Travel Checklist For 2024: Things to Keep in Mind

Despite the prevalence of the Omicron variant and the resurgence of instances of Covid, travel and tourism industry experts suggest that 2022 will be the year to capitalise on unpredictability, with people making up for lost vacation time.

Packing for a trip (domestic or foreign) can be stressful. Whether you're a novice traveller or a seasoned globetrotter, having a comprehensive travel checklist that covers everything is helpful.

To ease your worries, we've prepared a travel checklist for your convenience:

1. Carry Essential Documents:

Carrying vital documents is an essential travel checklist whether travelling within your native country or outside. As a result, it's a good idea to maintain your travel documents in case of a last-minute emergency. We've put up a list of some of the travel documents you'll need for your domestic and international journey.

Air/train/bus/cruise tickets, government ID proof, hotel booking receipt, itinerary, and Covid-19 vaccination certificate are required for domestic travel.

Passport, visa, air/train/bus/cruise tickets, government ID proof, hotel booking receipt, itinerary, Covid-19 vaccination certificate, and medical and travel insurance proof are required for international travel.

It is best to bring both your original and a copy of your identification documents. Duplicate copies will come in some scenarios.

Example: In case you misplace your original documents, you will have copies to obtain new ones.

It's also a wise idea to make digital copies and leave them at home with a trusted loved one who can assist you if you need access to them while you're away.

2. Financial To-Dos:

Travellers often spend hours arranging their vacation, from looking for the cheapest flight discounts to locating the ideal hotel or vacation rental. Unfortunately, many people do not exercise the same caution for their financial planning- a serious travel checklist. Take cues to manage your finances on a trip:

• Examine Exchange Rate (International Trip): At least 3 weeks before your trip, do some research on the currency and the exchange rate of the place you are headed to. Once you've decided to exchange currencies, you'll want to do so as inexpensively as possible, which means avoiding any unnecessary costs and commissions. The best venues to exchange money are currency exchange stores and kiosks in airports. Because airport currency exchange shops know you'll need local currency to take a bus, train, or taxi, they make a lot of money by giving you the poorest conversion rate possible. Make your currency exchanges at a local bank or a bank ATM for the best rates.
• Get Travel Insurance (International & Domestic Trip): Travel Insurance can come in handy when paying unforeseen medical bills and getting reimbursement for stolen property & cancelled trips.
• Opt For A Pre-Paid Foreign Currency Card (International Trip): Prepaid cards are a convenient way to add to your travel needs. These cards can be used to shop internationally, make online purchases, and even withdraw cash from an ATM. To use it, you must first select your preferred currency and then load the card with INR when in India. One of the most prime advantages is that it allows you to conduct international transactions without incurring high fees or charges. Also, the exchange rate on Pre-Paid Foreign Currency Cards is fixed on the day you load them.
• Carry Cash (International & Domestic Trip): When travelling, we recommend carrying a small amount of cash and dividing it among numerous wallets just in case.
• Download A Travel Expense Tracker (International & Domestic Trip): A Travel Expense Tracker is an excellent tool for keeping track of your spending. It allows you to create daily and trip-long budgets and track expenditures for food, transportation, lodging, and entrance fees.

Also Read: Tips To Have The Perfect Picnic By The Beach

3. All About Clothes & Toiletries: 

Knowing what to pack is another vital travel checklist. Most individuals overpack when embarking on a trip, making the experience less enjoyable. Overpacking not only makes your luggage heavier, but it also wreaks havoc on your mind. You have to worry about other things, which isn't something you should be doing while you're trying to discover a new place. The climate of a location is crucial in determining your packing list for vacation. Here is a list of packing essentials depending on the climate:

Hot Climate: Pack shorts, t-shirts, dresses, skirts, hats, swimsuit, sunglasses, scarves and slippers. Oh! Don’t forget the sunscreen to protect the skin from the harmful effects of the sun.

Cold Climate: Thermal wear, pullovers, jeans/trousers, cardigans, trench coat, beanies, gloves, muffler, socks and boots.

Rainfall Prone Climate: Jeans, hoodies, umbrella, raincoat, waterproof shoes.

Toiletries: Toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, soap, shampoo & conditioner, towels, wet wipes, sanitary napkins, shaving kit, comb.

4. Personal Health & First-Aid:

When travelling, you must have a travel medical kit with you. It is possible that medications and a first-aid kit will not be readily available at all locations. You won't get medical treatment if you go to a distant hill station in the jungle. We recommend carrying the following things in your travel pack to treat the most common minor illnesses and injuries:

• Thermometer
• Pain Reliever/ Fever Reducer
• Antibiotic Cream/ Antiseptic Cream
• Bandages
• Band-Aids
• Antacids
• Antidiarrheal Medication
• Insect Repellent
• Oral Rehydration Solution (Ors)
• Mosquito Net
• Vitamins
• Hand Sanitiser/Disinfectant
• N95 Masks

Also Read: 8 Essential Travel Accessories to Carry While Travelling

5. Travel Checklist For Gadgets:

Packing the right set of gadgets makes a trip more accessible and efficient than ever before. New and inventive travel technologies are widely available in today's society, making travel hassle-free. There is a device to meet all your travel needs, from smart suitcases that save us bags of space to solar-powered chargers. Here's a list of the travel gadgets for you to have at your disposal when you're on the go:

• Cellphone & Cellphone charger
• Selfie Stick
• Hand-held Tripod
• Camera & Camera Charger
• Memory Card
• E-Reader
• Travel adapter and converter
• Flashlight
• Headphones

6. Travel Aids:

While we all like travelling, we are sometimes distracted from the necessities by the excitement building in our hearts. Here are our best travel accessories for 2022 to help you travel smarter and safer:

• Suitcase
• Backpack
• Maps
• Language guide
• Travel pillow, sleeping mask, earplugs
• Travel locks
• Luggage tags
• Pen & Paper
• Snacks
• Pepper Spray

Also Read: Checklist To Choose A Perfect Resort For A Family Vacation

Save this travel checklist to refer to for an upcoming trip. It will help you ensure that you have considered everything you'll need for your holiday, including travel guidelines and packing essentials for a smooth journey!

Bon Voyage!

About Mahindra Holidays

Mahindra Holidays & Resorts India Limited (MHRIL), India’s leading player in the leisure hospitality industry, offers quality family holidays as also stated by Club Mahindra Membership Reviews and Club Mahindra Reviews, primarily through vacation ownership memberships. While Club Mahindra is the flagship brand offering Club Mahindra Membership, other brands offered by the company are – Club Mahindra Resorts Fundays and Svaastha Spa. As of Mar 31, 2019, MHRIL has 61+ resorts across India and abroad and its subsidiary, Holiday Club Resorts Oy, Finland, a leading vacation ownership company in Europe has 33 resorts across Finland, Sweden and Spain.