Pre-Trip Checklist for Families
Everything to do before your family holiday - from 4 weeks out to departure day
The weeks before a family holiday can be chaotic. Between work, school, and daily life, important tasks slip through the cracks. This timeline-based checklist ensures nothing gets forgotten, so you can actually relax on holiday knowing everything is sorted.
4 Weeks Before
The admin phase - sort the paperwork and big decisions now:
- Check passport validity (6 months needed for many destinations)
- Apply for/renew passports if needed (allow 10 weeks for safety)
- Check visa requirements for your destination
- Book travel insurance if not already done
- Confirm all bookings - flights, accommodation, car hire, transfers
- Book airport parking or arrange transport to airport
- Check EHIC/GHIC card is valid (for Europe)
- Research destination - activities, restaurants, practical info
- Book popular attractions/restaurants that need advance booking
- Check luggage allowances and dimensions
Child Passports
Children cannot be added to parent passports anymore. Each child needs their own passport, valid for the trip duration.
2 Weeks Before
Planning and preparation ramp up:
- Check in online as soon as window opens (usually 24-48 hours before, but some airlines allow earlier)
- Start packing list - use our packing tool to generate one
- Check weather forecast for destination and adjust packing
- Arrange pet care / house sitter if needed
- Notify bank of travel dates (prevents card blocks)
- Get foreign currency (Post Office, supermarket, or travel money card)
- Download maps/guides for offline use
- Download entertainment for kids - Netflix, Disney+, games
- Check phone roaming settings and costs
- Arrange mail hold or ask neighbour to collect
Generate your personalised packing list now.
Build My Packing List1 Week Before
Final preparations and purchases:
- Buy any remaining items - sun cream, medicines, toiletries
- Get travel-size containers for liquids
- Charge all devices
- Test camera and clear memory card
- Print important documents (bookings, insurance, emergency numbers)
- Email yourself copies of all important documents
- Check car hire driver requirements (licence, credit card)
- Reconfirm any tours or restaurant bookings
- Set up out-of-office email
- Arrange work cover if self-employed
- Start washing clothes you want to pack
- Check for flight time changes
2-3 Days Before
Serious packing begins:
- Pack main suitcases (leave out last-minute items)
- Weigh luggage - avoid excess baggage fees
- Prepare hand luggage with flight essentials
- Pack kids' entertainment for journey
- Charge tablets, phones, power banks fully
- Prepare snacks for journey
- Check weather again - adjust if needed
- Confirm airport transfer / parking details
- Check flight status
- Prepare house - clean out fridge of perishables
Family Tip
Let kids pack a small bag with toys they choose. Gives them ownership and keeps them entertained.
Day Before
Final checks and early prep:
- Final check - passports, tickets, documents all together
- Charge all devices overnight
- Set out clothes for travel day
- Pack remaining toiletries
- Check hand luggage liquids comply (100ml max, clear bag)
- Prepare car seat for transfer/hire car
- Set lights/heating on timers if needed
- Lock all windows
- Take out bins
- Water plants
- Unplug unnecessary appliances
- Leave keys with neighbour if needed
- Set alarm for morning!
Departure Day
Before you leave the house:
- Final passport/document check (count them!)
- Phone, wallet, keys
- Kids' essentials easily accessible
- Snacks and water for journey
- Entertainment bag ready
- Check all taps off, appliances unplugged
- Lock all doors and windows
- Set alarm if you have one
- Photo of parking space / car location
- Arrive at airport 2-3 hours before international flights
Tip
Take a photo of your parked car with the zone/level clearly visible. Tired families after flights forget where they parked.
Home Security Checklist
Keep your home safe while away:
- Do NOT post holiday plans on social media
- Set lights on random timers
- Ask neighbour to park on drive occasionally
- Cancel milk/newspaper deliveries
- Hide valuables
- Close curtains partially (not fully - looks unoccupied)
- Do not leave spare key in obvious spots
- Consider leaving radio on timer
- Check smoke alarm batteries
- Turn off water if away for extended period
Emergency Contacts to Save
- Travel insurance emergency number
- Bank card lost/stolen number
- Embassy/consulate at destination
- Accommodation contact number
- Car hire emergency number
- UK emergency number (999 or 112 in Europe)
- Someone at home who can help remotely
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