International Travel Checklist: 15 Things to Do & Check the Day Before Leaving

The bags are packed and you are generally ready to go … but despite all the planning and organization that’s done for an overseas trip there always seems to be a bunch of last-minute items still on the ‘to do’ list before you hop on the plane. To help relieve your departure stress here is a ‘day before international travel’ to-do checklist to ensure your departure, and trip, go off without a hitch. 1. Download Google Maps (to your phone) for the city/cities you are visiting. This enables you to use the map offline and not waste valuable cell phone data. You can also ‘star’ ahead of time places of interest (your hotel), restaurants you have booked or places you want to visit so you get a sense of where the places are in relation to each other, and so you can easily get directions offline when you arrive and can hit the ground running (without using data). Here are instructions on how to download Google maps for offline use. 2. Charge your Kindle, phone, camera batteries, laptop, charging ‘brick’, Airpods, etc. When done, be sure to pack charger cords and your charging ‘brick’ in your carry-on in case it’s needed before you have access to your checked bag. 3. Check that your travel toiletries are all filled up (these tubes are great and don’t leak) and that any contacts or medications are packed. 4. Don’t forget to pack your power adaptor (after checking to make sure you are taking the right one for the country being visited). Or you can use a universal one (but double-check it works for the country you are visiting). 5. Pack headphones for your phone/laptop, and also make sure you have headphones that fit the airplane jack for inflight media as well (as this set/connector may differ from those that fit your phone). 6. Check-in for your flight and take a screenshot of your boarding pass 7. Double-check that your passport is packed and that you have more than 6 months left on it before it expires. Make sure you have any visas needed for the trip. 8. Add the currency of the country/countries to which you will be traveling to your currency converter app (such as the XE currency app) 9. Don’t forget to pack a travel pillow  (in a bright color so you don’t leave it behind), compression socks (here’s a bundle that includes neck pillow and socks) & scarf for the plane, as needed 10. If your credit card company likes to know when you will be overseas, inform them accordingly online or via a call. 11. Make sure you have some cash to change for local currency upon arrival, in case an ATM is not readily accessible. 12. Download entertainment for flight and trip – podcasts/shows/movies/music/books – as needed. 13. Leave a copy of your itinerary and passport with someone. 14. Download audio guides to any museums or other sites of interest you may be visiting, as available, for convenient (and often free) offline use. 15. Make sure you have the phone ‘package’ from your cell carrier that suits your needs for international use in the country/countries you are visiting. Happy travels. And when return, don’t forget to upload your itinerary to JamboGuides!