27 Things To Do Before Leaving For A Trip

You’ve booked the flights, flexed on your packing cubes, maybe even printed an itinerary. But then the night before takeoff, your brain starts playing a greatest-hits reel of forgotten items and half-finished to-dos. If only you had a list of things to do before leaving for a trip.

Did you lock the back door? Where the hell is your passport? Is that train from Rome to Florence actually booked, or did you just think about booking it over a Negroni?

This is the moment when smart travelers turn to a real list, not the crumpled Post-it in your jeans. Because the last thing to do before leaving for a trip should not be panic-googling “what to do before I travel” at 2 AM.

One missed detail and suddenly you’re the idiot trying to check in at the wrong airport or begging for Wi-Fi at a rural bus station with 2% battery.

This guide is your insurance policy against that chaos. Every thing to do before leaving for a trip is laid out here, simple and savage.

Pack your snacks, charge your gear, and let’s get your shit together.

1. Avoid Airport Meltdowns: Check Your Passport

You know what’s worse than a flight delay? Being denied boarding because your passport expires next month. No refund. No sympathy. Just you, your suitcase, and the crushing shame of a rookie mistake.

One crucial thing to do before leaving for a trip is to check your passport like your vacation depends on it. Because it does.

Most countries won’t let you in unless your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond your return date. That’s not a suggestion. That’s the law. Miss it and you’ll be watching sunsets on Google Earth.

Here’s exactly what to do so you don’t end up grounded like a dumbass:

• Pull out your passport. Not tomorrow. Not when you’re packing. Now.
• Look at the expiration date. If it’s less than 6 months from the date you return home, you’re in trouble.
• Double-check entry rules. Some countries are stricter than others. Look up your destination on the official government travel site.
• Renew ASAP if needed. Regular renewal can take 8 to 11 weeks. Expedited costs more but might save your whole trip.
• Check visas too. Some visas are tied to your passport number and expire when your passport does.
• Make a digital copy. Scan the photo page and upload it to a secure cloud folder. Email it to yourself too.

This might sound basic, but it’s the thing to do before leaving for a trip that separates seasoned travelers from sobbing airport amateurs. Don’t be the latter.

2. Skip the Border Drama: Know Your Visa Rules

Imagine landing in Bangkok only to get marched back onto the plane because you didn’t sort your visa. That’s not adventure. That’s amateur hour with a side of wasted cash.

Knowing if you need a visa is a non-negotiable thing to do before leaving for a trip. It’s what turns “global explorer” into something more than a Tinder bio.

Countries play by their own rules. Some roll out the welcome mat. Others want forms, fees, and full-blown bureaucracy. Screw this up and your dream trip turns into an expensive layover.

Here’s how to not get deported before you even unpack:

• Google “visa requirements for [your nationality] + [destination].” Do this for every country on your itinerary, including layovers. Some transit visas are sneaky bastards.
• Check official government or embassy websites. Skip the random blog posts. Go straight to the source for accurate, current info.
• Find out the type of visa you need. Tourist? Business? Volunteer? Getting the wrong type can mess you up at immigration.
• Apply early if needed. Some take weeks and need appointments. Some require mailing your passport. That’s not something you want to discover two days before departure.
• Print or save digital copies of approvals. Visas on arrival? Screenshots won’t always cut it. Have a printed copy in your bag.
• Don’t rely on airport Wi-Fi. If your visa is electronic, download it before you fly. Or better yet, print it like it’s 2007.

This is a thing to do before leaving for a trip that can literally decide whether your adventure begins or ends in the immigration queue. Respect the red tape. Or pay the price.

3. Cover Your Ass: Print and Upload Your Travel Docs

Lose your passport in a street market? Get pickpocketed on a train in Naples? Congrats. You’ve just entered bureaucratic hell without a map.

One absolute thing to do before leaving for a trip is to back up your most important documents. Because when shit hits the fan, a few smart files can save your trip, your identity, and your sanity.

Paper copies feel old-school, but border agents and embassy clerks still love them. And digital backups? That’s your parachute when your bag pulls a Houdini.

Here’s how to protect your trip from tech fails and real-life chaos:

• Gather your essentials. That means your passport, visa pages, travel insurance, vaccine card, flight confirmations, hotel bookings, and any weird permits.
• Scan or photograph each document. Make sure text is sharp and readable. Don’t half-ass it.
• Save them in at least two places. Upload to a secure cloud service like Google Drive or Dropbox. Then email them to yourself just in case.
• Print hard copies. Yep, paper. Keep them in a separate part of your bag from the originals. If you’re traveling with someone, give them a set too.
• Password-protect your files. Especially if your docs include personal info or payment details. Use a trusted app or zip them with encryption.
• Label your files clearly. “IMG_9382.jpg” means nothing when you’re panicking. Use names like “Passport_Front_2026.pdf” so you can find them fast.

You don’t want your trip derailed by a stolen wallet or a dead phone. This is a thing to do before leaving for a trip that future-you will thank you for, probably while muttering in a consulate office.

