Got a huge trip coming up? Maybe a once-in-a-lifetime great escape? An extended European journey, or a two-month trans-Canadian motorhome trip? Exciting times, but there is heaps to do before you even head out the door. Leave home for a couple of weeks and the garden won’t suffer too much and the letter box probably won’t say “we’re away!”, but go away for more than a month and the prep work is on another level.

Here’s a checklist to help make sure you’re in shape for the adventure that awaits.

Download a translation app to your phone. Google Translate works well and you can snap images of menus and street signs and the app will translate text into English. Press the speaker button and whatever you say in English will be translated to any one of about 250 languages.

Did you know you can suspend your private health cover when you travel overseas? The health funds don’t advertise it, but a cancellation can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Terms and conditions vary from one provider to the next, but usually you need to be away for at least a month, membership must be totally paid up and you’ll need to show airline tickets for exiting and re-entering Australia. Also, you don’t lose any benefits. Be careful not to fall foul of the Medicare levy surcharge (MLS). If you do, the amount you save through the cancellation might be less than the MLS.

Ask a neighbour, a friend or relative to empty your mailbox and check on the property from time to time. If there are plants or a garden that need regular watering you might be better off with a house sitter, and there are several agencies that specialise in matching your needs with theirs such as House Sitters and Aussie House Sitters. If you want to take this approach, start planning a couple of months before you leave – great house sitters have busy schedules.

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Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months past your return date. Some countries require only three months but the full six months buys you peace of mind if you’re country hopping.

Schengen area rules allow Australian passport holders to remain in the area for 90 days in any 180-day period. If you need longer, Australia has visa-waiver agreements with several European countries such as Germany and the Netherlands that allow you to stay in their countries without affecting the time allowed in the Schengen zone. The rules are very specific and each country is different. To find out what you need to know, contact the consulates in Australia.

Unless you’re planning to use them while you’re away, press the pause button on gym memberships and any streaming services such as Netflix or Apple TV.

You might need to call a landline while you’re overseas, and for that you need an app such as Viber Out or Talk360. Download the app, add some credit – and $10 is plenty – and you can dial any landline or mobile number in the world provided you have a data connection.

An eSIM is great for keeping your apps alive and receiving and sending emails when you’re on the road, but most won’t let you receive messages and phone calls. I use an eSIM for data but I turn off data roaming for my regular phone number, which allows me to take calls and messages without incurring huge charges. If most of your communication is via WhatsApp or email, the cost for messages and calls is minimal.

If you’re relying on the free travel insurance that comes with your credit card, be aware of the time limits. For example, complimentary credit card travel insurance from American Express is valid for a single trip ranging from 31 to 180 consecutive days, depending on your specific card tier. The policy stays active as long as your account remains open, you paid for the qualifying travel ticket using your card and you do not exceed the maximum trip duration allowed.

Notify your bank and any card issuers of travel dates and countries you’ll be visiting. Unusual transactions overseas can raise suspicions of fraudulent activity, leading to a frozen account.

Get a health check with your GP, and check required/recommended vaccinations for the countries you’ll be visiting. The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has an excellent website with comprehensive information on health risks for specific countries and recommended vaccinations and precautions.

Bring enough prescription meds for the time you’ll be away, and a doctor’s letter for any controlled substances. Common prescription medications for ADHD, sedatives and anxiety and even some over-the-counter medications can be classified as controlled substances or illegal drugs in some countries.

Create an emergency folder with a copy of your passport’s personal information page, travel dates, travel insurer and policy number and any other important documents and leave a printed copy with someone who will respond quickly. Post the same information to a cloud folder such as iCloud Drive, Google Drive or Dropbox. Make sure you can access it from several different devices.

Subscribe to Smartraveller alerts for every country you’re visiting. Natural disasters, disease outbreaks or civil unrest can have a big impact on your travel plans and they can happen quickly. You can rely on our government’s travel safety website to keep you updated.

Losing your smartphone when you’re overseas can be either a major disaster or a minor inconvenience, depending on how well you’ve prepared. Turn on tracking by activating “Find My Device” on Android or “Find My iPhone” on Apple. Back up your data, including photos, contacts and important files, to the cloud. If your phone is lost or stolen, use another device to locate it and, if necessary, remotely lock or erase it. Contact your mobile carrier and report the theft to local police. It’s also worth recording your phone’s IMEI, a unique number that identifies the device. Your mobile provider can use it to block the phone from accessing cellular networks, even if someone inserts a new SIM card. To find your IMEI, dial *#06# on most phones.

Think about two-factor authentication. If your phone is your only way of accessing authentication codes, losing it could lock you out of email and banking at the worst possible time. Set up alternative recovery methods before you leave, such as an Apple recovery key or Google Account back-up codes, and make sure you can access them without your phone.