I’ve forgotten everything on this list at some point. Each item bit me hard enough to add it to the master pre-travel checklist. Print this, save it, run through it before every international trip.
The 14 days before departure
Documents (the must-haves)
1. Passport expiration: Must have 6+ months validity beyond your return date. Many countries reject entry otherwise.
2. Visa requirements: Check the U.S. State Department travel.state.gov page for your destination. Some countries require e-visas applied for 30+ days in advance.
3. Travel insurance: Buy within 14 days of first trip deposit for pre-existing condition coverage (covered in our travel insurance article).
4. International Driving Permit: Required in many countries for car rentals (covered in our IDP guide). $20 from AAA.
5. Vaccinations: Check CDC requirements for your destination. Some (yellow fever) need 10+ days before departure.
Money preparation
6. Notify your bank: Even with travel notice apps, manually call your bank for trips to certain countries. My Capital One card got blocked twice in 2024 despite app notifications.
7. Order foreign currency: Get $200-300 in local currency from your bank before departure for taxi/tips/first day. ATM withdrawal at the airport works but rates are bad.
8. Add international debit card: Open a Charles Schwab account 3-4 weeks before travel ($0 fees, unlimited international ATM refunds). They take 7-10 days to mail the card.
9. Increase credit limits: Hotels put $500-1000 holds per stay. Multiple bookings can exhaust your credit limit. Call to increase.
10. Apply for Global Entry/TSA Pre/CLEAR: Takes 3-6 months for new applicants. Worth $100 if you fly internationally 2+ times/year.
Health prep
11. Prescription refills: Most insurance limits how much you can fill at once. Ask doctor for vacation override 30 days before travel.
12. Travel medications: Imodium, ibuprofen, antihistamines, antibiotics (for traveler’s diarrhea — ask doctor for prophylactic prescription).
13. First aid: Band-aids, antiseptic, blister bandages (especially for Europe walking trips).
14. Eye prescription update: If you wear glasses or contacts, bring spare pair + your prescription.
15. Health insurance check: Verify whether your US insurance covers anything abroad. Most don’t.
Tech prep
16. Buy eSIM: Airalo, Holafly, or Saily. Buy 1-2 weeks before departure for the country (or region) you’re visiting.
17. Download offline maps: Google Maps – tap profile – Offline maps – select area.
18. Download offline language packs: Google Translate – tap the language – Download offline.
19. Universal adapter: Type C (Europe), Type D (India), Type G (UK), Type I (Australia). Buy a universal one with USB-C built in.
20. Portable charger: Minimum 10,000mAh. Anker brand has best reliability.
21. VPN subscription: Nord, Mullvad, or ProtonVPN. Some banking apps block foreign IPs.
22. Password manager backup: Bitwarden or 1Password export to encrypted file. Email yourself in case phone is lost/stolen.
23. Photo passport + credit cards: Save scans to your password manager (encrypted) — if cards are lost/stolen, you have account numbers.
24. Apple Find My / Google Find: Enable on all devices. Tagging a wallet/luggage with an AirTag is the single best $30 anti-theft investment.
The 7 days before departure
Home prep
25. Mail hold: Mail piling up is a “no one’s home” signal to burglars. USPS hold mail online, free up to 30 days.
26. Newspapers/deliveries: Pause Amazon subscriptions, milk delivery, anything that gets dropped at your door.
27. Smart home setup: Smart bulbs on timers, Ring doorbell active, security camera review.
28. Trash + recycling: Empty everything. Refrigerator: throw out anything that’ll expire before you return.
29. Plants/pets: Arrange care 7+ days in advance. Pet boarding fills up.
30. Thermostat: Set to 55-60°F winter, 80°F summer to save energy without freezing/cooking plants.
31. Tell a neighbor: Give them your return date and emergency contact. Most break-ins are noticed by neighbors first.
Itinerary backup
32. Print 2 copies: Flight confirmations, hotel reservations, tour bookings. One in checked bag, one in carry-on.
33. Share with family: Email a parent/sibling with full itinerary + insurance info + hotel addresses.
34. State Department STEP enrollment: Register your trip with the local US embassy. Free, they alert you to safety issues.
The 24-48 hours before
Day-before checklist
35. Charge everything: Phone, tablet, laptop, headphones, portable charger, camera batteries. Pack chargers with the universal adapter.
36. Check-in online: Most airlines open 24 hours before. Get better seat selection.
37. Confirm transport to airport: Uber tends to surge during commute hours. Pre-book or set departure alarm 30 min earlier than you think.
38. Print boarding passes: Even with digital, some airports + countries require paper. Have a backup.
39. Pack medications in carry-on: Never check prescription medications.
40. Pack one outfit in carry-on: Underwear, shirt, socks, basic toiletries. If checked luggage is lost, you can survive 48 hours.
