Pre-Packing Checklist: How to Get Organized Before You Pack
A Timeline for What to Do & When to Do It Before You Travel
Are You Ready For Pre-Packing?
Learn how to make packing quicker, easier and less stressful — plus tips so you never forget the important stuff.
A step-by-step pre-packing checklist and timeline to help you get organized, reduce travel stress, and never forget the essentials before your next trip.
Packing: Love It or Dread It?
Some of us love packing & some of us dread it! Which one are you?
Love Packing!
Love Researching Packing.
Need Help Packing.
Hate Packing.
Somebody Pack for Me!
Having a pre-packing checklist has become just as important as the packing list itself.
Here's a sample of how you can create your own list.
I've learned a lot along the way, so I thought I'd share some tips on my pre-packing timeline. Don’t forget the important stuff! The things nobody thinks about, because they're not the fun part of traveling. These are the things that need to be taken care of before you leave, so that your home is looked after and ready for your return while you're away.
Below, you'll find a detailed list of what to prepare and take care of before you leave for your travels, along with recommendations for when to do each one.
Don't Forget the Important Stuff!
Put a sticky note listing of your last-minute must-haves on your nightstand. The things you'll need on your way out the door:
Eyeglasses
Passport/ID/wallet
Phone
Purse and all luggage
Lock the doors, windows, and garage
Keep a notepad next to your sticky note so you can quickly jot down anything on your mind. It'll help you fall back asleep instead of lying awake worrying you'll forget something. Try not to turn on your phone, you might end up scrolling instead of sleeping.
Pre-Packing List
Research: Confirm with your airline about any new rules on what's not allowed and any luggage size restrictions. If you have a specific question ask the TSA offers by live chat and messaging on their website or social media for a quick response.
Prescription medications: Don't forget your prescription medications.
Power banks, charging cords, voltage & converters: Do you have everything you'll need and is it allowed on flights?
One Month Before
Start a travel journal. Use a physical travel journal, notebook, go digital with the Notes app on your phone and Excel spreadsheet or a travel app. You'll also want to organize your emails and have a copy of confirmation numbers and other important information available offline.
Research & book: Flights or transportation to your main destinations and research local transportation options to your accommodations. Make reservations as needed.
Research & book: Excursions, museums, tours, etc. Make reservations and file confirmations in your travel journal and have a copy in your email, if bookings are required before you arrive.
Read: Download our full list of things to know for international travel, plus a few tips for traveling to the Yucatán and Quintana Roo, Mexico, for anything you may need to add to your list.
Shopping: If you've ordered anything for delivery, watch the delivery date closely and have a backup plan. Having a neighbor pick it up from your doorstep is one option.
Pets: Confirm a pet sitter will be available and buy extra food, treats or medication for your pet.
Clothing: This depends on your destination. Most places range from fall-like to hot summer conditions, so layering is a great option. Choose quick-dry fabrics that keep you cool and pack a light rain jacket for both hot or cool weather. Pick colors that coordinate with each other to make them easier to mix and match. Planning outfits by activity is a great way to start packing. Check your closet before buying anything new for the trip, but if you do need something try to buy it locally for one less stressor. You can most likely buy what you need during your trip, but do wear broken-in & comfortable shoes.
Medications: Check whether any prescriptions need to be refilled and how to pack, plus research if you are allowed to take them.
Pet care: Arrange pet care with a trusted friend, family member or service.
Childcare: Do you have kids in school? Set up childcare while you're away. If they're traveling with you, start getting them excited for the trip and show them how to organize their own packing. If they're old enough, let them pack themselves - it's a great learning experience, especially for pre-teens who tend to forget their underwear!
Plants & yard care: Do you need plant or yard care? Arrange it with a service or friend.
Just in case: Take an updated inventory of your tech and make sure you have photos, videos, and serial/VIN numbers stored in a paper file and digitally in case you ever need to file a claim for fire or theft. It's worth keeping that list current.
Car trip? Make sure your vehicle has had any needed maintenance. Check the oil, coolant levels and tire pressure the night before you leave.
Travel insurance: Research and purchase travel insurance if your trip warrants it — especially for international travel, adventure activities or non-refundable bookings. Save your policy number and the provider's emergency contact in your travel journal.
Diving Insurance: DAN – Diver Alert Network for Travel and Diving Insurance has been an industry staple.
Notify your bank & credit cards: Let your bank and credit card companies know your travel dates and destinations so your cards aren't flagged or frozen for suspicious activity abroad. Also check foreign transaction fees and ATM withdrawal fees for your destination. Don’t use your debit card for deposits on hotels, car rentals, etc.
If you have a travel positive credit card, you won’t have as many issues traveling and they tend to have more perks that you automatically. Check out MySpinningMindTravels article on Things To Know for International Travel and more articles under Plan It!
Copies of important documents: Make copies (digital and paper) of your passport, driver's license and itinerary. Leave one set with a trusted contact at home and keep another separate from the originals while traveling just in case anything is lost or stolen.
