The day before you fly is when final preparations come together, and a quick checklist makes sure nothing is forgotten in the last-minute excitement. Getting these jobs done means you can travel calmly. This guide is a day-before-you-fly checklist of the key things to do. Work through it the day before departure, alongside your earlier preparations, so you set off the next day organised, on time, and confident that everything is sorted.
Check in online
Check in online if your airline offers it, usually available from around a day before, to secure your boarding pass and seat and save time at the airport. Follow your airline's check-in process and timing. Completing online check-in the day before, where available, means you arrive with your boarding pass ready and avoid queues, making the airport experience smoother. Checking in promptly when it opens, and noting any deadlines, is a key day-before job that gets your departure off to an organised start.
Confirm your flight details
Confirm your flight time, and check the airport, terminal and any updates, as details can change and you need to be sure of where and when to be. Check for any notifications from your airline. Verifying your flight details the day before, rather than assuming, ensures you have the correct, current information and are not caught out by a change. Knowing exactly when your flight departs, and from which airport and terminal, is essential for planning your journey and arriving in good time.
Check your documents and passport
Check you have your passport, valid for your destination, and all necessary documents, visas and confirmations ready and accessible. This is the last chance to spot a problem before you travel. Our guide on checking your passport is valid covers requirements. Doing a final check that your essential documents are present, correct and to hand, especially your passport and its validity, the day before you fly gives you time to address any issue. These are the documents the trip depends on, so confirm them now.
Print or download boarding passes
Sort your boarding passes, either printing them or saving them to your phone, depending on your airline, so they are ready for the airport. Have a backup in case of phone issues. Ensuring your boarding passes are accessible, whether on your device or printed, means you are ready to travel without scrambling at the airport. Having them sorted and a backup available, in case your phone runs out of battery or has problems, is a sensible day-before task that smooths your departure.
Check your baggage allowance and weigh your bags
Check your baggage allowance and weigh your bags to make sure they are within the limits, avoiding excess fees or last-minute repacking at the airport. Adjust now if anything is overweight. Our guide on how to pack a suitcase covers weight limits. Confirming your bags are within your allowance, by weighing them the day before, lets you redistribute or remove items in good time rather than facing charges or stress at check-in. This final weight check is a valuable step to avoid baggage problems on the day.
Pack your hand luggage essentials
Pack your hand luggage with the essentials you need for the journey and on arrival: documents, money, medication, electronics, chargers, and anything you would need if your hold bag were delayed. Our guide on carry-on essentials covers this. Making sure your cabin bag has everything important and everything you need en route, packed and ready the day before, means you travel prepared and protected against luggage delays. Getting your hand luggage right is one of the most important day-before jobs.
Check the liquids rules
Check the liquids rules for your hand luggage and ensure any liquids you are carrying comply, in the correct sizes and bag, to avoid problems at security. Rules vary by airport, so confirm the current requirements. Our guide on hand luggage packing tips covers liquids. Making sure your carry-on liquids meet the rules in force at your departure airport, the day before, avoids having items confiscated at security. A quick check that your liquids comply, and moving any that do not to your hold bag, prevents a common day-of hold-up.
Charge your devices
Charge your phone, power bank and any devices you will take, so they are fully charged for the journey and on arrival. A charged phone is essential for boarding passes, navigation and staying in touch. Ensuring all your devices and your power bank are fully charged the night before means you are not caught with a flat phone when you need it for travel. Charging everything overnight is a simple but important step, particularly as your phone may hold your boarding pass and other essentials.
Sort your transport to the airport
Confirm how you are getting to the airport and when you need to leave, whether driving, public transport, a taxi or a lift, allowing plenty of time. Check parking or pick-up arrangements if relevant. Our guide on getting to the airport covers the options. Making sure your journey to the airport is arranged and you know your departure time from home, the day before, ensures you arrive in good time without last-minute panic. Sorting your transport now avoids a stressful scramble on the morning of your flight.
Know when to arrive at the airport
Check how early you need to arrive at the airport, as recommended times vary, and plan your journey to get there with time to spare for check-in, bag drop and security. Arriving too late risks missing your flight. Our guide on how early to get to the airport explains. Knowing the recommended arrival time for your flight, and planning to be there comfortably ahead, removes the stress of rushing. Confirming this the day before, and building it into your transport plan, helps ensure a calm, on-time departure.
Do your final home checks
Do your final home preparations and checks: security, appliances, heating, post, and anything else, so your home is ready before you leave. Our guide on preparing your home covers the detail. Completing your home checks the day before, or on the morning of departure, ensures your property is secure and sorted while you are away. Tying up these final home jobs as part of your day-before routine means you leave with both your travel and your home fully prepared, ready for a smooth departure.
Get a good night's sleep
With your preparations done, aim to get a good night's sleep before an early start, rather than staying up packing and worrying. Being rested makes the journey and the start of your holiday far more pleasant. Completing your day-before jobs in good time, so you can wind down and sleep well, means you set off refreshed rather than frazzled. The whole point of working through the checklist the day before is to leave the morning of travel calm and organised, so finish early and rest properly.
In short
The day before you fly, check in online, confirm your flight time, airport and terminal, and check your documents and passport. Sort your boarding passes, check your baggage allowance and weigh your bags, and pack your hand luggage essentials. Check the liquids rules, charge your devices, and sort your transport to the airport, knowing when to arrive. Finally, do your home checks. Working through this the day before means you travel organised, on time and confident everything is sorted.
Explore more in our Packing & Before You Go guides.