41. Weather check + last-minute additions: Surprise rain in your destination? Add a packable rain jacket.
42. Notify employer/clients: Email auto-responder + Slack status. Out-of-office “I’ll respond when I return” is fine.
Day-of checklist
43. Final ID check: Passport, driver’s license, credit card, debit card, $200 in cash. All in carry-on or person.
44. Disable US cellular data: Settings – Cellular – Cellular Data Options – Off. Prevents accidental roaming.
45. Activate eSIM after landing, not before: Plans usually start when activated.
46. 2-hour airport arrival for international: Even with TSA Pre, allow 2 hours for international. Many things go wrong.
47. Empty water bottle through security: Refill at airport fountain — saves $5 per flight on water bottles.
The “forgot this” recovery hacks
What if you forgot something on this list? The recovery moves:
- Forgot eSIM/SIM: Buy at airport on arrival (Airalo works while in transit if you have airport WiFi)
- Forgot cash: ATM in arrivals hall (your bank’s affiliated ATM is usually fee-free)
- Forgot adapter: Buy at airport or in any hotel ($10-15)
- Forgot toiletries: Most hotels have basic shampoo/soap/toothbrush/razor on request
- Forgot medications: US pharmacies fill emergency 7-day prescriptions even abroad (call your insurer)
- Forgot to notify bank: Call bank from international number — most have free international 800-numbers (write yours down)
- Forgot to back up photos: iCloud/Google Photos backs up automatically if you turn on WiFi backup mode
The minimalist version (10 items only)
If you can only check 10 things, check these:
- Passport (6+ months valid)
- Visa applied for if needed
- Travel insurance purchased
- eSIM purchased
- Universal adapter packed
- Prescription medications in carry-on
- Cash in destination currency
- Bank notification
- STEP enrollment
- Mail hold + neighbor notified
These ten cover the gaps that cause the worst problems. Everything else is recoverable.
FAQs
How early should I start preparing for an international trip?
For most US travelers, 30-60 days. Some items take longer: passport renewal can take 6-12 weeks during peak times, vaccinations (especially yellow fever) need 10+ days before departure, Global Entry processing takes 3-6 months. Start the long-lead items 90+ days out for major trips.
What documents do I absolutely need for international travel?
Passport with 6+ months validity beyond return date, any required visas, proof of return ticket (immigration may ask), proof of accommodations (immigration may ask), travel insurance documents, vaccination records if required (yellow fever, COVID still required by some countries).
Do I need to tell my bank I’m traveling internationally?
Yes, despite many banks having travel notice apps. Manually call your bank for trips to certain countries. Cards still get blocked. Have your bank’s international phone number saved (the 1-800 number won’t work from abroad, but most banks have a separate international number).
What should I pack in my carry-on bag for international flights?
Prescription medications, one full outfit (underwear, shirt, socks), basic toiletries, all electronics + chargers, important documents (passport, insurance card), some local currency, and an empty water bottle. If your checked luggage is lost or delayed, you can survive 48 hours.
How can I prevent my phone from racking up international roaming charges?
Buy an eSIM (Airalo, Holafly, Saily) before departure. Activate it after landing. Disable cellular data on your US carrier line in Settings before leaving the US. Keep US line active only for receiving SMS verification codes (which are usually free incoming).
Frequently Asked Questions
How early should I start preparing for an international trip?
For most US travelers, 30-60 days. Some items take longer: passport renewal can take 6-12 weeks during peak times, vaccinations (especially yellow fever) need 10+ days before departure, Global Entry processing takes 3-6 months. Start long-lead items 90+ days out for major trips.
What documents do I absolutely need for international travel?
Passport with 6+ months validity beyond your return date, any required visas, proof of return ticket (immigration may ask), proof of accommodations, travel insurance documents, and vaccination records if required (yellow fever, COVID still required by some countries).
Do I need to tell my bank I’m traveling internationally?
Yes, despite many banks having travel notice apps. Manually call your bank for trips to certain countries – cards still get blocked. Have your bank’s international phone number saved (the 1-800 number won’t work from abroad, but most banks have a separate international number).
What should I pack in my carry-on for international flights?
Prescription medications, one full outfit (underwear, shirt, socks), basic toiletries, all electronics plus chargers, important documents (passport, insurance card), some local currency, and an empty water bottle. If your checked luggage is lost or delayed, you can survive 48 hours.
How can I prevent international phone roaming charges?
Buy an eSIM (Airalo, Holafly, Saily) before departure. Activate it after landing. Disable cellular data on your US carrier line in Settings before leaving the US. Keep your US line active only for receiving SMS verification codes, which are usually free incoming.