Good travel preparation starts weeks before the trip, not the night before. Organising your documents and bookings, packing smartly, sorting out money and your phone, then planning for airport day and the moment of arrival are all simple steps that spare you stress and unpleasant surprises and leave you time to enjoy the trip itself.

This is a practical checklist in chronological order that works for business, study and leisure trips alike, with specific tips for anyone whose destination is Riyadh.

Before you travel: documents and bookings

1. Review your official documents

Make sure your passport and ID are valid, check the visa or entry requirements of your destination, and keep digital copies of your flight tickets and booking confirmations on your phone and in your email. Put the originals in a small hand bag reserved for documents that stays with you throughout the journey and is never checked in with your luggage.

2. Book your accommodation early

Booking accommodation well before you travel gives you more options and lets you choose a location close to the places you will visit most, whether that is an office, a conference or tourist attractions. Compare hotels and furnished apartments according to your length of stay and the number of people travelling with you, and read the cancellation policy before paying. If your destination is Riyadh, read our tips for choosing a furnished apartment in Riyadh.

3. Sort out things at home

Pay the bills that fall due while you are away or set up automatic payment, and temporarily pause the services you will not need, bearing in mind that suspension requests can take a few days. Tell someone you trust your travel and return dates, arrange for someone to look after plants or pets, and make sure windows are closed and non-essential appliances are unplugged before you leave.

4. Draft an initial plan for the trip

Gather information about the places you want to visit and spread them across the days of the trip without overloading it, leaving room for rest and surprises. Check opening hours and entry prices on each venue's official channels, as many of them change with the season.

Packing your bags

  • Start packing days before you travel so you discover what is missing early, and write a list of what you need and tick off what you have packed.
  • Keep essential medicines in a small pouch in a visible place, together with a prescription if they are regular medicines.
  • Gather your personal care items in a separate leak-proof bag.
  • Check the weather at your destination before choosing clothes; Riyadh is hot in summer and mild to cold in winter, and its nights are cooler than its days.
  • Check the baggage allowance with your airline, as exceeding the limit means extra fees.
  • Check the type of electrical sockets at your destination and carry an adapter if needed, along with a spare phone charger.
  • Do not put electronics and valuables in checked luggage; keep them in your hand luggage.

Money and communications

  1. Learn the local currency and its approximate exchange rate, and carry a small amount of cash for your first expenses on arrival.
  2. Tell your bank you are travelling so your card is not blocked when used abroad, and make sure it works internationally.
  3. Set aside an emergency reserve separate from your trip budget.
  4. Check for any fees linked to entry, exit or the visa, if applicable.
  5. Activate international roaming on your phone or plan to buy a local SIM on arrival, and download maps and transport apps in advance.

Travel day: the airport and the flight

Be ready for security screening

  • Keep electronics and liquids somewhere easy to take out of your hand luggage.
  • Do not wrap gifts before travelling, as you may be asked to open them at screening.
  • Cut down on metal accessories and heavy belts to get through the security gates faster.
  • Check the airline's and the airport's rules on prohibited items before leaving home.

Wear what is comfortable

Choose comfortable clothes and layers you can take off or add, and comfortable shoes for walking through the airport, especially on long flights. Make sure you drink water and move around from time to time during the flight.

On arrival: accommodation and the first day

Arriving at accommodation that is ready and comfortable is what sets your first impression of the trip. Furnished apartments are a practical choice for stays longer than a few days, as they offer a kitchen, separate rooms and more space than a hotel room, and they suit solo travellers as well as families and groups of friends. On arrival, send your accommodation's location to whoever is waiting for news of you, save the accommodation's customer-service number on your phone, and set the first day aside for resting and getting to know the neighbourhood rather than cramming the schedule from the start.

If your destination is Riyadh

Kease offers furnished units for daily, weekly and monthly stays in many districts of Riyadh, along with apartments for yearly lease. In the units managed by Kease, the smart-lock access code reaches you by SMS 24 hours before check-in, so there is no key to collect and no receptionist to wait for, and internet and parking are free with Netflix and Shahid subscriptions included. Check-in is from 3 PM until midnight and check-out is until 11 AM unless the unit page states otherwise, with early check-in subject to availability and late check-out at 150 SAR per hour.

Booking is done through the website or app without creating an account, payment is by Mada, Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay or Tabby, and unpaid bookings can be cancelled up to 24 hours before check-in. Review the FAQs on Kease for the details of the policies before booking.

Respect local customs

Learning about a country's customs and rules of conduct spares you awkward situations and makes dealing with residents easier: from appropriate dress in public places, to the etiquette of greetings and hospitality, to the rules on photography in certain places. Look for this information in official sources or in your destination guide before travelling, and remember that declining an invitation or a dish can be understood differently from one culture to another.

Frequently asked questions

When should I start preparing for a trip?

Review your documents and book flights and accommodation weeks before the trip, and start packing a few days before it so you discover anything missing in good time.

What should always stay in my hand luggage?

Official documents, essential medicines, electronics and valuables, a phone charger, and a light spare set of clothes in case your luggage is delayed.

Is a furnished apartment better than a hotel for long trips?

For stays of a week or more, a furnished apartment gives you a kitchen, more space and greater privacy, and it can work out cheaper for families and groups than booking several hotel rooms.

How do I get into my apartment if I arrive at night?

In the units managed by Kease, the smart-lock code reaches you by SMS 24 hours before arrival, so you walk straight in at any time within the check-in window from 3 PM until midnight, while for partner units the operator handles check-in.

Book your stay in Riyadh before you travel

Add accommodation to your preparation list early. Browse furnished apartments for daily rent in Riyadh for short trips, or furnished apartments for monthly rent for longer stays, and for any enquiry contact Kease customer service on 920033775.