How to plan a trip, with a travel checklist to paste into Experto

This travel checklist splits your trip plan into five moments (before, the week of, the night before, the day of and the return) and adds a list of what to pack. Every part is ready to copy and paste into Experto, where it becomes a task list you can share with whoever is coming along.

The timing helps: in Brazil, October 12 is a national holiday under Law No. 6,802 of 1980, and in 2026 it falls on a Monday.

Going away for a long weekend? Start with the week of the trip. For a vacation, start with the plan as soon as you have the dates.

Why build a travel checklist in stages

Almost everything that goes wrong on a trip happens before the suitcase is closed. The flight got pricier because it was left for later, the booking was never confirmed, an ID expired and nobody noticed.

The signs are usually these:

• the itinerary is scattered across the family group chat;
• everyone thinks someone else booked the hotel;
• the charger stayed plugged in at home;
• you come back to an empty fridge and an overdue bill.

Splitting tasks by moment solves most of it. Each thing shows up when you can actually do it, and what's done gets out of the way.

How to paste the lists into Experto

Every block in this post becomes a task list in a few clicks. It works on the web and in the app panel for Mac and Windows:

1. Click New list and give it a name, like Trip.
2. On the block you want, click Copy list.
3. Paste it into the New item field, or press ⌘V (Ctrl+V on Windows) with the list open.
4. Check the preview in Create several items and confirm.

Each line becomes a task, and a line that starts with a space becomes the description of the task above it. Estimate: says how long it takes.

Want a due date? Add a line like End: 10/09/2026 8:00 PM under the task, with your own trip date. The other rules are in the guide on how to paste multiple tasks at once.

Before: the trip plan

This is where you decide how much the trip costs and what you can fit into it. For a vacation, start two to four weeks ahead. For a last-minute long weekend, sort it all out in one evening.

Pick the destination, dates and budget
Buy the tickets
 Compare times and the price of checked bags
Book the place to stay
Put together the travel itinerary
 One main outing per day and a plan for a rainy day
Estimate: 2 hours
Check everyone's ID expiration dates
 Passport and visa, if you're going abroad
See if travel insurance is worth it
Arrange who looks after the house, the plants and the pet

The week of: bookings confirmed

During the week of the trip, confirm what you've already bought and get the house sorted.

Confirm bookings, flights and times
Check in online
Set aside medicines and prescriptions
Let the bank know about the trip
 So your card doesn't get blocked far from home
Check the car, if you're driving
 Tires, oil and tire pressure
Pay the bills due during the trip
Use up what will spoil in the fridge

The night before: bags packed

A good night before means a closed suitcase, documents set aside and the alarm on.

Close the suitcase using the packing list
Charge your phone, earbuds and power bank
Download maps, music and boarding passes
Keep IDs and cards together in one bag
Take out the trash and water the plants
Set the alarm

The day of: leaving without forgetting anything

On the day, the list becomes a quick check at the front door. At the airport or on the road, open the Experto app on your iPhone and check things off as you go.

Unplug the appliances
Turn off the gas, close the windows and shut the water valve
Lock up and check the keys
Check IDs, wallet and phone
Leave with time to spare for traffic

What to pack for a trip

What you pack changes with the destination, so use this list as a base and delete what doesn't fit. Keep it as a separate list called Suitcase and use it again on the next trip.

Photo ID
Cards and some cash
Phone and charger
Power bank and earbuds
Daily medicines, with the prescription
First aid kit
 Pain reliever, antihistamine, bandages and motion sickness pills
Toothbrush, toothpaste and floss
Deodorant, shampoo and soap
Sunscreen and insect repellent
Clothes for every day, plus one extra change
Pajamas and swimwear
A jacket, even if it's hot
Comfortable shoes
Sunglasses and a cap
Water bottle
Bag for dirty laundry

Flying? Pack your IDs, medicines and a change of clothes in your carry-on.

The return: the house back in order

The trip only ends when the suitcase is unpacked and the fridge is full again.

Unpack and do the laundry
Do the weekly grocery shopping
Check the bills and the credit card statement
Write down what was missing from the suitcase
 A reminder for the next trip

For the shopping, the grocery list template is ready to paste too. On the next trip, select the completed tasks in Suitcase and use Reopen: the whole list comes back.

Share the plan with whoever's traveling with you

Share the trip list, and every change shows up for everyone right away. No more plans lost in the family group chat!

1. In Administration › People, click Invite and type the email of whoever is coming with you.
2. Click the three dots next to the list name and, under Sharing, choose Specific people.
3. Check that person and choose Everyone can edit.

Whoever handles a task checks it off. Nobody books the same hotel twice, and nobody buys a third sunscreen. The personal organization page shows other plans you can make together.

The same way of planning works for other family moments, like the kids' birthday party and moving house.

Frequently asked questions

What can't be missing from a travel checklist?

Photo ID, cards, your phone with its charger and your daily medicines. With those in your bag, almost everything else can be sorted out at the destination.

How do I plan a trip on short notice?

Start with the night before and the packing list, which fit in one evening. Then confirm bookings and times.

Does the person traveling with me have to pay to use the list?

No. Experto is free forever for up to 2 members, with every feature: you and one more person use it at no cost. For more people, see the prices on the pricing page.

Ready to travel without forgetting a thing? Create your free account, paste the travel checklist and enjoy the long weekend.