Pre-departure checklist

Everything the book asks you to do before leaving, in order.

three months out

• Check passport expiry against every destination and transit country
• Start passport renewal if it expires within a year of your travel dates
• Identify which visa type applies to your passport for each stop
• Book a travel health appointment
• Find out which vaccinations are required versus recommended

two months out

• Begin visa applications
• Gather proof of funds, onward travel, accommodation
• Begin any multi-dose vaccination course
• Start preventative medication that must begin early
• Run the route friction check on your actual destinations

one month out

• Confirm visa approvals
• Convert refundable bookings to firm once visas are granted
• Check medication legality for every country including transits
• Confirm prescriptions cover the whole trip plus margin
• Get a prescriber's letter for anything controlled
• Buy travel insurance and read the exclusions

two weeks out

• Switch two-factor authentication from SMS to an authenticator app
• Tell your bank you are travelling, through the app so there is a record
• Check your daily withdrawal limit abroad
• Confirm your phone is unlocked if using a local SIM
• Contact embassies about any medication import permits
• Trial pack the bag. Carry it. Up stairs.

one week out

• Photograph every document and save the copies offline
• Save three numbers offline: your embassy, your insurer, one person at home
• Book the first night's accommodation
• Confirm insurance is active and covers every destination
• Check travel advisories for last-minute changes

two days out

• Download offline maps, wider than you think you need
• Download the offline translation pack
• Download accommodation, insurance and visa documents to the device
• Confirm flight time and terminal from the booking, not memory
• Photograph your packed bag and its contents

night before

• Charge everything, including the battery pack
• Lay out documents, bag, what-if pouch, anything for security
• Water off, perishables dealt with, one neighbour told
• Set two alarms

the test

Put your phone in aeroplane mode. Try to open your passport photo, your insurance details, and your accommodation address. If any of them fail, fix it now rather than discovering it later.