4. Protect Your Wallet (and Your Organs): Get Travel Insurance

You might think you don’t need it. That’s cute. Until you slip on wet tile in Thailand and suddenly owe $12,000 for a ride in a questionably sterilized ambulance.

Buying travel insurance is a no-brainer thing to do before leaving for a trip. It’s the parachute you never want to use but will be damn glad you packed.

Missed flights, lost luggage, stolen gear, or surprise surgery? Covered. Peace of mind so you can actually enjoy your adventure? Priceless.

Here’s how to buy the right policy without getting screwed:

• Start by researching providers. Good options include SafetyWing, World Nomads, and Allianz. Read recent reviews and compare coverage.
• Make sure it includes medical. Aim for at least $100,000 in emergency coverage and evacuation. If it doesn’t include that, it’s useless.
• Add extras based on your plans. Renting a scooter? Doing adventure sports? Check the fine print. Some policies treat bungee jumping like a felony.
• Look for trip interruption and cancellation. Life happens. If a family emergency pulls you home early, you want reimbursement, not regret.
• Buy it before you depart. Don’t wait until you’re sipping an overpriced airport coffee. Coverage usually kicks in after purchase, not retroactively.
• Print and save your policy. Keep a physical copy with your passport and a digital one on your phone. Bonus points if you memorize the emergency number.

This isn’t about paranoia. It’s about not letting one bad day nuke your entire trip. It’s the thing to do before leaving for a trip that turns “oh shit” into “no problem.”

5. Avoid Travel-Day Panic: Confirm Every Damn Booking

You booked it all weeks ago. Cool. But if your hotel “accidentally cancels” your reservation or your flight quietly changes airports, you’re gonna have a bad time.

Double-checking your bookings is a core thing to do before leaving for a trip. It’s how you stop travel chaos before it ever begins.

Even the best-laid plans fall apart when you assume the system works. It doesn’t. Airlines reschedule. Hotels overbook. Tours ghost you like a bad date.

Here’s how to make sure everything is locked in before you walk out the door:

• Pull up every confirmation email. Flights, trains, buses, hotels, hostels, car rentals, tours, museum tickets. All of it.
• Cross-check your dates. Make sure everything lines up with your departure and return. Check time zones. That 1 AM flight might be on a different day.
• Log in to provider websites. Don’t just trust the email. Go to the airline or hotel site and verify your reservation is active and correct.
• Check seat assignments and baggage. Some budget airlines love surprise fees. Pre-pay or re-book seats if needed.
• Save all confirmations. Screenshot every booking and drop it into a travel folder on your phone. Internet isn’t guaranteed everywhere.
• Call if something seems off. Weird confirmation numbers, missing names, or spelling errors? Call now, not from the airport check-in line.

Doing this gives you total control over your travel day. It’s a thing to do before leaving for a trip that keeps your journey smooth and your blood pressure low.

6. Skip the Airport Line Freakout: Check In Early

You show up at the airport, sweaty and late, and surprise, your seat’s been bumped and now you’re begging a gate agent for mercy. Yeah, no thanks.

Checking in early is a dead-simple thing to do before leaving for a trip that can save your seat, your sanity, and your snack budget.

Most airlines open check-in 24 hours before takeoff. If you wait, they’ll happily give your spot to some standby rando while you sip lukewarm coffee in a corner.

Here’s how to lock in your spot like a pro:

• Set a reminder 24 hours before your flight. Use your phone, your calendar, or tattoo it on your arm. Whatever works.
• Check in on the airline’s website or app. Use your booking number and last name. Boom. Done in 90 seconds.
• Choose your seat. Don’t let the system toss you in a middle seat next to a guy eating tuna salad. Pick what’s left and be grateful.
• Add bags if needed. This is usually cheaper than waiting until you’re at the check-in counter with a pissed-off line behind you.
• Download or print your boarding pass. Save it to your phone’s wallet app or go old-school with a paper copy. Bonus: no scrambling at security.
• Screenshot everything. Just in case the app crashes or your Wi-Fi ghosts you at the gate.

This isn’t just a detail. It’s a thing to do before leaving for a trip that gives you control before the airport starts testing your patience.

7. Keep Your Card Working Abroad: Tell Your Bank

Nothing kills the vibe faster than your card getting declined at a noodle stand because your bank thinks you’ve been kidnapped in Vietnam.

Telling your bank where you’re headed is a boring but essential thing to do before leaving for a trip. Skip it and your “treat yourself” moment might become a panicked call from a hostel lobby at 2 AM.

Banks love blocking “suspicious activity.” You know what looks suspicious? Buying street tacos and a ferry ticket in a country you didn’t mention.

Here’s how to keep your money flowing without drama:

• Log in to your bank or credit card app. Most have a section to add travel notifications.
• Enter every country you’re visiting. Yes, even layovers. Don’t give them an excuse.
• Add the correct dates. Be generous. Include buffer days in case plans shift or your return gets delayed.
• Double-check it saved. Some apps love to pretend you didn’t just spend five minutes typing your itinerary.
• Write down emergency contact numbers. If something still gets flagged, you’ll want that info fast.
• Tell a real human if needed. If the app doesn’t offer this feature, call your bank directly. Yes, with a phone. It still works.

