If you’ve ever found yourself packing at midnight the night before a holiday while wondering if you’ve forgotten something important, you’re definitely not alone!
As much as I love travelling, I know that getting a family ready for a holiday can feel like there’s a never-ending list of things to do, and it’s hard to look past it all to the holiday waiting on the other side. Over the years, I’ve found a few simple habits that make the whole process much less stressful.
Here are the things I do before every family trip.
1. I keep a packing list on my phone
This is probably my biggest time saver.
I have a master packing list saved on my phone that I use every single holiday. Instead of starting from scratch each time, I simply tick things off as I pack and make any changes depending on the destination or time of year.
It’s amazing how much mental energy this saves.
(I’ll include a screenshot of my list below in case it gives you some inspiration.)
2. I keep a pre-travel checklist.
I also keep a separate checklist of everything that needs doing before we travel, such as checking passports, arranging travel insurance, confirming transfers, downloading boarding passes and anything else that needs sorting before we leave. This is also a master list on my phone that I utilise again and again.
Having everything written down means I’m not relying on my memory, and I know exactly what still needs ticking off.
I also make sure my checklist includes a few things just for me. Whether that’s getting my nails done, booking an eyelash appointment or simply setting aside an hour to relax before we go, I think it’s important to prioritise yourself too.
As mums, we’re often so focused on making sure everyone else is ready for the holiday that we forget about ourselves. Adding those little treats to your to-do list is a reminder that you’re going on holiday as well, and you deserve to feel your best too.
Having everything written down means I’m not relying on my memory.
3. I start packing early
I’m definitely not someone who leaves packing until the last minute.
I usually start around a week before we travel, sometimes even two weeks if it’s a bigger trip.
It doesn’t mean the suitcases are packed straight away, but I’ll gradually add bits each day. It feels much more manageable and avoids that last-minute panic.
4. The children each have their own hand luggage.
Both of my children have their own carry-on bag with everything they’ll need during the journey.
It keeps their favourite things close by and helps make the flight much easier for everyone.
I’ll be sharing exactly what I pack in their hand luggage in my next blog post, so keep an eye out for that one.
5. We book an airport hotel whenever we can.
This is probably one of my favourite travel tips.
Instead of waking everyone up in the middle of the night for a long drive to the airport, we stay at an airport hotel the night before.
It breaks up the journey, everyone gets a better night’s sleep, and we start our holiday feeling much more relaxed. For us, it’s worth every penny.
My final thought
Family holidays should begin with excitement, not stress.
A little preparation before you leave can make a huge difference, helping you enjoy the journey as much as the destination.
If you’d rather leave even more of the planning to someone else, that’s exactly where I can help. From finding the right holiday to arranging extras like airport hotels, parking and transfers, I’m here to make travelling as easy and enjoyable as possible.
✈️ Rachael’s Travel Tips
📝 Don’t use the bin!
Stick a Post-it note on your kitchen bin the day before you leave. It stops anyone throwing rubbish in at the last minute, so you won’t come home to unpleasant smells.
🧳 Pack an overnight bag
If you’re staying at an airport hotel, pack a small bag with everything you’ll need for one night. It saves dragging all the suitcases into the hotel.
🚪 Leave the washing machine door open
A simple one, but leaving the door ajar helps prevent musty smells while you’re away.
Happy travels,
Rachael
Travel with Rachael 
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