Planning to travel in 2025? Here’s a handy checklist and a few tips to consider while you plan

Have you figured out where you’re traveling this year?

There are plenty of ideas floating about: Go on a cruise, or a pilgrimage. Book a “wellness retreat” or take a girls’ trip.

Whether it’s a family trip or an extended overseas adventure, the business or where to go and what to do is up to you.

But since travel, particularly air travel, is changing, it’s worth reviewing a few tips on how to travel well. A little advance planning can go a long way to insure a pleasant trip.

1. Get your passport. You may think you’ll never need it, but you’re probably wrong. How about that drive to Dawson City or down to Haines? Passport required. Wait, there’s more. Check the expiration date. If you have less than a year remaining, consider renewing it right away. Many destinations require that your passport be valid for six months following your arrival. Otherwise, you may be refused entry. That’s a costly and avoidable mistake.

2. Don’t forget your visa. Check in advance to see if a visa is required. In Tanzania and Vietnam, visas are required — and you get them (and pay for them) at the airport. Other destinations, like India or Bali, require a visa that you can apply for and purchase online.

Extra fees may be coming for visits to Europe and the United Kingdom. They’re not visas, but you have to pay the fee. Both the European Union and the U.K. now are planning for an additional form for all travelers that costs between $8 and $15. The form for the U.K. should be ready by Jan. 8. The EU’s form still is being developed to roll out later this year.

3. Travel light. This is an aspirational goal for some of us. The idea of carrying everything on board just doesn’t work for some travelers. But if it does, you can save a lot of waiting around at the airport. Plus, a smaller bag means you’re more nimble and quick moving between flights, or up and down the long staircase when the elevator is broken.

Part of the winning strategy to traveling light is doing laundry in the hotel sink. It’s one reason I wear plastic underwear: It’s easy to wash and dries quickly.

My friend Jeanne Devon is living her best life traveling around Europe and writing about it in her blog. She swears by Dr. Bronner’s soap for laundry on-the-go. I usually use the shampoo in the room.

If you do check a bag (or two), invest in some Air Tags (iOS) or Tile (Android) devices so you can track the location of your bags with your phone. Some airlines now offer luggage tracking on their smartphone apps, but others don’t.

Remember: Both Alaska Airlines and Delta offer two checked bags free coming or going to Alaska. It’s part of the free Club 49 package with Alaska for residents. Delta travelers must be enrolled in the SkyMiles program.

4. Elite frequent flyer status. If you’ve got it, use it! If you’re playing the frequent flyer game, elite status can help you with bag fees, better seats, early boarding and maybe even a first class upgrade.

Airlines really want you to sign up for their plans. Almost every carrier offers a co-branded credit card that yields at least one round-trip ticket on approval.

[What’s in store for air travelers in 2025? Flights, fares, seats and loyalty plans continue to change]

5. Global Entry. This is the pay-to-play program that the U.S. Customs and Border Protection people use to make re-entry into the U.S. a breeze. It works. There’s typically no wait to get through the passport line at the airport. There’s a $120 fee for five years and it includes access to the TSA PreCheck lines. There’s also a personal interview required at the airport.

The TSA PreCheck access alone is $77.95, without the Global Entry component.

The extra cost is worth it, I think. Sometimes the PreCheck line is longer than the normal line. But not having to fiddle with your shoes and laptops makes the PreCheck line move faster.

6. Traveling with guns. Yes, you can do it. There are special requirements, liked locked cases and making sure guns are unloaded. All ammo also must be packed securely. Make sure you sweep your bags and backpacks (and pockets) for any loose ammo. A stray bullet flagged at security will definitely slow you down.

7. Consider bringing your own food. In-flight catering is inconsistent and meals for sale may not be available on board. You can purchase food at the airport for a high price, or get a better deal picking up some snacks before you get there.

8. Travel insurance. Get some, since many elements of your trip may be nonrefundable. Your credit card may have some insurance components for car rentals, lost or delayed bags or even medical expenses. There are many options for insurance, which include emergency evacuation, medical, dental and eye insurance. You have to read the fine print. We get an annual policy. But if you’re going on an expensive trip, it may be worthwhile to go with a policy offered by the tour operator.

9. Buying your ticket. What’s the best time to buy? When you are sure you’re not going to change the date. With very few exceptions, if you change your date of travel, you’re going to lose money. One of the elite-level benefits at many airlines is the ability to change flights on the same day at no charge. But you may not get the best seats at the last minute.

[More legroom, no middle seat: Even budget airlines are going premium]

10. Get your steps in. This is another tip from Jeanne: “Work on your health, and get your steps in. I’m serious. Even if you have to walk laps around the house or apartment while you doomscroll, even if you park your car a couple blocks from work every day, or walk the dog more than usual, even if you start small but make small improvements, it all counts,” she writes.

Recently, I passed through three monster airports in one day: Mexico City, where the in-airport hotel was a train ride away at another terminal, followed by a mile-long walk through security and to our gate. Then, it was time to clear customs in Dallas. That necessitated a long hike to the immigration desk, which I think was in Fort Worth. Finally, after arriving in Seattle, we had to take two trains to get to our Alaska Airlines flight in the “N” terminal. Color me thankful that my two brand-new knees are working properly. I definitely got my steps in!

11. Must-fly gear. Make sure your phone is charged up. But bring a portable battery pack with you, because the seat-back chargers may not work. Bring a portable light with you, too, because the light above the seat may be busted. Bring some high-quality over-the-ear headphones, because flights are noisy these days. Some folks also bring a pillow. Wear an extra layer on the plane or bring a blanket because it might be freezing on board.

Whichever adventure you choose this year, make it a great one. Arrive early to the airport. Fill up your water bottle after security. Let somebody you love know where you’re going — and let them know when you get there.

Have a great trip!