This one tiny thing to do before leaving for a trip can be the difference between dinner and awkwardly asking your hostel mates for a loan. Don’t let the system block your fun.

8. Don’t Get Stranded Over a Coffee: Grab Some Local Cash

You land, stumble off the plane, and the cabbie only takes cash. Suddenly, you’re the sweaty foreigner begging for an ATM and a little dignity.

Grabbing local currency ahead of time is a smart thing to do before leaving for a trip. It keeps you fed, mobile, and out of dumb situations where your credit card is just plastic decoration.

Cards fail. ATMs run dry. And not every café in the world wants your Visa, no matter how smug you feel about those travel points.

Here’s how to make sure you don’t end up broke and hangry on arrival:

• Check your destination’s cash culture. Some countries are cash-heavy. Google “how cash-friendly is [country]” and prepare accordingly.
• Withdraw a small amount before you go. Enough for your first 24 hours: transport, food, tips, maybe a beer. Think $50–100 worth in local currency.
• Use your bank’s partner ATMs if possible. You’ll dodge crazy fees. Look up networks like Global ATM Alliance or partner banks abroad.
• Avoid airport exchange counters. Their rates suck and their fees are daylight robbery. Only use them in emergencies.
• Keep small bills and coins. Not every vendor can break a crisp $50 equivalent. Especially that old guy selling dumplings.
• Split your stash. Keep some in your wallet and the rest stashed safely in your bag. If one gets jacked, you’ve got backup.

This is one of those things to do before leaving for a trip that feels minor until you’re standing at a ticket machine that only accepts coins. Be the traveler with options, not the one searching for Wi-Fi and a miracle.

9. Slim Your Wallet, Save Your Ass: Prep Your Travel Cards

Nothing screams “tourist target” like fumbling through a thick wallet at a busy metro station while locals breeze past like you’re in slow motion.

Streamlining your wallet is a clutch thing to do before leaving for a trip. It keeps your essentials tight, secure, and ready when it counts.

You don’t need your library card in Laos or five expired gift cards in Lisbon. You need speed, access, and a backup plan when shit goes sideways.

Here’s how to get your wallet travel-ready:

• Empty everything out. Dump your wallet on the table and sort like you’re Marie Kondo-ing your life.
• Keep only the essentials. Bring 1 or 2 credit cards, 1 debit card, your ID, your passport if you carry it, and a small stash of local cash.
• Bring a backup card. Hide it in a separate spot from your main wallet. Use it only if things go south.
• Use a travel-friendly wallet. RFID-blocking, slim, and easy to stash in a front pocket or money belt.
• Take photos of all your cards. Front and back. Upload to an encrypted cloud folder. If you lose one, you’ll have the info ready for a fast cancel and replace.
• Ditch the receipts. They’re trash waiting to happen. Keep your finances digital unless you need proof for taxes or expense reports.
• Know your PINs. Some countries still use chip-and-PIN terminals. If you forgot your code, you’re toast at the register.

This is a thing to do before leaving for a trip that saves time, prevents theft, and lets you look like you’ve done this before, even if you haven’t.

10. Stay Functional Abroad: Pack Your Meds

You can’t enjoy Paris with a migraine or trek through Peru while your stomach’s waging civil war. Trust me, you don’t want to play “find the pharmacy” in a language you don’t speak.

Packing medications is a brutally underrated thing to do before leaving for a trip. You might not need them, but when you do, you’ll thank past-you for being a genius.

Local pharmacies vary wildly in what they stock and how they operate. Some are chill. Others treat aspirin like contraband.

Here’s how to pack smart and stay upright:

• Make a list of what you take regularly. Prescriptions, supplements, over-the-counter must-haves. Start with what you can’t function without.
• Get enough for the full trip plus extra. Add at least 3–5 days of buffer in case of delays. No one wants to beg for blood pressure meds at a Guatemalan bus terminal.
• Keep everything in original packaging. Customs loves clear labels. Pill bottles with your name and dosage can save you a ton of questions.
• Bring a copy of your prescriptions. Especially for controlled substances. Have your doctor write a note explaining what it is and why you need it.
• Pack a basic travel med kit. Painkillers, allergy meds, motion sickness pills, antidiarrheals, rehydration salts, Band-Aids. Just do it.
• Stash it in your carry-on. Bags get lost. Your meds should not. If it’s life-saving, it stays with you at all times.
• Check destination rules. Some countries ban meds you’d find at any CVS. Google “[drug name] + [country] customs rules” and avoid international drama.

It’s not sexy, but this is a thing to do before leaving for a trip that keeps your body from betraying you halfway around the globe. Travel is hard enough without explosive food poisoning.

11. Don’t Catch Weird Shit Abroad: Hit a Travel Clinic First

You’re not made of iron. Your immune system isn’t ready for everything. And no one wants to learn the word for “rabies” mid-panic in rural Vietnam.

