Holiday essentials: what to sort 3 weeks, 2 weeks and the week before you travel

Why the 2 to 3 week window matters

This is the sweet spot. It’s early enough to give you options. It’s late enough that your plans are fixed and you can make clear decisions.

Most last-minute travel stress comes from the same places:

• Scrambling for travel money and ending up with a poor rate
• Realising you don’t have a sensible way to pay when you arrive
• Forgetting small but essential details that slow you down on day one

Get your money and ways to pay sorted in good time and everything else feels lighter.

If you want a full, end-to-end prep guide, use our holiday packing checklist. This guide is the timing plan that sits alongside it.

What to consider earlier than 3 weeks out 

Not everything needs early attention. But a couple of things can take time to sort if something isn’t right. 

• Check your passport meets the rules for your trip 
• Apply for any visa or travel authorisation if needed 

If anything needs sorting, do it now so it doesn’t become a last-minute problem. The requirements vary depending on where you’re going. So take time to confirm them for your specific destination on the UK Government’s foreign travel advice page.

What to do 3 weeks out 

Now you’re close enough to start making practical decisions. This week is about planning your money, securing the things that can sell out and making sure your phone will work when you land. 

Start planning your travel money 

This is where the travel money planning part begins. You don’t have to buy yet, but you should decide what you’re aiming for. Think about: 

• Roughly how much cash you’ll want for day one and day two 
• What you’ll use cards for 
• Whether you’ll want a backup option 

It helps to keep an eye on the exchange rate for your destination so you know what looks reasonable. 

If you’re travelling in peak season, don’t leave it too close. Options can narrow as you approach your travel date.

What to do 2 weeks out 

This is the key week. You’re close enough to take action, but you still have time to do it calmly. 

Your main job here is planning your travel money and how you're going to pay. 

Order your travel money 

Getting your travel money sorted now gives you control. You can lock in a rate and avoid rushed airport decisions. It also means you arrive with local currency ready for the moments it really matters: 

• A taxi or train ticket 
• Food and water 
• Tips for service
• A small shop that doesn’t take cards 

If you’re not sure how much to take, keep it practical: 

• Enough cash for the first few days 
• Cards for bigger spends 
• A small backup 

With Post Office Travel Money, you can buy in branch or order in advance for collection in branch or home delivery, so it’s one less thing to think about. You can also read our travel money guides for more tips and pointers. 

Choose how you’ll pay abroad 

Don’t rely on one method. Most trips run smoother when you use a mix.

• Foreign currency cash is useful for smaller payments and places that don’t accept cards. For everything else, decide what cards you’ll use and why 
• A prepaid currency card can help you set a budget and avoid carrying too much cash. It also helps you stay in control of your spending. You load it before you go and use it like a debit card. 
  
  The Post Office Travel Money Card lets you hold and manage your holiday money in advance, which can make budgeting easier 
• A travel credit card can be useful for bigger costs like hotel deposits or car hire. It can also be a useful backup for your cash and other prepaid card. If you’re considering one, check fees and plan how you’ll repay what you spend. 
  
  The Post Office Travel Credit Card has no foreign transaction fees on purchases, which can help you avoid extra costs abroad 

Put a simple backup plan in place 

This is the bit people skip. Then something goes wrong and it becomes the whole story. ATMs can be out of service. Cards can fail. Your phone might not connect straight away. A mix of cash and cards gives you breathing space. 

Set up your data for abroad 

Getting online quickly makes your first few hours easier. Maps, transport apps and booking details all live on your phone. If you’re using an eSIM, set it up now so you’re not trying to do it on airport Wi Fi or expensive data roaming. 

Not sure what to take? 

If you’re unsure whether to rely more on cash or cards, read our guide to different ways to spend abroad. Or pop into branch and have a chat with your local postmaster. They can help you work out what suits your trip.

What to do the week before you go 

Now it’s about confidence. You want to feel like you’ve got everything you need, without overthinking it. 

Pull your essentials together 

Keep your key items in one place so you’re not hunting the night before. That usually means: 

• Your passports
• Booking confirmations 
• Travel money and payment cards 
• Chargers and adaptors 

If you’re the type who worries, take a photo of the important documents and store them somewhere safe. There's a full list if the key documents and other things to consider taking in our travel checklist. And our guide on how to pack a suitcase might help too. 

Think through day one 

This is a simple exercise, but it works. Ask yourself: 

• How are you getting from the airport to where you’re staying? 
• Do you have cash ready for that first journey? 
• What’s your plan if your card doesn’t work straight away? 

If you can answer those, you’re in a good place. 

Confirm your travel logistics 

Check your route and when to get to the airport and give yourself a bit of breathing room. 

If you’ve booked transfers or trips, confirm times and meeting points. 

If you’re unsure about luggage rules, check with your airline or transport provider and read our guide to what you can take on a plane. 

Don't forget to make sure your home and pets are looked after 

If you have pets, make sure care is arranged and everyone has the key details. And take steps to make sure your home's secure while you're away, with someone checking in if possible.