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Since we often travel with the children – we already developed our own holiday checklist to use whenever we need to get holiday ready. Even as a well-travelled family we rely on these tips, because they never failed us and they make our life so much easier. There are so much things to keep in mind – especially if you’re the one who organise almost everything. My husband books everything and my task is to take care of the rest from packing to the sorting out insurance. I prefer it this way, because I’m more organised, especially with the children’s stuff!
Here’s My Holiday Checklist
Cash in foreign currency
Never rely on your debit or credit cards solely, it’s always better to have some cash with you in the local currency and this applies even if you are travelling to the most developed countries in the world. If you are travelling somewhere more exotic, it’s even worth to have both local currency and some US dollars on you.
Airport to hotel
Familiarise yourself with the route and decide which is the best and the second best route, wether you’re planning to take public transport, taxi or something else. If there’s a strike for instance, you need to find another way getting to the hotel. This is especially important if you arrive late at night or on public holidays.
Travel insurance plans
Get travel insurance that provides appropriate cover even if you have any pre-existing and chronic medical conditions. Ideally, you need 24 hours a day, 7 days a week access – you never know when you need to use it, do you? Some credit card providers do offer some travel cover but I’d never risk travelling without insurance as I did have to spend time in hospital abroad. (Luxembourg…. bike accident. Would have been expensive without the insurance!)
Travel as light as possible
This is probably the hardest thing to do as a family but in the reality you need the same amount of clothes and toys for one week and for three weeks (and a washing machine at the accommodation). To save space, you can try to buy some things at the destination: nappies, sunscreen lotion (ideally, you need a newly open bottle for every holiday and throw away the leftover from the previous summer), etc. We try not to take favourite snacks from home, but expose them to something new and local. It’s always a good way to stretch my son’s food related boundaries too. But, it’s not doable for everyone, so prioritise what you have to.
Onboard entertainment
We normally only take pads, earphones and some books – and the children can pick a magazine or a small toy for themselves at the airport. It’s their holiday treat. This is to make hand luggage lighter and also to make it a bit more exciting for them (as well as a bit of bribery to be honest, in exchange for being quiet on the train or plane…) Depending on the age of the children and the length of the journey, you might also want to take toys and other favourite things.
Travel documents
I keep all travel documents in a small bag, so I always know where things are and what to look for. Check and print everything in advance. We always carry the children’s birth certificates, since we already have been randomly asked to present them a few times (especially when one parent is traveling solo with the children!). If there are regular medications any member of the family takes – you’ll often need a letter from the GP too, especially things like ADHD medication or antidepressants.
Hide valuables
The best if you can give them to someone reliable, a family member or good friend. We always keep them in a box at home and before the journey we just pop over to my mother-in-law’s to leave them with her. We also give her a set of keys and the alarm details – just in case.
Supermarket order for your return
Take a few minutes and order all the basics with your regular grocery to be delivered on your day of return. Alternatively you can ask a family member or just buy long life products and pop some sliced bread in the freezer.
Important things should go in the hand luggage
I always put my most important belongings I can’t do without in the hand luggage. Like a pair of glasses, my spare contact lenses. But your regular medication for example, devices etc should all go into hand luggage – in case something happens with your luggage in the hold.