Visiting a travel clinic is a smarter-than-it-sounds thing to do before leaving for a trip. It’s about prepping your body like you prep your bags: with zero tolerance for regret.

Some countries come with bonus features like malaria, typhoid, or “that thing you get from unwashed lettuce.” Let a pro tell you what to dodge and how.

Here’s exactly how to get protected before liftoff:

• Book your appointment 4 to 6 weeks out. Some vaccines need time to kick in. The earlier, the better.
• Find a certified travel clinic. Not your basic urgent care. Look for places that specialize in international travel medicine.
• Bring your itinerary. The nurse doesn’t care that you’re “doing Southeast Asia.” Tell them exactly where you’re going, for how long, and what you’re doing.
• Get recommended vaccines. This might include hepatitis A and B, typhoid, yellow fever, or Japanese encephalitis if you’re going remote. Don’t cheap out here.
• Ask about malaria prevention. If it applies, you’ll need pills. Some are daily. Some are weekly. All can save your ass.
• Request a general health kit. Many clinics offer travel packs with rehydration salts, antibiotics, or altitude sickness meds. Say yes.
• Update your routine shots. Tetanus, MMR, flu, if it’s been a decade, get poked.

Yeah, needles suck. But so does being bedridden 9,000 miles from home. This is one thing to do before leaving for a trip that could literally save your life.

12. Outsmart Dead Zones: Download Offline Maps and Translators

No Wi-Fi, no signal, no clue where you are. Welcome to your personal episode of Lost, starring you and your useless phone.

Downloading offline tools is a must-do thing to do before leaving for a trip. Because when tech fails (and it will), you need something better than blind hope.

Don’t rely on roaming or prayer to get you through a maze of side streets or menus written in ancient glyphs.

Here’s how to set yourself up like a digital MacGyver:

• Download offline maps. Use Google Maps and tap your destination. Hit “Download” and save the whole area. Do this for each city or region you’ll visit.
• Try Maps.me too. It’s free, works offline, and has super-detailed trails and routes. Great for off-grid wanderers.
• Get a translation app. Google Translate is king. Download the language packs so you can translate signs, menus, and awkward small talk without internet.
• Turn on “conversation mode.” It lets you speak and hear real-time translations. Pure magic when you need directions or order food that won’t murder your stomach.
• Test it before you go. Don’t wait until you’re standing in a dim train station at 11 PM. Make sure it actually works without signal.
• Bookmark key phrases. Save ones you’ll use: “Where’s the bathroom,” “No meat please,” and “Is this train going to [city]?”

Tech should be your travel sidekick, not your weak link. This is one thing to do before leaving for a trip that makes you look way more put together than you probably are.

13. Save Your Digital Life: Back Up Your Phone and Files

Drop your phone in a Thai river? Get it snatched on a bus in Buenos Aires? Boom. Photos, notes, and your entire brain are gone.

Backing up your phone is a non-negotiable thing to do before leaving for a trip. It takes 10 minutes and could save you from a digital faceplant.

Your memories, bookings, passwords, and contacts live on that device. If it dies, gets stolen, or ends up under a tuk-tuk, what’s your plan?

Here’s how to cover your digital a** like a grown-up:

• Back up your phone to the cloud. iPhone users: Settings → iCloud → Back Up Now. Android: Settings → Google Backup → Back Up Now.
• Double-check your photos. Make sure they’ve synced to Google Photos, iCloud, or wherever you store them.
• Export your key docs. Save a copy of travel insurance, flight itineraries, passport scans, and tickets to a cloud folder like Google Drive or Dropbox.
• Enable Find My Phone. For iPhone: Settings → Find My → Turn it on. For Android: Settings → Security → Find My Device.
• Sync your notes and contacts. Use your cloud account to make sure everything is saved. If you have passwords stored in Notes, lock that shit down.
• Pack a digital backup. Upload important files to a USB drive or SD card and stash it in your bag just in case the cloud ghosts you.
• Update your apps. Old versions can crash at the worst times. Do this while you’ve still got decent Wi-Fi.

This thing to do before leaving for a trip isn’t glamorous. But when your phone takes a dive and you still have access to your life, you’ll feel like a damn genius.

14. Stay Online Abroad: Set Up Your Phone Before You Land

Nothing says “lost tourist” like standing outside a train station, staring at your dead signal and hoping Wi-Fi will save your ass.

Getting international phone service or an eSIM is a crucial thing to do before leaving for a trip. It keeps you connected when you actually need to be, like calling your Airbnb host or finding the nearest bathroom.

Avoid surprise roaming charges and the pain of trying to buy a SIM card at a sketchy kiosk while jetlagged and drooling.

