Travel Day Checklist: From Home to Destination

Before Leaving Home

Final checks before you close the door:

Essential Items Check

• Count passports - one per family member
• Verify boarding passes are accessible (app or printed)
• Check wallet - cards, foreign currency, UK cash for parking
• Phone fully charged
• House keys (to lock up and for return)
• Car keys or taxi confirmation

House Lockup

• All windows closed and locked
• Back door locked
• Garage door secured
• Alarm set if you have one
• Lights/timers set
• Central heating on frost protection or away mode
• Front door double-locked
• Check letterbox is not overflowing

In the Car

• All bags loaded - do a count
• Children secured in car seats
• Entertainment accessible for journey to airport
• Snacks and drinks within reach
• Phone charger connected
• Navigation set for airport (allow for traffic)
• Parking booking confirmation ready

Airport Parking Arrival

When you reach the car park:

• Follow signs to your pre-booked car park
• Take ticket or scan booking confirmation
• Park in a space you can remember (near a pillar number, landmark)
• Take photo of parking zone, level, and space number
• Take photo of your car from a distance (helps find it later)
• Note which exit you used from car park
• Remove all valuables from the car
• Check boot is empty and locked
• Take all bags - do a final count
• Remove child car seats if needed at destination

Airport Arrival

Navigate the terminal efficiently:

Check-in Process

• Find your airline check-in area
• Use bag drop if already checked in online
• Have passports ready for each person
• Verify bag weight is within limits
• Confirm seat assignments
• Ask about family boarding if airline offers it
• Note gate number and boarding time
• Keep boarding passes safe but accessible

Before Security

• Use toilets before joining security queue
• Give children snacks now (time to security can be long)
• Have liquids bag ready to remove from bag
• Laptops and tablets in easy-access spot
• Remove belts, watches, bulky jewellery
• Empty pockets into bag
• Have boarding pass and passport in hand

Through Security

Keep calm and organised:

• Place liquids bag in tray
• Place laptops and large electronics in separate tray
• Coats and jackets in tray
• Empty pockets completely
• Walk children through scanner calmly
• Folded pushchairs go through X-ray
• Collect items efficiently on other side
• Move away from conveyor before repacking
• Count all items and children

Airside (After Security)

You have made it through - now to wait:

Finding Your Way

• Check departure screens for gate information
• Note boarding time (usually 30-45 mins before departure)
• Calculate walk time to gate (large airports need 15+ mins)
• Find toilets between security and gate
• Locate family facilities if needed
• Fill empty water bottles (save money at shops)

Waiting Time

• Let children walk around and burn energy
• Find play areas if airport has them
• Buy any forgotten items (factor in airport prices)
• Get snacks for the flight
• Charge devices at charging points if needed
• Keep checking screens for gate or time changes
• Use toilets before boarding - plane toilets are cramped

Boarding the Aircraft

When your flight is called:

• Listen for family or priority boarding announcements
• Have boarding passes and passports ready
• Keep children close in the queue
• Collapse pushchair if using gate-check service
• Move onto plane efficiently when your turn
• Find your seats quickly
• Stow bags in overhead locker above or near your seats
• Keep entertainment bag under seat in front
• Settle children before takeoff
• Buckle everyone in

During the Flight

Keeping children content:

• Offer snacks during takeoff (chewing helps ear pressure)
• For babies, feed during takeoff and landing
• Rotate entertainment - do not use best activities first
• Use screen time strategically (save for fussy periods)
• Walk to toilets occasionally for movement
• Stay hydrated - air is dry
• Accept any kids packs from cabin crew
• Keep calm - children feed off your stress

Ear Pressure Tips

• Give babies a bottle or breastfeed during descent
• Toddlers can drink from sippy cups or eat snacks
• Older children can chew gum or swallow repeatedly
• Yawning helps equalise pressure
• Earplanes (pressure-regulating earplugs) help some children

Landing and Arrival

Almost there - stay focused:

Getting Off

• Wait for seatbelt sign to turn off
• Gather all belongings - check seat pockets
• Retrieve bags from overhead locker
• Check nothing is left behind
• Keep children close in the aisle
• Collect pushchair at gate or baggage claim
• Follow signs to arrivals/passport control

Passport Control

• Have all passports ready
• Complete any arrival cards required (ask cabin crew for these during flight)
• Family can usually go through together
• Answer questions simply and honestly
• Know your accommodation address if asked
• Remove hats and sunglasses for passport check

Baggage Reclaim

• Find correct carousel for your flight
• Get a trolley if available
• Keep children entertained while waiting
• Collect all bags - check tags match your stubs
• Report any missing bags immediately (before leaving airport)
• Check bags for damage

Getting to Accommodation

The final leg:

Transfer Options

• If pre-booked transfer: Find meeting point (check confirmation)
• Look for driver with your name sign
• If taxi: Use official taxi rank, not touts inside terminal
• If car hire: Follow signs to rental desks
• Have car hire booking reference and licence ready
• Check car hire insurance and fuel policy
• Take photos of any existing car damage

Car Hire Pickup

• Present booking confirmation, licence, credit card
• Check car before signing - note any damage
• Understand fuel policy (full-to-full is best)
• Decline excessive insurance if already covered
• Install child car seats and check secure
• Familiarise yourself with controls before leaving
• Save accommodation address in navigation
• Note emergency number for breakdown

Arriving at Accommodation

First tasks when you arrive:

• Complete check-in
• Get WiFi password
• Locate emergency exits
• Check pool safety if applicable (fencing, depth)
• Identify any hazards for children
• Unpack essentials
• Find nearest supermarket, pharmacy, hospital
• Test air conditioning or heating
• Check hot water works
• Let children explore safely
• Feed everyone - hunger causes meltdowns
• Establish bedtime routine in new space
• Relax - you made it

First Day Emergency Information

Locate or note these on arrival:

• Nearest hospital or medical centre
• Local emergency number (112 works across Europe)
• Nearest pharmacy and opening hours
• Hotel/property manager emergency contact
• British Embassy/Consulate address and number
• Insurance emergency phone number
• Local police station (for lost property reports)

Travel Day Quick Reference

Key times and checks at a glance:

• 3 hours before flight - Arrive at airport for international flights
• 2 hours before - Minimum for checked bags and security
• 45 mins before - Boarding typically begins
• 30 mins before - Gates may close
• Passport check - One per person, have accessible
• Liquids - 100ml max, clear bag, separate at security
• Electronics - Laptops out of bags at security
• Baby items - Formula and food can exceed 100ml
• Pushchairs - Gate check available on most airlines