Essential Pre-Travel Checklist: Required Travel Documents for a Smooth Trip

We’ve all been there. The excitement of a trip. You’ve prepped and planned, and you arrive at the airport, packed and excited. Then your heart drops when the agent says you’re missing a critical document. 

Trust me, I've heard the stories. Just recently, I got a text from someone – not a client of mine, thankfully – who faced every traveler's worst nightmare. They arrived at the airport, bags packed, and ready for an amazing overseas adventure, only to realize they were missing a key document. Panic set in. Calls were made. Their dream trip started not with a celebratory toast, but with frantic Googling and a whole lot of stress.

If that traveler had booked through me, this chaos would have been avoidable. I plan every trip with the care and detail I’d expect for my own family — including all those often-overlooked documents that can make or break your journey.

If you think packing a carry-on for a ten-day trip is stressful, try finding a missing document at the airport. A single overlooked requirement can bring an entire trip to a hard stop. That’s exactly why I'm sharing this quick-skim guide to the “boring but essential” travel details that many dismiss… or don’t even realize they need to consider.

Passports & Proper Identification: Your Golden Ticket

If your passport expires “soon-ish,” that’s a red flag! Many countries require at least six months of validity beyond your return date. For domestic travel, your ID matters, too. Make sure you know the latest REAL ID rules for your driver’s license or ID card. Airport rules are tightening, and as of February 1, 2026, if you don't have REAL ID, plan to pay $45 per person over 18 to use the TS

What to check: Passport expiration date, blank pages for stamps, and REAL ID compliance.

Visas, Entry Requirements & Digital Forms: Don’t Be Caught Off Guard

Think you just need a passport? Not always! Many destinations require pre-arrival authorizations, electronic travel authorizations (ETAs), or digital entry forms. These requirements can change frequently and quietly, so what was true last year might not be true today!

What to check: Visa requirements for your nationality, entry form deadlines, and any required travel authorizations.

Vaccines & Health Requirements: Stay Healthy, Stay Traveling

Some destinations require proof of vaccination, and other health declarations may be mandatory. Without them, you might be denied boarding or entry into the country upon arrival. 

What to check: Destination-specific health protocols and timing for vaccines or tests.

Medications: Know the Rules

Did you know some medications that are perfectly legal in your home country are restricted (or even illegal) in others? This includes certain prescription narcotics. Avoid an uncomfortable situation with customs!

What to check: Rules on medications at your destination, bring medications in their original labeled bottles, and carry copies of the written prescriptions.

Traveling With Children: Plan for Every Traveler

If you're traveling with a child and only one parent is present, or if you're traveling with a minor who isn't your own (e.g., a grandchild), some countries and even cruise lines may require documentation showing custody or written permission from the non-traveling parent(s). Yes, even when one parent is traveling! On the cruises I've taken with my granddaughter, we brought a notarized consent form, copies of her birth certificate, and her passport. And yes, all documents were checked.

What to check: Child travel laws, specific entry and exit requirements for minors, whether a notarized consent letter is recommended, and identification requirements for minors.

Credit Cards, Debit Cards & Local Currency: Swipe Smart, Spend Wisely

Not everywhere is fully contactless, and not every card works the way you expect abroad. Relying solely on Apple Pay in a foreign country could be costly!

What to check: Foreign transaction fees on your cards, card acceptance at your destination, and how you'll access local currency. Inform your bank of your travel dates to avoid fraud alerts!

Driving Abroad: Hit the Road Prepared

Dreaming of a scenic drive? Many countries do not accept a U.S. driver’s license alone. You might need an International Driving Permit (IDP) and, in some cases, additional auto insurance coverage.

What To Check: License requirements for your destination, whether an IDP is needed, and any specific insurance rules.

If that list feels overwhelming, don’t worry — there are helpful resources out there, like the U.S. Department of State website or Sherpa.com, to help you verify entry rules.

And of course, there’s always a travel advisor, like me, in your corner to keep those butterflies in your belly because of excitement—not panic. I make it my mission to ensure you have everything you need well in advance, so your trip starts with excitement, not an airport crisis. Because creating adventures from the heart means taking care of all the important details too!

Planning your family's next amazing adventure? Let’s make sure all the paperwork is buttoned up so you can focus on making memories instead of fixing last-minute problems. Reach out anytime — that’s what I’m here for!