checklist

May 2025

Even the most experienced Travelers among us know that a checklist is an essential tool to have and use when planning to travel.

Whenever we are travelling, whether domestically or internationally, when we get our travel planning right, we are off to a smooth start, which is what we all want.

But, if we get it wrong, and forget to pack or do something, the result can range from being a minor inconvenience, to being a problem that seriously affects our planned activities, to a total disaster.

To make sure that I don’t overlook anything, important or small, for planning my travels, I have developed a comprehensive checklist. It is a reasonably long list, with over 70 separate items, which I have organised into 13 category groups.

Many of the items can require investment of a reasonable amount of time. For me, each item acts as a reminder that I may need to do something. Occasionally, I can decide that no action is needed. When I do that, it is done consciously, knowing that I have not forgotten something.

Several items will lead on to additional checklists, which will be affected by how I am travelling, and also things like the destination/s and season. Examples include lists for clothing, footwear, equipment, toiletries, etc. These will be a reflection of my personal preferences, and are marked in the checklist with [∗].

You will find the online version of my travel checklist list below. If you wish to download a version of the checklist, I have the following available of my Freebie Page:

  • .PDF for printing, in both US Letter and A4 International formats
  • Google Docs file, and
  • plain text file

Checklist Contents


Your Plan Begins Here
Decide your budget
Decide when to travel and for how long

Select destination options

[∗]  

Setup price alerts for travel, tours, etc.
Research available travel package deals

Your Destination/s
Decide and confirm destination/s
Check Government travel warning site
Check likely seasonal weather at destination/s
Research destination customs, events, etiquette, etc.
Research dietary options

Your Travel Preparation
Check destination immigration requirements
Check passport validity
Apply for Visa/s (as required)
Research whether vaccinations are required
Check baggage allowance and size restrictions
Research return travel options (if required)
Book travel (one-way or return)
Select/Purchase travel insurance

Back to Checklist Contents   
Your Packing List
Documents to obtain or check
Money – currency, cards, etc.

Security & Safety – bags, belts, locks, alarms

[∗]  

Technology – camera, chargers, adaptors

[∗]  

Clothing, Footwear, Equipment (as required)

[∗]  

Toiletries – your preferred items

[∗]  

Packaged Food – for dietary needs

[∗]  

Health & First Aid – including prescriptions

[∗]  

Carry-on luggage – within allowed weight, size

Travel aids – backpack, pillow, eye mask,
earplugs/earphones, etc.

[∗]  


Your Accommodation
Research accommodation options
Select/Book accommodation
Google map/virtual view route to accommodation

Your Activities & Attractions
Decide budget for activities/attractions
Research social media for ideas
Create list of activities and places
Select/Book tours and entry to attractions

Your Local Travel
Research options for travel between destinations
Select/Book destination travel mode/s

Purchase/Hire an outdoor GPS device

[∗]  

Check expiry date of driver’s licence
Check/obtain international driver’s licence
Organise departure and arrival transport

Back to Checklist Contents   
Your Personal Arrangements
Organise employment leave

Arrange health/medical checks/vaccinations
(obtain doctor’s letter for prescriptions)

[∗]  

Arrange vaccinations (as needed)

[∗]  

Begin a personal fitness program
Commence learning local phrases (if applicable)

Organise additional pair of prescription glasses
(or obtain a prescription)

[∗]  

Organise hair appointments
Check personal will and insurances
Share travel plans with next-of-kin or other
home-based contact

Your Money
Advise your bank/s of travel details
Obtain bank contact details for Lost or Stolen Cards
Check ATM cards for expiry, overseas use
Arrange foreign currency

Your Equipment
Check state of clothing, footwear, equipment for
the destination/s

Purchase/borrow clothing, footwear, equipment
(as required)

[∗]  

Break in new footwear, test out backpack/s, etc.
Research correct power adaptor/s for destination/s
Acquire travel SIM/s, or get your phone unlocked
Purchase VPN if required

Record serial numbers of valuables

[∗]  

Check/replace batteries of important devices

Back to Checklist Contents   
Your Home Base
Organise home security
Organise pet care
Arrange for stoppage/redirection/collection of snail mail
Organise stoppage of deliveries e.g. food boxes
Setup automatic bill payments

Your Copies and Downloads

Make printed copies of all eTickets

[∗]  

Obtain at least 2x additional passport photos
Copy all important documents (passport, cards)

Download various apps, maps, etc.

[∗]  

Upload or download precious memories, etc.
stored on your devices (in case of loss of device/s)

Your Final Actions
Confirm departure flight and destination arrival details
Check departure security screening requirements
Complete online check-in
Review/finalise home base security

Note :
My #1 Freebie, Hey there, B4 U go, have you…., is a 'last-minute ' pre-departure checklist, intended for your final check, before you walk out the door; and also for your 'peace-of-mind ', once you are on your journey – no more wondering:
"did I turn off…? "; "did I lock…? "


Back to Checklist Contents   

Download Versions of the Checklist:

Now that you have seen the Absolute Ultimate Travel Planning Checklist, if you want to download a version for your personal use, you can choose any (or all) of:

  • .PDF for printing, in both US Letter  and A4 International  formats
  • Google Docs  file, and
  • plain text file

All of my Freebies are available to you when join my twice-monthly Newsletter, afootwego, In The Loop!

To get access to my Freebie Page, visit:

Join up: ‘afootwego, In the Loop!’


Back to Checklist Contents   

Your Feedback, please…

Firstly, my thanks to you, for reading my post.

Now, the really BIG question is:
“What value has this Post offered you? “

Has it helped you, or do you need more information?

If you wish to offer some feedback, or to read the feedback from others, please follow the link below to the Feedback Page:

Your Feedback Page

Why Your Feedback is Important to Me

In real life, I am an agile Change Manager, so I know that feedback is an essential part of the improvement process.

Your feedback can help me improve both the content of this Post, and also of future Posts.

If you have a thought, or a question, about the post content, or if you would like to provide feedback about something else, please follow the link to the Feedback Page.

Your Feedback Page

I do look forward to hearing from you, especially if we can make improvements that will help fellow travelers on the road.

Marlene

Adventure Ready? Always!

P.S.

Please note, before any feedback is posted, it will be moderated. When I am moderating, I may need to contact you, which is why I ask for your email address.

Your email address will not  be published, nor will it be used for any other purpose (unless you have already joined my Newsletter, ‘afootwego, In the Loop!’, that is).

Here is a link to the my afootwego.com CONDITIONS for POST FEEDBACK (2½ mins to read).

Should you wish to peruse them, here are links to my afootwego.com PRIVACY POLICY and Website TERMS and CONDITIONS of USE.


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