20 Things to Do the Day Before You Go on Vacation

A practical checklist for the day before your trip: documents, entry requirements, money, home, packing and phone – so you leave relaxed and nothing gets forgotten.

By Best Travel Tale Editorial Team
Updated 18 October 2026 · 2 min read

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A passport tucked into a packed suitcase
Photo: ClickerHappy on Pixabay

The day before a trip is when good plans either come together or fall apart. Work through this checklist and you'll leave home knowing everything is sorted.

Documents and bookings

1. Check your passport and ID. Make sure they're valid for your whole trip – and beyond, if your destination requires it.

2. Confirm entry requirements. More countries now ask travelers to apply online before they fly, such as the US ESTA or the UK's ETA. Check your destination's official government website, not a third-party agency.

3. Check in online. Most airlines open check-in 24 hours before departure. Download your boarding pass to your phone.

4. Confirm every booking. Hotel, car hire, transfers and tours – check dates, times and addresses.

5. Save copies of important documents. Keep photos of your passport, insurance policy and bookings in your phone and in a secure cloud folder, and leave a copy with someone at home.

6. Check your travel insurance. Know your policy number, the emergency phone number and what's covered.

Money

7. Check your cards work abroad. Look at your banking app, check fees and save your bank's emergency number.

8. Get a little local cash. Enough for a taxi, a coffee and a tip on arrival.

9. Clear out your wallet. Take only the cards you need and leave loyalty cards and receipts at home.

10. Pay bills that are due while you're away.

Home

11. Pause deliveries and post. Or ask a neighbour to collect them.

12. Empty the fridge. Throw away anything that will go off and take out the rubbish.

13. Unplug electronics. It saves energy and protects against power surges.

14. Arrange care for pets and plants.

15. Set lights on a timer and lock all windows and doors before you leave.

Phone and tech

16. Sort mobile data. Buy an eSIM or roaming plan so your phone works as soon as you land. Install it at home on Wi-Fi and keep your home SIM on for bank text codes. Not sure which to choose? Our guide to the best eSIMs for travel compares the main providers.

17. Download offline maps, entertainment and your airline's app.

18. Charge everything – phone, power bank, headphones, camera – and pack the right plug adapter.

19. Set an out-of-office reply on your work email and voicemail.

Packing

20. Pack your essentials in your hand luggage. Medication, documents, chargers, a change of clothes and anything valuable should never go in a checked bag. Keep liquids within the security limits – our guide to getting through airport security faster explains how.

Traveling alone?

Share your itinerary with someone you trust and agree on a daily check-in. Our safety tips for solo travelers cover everything else.

Frequently asked questions

How long before a trip should I check my passport?

Check it as soon as you book. Many countries require your passport to be valid for at least three to six months after your travel dates and to have blank pages, and renewing can take several weeks.

Do I need to tell my bank I'm traveling?

Many banks no longer require a travel notice, but it's still worth checking your banking app. Make sure your cards work abroad, know the foreign transaction fees and save your bank's emergency number.

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