Here’s how to get your phone ready like a damn pro:

• Check if your phone is unlocked. Call your carrier or Google your model. If it’s locked, you can’t use foreign SIMs or eSIMs. Fix it now.
• Decide on SIM vs eSIM. Physical SIMs are fine but old-school. eSIMs are digital, instant, and less likely to get lost under your hostel bed.
• Use a global eSIM app. Try Airalo, Holafly, or Nomad. Buy a plan for your destination, install the profile, and boom—you’re connected when you land.
• Set your phone to use the eSIM for data. Go to Settings → Cellular → Default Data Line and switch it to the eSIM.
• Turn off data roaming for your primary SIM. Avoid surprise bills that look like a car payment.
• Download the eSIM QR code before you leave. Some setups need Wi-Fi. Don’t try doing it in-flight or on the airport curb.
• Test it. Make sure you can browse the web, message, or use Maps before you go off-grid.

This is the kind of thing to do before leaving for a trip that keeps you out of trouble and in control. Because getting lost is fun, unless it’s avoidable and completely your fault.

15. Plan Without Killing the Vibe: Build a Loose Itinerary

Winging it sounds romantic until you’re starving, lost, and everything’s closed on a random Tuesday.

Sketching a basic game plan is a solid thing to do before leaving for a trip. It gives your travels structure without turning you into a tour group zombie.

You don’t need to schedule every bathroom break. Just enough of a plan to avoid wasting your best days making dumb decisions.

Here’s how to build a chill-but-smart itinerary:

• Block out your travel days. Flights, trains, long bus rides. Mark those first so you don’t try to squeeze a museum visit between two border crossings.
• List must-see places. Pick 1 or 2 big things per day max. Any more and you’re not sightseeing, you’re speedrunning.
• Add buffer time. Leave space to get lost, linger over wine, or deal with crap that takes longer than expected.
• Map your days loosely. Group activities by neighborhood or area. Don’t cross a city four times in one afternoon. Your feet will revolt.
• Check for closures and weird hours. Some spots shut down on Mondays or take long lunch breaks like it’s 1742.
• Pin your stops on Google Maps. Helps you spot gaps, overlaps, and that amazing ramen shop next to your hostel.
• Write it down somewhere. Phone note, spreadsheet, napkin, it doesn’t matter. Just don’t rely on memory.

This thing to do before leaving for a trip makes room for magic and keeps you from wasting half a day wondering what the hell to do next.

16. Stay Safe Without Being Weird: Share Your Travel Plans

If you vanish into the wilds of Colombia with no backup plan and no one knows where you went, that’s not adventurous. That’s just dumb.

Sharing your trip details is a basic but lifesaving thing to do before leaving for a trip. It doesn’t make you paranoid, it makes you smart enough to not become a Netflix documentary.

Your mom, your best friend, your weirdly organized coworker, someone should know your general game plan.

Here’s how to do it without being dramatic:

• Pick a trusted contact. This should be someone who won’t lose your info or panic if you miss a text.
• Send them your itinerary. Flights, accommodation names, dates, and general city timelines. Nothing too detailed, just enough to track you if shit hits the fan.
• Include emergency contacts. Add your travel insurance details, embassy numbers, and local emergency numbers if you’ve got them.
• Share your passport and visa copies. Digital versions only. No need to make them your personal vault, just a backup in case of theft.
• Keep them updated if plans change. If you suddenly decide to hike through Montenegro or sail to Sicily, shoot them a quick update.
• Set check-in points. You don’t need to text daily, but a “still alive” message every few days doesn’t hurt.

This is one thing to do before leaving for a trip that takes five minutes and can make all the difference when things go sideways. Stay free, but don’t disappear like a dumbass.

17. Keep Your Home from Smelling or Burning: Unplug and Trash Out

Nothing says “welcome home” like a fridge full of moldy takeout or the scorched scent of a toaster that fried itself while you were in Bali.

Taking care of your space is an overlooked but essential thing to do before leaving for a trip. It saves you from returning to a science experiment or a surprise visit from the fire department.

Your future self wants a clean, safe place to crash. Not a hazmat scene.

Here’s how to shut things down the smart way:

• Unplug all non-essential appliances. Think toaster, coffee maker, TV, laptop chargers, lamps. Keeps your house from playing with fire and cuts down your electric bill.
• Take out all trash. Every bin. Bathroom, kitchen, desk. Unless you like the smell of warm banana peels and regret.
• Run the garbage disposal. Toss in a lemon slice if you’re fancy. Just don’t leave old pasta festering in there.
• Clear the fridge of perishables. Milk, veggies, leftovers, anything that can rot or grow legs. Toss or give it to a friend.
• Set your thermostat. No need to heat or cool an empty home. Find an energy-saving temp and lock it in.
• Check your smoke alarms. Fast test. Make sure they’re working. Because being gone doesn’t stop a short circuit.
• Close windows and lock all doors. Last walk-around before you head out. Give everything a tug to be sure.

It’s not sexy, but it’s one thing to do before leaving for a trip that turns your return into a relief, not a disaster.

18. Keep Your Mail from Screaming “I’m Not Home!”

A pile of unopened mail is basically a flashing neon sign that says “rob me.” It’s also a great way to lose important bills or that Amazon return refund you forgot about.

