When heading off around the world, getting everything organised can be pretty overwhelming. There are a million things to think about, and the last thing you want is to arrive at the airport realising you forgot something crucial.

We put together this checklist after years of travelling (and learning the hard way). These are the things that actually matter — the stuff that saves you money, stress, and that sinking feeling at 35,000 feet. Print it, bookmark it, tattoo it on your forearm. Whatever works.

Sort Your Finances

Nothing ruins a trip faster than a blocked card or an unexpected bill back home. Get your finances locked down before you leave.

• Set up autopay for your bills. Rent, utilities, student loans — anything that's due while you're away should be on autopilot. You don't want to deal with late fees from a hostel in Bangkok.
• Get a no-fee travel credit or debit card. Foreign transaction fees add up fast. Cards like Revolut or Wise save you a fortune over months of travel.
• Renew any credit cards that expire while you're away. Banks won't ship a replacement to a random guesthouse in Laos. Get your new cards before you leave.
• Inform your bank that you'll be travelling. Otherwise, they may block your card the moment you try to withdraw cash in a foreign country. We learned this one in a queue at an ATM in Marrakech. Not fun.
• Keep some US dollars as emergency cash. They're accepted in many African and Asian countries and can get you out of a tight spot when nothing else works.

Get Your Paperwork in Order

Paperwork isn't glamorous, but a missing visa or an expired passport can end your trip before it starts. Don't skip this section.

• Renew your passport if needed. Many countries require at least six months of validity beyond your return date. Check this early — renewals can take weeks.
• Triple-check your visas. Some countries require visas arranged well in advance. Don't assume you can sort it at the border — research every country on your itinerary.
• Scan important documents and save them to the cloud. Passport, visas, travel insurance policy, emergency contacts — all of it. If your bag gets stolen, you'll still have access from any device.
• Take multiple passport photos. Some visa applications and border crossings require photos on the spot. Having spares saves time and hassle.

Protect Your Health

Your health is the one thing you really can't afford to wing. A quick doctor's visit and the right insurance policy will cover you for almost anything the road throws at you.

• Check in with your doctor. Verify you have the proper vaccinations for your destinations. Some require shots weeks in advance to be effective, so don't leave this to the last minute.
• Get solid travel insurance. This is non-negotiable. Medical evacuation alone can cost tens of thousands. We've written a separate guide on how to choose the right backpacker travel insurance.
• Start a vitamin supplement programme. Your diet on the road won't always be balanced. A daily multivitamin helps bridge the gap, especially in the early weeks of travel.

Stay Connected

Staying in touch with home — and navigating the world — is a lot easier when your tech is sorted before departure.

• Unlock your cell phone. Or purchase an international plan. Local SIM cards are cheap almost everywhere, but they won't work if your phone is locked to a carrier.
• Register with a frequent flyer programme. Even if you're not a frequent flyer yet, those miles add up. Sign up before your first flight so you don't lose points.

Tie Up Loose Ends

The little things are easy to forget but annoying to deal with from abroad. Clear the decks so you can focus on the trip.

• Cancel subscriptions. Cable, magazine deliveries, gym memberships, streaming services you won't use — cancel or pause everything that's charging you while you're gone.
• Sell unwanted items. Gumtree, eBay, Facebook Marketplace — sell what you don't need. The extra cash funds the trip, and you come home to less clutter.
• Buy ziplock bags. Seriously. They keep electronics dry, organise small items, separate dirty laundry, and store snacks. We go through dozens on every trip.
• Get a funny travel mascot. A small stuffed animal or figurine for your photos. It sounds silly until you're scrolling through your travel album years later and your mascot makes every picture better.