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When you travel as a family, there's a lot to pack and organize. Often the last few days before the vacation suddenly turn into pure stress. Grandma cancels her plant-watering duty and the suitcases still aren't packed. Start organizing as early as possible so you don't descend into absolute chaos on the day of departure. Use our tips to prepare for your vacation in the best possible way.

Pack Your Suitcases as Early as Possible

Packing the day before departure? That's a big mistake, because you're guaranteed to forget some important things. Start with large and bulky items that you won't need at home anymore anyway. Take the opportunity to expand your car's storage space with a high-quality roof box. You can stow sports equipment, large luggage, and unwieldy items here while still having plenty of room in the car.

The skis are coming along on vacation but aren't needed at home anymore? Load them up a week or two before the trip. That way you'll have the good feeling of having checked one item off your list already.

Clothes shouldn't sit in the suitcase for too long, but you can still prepare ahead. Wash everything you want to take one more time and separate it in your closet. Then you can quickly pack it just before departure.

Arrange Care for Your Home While You're Away

You're planning your dream vacation in France and yet you worry about things back home during your absence. Neighbors can empty the mailbox and water the plants. But what happens if your trusted person backs out because they got sick or ran out of time?

Always make sure you have a backup plan. There are now professional services that take care of your apartment, mail, plants, and even pets while you're away. The advantage is that if someone falls ill, a replacement worker is provided for you.

Give Your Car a Thorough Check Before Departure

If you've decided to travel by car, give your vehicle a thorough checkup several weeks before departure. Is there enough oil? Is the tire tread depth sufficient? Are the right tires mounted? If you're heading to a snowy area, you'll need winter tires or even snow chains to get around.

Also remember to fill up the tank a day or two before departure. Nothing is more annoying than realizing in the morning that the tank won't even last until the next rest stop.

Pack a Small Document Folder for the Road

If you're traveling to neighboring EU countries like the Netherlands, Denmark, or France, you won't need many documents. An ID card, European Health Insurance Card, perhaps medication plans, and car insurance are enough to get through the vacation.

If you're going further abroad, a passport and possibly visas come into play. Be sure to create a checklist noting all required documents. Check the day before departure that everything is in the folder.

Very important: Make sure your passport hasn't expired. It's best to check this right when booking your trip. That way you'll have enough time to apply for a replacement if needed.

Be smart and also note down the most important contact points for your vacation destination. If your dog is coming along, write down veterinary contact details. Also check where emergency medical care is available. The more you plan ahead, the less stress you'll have shortly before or during the vacation.

Stress-Free Travel by Plane and Train

The family car isn't always the best option. You're not keen drivers and would rather fly or take the train? Both have clear advantages but also come with risks. If you're too stressed in the morning, you might miss your flight in the worst case. You should be at check-in two hours early, but with children, three hours can be more sensible.

You'll easily pass the time at the airport — there are great cafés, shopping options, and even the littlest ones enjoy watching the planes. Check in, drop off your luggage, then take your time until you finally board the plane nice and relaxed.

If you're traveling by train, at least in Germany, you're at risk of delays. The more connections your journey involves, the riskier it is to miss a connecting train. When booking, plan generous transfer times so that a small delay of up to 30 minutes is still manageable. Also note down when the next connecting train would depart, just in case you miss one or it gets cancelled.

Download the Deutsche Bahn app, as it sends you push notifications whenever something happens on the tracks. You can upload all your tickets online and then conveniently check in via smartphone on the ICE.