Setting up a mail hold or forwarding is a smart-as-hell thing to do before leaving for a trip. It protects your stuff, your privacy, and your peace of mind while you’re off living your best life.

Also, nothing kills post-trip bliss like wading through three weeks of junk mail and overdue notices.

Here’s how to keep your mailbox in check:

• Decide how long you’ll be gone. If it’s over a week, set up a mail hold. If it’s longer or indefinite, forward that shit.
• Visit your local post office site. In the U.S., that’s USPS.com. You can schedule a mail hold or set up forwarding in about five clicks.
• Set the start and end dates. Don’t forget the end date or your mail might keep chilling in post office limbo.
• Choose how to receive held mail. Pick up in person or have it delivered in a bundle once you’re back.
• Update your forwarding address. If you’re moving around or gone for a while, forward mail to a trusted friend or a temporary address.
• Tell your neighbors. If they’re cool, ask them to keep an eye out. Nothing beats human eyes when it comes to keeping sketchy stuff in check.
• Don’t forget packages. Some carriers (like UPS or FedEx) need separate instructions. Log in and pause or reroute those too.

It’s a tiny thing to do before leaving for a trip, but it saves you from theft, late fees, and coming home to a mailbox stuffed like a Thanksgiving turkey.

19. Keep Your Dog Alive and Plants Green: Line Up Care

You don’t want to be sipping cocktails in Morocco while your cat’s back home plotting your demise because you forgot to arrange food. Or water. Or literally anything.

Lining up care for your living things is a no-excuses thing to do before leaving for a trip. Pets and plants can’t fend for themselves, and you don’t need a guilt trip waiting for you when you get back.

Also, dead succulents are depressing as hell.

Here’s how to make sure everything survives in your absence:

• Make a list of who needs care. Pets, plants, aquariums, sourdough starter. If it’s alive, it counts.
• Ask someone you trust. Neighbor, friend, reliable teenager. Pick someone who won’t forget in 24 hours or feed your dog a Pop-Tart.
• Leave clear instructions. Feeding schedules, walk times, meds, plant watering routines. Be specific. “A little” water means different things to different people.
• Do a walk-through with them. Show where the food is, how the litter box works, and which plants are dramatic little divas.
• Stock up on supplies. Make sure you’ve got enough food, litter, poop bags, and whatever else they’ll need while you’re gone.
• Give emergency contacts. Vet info, backup person, and where you’ll be in case things go sideways.
• Offer a thank-you gift. A souvenir, a bottle of wine, or at least a strong “I owe you.” Don’t be that freeloader.

This is a thing to do before leaving for a trip that takes a little time but a lot of stress off your return. Nothing ruins a vacation buzz like a wilted ficus and a pissed-off pug.

20. Dress Smart, Not Sweaty: Plan Your Travel Outfit Like a Boss

You think that cute new jacket is airport-ready until you’re stuck in security peeling off layers like a human onion. Comfort always wins at 35,000 feet.

Choosing the right outfit is an underrated thing to do before leaving for a trip. It keeps you warm when the plane turns into a freezer and comfy when the gate agent delays your flight just for fun.

You’re not walking a runway. You’re crossing continents.

Here’s how to dress like a savvy traveler, not a sweaty amateur:

• Start with breathable layers. A T-shirt, light sweater or hoodie, and a packable jacket covers all the weird climate swings airports throw at you.
• Wear your bulkiest items. That puffer jacket or hiking boots? Put them on. Save the space in your bag for better things, like snacks.
• Go full stretch. Joggers, yoga pants, or soft travel jeans that don’t strangle your legs. Nothing with buttons that dig into your gut during hour five of a layover.
• Pick shoes you can slip off fast. You will take them off at security, and fumbling with laces holds up the line. Don’t be that guy.
• Add a scarf or buff. Works as a blanket, pillow, blindfold, and fashion statement. Plus it hides whatever disaster your hair turns into mid-flight.
• Use pockets wisely. Keep your passport, boarding pass, lip balm, and gum accessible without digging through your carry-on.
• Avoid belts, metal, and complicated jewelry. TSA doesn’t care how cool you look. They will make you strip and explain yourself in socks.

This is a thing to do before leaving for a trip that sets the tone for everything ahead. Look sharp, stay comfortable, and don’t smell like airport burritos by hour two.

21. Stay Powered Up: Charge Everything Before You Go

Nothing tests your patience like a dead phone in a foreign airport while your gate changes three times and you can’t find the Wi-Fi password.

Charging your gear is a low-effort, high-impact thing to do before leaving for a trip. It keeps you connected, entertained, and way less likely to lose your shit when travel gets messy.

Also, TikTok hits different at 35 percent battery and a six-hour layover.

