International Travel Preparation Checklist

Great trips are made in the weeks before departure. Use this timeline to prepare without last-minute panic.

8 weeks before

• Check your passport validity — many countries require six months beyond your travel dates.
• Research entry and visa requirements for your route and start any applications.
• Confirm vaccination requirements (yellow fever certificates are commonly requested).

4–6 weeks before

• Book flights and accommodation, keeping confirmations in one folder.
• Arrange travel insurance that covers your destination and activities.
• Plan your first night: airport transfer, hotel check-in time, local SIM or roaming.

1–2 weeks before

• Reconfirm bookings and check for schedule changes.
• Organise currency and inform your bank of travel plans.
• Prepare copies of key documents — one printed set, one saved securely online.

Departure week

• Check in online as soon as it opens.
• Pack against a written list (see our packing guide).
• Confirm your transport to the airport with time to spare.

Prefer someone to handle this end-to-end? SafarDesk's pre-departure support does exactly that.