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For many people, the holiday season involves traveling, whether by plane, train, or automobile! Heading home for the holidays (or wherever it is you’re going) can be stressful, and stress can make it easy to forget things you’d normally have no trouble remembering.
So to help your holiday travel go as smoothly as possible, I put together a list of 10 things to double-check before you leave for the airport or pull out of the driveway. I’m pretty sure I’ve forgotten to do all of things before a trip at one point or another, and I figure I can’t be the only one!
Related: These Are The Best Tips For Packing A Carry On Bag
Before traveling over the river and through the woods, make sure you’re not forgetting these 10 things! (And for even more useful travel tips, check out my ebook The Getaway Guide — it’s free for OGT Plus members!)
10 Things To Double-Check The Night Before Traveling
1. Charge Everything
Before you leave, make sure all of your electronics are fully charged. That includes your cellphone, tablet, e-reader, and portable battery packs. (If you don’t have an external battery, consider getting one! They aren’t terribly expensive, and it’s so nice to have a way to charge your phone on the go.)
2. Get Some Cash
I don’t often carry cash with me, as I typically use debit and credit cards for most purchases. But cash can be very helpful on a trip, especially when it comes to tipping, paying for parking, and other cash-only situations you might encounter.
3. Pack Toiletries & Meds
Double-check your toiletries to make sure you have everything you need. This is also a good opportunity to make sure that nothing has passed its expiration date. And make sure you have all of your necessary medications with you!
4. Get A Good Night’s Sleep
Traveling can be exhausting, so you want to start out feeling as well-rested as possible! Make sure you get your packing done early enough that you can still get a full night’s sleep before your trip.
5. Print Your Itinerary
While you likely have the important details of your trip on your phone, it never hurts to bring a physical copy too. Make sure your printed (or written) itinerary includes confirmation numbers, reservation codes, addresses, and phone numbers.
That way, if you end up in an area with bad cell reception or limited Wi-Fi (or, heaven forbid, your phone dies), you still have access to those important details!
6. Bring A Water Bottle
In addition to being exhausting, travel can also be dehydrating. Make sure to bring a reusable water bottle with you (but make sure it’s empty if you’re heading to the airport!) Keep your water bottle full, and don’t forget to use it!
7. Check The Weather
It’s always a good idea to know what to expect when it comes to the weather. The night before you leave, check what the next day’s weather holds for your destination. It might be a good reminder to bring an umbrella or warmer footwear.
8. Download Entertainment
The night before you leave, make sure to download anything you want to watch or listen to for entertainment. This could include music, podcasts, TV shows, movies, audiobooks… whatever! It’s better to download them rather than to hope you’ll have a good connection while on the road or in the air.
9. Don’t Forget Your Passport!
If you’re leaving the country, you definitely don’t want to forget your passport. If you will be using it at the airport, make sure it isn’t expiring within the next few months!
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10. Take Screenshots
Smartphone apps are great for getting directions or keeping track of travel documents, but you may not always have cell service. Avoid getting derailed by taking screenshots of important documents or travel routes. Screenshots get saved to your photo app, so you don’t need service to access them.
What do you recommend doing before leaving for a trip?