Here’s how to juice up like a travel veteran:

• Charge your phone to 100 percent. Don’t rely on the Uber ride or airport lounge. Start the day at full power.
• Top off your power bank. If it’s not fully charged, it’s just a glorified brick. Don’t carry dead weight.
• Charge your headphones, tablet, Kindle, and laptop. Whatever you’re bringing, plug it in the night before and leave it charging while you sleep.
• Bring every cable you need. Double-check your cords. USB-C, Lightning, micro-USB, yes, that’s still a thing.
• Pack a wall plug with multiple ports. Bonus points if it has international adapters. Airport outlets are rare and fought over like fresh bread in a blackout.
• Test your gear. Plug in every device to confirm it’s actually charging. Weird cords die quietly.
• Stash your power bank in your carry-on. Don’t check it. Lithium batteries and plane cargo holds don’t mix, and TSA hates surprises.

This is one thing to do before leaving for a trip that saves you from boredom, battery anxiety, and begging strangers for a charger like a tech-deprived raccoon.

22. Skip the Post-Trip Stench: Purge Your Fridge

Nothing slaps you in the face harder than the smell of two-week-old shrimp lo mein when you get home jetlagged and dreaming of toast.

Cleaning out your fridge is an unglamorous but absolutely critical thing to do before leaving for a trip. It spares you the biohazard and makes space for the groceries you’ll eventually panic-buy when you return.

Rotten yogurt and liquified lettuce do not make a warm welcome.

Here’s how to de-funk your fridge before liftoff:

• Open it up and scan everything. If it expires before you return, toss it or eat it now.
• Check the fresh stuff. Milk, fruit, salad kits, that mystery container you’ve been avoiding. Don’t leave them behind to ferment into science projects.
• Wipe down any spills. That sticky spot under the OJ? Clean it now or deal with a crusty mess later.
• Empty the trash right after. Don’t let that rotting produce marinate in your kitchen while you’re off in Lisbon.
• Unplug mini-fridges if you’re gone long. Prop the door open with a towel so it doesn’t smell like death when you come back.
• Offer food to a friend or neighbor. Be a hero. That cheese doesn’t have to die alone.
• Do a final check the morning of. Some last-minute yogurt always hides in the back.

It’s a gross but necessary thing to do before leaving for a trip. You want to come home to memories and a comfy bed, not a fridge full of regret and green fuzz.

23. Skip the Airport Shake-Down: Pack TSA-Approved Toiletries

There’s nothing like TSA pulling out your shampoo in front of a line of strangers like it’s a bomb threat. Congrats, your moisturizer is now public property.

Packing your toiletries right is a wildly underestimated thing to do before leaving for a trip. It keeps you moving through security like a pro and keeps your hygiene intact without drama.

Nobody needs to start a trip with confiscated toothpaste and shame.

Here’s how to nail the liquids game without getting flagged:

• Use the 3-1-1 rule. All liquids, gels, creams, and aerosols must be in containers 3.4 ounces (100ml) or less.
• Put them in one clear quart-sized zip-top bag. One bag per traveler. Yes, it must zip. TSA doesn’t do leaky pouches.
• Only pack what you actually use. Travel-size shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant, sunscreen, contact solution. Leave the fancy stuff for checked luggage or ditch it altogether.
• Go solid where possible. Solid shampoo, bar soap, and deodorant don’t count toward the liquid limit. Genius, right?
• Buy reusable travel bottles. Fill them with your preferred products instead of buying overpriced mini versions. Just label them or risk brushing your teeth with conditioner.
• Keep the bag accessible. Don’t bury it under a pile of sweaters. You’ll need to toss it in a bin at security.
• Check TSA’s site if you’re unsure. They update often, and yes, even peanut butter counts as a gel. Don’t ask.

This thing to do before leaving for a trip saves time, stress, and the weird feeling of having a stranger judge your skincare routine at 5 AM.

24. Don’t Be “That Traveler”: Triple-Check Your ID, Passport, and Boarding Pass

There’s a special kind of horror that hits when you reach the front of the TSA line and realize your passport is still on your kitchen counter.

Triple-checking your documents is a no-brainer thing to do before leaving for a trip. Miss this step and you’re not flying, you’re crying in an Uber back home.

These three items are your entire life at the airport. Screw one up and the whole adventure falls apart.

Here’s how to make sure your most important stuff stays with you:

• Lay out your passport, ID, and boarding pass the night before. Don’t wing it. Set them in your day bag where you know they’ll be.
• Check expiration dates. Your ID should be valid, and your passport should be good for at least six months beyond your return date.
• Print your boarding pass even if it’s digital. Phones die. Apps glitch. A paper backup can save your spot when your screen freezes mid-scan.
• Use a passport wallet or travel pouch. Something slim that holds all your key docs and slips easily into a zippered bag pocket.
• Confirm your name matches across all docs. The airline doesn’t care if your friends call you “Mo.” Your ID and ticket better say “Mohammed.”
• Do a physical check right before you leave. Touch them. Hold them. Say their names out loud if you must. This isn’t a drill.
• Set a reminder on your phone. Something obnoxious, five minutes before you leave, that screams “GRAB YOUR DAMN PASSPORT.”

This thing to do before leaving for a trip can mean the difference between sipping champagne at cruising altitude or rage-scrolling in your kitchen. Don’t mess it up.

