The 7 Travel Prep Steps That Make Every Trip Easier

Your tickets are booked, your bags are packed, and you are ready for vacation.

Except… not quite.

There are always a few final tasks, especially around the house.

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I’m always curious to hear about what others do to prepare before they travel, so I thought I’d start the conversation by sharing my own pre-trip checklist—one that has nothing to do with packing or planning my actual trip. The reality is, many of my tasks before a trip are related to making sure I am ready to return home afterward. There’s something about leaving with peace of mind that makes it easier to focus on the adventures ahead.

This is by no means an exhaustive list, but I’ve plucked a few of the more interesting items from my routine to share with you—just in case they inspire you to discover other ways to help prepare for your trip:

SEVEN THINGS I DO BEFORE EVERY TRIP

1. Schedule Cat Care

Now, here are three words I never thought I’d be saying (well, maybe not never, but definitely not this soon!). Since Meow wormed her way into our hearts and our home, scheduling cat care has become the next big task on my travel planning list, right after booking flights, a hotel, and transportation.

At first, Michael and I relied on friends to stop by and take care of her, but we quickly realized it was a bit too much to ask. So, we expanded our search to local businesses. While many people have had great experiences with platforms like Rover, we found a local Charlotte business that offers in-home pet care—and it’s been a game changer. Not only does Meow adore her sitter (who takes care of her food, water, and litter box), but the sitter also handles other household tasks like bringing in the mail, watering plants, and taking out the trash. Not having to schedule both a cat sitter and a house sitter? That’s such a relief.

2. Go Grocery Shopping

Someone on TikTok commented that they’d never think to go grocery shopping before a trip, and I get it—I used to be a loyal member of the Empty Fridge Club, too. But you know what’s not great to come home to? An empty fridge.

These days, I make a quick trip to the store to pick up a few essentials that’ll stay fresh until I’m back. If you do this, a bit of strategic shopping is key. Non-perishables like pasta and jarred sauce, long-lasting fresh produce (think apples, oranges, hearty squash, and potatoes), frozen veggies (like spinach and berries for smoothies), canned soups, and even eggs can all sit happily in your fridge or pantry for a week or more.

With this little pre-trip stock-up, there’s no need to rush out for fast food when you get back, saving you money and helping you avoid that dreaded “big grocery run” for at least a day or two.

3. Laundry (So Much Laundry)

It probably goes without saying that I spend some pre-trip time laundering the clothes I plan to pack to make sure they’re fresh and ready to go. But I also dedicate a bit of this precious pre-travel time to washing the rest of my clothing and linens—or, if I’m short on time, at least swapping sheets and towels for a fresh set. There’s nothing like coming home to a clean, cozy bed, and it’s such a relief not to be greeted by extra chores.

4. Get Creative in the Kitchen

Over the years, I’ve shared some of my favorite pre-trip meals on the blog (check out my Pre-Trip Pizza Recipe, Five Easy Meals post, and Everything Cookies Recipe), but there are always new ways to use up ingredients that would otherwise go bad. Pizza is the obvious blank canvas, but fried rice, omelets, and breakfast smoothies are also great for using up those odds and ends hanging around in the fridge.

5. Groom

Before heading out on a trip, I like to take a few minutes to tackle any grooming or personal care tasks that will save me time while I’m away. Everyone’s list is different, but for me, this usually includes dermaplaning (buh-bye, flaky skin!), shaping and painting my nails, shaving my legs, tinting my eyebrows, and washing my hair with a clarifying shampoo. This last step buys me an extra day or two before my next wash, which is a lifesaver on short weekend getaways.

6. Unplug

Just before I walk out the door, I do a quick sweep of the house to unplug any appliances and electronics that don’t need to be left on while I’m gone. No one will be using the toaster, after all, and it’s just sitting there zapping power. I also adjust the thermostat to a reasonable temperature (and, since it’s connected to the Wi-Fi, I can always change it later if I forget).

“Why not just turn off the power entirely?” you might ask.

Because of the fridge. Trust me, you don’t want to come home to a puddle of gooey food (you’re welcome).

7. Keep Mum

While I love to talk all things travel, I stay pretty tight-lipped about my plans beforehand, for safety reasons. I’m very selective about who I share specific travel dates or itinerary details with before I leave. As unlikely as it is that anyone I know—or even interact with online—would have bad intentions, I’m sure most people who’ve had an unfortunate experience thought the same thing. It’s just not worth the risk, so you’ll have to wait until I’m back to read about my trip or see it unfold on Instagram.

FINAL THOUGHTS ON GETTING READY FOR A TRIP

Planning and preparing for a trip takes effort, but it does get easier with each one. There’s nothing quite like heading out the door, mind at ease, ready to embrace all the adventures ahead without lingering worries about home. Just double-check that you’ve turned off the stove, lock up, and set off to fully enjoy your trip feeling confident that everything’s taken care of. Safe travels!

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Questions for you

Did any of these things surprise you?

What are some of your more obscure pre-travel tasks?

Where to next? You may also enjoy:

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My Pre-Travel Checklist: 7 Things I Always Do Before Leaving for a Trip