Travel checklist before leaving house

Getting excited for the trip, but not knowing exactly what to pack? Have you experience when you are overseas and suddenly, you realized that you didn’t bring something?

Dread of packing because there are simply a list of things you would need to prepare before travelling but you do not know where to begin?

Do you have a travel checklist …

I shall not go into individual stuff such as how many clothes/undergarments you should bring because I am sure you have already a gauge of how many times you need to change your clothes during your trip. In fact, I will dive into what are actually essential items you need before stepping out of the house.

1) Mobile Phone

You need to bring that! But usually, you need to fully charge it before leaving, so it will be one of the last item you will put in your pocket/bag before leaving the house.

During one of my travel, I ever heard the man queuing in front of me at airport check-in counter telling the staff : ” I forget to bring my handphone. Do I have enough time, will the air plane wait for me if I rush home to take? ”

I had always make it a habit to check before leaving the house that my mobile is with me. You can simply stick a post-it note on your door knob to remind yourself. Let’s be honest, you can’t live without your smart phone nowadays. I know you might be on a holiday, but beside staying connected to the world, smart phone is useful as they have so many travel applications that you can use on the go.

Personally, below are the applications I uses while travelling. In particular, I love XE.COM currency exchange app. I will cover this at a later post on <Essential Mobile Travel Applications >

2) Toiletries Bag 

These may also be the last items you will pack as you need to brush your teeth before leaving. My toothbrush would be the last to be pack while shampoos/soap you can always pack it in first. Alternatively, I have set aside overseas toiletries bag and I will just take and go.

3) Sun Glasses

This item you can always pack it few days ahead. Some may think is not essential, but personally I think it had work wonders for me.

Why? Because when travelling, if you are sitting in the vehicle with the sun “staring” at you directly and you can’t avoid it, there comes sunglasses. And there was a time when I was sitting to someone who was talking non-stop during the bus journey, you can just put on the sunglasses and ignore the person as she/he can’t see your eyes. So you may be closing your eyes while nodding your head.

4) Travel Document File 

In this file, it should contain photocopy of your passport, tour packages/contact person if you had book the tour, tour itinerary and of course your Electronic Flight Ticket. Although airline system do capture your name, but remember to avoid time wasting at check-in counter or disputes, bring your E-Ticket hard copy. Below is my information collected for my New Zealand Trip.

Oh, and always remember to save a copy of those in your own email account. You need the soft copy as back-up, in case you lose the file!

5) Purchase travel insurance!

Don’t do this at the last minute thou! And you do need travel insurance. Why? Read more at my blog: <Is travel insurance actually necessary?>

But with technology, you can always do it on mobile application now as well! Tips: Good time to buy travel insurance is during NATAS Holiday fair in Singapore or any other Holiday Fair in your country. Huge discounts but you need to be firm on your travel date.

6) Wallet and Exchange Rate information 

Wallets are often the last thing you would bring along. Double check you have it with you before leaving and if you bring a different wallet when travelling, ensure the notes are in the currency that you are heading! I have heard that people prepared the wallet for overseas trip but brought their usual back home wallet with his own home currency.

General

As a matter of fact, the above are only essential things to bring at the last minute before leaving house. You can prepare items such as phrase book, ensure ATM cards can be use overseas, make sure that your luggage has a tag with your name, address, and telephone number, stop delivery of newspaper, Visas, chargers, etc.

And bring along your camera memory cards to capture your wonderful adventure!

Last but not least, happy travelling to all!

Categories: Travel Tips