Packing your bags at the very last second before departure isn’t a big deal, nor is learning about your destination for the first time while on the plane. Even if you’re embarking on a spontaneous trip, there are still some things that need to be arranged in advance. Otherwise, various issues may arise during your journey, disrupting your plans and preventing you from fully enjoying your trip. Recently, the well-known travel website "smarter travel" reminded everyone of 11 things that need to be sorted out before you travel — whether it’s getting various vaccinations or breaking in new shoes, some things require consideration and preparation days, weeks, or even months ahead of time.
1. Get Vaccinations
If you’re traveling to Argentina, you’ll need a typhoid vaccine. If you’re going to China, a hepatitis A vaccine is a must. Needing vaccinations means you have to make medical appointments in advance, and sometimes multiple doses are required over the course of several weeks or even months — such as with the hepatitis A vaccine. These aren’t things you want to leave to the last minute. The CDC’s Travelers’ Health guide provides comprehensive information on recommended vaccinations for different countries.
Even when traveling domestically, between different cities, different vaccines may be needed — this is not something to overlook. Make sure you’re up to date on routine vaccines like measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR), as well as diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough).
2. Break in New Shoes
If you plan to wear new shoes on your trip, make sure to wear them ahead of time to break them in. Often, it takes a while for new shoes to stop rubbing and hurting your feet — sometimes days, sometimes weeks. Breaking them in before you leave can prevent blisters and ensure you don’t start your journey with uncomfortable feet.
3. Download Movies
If you’re traveling alone, having entertainment options is especially important. Layovers, long flights, and delays can all get tedious — having movies to watch can help pass the time without getting bored. But even with fast internet, downloading a movie can still take a while. Ideally, download movies to your device — whether it’s a tablet, phone, or laptop — at least one day in advance, so you have plenty of time. Or consider downloading your favorite TV shows or books. Missing your flight because you were waiting for a movie to download is definitely not worth it.
4. Book Special In-Flight Meals
If you have specific dietary requirements for airplane meals — such as being a strict vegetarian, needing gluten-free food, or following Jewish or Islamic dietary laws — you’ll need to prepare in advance and not leave it to the last second. Most airlines require at least 24 hours' notice to arrange special meals. The best time to request them is actually when you book your flight. You’ll be grateful you planned ahead when you’re enjoying a satisfying meal at 30,000 feet.
5. Update Your Phone’s Operating System
Updating your phone’s operating system before heading to the airport can save you a lot of trouble. This not only helps avoid your phone crashing or restarting when you need to make a call or check flight info, but also ensures all your apps are up to date. Plus, if you’ve forgotten important passwords — such as saved routes or contacts — an update could help restore access to that vital information.
6. Hire a House and Pet Sitter
Arranging for a house and pet sitter before you leave is always a smart move. It’s even more important during the summer and holiday seasons when such services are in high demand and tend to book up quickly. Even if you plan to bribe a friend or relative with travel souvenirs to collect your mail, or ask a neighbor’s kid to check your mailbox, you still need to make sure they have the time and availability to look after your home while you’re away.
7. Download software updates
If you don’t have fast internet, downloading or updating software can be maddeningly slow. And no matter what kind of software you’re updating—camera apps, map apps, or transit apps—it can feel like a never-ending battle. Before you leave, download all the apps you need and make sure everything is up to date. That way, you won’t have to deal with malfunctioning programs and test your patience when you’re traveling.
8. Power Adapters and Voltage Converters
Do your electronic devices require power adapters or voltage converters? You’ll need to figure that out in advance. For example, Apple phones and tablets come with power plugs that have built-in converters, so if you’re traveling to a place that uses 240-volt AC power, you’ll only need a suitable power strip for your charger. But if you plan to use other appliances, such as hair dryers, which may have different voltage requirements, you’ll need to prepare thoroughly to avoid any electrical mishaps.
9. Make Advance Reservations at Popular Restaurants
If there’s a restaurant you’ve been longing to try in the city you’re visiting, consider whether you need to make a reservation. If it’s so famous that it draws visitors from far and wide, chances are you’ll have a hard time getting a table. You can call to reserve a spot, but if you’re not confident in your language skills and have a credit card that allows for concierge services, you might want to let the professionals handle it. The OpenTable website offers online reservations for restaurants in the U.S., UK, Japan, Mexico, and more, or you can use country-specific reservation sites like France’s Lafourchette.
10. Check Your Passport’s Expiration Date
If you’re planning to travel somewhere next year, check the expiration date on your passport. If it’s set to expire in less than six months, pay close attention—some countries won’t allow you to enter if your passport is close to expiring. Some require at least six months’ validity, while others ask for three. Having your trip ruined due to passport issues would be incredibly disappointing.
11. Understand Luggage Restrictions for Connecting Flights
For some connecting flights, you only need to follow the luggage restrictions of the airline you booked. But in other cases, you may have to comply with the rules of different carriers. If your itinerary involves multiple flights on different airlines, make sure you understand all the restrictions in advance to avoid paying extra fees for overweight luggage. This can be a real headache, and some foreign airlines don’t list specific requirements on their websites—so you may need to call and ask. Spending a little on that phone call is much better than finding out at the airport that you owe extra fees.