Emergency contacts card: Put together a small card or note with emergency contacts, your accommodation address, any allergies or medical conditions. For international trips the contact information to nearest embassy or consulate and keep a copy in your wallet and one in your luggage.
Packing Phase 1 of 6 — First Aid Kit: Pack a small first aid kit with the basics: disinfecting wipes, lip balm, motion sickness medication, supplements, Benadryl, headache/back pain medication, melatonin, a few bandage, sewing kit, laundry sheets, stain remover wipes, sunscreen. For an upset stomach, sore throat, cough, or a little pick-me-up, I like to bring peppermint and ginger hard candies. Keep where it’s easy accessible during longe flights, train or bus rides.
Hand Sanitizer and lotion. For a DIY bug repellent, I add a few drops of lavender essential oil to my lotion as a quick solution — just remember it needs to go in your liquids bag.
There's a pharmacy almost everywhere, so there's no need to overpack.
Start thinking about which clothing items you want to bring. Lay out clothes for your trip and declutter until you reach the amount you want to pack. Check out our packing list blog post for more under Plan It!
Two Weeks Before
Reschedule any appointments that conflict with your travel schedule.
Cash: If traveling internationally, exchange some currency ahead of time or confirm you have a no-foreign-transaction-fee card and research where safe ATMs are near your accommodations.
Download movies, books and music for entertainment during your trip.
Packing – Phase 2 of 6: Keep decluttering your clothing options every few days until you reach the amount you want to pack.
One Week Before
Mail: Set up a mail hold and package delivery hold.
Reservations: Confirm all reservations and check for updates.
Pet sitter: Confirm.
Childcare: Do you have kids in school? Let the school know who will be picking them up, or that your child will be away. Confirm childcare arrangements.
Food: Start eating up perishable foods.
Clean house – Phase 1: Deep clean and organize. Break the cleaning up into 3 phases, since it's a lot to handle along with all the other last-minute tasks.
Packing – Phase 3 of 6: Continue decluttering every few days until you reach your desired packing amount. Cut down to pack lighter.
2 to 3 Days Before
Confirm your phone's data service plan for your destination.
Confirm plant and yard care with your service or friend.
Confirm your ride to the airport and its reservation. Driving instead? Get gas.
Organize your wallet to be travel-ready. Remove what you don't need and bring extra cash with small bills for tipping. Keep a separate emergency wallet with important information, cash and a credit card.
Let a trusted neighbor know you'll be away. Ask them to keep an eye on your home, bring in any packages left at your door if needed and manage garbage pickup.
Prep a few ready-to-cook meals for your return day, so you don't have to run to the store right away.
Finish laundry, turn off the water and unplug the dryer.
Clean house – Phase 2: Give your home a good touch-up cleaning.
Packing Phase 4 of 6: Final pack, except for your toiletries bag.
Day Before
Check in online with your airline if you're flying.
Complete any immigration documents or forms if traveling internationally.
Travel journal: Confirm everything you need is included, both digitally and on paper if needed.
Share your itinerary and key documents with a trusted family member or friend.
Pet care: Take your pet to the sitter or confirm tomorrow's drop-off.
Confirm your ride to the airport. Driving instead? Get gas.
If you have smart home devices, set lights to turn on and off while you're away so it looks like someone's home.
Charge all devices and make sure your apps are updated.
Run the dishwasher, empty it and leave it open to air out.
Water your indoor plants.
Set an alarm for tomorrow!
Clean house – Phase 3: Touch up from Phase 2.
Packing Phase 5 of 6: Review your notepad journal and add any last-minute items to your sticky note. Pack two small on-the-go snacks for tomorrow, in case you don't have a chance to grab anything. Do your last-minute packing and take a photo of what's inside and outside your luggage.
Trip Day
Final walkthrough: Grab the last-minute sticky note from your nightstand. There's always more "stuff" to remember, so give your notes one last look before you leave.
Household chores checklist:
Unplug small appliances. Confirm the stovetop and oven are off.
Check the washer and dryer to confirm they're empty and unplugged.
Adjust the thermostat, and lower the water heater setting to save energy.
Turn off the main water line, if needed.
Close the curtains.
Take a quick video of the inside of your home, including the stove in the off position.
Lock all windows and doors.
Do a final review of your food — freeze or toss anything that will spoil while you're gone.
Take out the trash.
Shut the garage door.
Packing Phase 6 of 6:
Passport & ID
Phone
Toiletries (don't forget your toothbrush!)
Luggage
Any other important items?
Put your keys somewhere you'll be able to find them when you return.
Go Time!
Enjoy your trip! Remember, you can always buy things along the way — but make sure you have your passport, wallet, glasses, luggage, and phone for a more comfortable, less stressful adventure.
Grab the printable version: For the Free Download Pre-Packing Checklist PDF to keep on your fridge or in your travel journal so you never miss a step or find it under Resource Vault.
Got a pre-packing tip we didn't cover? Share it in the comments below — Stay tuned for the next post in our Hotel Reviews and the All - Inclusive Resort Review series on YouTube!
Dream! Plan! Go!
