What to do as soon as click PAY for flights!

If you are traveling internationally then go find that passport. It is in that safe place you left it when you rocked in after your 4am flight exhausted and miserable last year. Once you find it - check your passport expiration date. That is a headache you do not need in the pre-trip excitement.
If travelling to the USA or visa requirement countries, get on that embassy website straight away and check out your options. We are one of the lucky countries (because everyone loves the Irish) and can get a lot of visa’s at the airport especially around Asia, but remember that you are required to get the ESTA documentation sorted if traveling to the USA! These things take time so do not leave them to the last minute!!
Tell your immediate family/friends you are planning a trip and the dates to make sure they are aware of your absence so they can check in on your house/mail while you are gone. Don’t forget to leave them a key!! You may need to line up a house-sitter if you have pets and plants to be taken care of or look into boarding kennels if that’s what you’re into!
Look into travel insurance and monitor for upcoming discounts or deals with your current provider. Make sure to have medical evacuation insurance if you are going on an adventure trip!!
Get investigating your accommodation, flight transfers and local activities!

2 weeks before you hit the airport

Try and stop online shopping! Monitor your upcoming deliveries and post and try to divert them to another household while you are away. You don’t want to land home to a pile of undelivered notices in the post box!
Get onto your online banking or your local branch and make sure you set up a travel note for all the countries you are travelling to. It takes two minutes and trust me you do not want to get your card blocked while abroad for suspected suspicious activity. (Talking from experience)
Head to your local currency exchange if needed. Monitor the prices for a few days and make sure you check the transaction fees to make sure you are getting the best value for your money. (An Post, Credit Union, Banks) Remember that taking money out of your ATM will have excessive bank charges while abroad.
Remind your family/friends/neighbour that you will be away to keep an eye on your premises and make sure they have a contact number for you in case of emergency.
Now the fun stuff….start your packing list!! Be realistic, and pack appropriately for your adventure. Are you heading to the beach with car transfers or going climbing Machu Picchu? Be luggage smart and think ahead. Once you have a rough list then you start your shopping list.
Don’t forget the travel plugs!!

The days before you go

Clean the house! It might seem silly, but do you really want to come home to a smelly house exhausted? I always go on a cleaning spree, sort the bins and pack the fires ready for the big return! Just think about how nice it would be to land home and just RELAX. Remember, - water the plants!
While on the house topic, - clean out the fridge if you are going to be gone for more than 7 days – that’s a smell you don’t need!! Try to stock the freezer for your return especially if landing home late.
Go over your paperwork. Work on an itinerary and print everything that you think you will need for your trip. Check your accommodation for messages and confirm all ground transportation to and from the airport. Once you are happy that all documentation is ready to go, make sure to photocopy your passport and send a shot of it to a close friend/family member in case of emergency. You can never be too careful!. I normally put these documents in my carry-on handbag for quick access.
Make sure that you have all of your upcoming mail/bills or similar arranged and paid for.
Check in!! Most airlines will allow online check in using your phone for convenience but there are penalties if you do not sure make sure to check your requirements prior to leaving.

Before you run out the door!!

Final packing, luggage locks, luggage tags with important information and hand luggage with important documentation including passport. – Leave everything at the front door!
Make sure you have your phone, wallet, bank cards, keys and camera (of course)
Start at one end of the house and work towards the front door locking all windows, doors, and plugging out all appliances (except the fridge). Don’t just flick the switch, physically remove the plug from the socket. (Make sure you turned the electric shower off!!)
Hide valuables or leave with a friend (laptops, etc)
Make sure all the bins are out!
Get going – what are waiting for!!!!

Prep Smart, Travel Smart

How to Travel Smarter ...Tips for hassle free trip prep!