14 Day Travel Countdown

Get Ready With Our 14 Day Travel Countdown

Exploring new places is fun.  Booking your trip to a new destination is exciting!

But as departure day gets closer, stress levels can rise especially when days are full with work right up until you leave.  When you check your list (written or mental) you realise there’s a lot to do. 

There’s pre holiday laundry (has to be done!).  Selecting which clothes to bring in our experience requires a couple of elimination rounds! From our years of travelling around the globe we have put together our 14 day travel countdown so YOU can board your plane or hit the road with a relaxed smile! 

Getting documentation organized and under control is a big part of getting ready despite most things being online.  

Things like finding the right travel insurance, reserving airport parking or ensuring your vehicle is ready for a long drive, completing online check-in…that’s all before you’ve even left the house! Sound familiar???  

We know from experience if we leave everything to the last couple of days, we’re running around the evening before like mad women! Not fun! And if you’re doing this for the whole family, well enough said!! 

Aside from check-in which often can only be done 24 hours before boarding, we now set ourselves a two-week countdown to departure. Then using our 14-Day Travel Countdown we get organized so the day before we’re just popping the last few items in our cases and sorting boarding passes.  

Where to Start with Trip Preparation

Before we launch into our 14-Day Travel Countdown, you might find it useful to use the checklist below and tick off key things best done when you booked your flights or main transportation. 

Ideally, we would suggest these be arranged at least a couple of months in advance, leaving time in the last two weeks for the 14-day countdown actions.   

• Book Accommodation ( can always be changed or cancelled if you choose free cancellation).
• Take out or Review/Renew Travel Insurance.
• Check if Visas and/or ESTAs are required and apply for these.
• Check if vaccinations or any specific medication (eg. malaria tablets)  are needed for your destination.
• Check your passport has enough remaining validity on it – many countries require 6 months from the day of travel.

• Book car hire/rental if needed (sometimes it’s cheaper to book this along with flights and/or hotel).
• Book airport parking if needed and/or pre-flight airport accommodation if you have an early morning flight.
• Book any tickets/tours that are going to likely ‘sell out’ – eg. entrance tickets to Machu Picchu or Torres del Paine, Patagonia.

Day 14 – Choose your luggage

This may sound silly but it simplifies holiday wardrobe planning knowing what size of case you’re taking. If you’re flying, double check baggage allowance limits.  Read this article on airline Luggage allowances and our TPOP baggage tips 10kg allowance & no Fees post.  

Day 13 -Select your Wardrobe

Once you’ve checked luggage allowances and decided on your suitcase or backpack, start sorting your clothes. We know it’s hard but do think about needs v wants! If there are things that require washing, do your laundry and don’t wear those items again.

You don’t need to pack yet but once you’ve checked they will fit into your case perhaps put your chosen items in a separate place in your wardrobe or a drawer so you’re not tempted to wear them. Your wardrobe will of course vary depending on the kind of vacation you are going on.  

If you really can’t cut back, you may need to review your luggage. This will mean you going back into your booking and adding some ‘hold ‘ baggage.  Airlines are happy for you to do this as for them it’s more money – for you, it can be expensive so remember ‘need or want’.  

Day 12 – Sort Non-Clothing Items

There are many different checklists out there for these non-clothing items.  We usually think of them in 4 categories – electrical, health/ medical, activity related (e.g. snorkel mask), and toiletries. 

Travel Plugs! Voltage and plug type differ enormously from country to country, so having a universal plug handy can save the day.  Also, travel with a small extension lead as hotels don’t always have easily accessible charging points!  

Most planes, trains, and buses have charge units but perhaps carry on a portable charger if you’re not certain.  They’re compact to pack and may prevent you from running out of power mid way through that downloaded film!

Use this simple Traveller’s Checklist which will also guide you with clothing lists.  Often these miscellaneous items are around the house (or if like me in the loft), so you may need time to gather items together and sort them out.

Don’t forget you can do your toiletry shopping online and collect at the airport in the UK.  Check to see if this is possible at your departure airport by going to their website and passenger departure information page.

Apple Air Tags are a great tracking device if you worry about losing bags (& who doesn’t these days).  We use them and would recommend you pop one in your suitcase if you have a complex itinerary and flight changes.

Day 11- Do Pre-Trip Shopping

After sorting your things,  there may be the odd thing you need to buy. Note – odd thing – not a whole new wardrobe!  It might just be some basics but get them now.   As you’re already out, consider if you need anything for a longer car journey. 

Be aware that if you’re planning to take your car from one country to another, your vehicle may have to be equipped with particular items.  Use this checklist Take your car to Europe from the UK  to guide you.  Another useful site to check is Driver Abroad.

