Getting ready to go on a family vacation can be an exciting time and being prepared will help make things go more smoothly…
Traveling with a family can be a nightmare. Most family travel meets some sort of major emergency or crisis during the planning phase, and it usually occurs right before they are due to go to the airport for departure. No matter how well the parents have planned, something never ever fits in and this can cause extreme panic when there are several children to deal with as well as making sure that everyone arrives at their vacation destination in one piece.
It is no wonder that family travel can cause major stress when you consider all of the things that have to be considered and then remembered. With insurance, packing, documentation, hotel arrangements, flights and other things to deal with, what you really need is a checklist to use to ensure that all elements are dealt with in the correct timescales to ensure that the dash to the airport is not an ordeal!
To help you cope with this, here are helpful tips and checklists that you can use for any given trip, whether going abroad or traveling near by. All of the information is relevant and can certainly help you to relax and enjoy your vacation!
If you’re family is traveling to a foreign country:
-Check Foreign Entry Requirements: http://travel.state.gov/foreignentryreqs.html
(Note: If Mom and Dad aren’t traveling together with a child, many countries are now requiring a notarized consent from the absent parent for children under 18.)
-Check Travel Health Warnings: http://www.cdc.gov/travel/
-Check for Travel Warnings: http://travel.state.gov/travel/warnings.html
-Check Vaccination Requirements: http://www.cdc.gov/travel/vaccinat.htm
Airline Travel Tips:
-Check your airline’s luggage restrictions and limits. (Note: The number one most confiscated item is nail scissors. Make sure you put them in your luggage and not your carry-on!)
-Put identification on the outside and inside of all luggage.
-Check FAA regulations for list of what you can’t carry on-board: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm
-To help with trip planning, the TSA has a web site to check estimated security checkpoint wait times at airports: http://waittime.tsa.dhs.gov/index.html
One week prior to your vacation:
-Make a list of the items you plan to pack.
-If you plan on driving your own car during the trip, get the oil changed, rotate the tires and perform other necessary maintenance.
-If necessary, plan transportation to the airport.
-Pay necessary bills, such as mortgage/rent, utilities, etc.
-Wash your clothes & Give your house a thorough cleaning.
-Leave contact information and your itinerary with a house sitter, neighbor, or friend that wouldn’t mind checking on your property while you’re away.
-Make arrangements for someone to feed the pets, water the plants, and bring up the mail.
Luggage Packing Tips:
-Put all liquids in plastic containers filled no more than ¾ of the way and then place in zip lock bags.
-Bring a plastic bag for dirty clothes.
-Put a unique marking on your luggage for easy spotting.
Important Items to Pack:
-Tickets
-ID
-Passport
-Itinerary
-Maps
-Traveler's Checks
-Cash
-Keys
-Medications
-Vitamins
-Insurance Cards
-Cell Phone & Charger
-Sunglasses
-Sunscreen
-Camera, Video Camera, Batteries & Chargers
Carry-on Checklist:
-Camera, video camera, extra batteries or charger.
-Tickets, Wallets, IDs, passports, itinerary, traveler’s checks, money, maps, keys, medical insurance cards.
-Jewelry, medications, and other important or high value items.
-Cell phones and charger.
-If you’re traveling with children, make room for a change of clothes and bring wipes in case of a spill on the plane!
Kids get a carry on too!
-Let them bring their own backpack of toys and books.
-Snacks
-Games for entertainment
-Sunglasses
-If your kids have difficulty during plane pressurization, bring lollipops and let them have them prior to taking off. Gum will work too, they just need to do some extra swallowing!
-Wet wipes
If traveling with a baby: car seat, diapers, wipes, prepared bottles, bib, pacifiers, change of clothes, stroller, night essentials, bathing supplies.
Toiletries to Pack:
-Lip Balm
-Body Soap & Face Wash
-Lotion
-Shampoo & Conditioner
-Makeup Remover
-Brush/Comb
-Hair Dryer/Straighter/Curling Iron, etc
-Hair Accessories
-Hair Gel/Hair Spray
-Deodorant
-Toothbrush, Toothpaste & Floss
-Razors & Shaving Cream
-Nail Clipper & File, Nail Polish & Remover
-Q-tips
-Bug Repellent
-Eyeglass & case
-Contact lens case and solution
-Mom's make-up
-Band-aids, Disinfectants, & Sunscreen
Clothes to Pack:
-Underwear/Bras
-Socks
-Pajamas/Robes/Slippers
-Jeans/Pants - day & night
-Shorts - day & night
-Shirts - day & night
-Skirts - day & night
-Dresses - day & night
-Belts
-Shoes - walking, beach, dress-up
-Swimsuits & Pool Cover-ups
Other Items to Pack:
-Watches & Jewelry
-Sewing Kit
-Travel Alarm Clock
-Ipods & earphones
-DVD Players & Movies
-Laptops
-Magazines & Books
**Make Sure you pack these items for each family member.**
Two -Three days prior to your vacation:
-Visit your airline's website to confirm departure times.
-Begin packing for your trip.
-Give your house a final tidying.
-Give plants a sufficient watering.
-Put lamps, tv, and/or radio on timers to ensure that your residence maintains a lived in look
while you are away.
One day prior to your vacation:
-Finish packing.
-Make sure that your vehicle has a full tank of fuel.
-Position luggage, purses, and necessary travel documents near the door.
-Remove perishable foods, such as milk and meats, from of the refrigerator so they don't spoil.
-Take out the trash & Wash the dishes.
-Prepare snacks for the trip.
Day of departure:
-Pack your vehicle.
-Review what you have packed to ensure you haven't forgotten anything.
-Turn off and unplug unnecessary appliances.
-Ensure your answering machine is on.
-Make sure all doors, windows, basements, and garages are locked.
-If your house has a security system, enable it.
Hopefully these tips will serve as a good starting point when you are considering how to prepare for your trip, You may want to add or take away items from your checklist, depending on your destination and other factors. And remember, after your diligent preparation, the next thing to do is enjoy your trip!
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