My pre-departure checklist for every international trip

I'm just weeks away from leaving for a 10-day trip across the Atlantic to Europe, and I've been using every spare moment to put the final touches on our itinerary and prep for a major international adventure. What that prep entails stays pretty much the same for every trip I take and yet, I've never bothered to write an official checklist... until now. So, with less than two weeks until takeoff, I'm finally doing it to make sure I don't miss a thing and hopefully help you prepare for your own trips this year.

Passport

This one's obvious, but what may not be is that depending on where you're going, you'll need six months or more of validity remaining on your passport to be allowed entry and depending on the country, they may also require a certain number of blank pages in the back of your passport. Check the specific requirements for your destination before takeoff.

Copy of my passport

I know I'm technically supposed to carry my passport with me everywhere when traveling abroad, but I'm too nervous about my bag getting stolen and being left completely stranded. Instead, I carry a copy in my bag and leave the real one locked up at the hotel. The only exception is when I go shopping; always make sure to present your original passport for VAT refund documentation when purchasing items over a certain amount.

Make sure AirTags have fresh batteries

AirTags are powered by lithium batteries, so make sure yours have enough juice before you travel. Apple doesn't show a battery percentage, but a low battery symbol will appear in the app when it's time for a replacement.

Order $200 worth of cash in the local currency

I always order about $200 in local currency from my bank ahead of time, so I arrive with cash already in hand. That way, if I take a taxi from the airport to my hotel, I've already got tip money and enough to cover myself for the first few days.

Load money onto my Charles Schwab debit card

I always travel with my Charles Schwab debit card because it doesn't charge fees when using ATMs abroad or if fees do happen, I get refunded for them. It's a small thing that saves a surprisingly meaningful amount of money over the course of a trip.

Sign up for travel health insurance

Your regular health insurance plan likely doesn't extend abroad and neither does mine. To make sure I'm covered in case of emergency, I always purchase travel health insurance before leaving. It's affordable and the peace of mind alone is worth it.

Track down the right outlet adapters

Every country has different outlet standards, which means you may need a different adapter for each destination on your itinerary. Don't wait until the night before to hunt these down.

Track down my carbon monoxide detector

I plan to write a dedicated blog post on this soon, but here's the short version: carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that kills silently. If it weren't for my detector back in 2009, I genuinely wouldn't be here today and that's not hyperbole. I keep detectors throughout my home and I never travel without one.

Charge my portable phone charger

When you're traveling, your phone works overtime: it's your map, your translator, your camera, and your ride home. I always start the day with a full charge and keep a portable charger on me for when the battery inevitably starts dipping below 20%.

Download country-specific apps

This doesn't apply to every trip, but it's worth researching which local apps might come in handy at your destination. For this trip, I'll be downloading the G7 app to hail taxis in Paris.

Write down any passwords I'll need

I use a password manager, but if it ever fails me while I'm abroad, I want a backup plan. I jot down the key passwords I might need in a pinch, like the time I flew to Toronto for Taylor Swift's Eras Tour and absolutely wrote down my Ticketmaster password just in case.

Print all tickets

As I book activities and reserve tickets, I save everything to a folder on my desktop. Before the trip, I print it all and store it in a physical folder. Old school? Maybe. But it's never failed me.

Download any available audio guides

If you're heading to Europe, Rick Steves has excellent free walking tours on his app. For this trip specifically, we're visiting the Palace of Versailles in France and the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, both of which offer their own apps with downloadable audio guides you can listen to through your own Bluetooth headphones, usually for free.

Order moleskin to prevent blisters

If you're walking miles a day (and in Europe, you will be), moleskin is a lifesaver. I don't bother bringing a full first aid kit with things like antacids and pain relievers as they are easy enough to buy locally because I'd rather skip the headache of researching over-the-counter drug regulations for every country.

Research country laws

That said, I always research local regulations around my prescription medications, because the rules vary dramatically by country. Singapore, for example, bans Xanax without prior approval, and Japan restricts certain antidepressants and ADHD medications entirely. Never assume your prescriptions are welcome and research this months before you travel, not days.

Luggage scale

I have paid for overweight baggage more times than I care to admit. Do yourself a favor and just use a luggage scale before you leave the house.

House chores

There's nothing better than coming home to a clean house after a long trip. Before I leave, I always tidy up, run the laundry, and make sure there are fresh sheets and towels waiting for me when I get back. Future-me is always grateful.

Final thoughts

Travel has a way of humbling you, no matter how many trips you've taken, there's always something you forgot to pack, a regulation you didn't know about, or a battery that dies at the worst possible moment. That's exactly why a checklist like this matters. It takes the guesswork out of the pre-departure chaos so that by the time you're wheels up, the only thing left to do is enjoy the journey.

Whether you borrow this list wholesale or use it as a jumping-off point to build your own, I hope it makes your next adventure a little smoother. And if you have a pre-departure ritual or must-have item I didn't mention, drop it in the comments!