I love prepping for a trip. Like… I LOVE it. The countdown, the lists, the deep-cleaning, the little beauty rituals – all of it.
Prepping makes the vacation feel real before it even begins, and it just makes everything smoother, easier, and a lot more fun.
And yes, I may be a little OCD about my process, but traveling is my thing – it needs structure and routine.
Probably the only real routine I have, hahaha. Daily life is chaos… but my travel prep? It’s perfect..
And because the day before a trip is always fully unhinged, here’s everything I do in advance so I’m not spiraling at 11PM the night before my flight.
Let me help unclutter your brain and get you ahead of schedule for your next trip.
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How to Prepare for a Trip
1. Beauty Prep (My Favorite Part)
The week leading up to a trip is my tiny glow-up era. On the regular, I’m lowkey. But give me a trip? I transform.
Teeth Whitening
I whiten my teeth twice a week for two weeks before a trip – it makes such a difference in photos. I love the GuruNanda whitening strips.
Hair Treatments
I always do 2–3 deep conditioning treatments the week before. One of them is the night before I leave. My hair is normally pretty frizzy, so the deep conditioning helps to control it and make my hair softer too. I have a few faves like: ShaeMoisture hair mask and Fino Hair mask by Shiseido.
The Everything Shower
The night before my trip I take the longest and best shower – the “everything shower”. It’s a whole event. I have a full breakdown of my routine and products here.
- deep condition
- exfoliate
- shave
- body oil
- hair mask
- moisturize
It’s a whole production and it puts me in the best mood. If it’s a long trip, I even pack a couple of self-care essentials like my NuFace or my red light mask so I can have slow mornings or unwind after long 30k+ step days.
Skin Prep
I bump up my sheet masks to every night or every morning before I leave. Hydrated skin looks better in photos, better in humidity, better on planes – just better.
Add a Vitamin C + niacinamide combo in the morning for extra defense. If you’re traveling somewhere hot, this helps SO much.
Nails
Salon or at-home – fresh nails are non-negotiable. They make every food photo, coffee photo, and random vacation pic cuter.
2. Organization + Outfits
Here’s where my Type A personality thrives.
The Packing Pile
About a week out, I start “the pile.” Not actual packing – just everything I might bring. It lives in the guest room until I’m ready to organize.
Outfits by Day
My #1 tip to avoid overpacking (or panic-packing):
Plan outfits by day or activity.
I lay everything out – accessories, shoes, bras, bags – all matched to an outfit so nothing is forgotten and nothing is duplicated.
Comfy “In-Between” Outfits
I always pack a couple loungewear outfits. For snack runs, slow mornings, or late-night walks to 7-Eleven. Not pajamas… but not a real outfit either. Just comfy.
Packing Style
I want to say “pack minimal,” but I’m a maximalist. I’ve done 12-day international trips with just a carry-on… but I wasn’t happy about it. And yes, I did buy another suitcase for souvenirs.
So: pack how you want. Just remember you’ll be lugging that suitcase up stairs. Especially internationally.
3. Toiletries + Essentials (Always Pre-Packed)
My toiletry bag stays stocked year-round. It’s not that we’re traveling constantly but we are always on the go.
If it’s not a vacation, then its traveling for work, or booking a bestie weekend. It’s something. So having my toiletries bag always packed is a must.
Before every trip, I top everything off and always pack:
- medicine (always ALWAYS medicine)
- vitamins
- sunscreen
- hair ties
- mini deodorant
- lip balm
- hand sanitizer
- my own hand soap (hotel bar soap is a crime)
- playing cards
- portable speaker
I also have a full post with everything I pack if you want the complete list.
4. Travel Research Routine (My Favorite Part)
This is where I go full travel nerd.
I research:
- TikTok
- YouTube
- Google
- blogs
- Reddit
- literally every corner of the internet
Then I build my Google My Maps for each trip.
I add:
- coffee shops
- restaurants
- tourist spots
- bars
- cute photo locations
- random places that look fun
Then when I’m traveling, I just open the map and see what’s near me. It’s the best thing ever for filling in free pockets of time.
Cultural Norms + Weather Prep
If I’m traveling internationally, I always look up:
- cultural clothing expectations
- weather patterns
- what to wear (and what NOT to wear)
- how modest the country is
Be respectful wherever you go.
Apps to Download
Before an international trip, make sure you download:
- Google Maps (offline!)
- Google Translate
- Uber or the local rideshare
- the city’s metro or train app
- currency converters
And make sure you know how to pay for public transport (some cities require specific payment cards).
5. Home Routine Before Leaving
This is a must for my sanity.
The Week Before
I keep meals extremely simple – store-bought salads, easy meals, or takeout – to avoid kitchen chaos.
The Night(ish) Before
- vacuum
- full laundry (clean sheets for your return = heaven)
- wipe down surfaces
- toss anything in the fridge that will go bad
- take out the trash
- run and empty the dishwasher
- NO dirty dishes anywhere
Before I leave, I also make sure there are a couple easy frozen meals waiting for me at home so I’m not eating snacks for dinner on night one.
6. Health Prep
The week or so before a trip, I:
- take vitamins daily
- up my hydration
- drink juice (homemade or store-bought – whatever fits my week)
- eat simple meals to avoid bloating
- prioritize sleep
And in my suitcase, I always pack:
- Tums
- Pepto
- Immodium
- pain relievers
- allergy meds
- bandaids
- DayQuil + NyQuil
- electrolytes
Being prepared on vacation is EVERYTHING.
And That’s My Whole Pre-Trip Routine!
A mix of beauty prep, outfit planning, organization, research, and making sure my home is spotless before I leave.
Yes, the guest room is usually a disaster of things I’m not bringing – but the kitchen is clean, the laundry is done, and the bed is cozy for when I come home.
Honestly, prepping is half the fun. It makes the trip feel like it starts early – and who doesn’t want that?
If you have any pre-trip rituals I should add in, send them my way!
Enjoy your vacation!
XOXO,
Julia
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About the Author: Hey there! I’m Julia, a passionate theme park and travel writer. My love for theme parks has fueled my obsession with sharing tips and adventures for years. Join me as I uncover the magic of vacations and beyond!
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