The Pre-Travel Checklist
Every traveller knows that one of the most important times of your trip is those few days leading up to your big getaway. If you're anything like me, you'll be rushing away on the day of your flight still trying to get those malaria tablets or trying to find your passport, while your backpack sits completely unpacked somewhere in the attic. For a big trip there always seems to be an endless list of things to do, so how do you work through it all?
Depending on where you are travelling to, obvious things like medical vaccinations or the purchasing of any medication that you may need is something that really shouldn't be left until the last day. Try to have this organised as early as possible, as you don't know whether you'll need things like booster shots before you go. Remember it is always better to be safe than sorry so if you have forgotten about that trip to the travel doctor then don't neglect it. I once travelled with a friend who carried her rabies booster shot in a polystyrene box around Peru for weeks before she was able to have it injected!
Packing may be the last thing that you need to do, but there is nothing worse than stuffing everything in your bag hours before leaving to realise that you're missing something crucial. Writing a list of what you will need is a great way to work out what you don't have before you reach this stage. Also, try to at least get all your clothes and everything else sorted a while before you actually pack them, as this having the thought of packing on your mind will help you remember everything you need.
Think of the crucial travel items - no, not clothes! Find your passport. Find or print off your itinerary for flights and any other pre-booked travel arrangement. Sort out your banking: will you be taking a credit card, cash or travellers cheques? Have you sorted out your money and will you be able to access it easily? Does the country you are visiting accept your type of bank card? Will you be able to easily access the internet for banking? Obviously it will depend on the countries you are visiting but you need to think very seriously about these issues so that you are not stranded somewhere foreign with no money, or deported for not having proof of your return flight! You will appreciate the knowledge when you are over there.