Day 10 – Sort holiday clothes You Washed

Day 10: If you haven’t already done so, those clothes you washed back on Day 13 need sorting. Don’t leave them lying in the washing basket for a last minute rush- quickly iron them if needed and put them in your packing area.  

Another reason we love using our 14-Day Travel Countdown checklist! It forces us to get things done and limits procrastinating on things like the dreaded laundry.

Day 9 – Check Documentation

Day 9: Check the following items and either print out documents if you prefer or download them to your phone. If for any reason, you’ve missed something, you still have time to make the bookings. 

• Accommodation bookings
• Airport Parking
• Insurance documents – check they cover the activities you’re planning to do
• Visa/ESTA Documentation 
• Car Hire – check if you need an international driving license if you haven’t already done so. Make sure you take your license!
• Check your car breakdown policy especially if you’re driving out of your own country. 
• Tickets for any events at your destination.
• Upload any phone or WhatsApp numbers for contacts where you’re headed eg. taxi driver, or tour guide you’ve emailed with. 

Day 8 – Add API (Advanced Passenger Info)

Add your API (Advanced Passenger Information) details to your flight reservation.

If you are flying you need to provide this API in advance. Generally, this is no more than confirming yourself as the traveler and adding in your passenger details.

Doing these details in advance makes check-in at the airport for international travels especially much smoother. At this time also request any special meals or services (eg. wheelchair) you may need.

Day 7 – Organize Money for Trip

Day 7 : If you need foreign currency, the number one rule is do not buy it at the airport. Fewer places these days accept cash anyway. Check you have an international credit/debit card  that does not charge you commission. 

Now is the time to top up cards like our preferred one – Monzo.  Pop them in your travel wallet so they’re ready. This is a useful guide for UK travellers Travel Credit Cards.

If you are a USA Card holder, Forbes No Foreign Transaction Fee For USA Credit Cards is a useful guide to the best options currently. If you google for your own country you will likely find a similar option.

While we’re on the subject of money, make sure you understand any data and phone charges your carrier will add if you use either when abroad. It’s annoying if you want to use Google Maps to find that hidden away restaurant only to realize you’re going to be charged as you walk.  

Day 6 – Share travel arrangements & make pets plan

Share your itinerary with family so they know where to contact you in the unlikely event they need to.  Yes, we all have mobile phones! But if you’re off the radar or have no wifi in flight, they can at least track your flight in an emergency. 

Now’s the time to reconfirm any arrangements you’ve made for pets.  If you leave booking pets into kennels any longer,  you may be stuck or unpopular with family if it’s a last minute plea for boarding.  

Day 5 – Pack Clothes

Pack All everything you’ve already put aside. Use packing cubes!!  Honestly we’re total converts as they are so quick and easy to use. If you need a lock for checked bags, order it now.  

I always keep lock and keys in my travel wallet so there’s no panic in searching for it.  Roll clothes – they won’t crease!

Day 4 – Pack Hand Luggage

Pack hand luggage. Don’t forget that any toiletries you do take on board, will need to be in a plastic bag.  

Day 3 – Check in With Your Neighbours

If there is no one staying at home when you go away, let your neighbours know you’re off on vacation. Hopefully you’ve let them know already!  A friendly reminder to check on the house, put the bins/trash out, etc. will give you peace of mind.  And of course you can return the favour. 

If needed, get your pet ready for kennels by packing up what they need for their own doggie holiday. 

Day 2 – Charge Electrical Items

Charge your IPad, Kindle and other electronics you don’t need to use in the next day or two. Put these items in your hand luggage bag. 

Leave your phone till the next day.  Check the car has fuel or is charged for your journey if you are travelling by car. Whilst at the garage,  top up windscreen washer fluid and check tyre pressure.

There’s nothing worse than having to stop for fuel or check tyre pressure having just left the house.

Day 1 – Check-in For Your Flight & Drop off Pets

With booking reference in hand, check in online if you have had to wait for 24 hours pre departure to do so. Choose your seat.  Either print off your boarding pass or even easier get a mobile one on your phone.  Put it with your passport in your hand luggage.  

Charge your phone.  Drop the pets off if needed. 

Congratulations!! Relax You’re good to go on your next incredible trip!

Wrap Up: 14 Day Travel Countdown Checklist

We hope this a useful post for upcoming travels. As Graeme Edwards said, “Its not the plan that is important, it’s the planning.”   As you work through this baseline, other things will spring to mind to quickly get done before you travel.

Whether you need 14 days will depend on where you are going and how long you are going for.  You may want to swap days around – it’s totally up to you.  

Doing a little task each day, however, will take away that last minute rush and you can head off on vacation feeling relaxed.