Things to do before a trip: a calm checklist by week.

Months before

• Check passport validity (often 6 months beyond return)4 months before
• Check visa or entry requirements3 months before
• Arrange travel insurance2 months before
• Check recommended vaccines or health advice2 months before

A few weeks before

• Ask someone to mind pets, plants and post4 weeks before
• Check phone roaming or get a local SIM or eSIM2 weeks before
• Get the right plug adapter2 weeks before
• Refill any medicines you need10 days before

The last week

• Confirm your accommodation and check-in time7 days before
• Save offline maps and copies of passport and bookings7 days before
• Check your cards work abroad and get a little local cash5 days before
• Save the local emergency number in your phone3 days before
• Set an out-of-office on your work emailThe day before
• Empty the fridge, take out the bins, set the heatingThe day before

If you are flying

• Check your baggage allowance and the liquids rules7 days before
• Plan the way to the airport, and parking if you drive7 days before
• Check in online and choose seatsThe day before

If you are driving or renting a car

• Check if you need an International Driving Permit6 weeks before
• Book the rental car and check what the insurance covers4 weeks before
• Check tolls, vignettes and low-emission zones on the route2 weeks before
• Check tyres, oil and lights before a long drive3 days before

If children are coming

• Check each child's own passport and its expiry date4 months before
• One parent travelling? Check if a consent letter is needed4 weeks before
• Plan car seats or boosters for the whole journey4 weeks before
• Pack snacks and a few small surprises for the journey2 days before

Packing for children is a list of its own: one per child, made with them, so they can tick it off themselves.

Then the nice part

A checklist gets you there. The weeks before can also be fun. A few ideas from the trip countdown:

• Taste · 20 min

  Choose the one thing you must eat

  Read up on the local food and settle on a single dish you will not leave without trying. Write it down so it becomes a promise.

• Learn · 20 min

  Learn five phrases in the local language

  Hello, please, thank you, excuse me and "this is delicious" cover a surprising amount. Say each one out loud until it stops feeling strange.

• Dream · 15 min

  Plan your first-hour ritual on arrival

  Decide what you will do in the first hour: a coffee on a corner, a walk to the water, a toast. A small ritual turns arriving into a moment.

More in vacation countdown ideas for grown-ups.

More guides

• Things to do before a trip to Japan: the useful and the lovely.Before a trip to Japan: Visit Japan Web, medicine rules, cash and IC cards, plus films, food and small rituals to enjoy while you count down.
• Things to do before going to Italy, and how to start living a little Italian now.Before going to Italy: timed tickets, the Venice fee, ZTL zones and train tickets, plus pasta, films and a passeggiata to enjoy while you wait.
• Vacation countdown ideas for grown-ups.Small things to do while you count down to a trip: a playlist, a dish to cook, five phrases, a first-hour ritual. Sorted by how long you have left.

All guides