25. Outsmart Airline Hunger Games: Pack Snacks, Gum, and a Water Bottle

Airport food is overpriced sadness in a plastic tray. Plane food? Even worse. And chewing gum is the only thing that keeps your ears from exploding mid-climb.

Packing snacks and hydration gear is a shockingly effective thing to do before leaving for a trip. It keeps your blood sugar up, your mood decent, and your wallet intact when the in-flight meal is a mystery meat sandwich and tears.

Nobody wants to pay $6 for a banana or beg a flight attendant for another thimble of water.

Here’s how to feed yourself like a travel genius:

• Pack high-protein, non-messy snacks. Think almonds, protein bars, trail mix, or dried fruit. Avoid tuna. Always avoid tuna.
• Bring gum or mints. Helps with ear pressure during takeoff and landing, and keeps your breath in check after six hours of recycled air.
• Use a refillable water bottle. Empty it before security, then fill it at a fountain or café gate-side. Stay hydrated without buying overpriced airport water.
• Avoid liquids and sauces. TSA doesn’t care if it’s “just hummus.” If it’s spreadable, it’s suspicious.
• Pack enough for layovers. Delays happen. Terminal food options close. You’ll thank yourself when it’s midnight in Frankfurt and the vending machines are broken.
• Choose stuff that won’t stink. Please don’t be the person who cracks open hard-boiled eggs mid-flight. Humanity begs you.
• Keep everything in a small pouch. Easy access means no digging through your carry-on like a raccoon.

This is a thing to do before leaving for a trip that keeps you functioning when the travel gods turn on you. Hungry travelers make dumb decisions. Don’t be that guy.

26. Fight Boredom Like a Pro: Load Up Books, Podcasts, and Shows

Travel looks sexy on Instagram, but in reality? It’s long hours sitting on your ass while your brain screams for stimulation.

Stocking up on entertainment is a clutch thing to do before leaving for a trip. It turns delays, turbulence, and hostel downtime into a vibe instead of a mental meltdown.

Don’t count on airplane screens or hotel cable. You’ll end up watching outdated sitcoms in German.

Here’s how to prep your brain fuel like a legend:

• Download a couple of books. Use Kindle, Libby (free with a library card), or Audible if you prefer listening to someone else read.
• Load your podcast queue. Comedy, travel, true crime, whatever keeps you sane. Download full episodes, streaming is flaky midair.
• Save shows or movies offline. Use Netflix, Prime Video, or Disney+. Just hit that little download arrow before you leave Wi-Fi behind.
• Make a playlist. One for takeoff, one for walking around new cities, and one for that “I might lose it” moment on hour 12 of your layover.
• Bring headphones. Real ones. Noise-canceling if you can. Earbuds if you can’t. Just don’t rely on the cheap ones from the airline.
• Pack a splitter or second pair. Share a movie with your travel buddy without playing hot potato with your phone.
• Keep everything charged. Dead entertainment is just sadness in your pocket. See tip #21 if you ignored that one.

This thing to do before leaving for a trip keeps your sanity intact when travel gets dull, loud, or wildly delayed. Because mental survival is just as real as physical.

27. Lock It Down: Do One Last Home Sweep Before You Bounce

You’re five minutes from the airport when it hits you—did you turn off the stove? Or did you just think about turning it off while brushing your teeth?

A final walk-through is a non-negotiable thing to do before leaving for a trip. It’s your last line of defense against dumb mistakes that turn into expensive disasters.

This isn’t paranoia. This is how you avoid coming home to a flooded kitchen or lights that have been burning for ten days straight.

Here’s how to sweep your place like a responsible badass:

• Walk through every room. Start at one end of your home and go room by room with fresh eyes. Look for anything on, open, or suspicious.
• Turn off lights, fans, and electronics. Don’t let your place throw a rave while you’re gone.
• Double-check appliances. Stovetop off, oven off, coffee maker unplugged. You are not burning down your house for an unbrewed espresso.
• Close and lock all windows and doors. Don’t forget side doors, garage entrances, and that one bathroom window you always leave cracked.
• Flush toilets and run a little water. Keeps the pipes fresh and prevents that lovely sewer smell welcome-home party.
• Take a quick photo of your thermostat setting. Peace of mind and proof you didn’t crank it to sauna mode.
• Do one last trash check. Old banana peels love to wait until day four to launch a full-blown stink rebellion.
• Toss a few lights on timers. If you’ve got smart plugs or old-school timers, set them to mimic someone being home. Burglars hate that.

This is the final thing to do before leaving for a trip, and yeah, it’s kind of boring. But it’s the five-minute ritual that can save you a fortune and your sanity.

You made it.

That’s 27 solid things to do before leaving for a trip, because showing up at the airport half-prepped with mystery liquids and no charger is not the vibe.

Travel’s chaotic enough without self-sabotage. Prep well and you get to stress less and experience more. That’s the whole damn point.

So tell me, what’s the first thing on this list you’re going to knock out? Passport check? Travel snacks? Power bank? Drop it in the comments or scream it into the void. Either way, handle your business. ✈️