Before you go

Make sure your credit cards and passport are valid at least until you get back. Some countries require a passport that's valid for 6 months after your return date. Check voyage.gc.ca (opens in a new window) for the specific requirements.

If you're driving in a country where French isn't spoken, you'll need this permit. It's an official translation of your licence. Available from CAA Québec for about $40, issued the same day.

Write down the phone number and address of the Canadian embassy in the country you're visiting. The information is on voyage.gc.ca (opens in a new window).

Be clear and specific in your lists to make your prep easier. Making lists improves your chances of forgetting nothing and cuts the stress before you leave.

Check your flight status to confirm there's no delay or schedule change. Use admtl.com (opens in a new window) or the airline's website. While you're at it, check in online.

Pick your seat as early as you can. Look up the layout on seatmaps.com (opens in a new window). Most airlines now charge for choosing in advance; it's free at check-in, 24 hours before the flight.

Aeroplan, Flying Blue, SkyMiles: if you often fly the same airline, sign up for its loyalty program (usually free). Give your number to your agent when you book.

The school calendar sets the high seasons. Christmas, spring break, the American March Break, Easter, the construction holiday: prices can climb 30 to 75% above the usual fare.

Airlines and wholesalers know most people shop on weekends. Prices typically go up Friday night, Saturday and Sunday.

Book 6 months ahead if you're paying with points (Aeroplan, etc.). Low-points seats are limited. Once they're gone, seats cost double the miles.

Staying over a Saturday night at your destination can knock a serious chunk off the price of a ticket to Europe.

If you can, plan to land in the morning or during the day: it's easier to get your bearings, safer, and you get to enjoy the scenery between the airport and the hotel.

Beyond travel insurance, some cards give you miles or status when you sign up. If you often fly with one airline, consider the card that gets you the most out of it.

If you're stopping for 24 to 48 hours to discover a connecting city, do it on the way out rather than on the way back: you'll be more motivated and less tired. For short layovers, pick a connection time that suits your tolerance for stress.

It's sometimes more convenient to fly home from a different city than the one you landed in, so you don't have to retrace your steps. A travel agent can often find these flights at a good price through their systems.

Leaving from Berri-UQAM or Lionel-Groulx, it takes you straight to YUL airport. Allow for rush hour. Check the fare on stm.info (opens in a new window) before you go.

Give them every detail of your trip: flight numbers, where you're staying, your route. Leaving a copy of your itinerary with someone close is essential.

Turn on your out-of-office message before you leave, and don't forget to turn it off when you get back.

Make sure you have the right kind of insurance and the emergency phone numbers. Before you buy, check what's included and excluded, especially for cancellation and interruption.

Find out about festivals and holidays during your stay. They can make your trip richer, but they can also affect hotel availability, transportation and access to some attractions.

Some countries sell museum passes that save you time and money. If culture is the point of the trip, it often pays off.

Have a rough idea of the schedule for the highlights. The Taj Mahal, for example, is closed on Mondays. That kind of detail can change an itinerary.

Check with the airline. Fees run between $50 and $200, space is limited, and some small planes have no pressurized cargo hold. Plan for the vaccination record, a vet visit, and a microchip if needed.

Check the electrical outlets in the country you're visiting (voyage.gc.ca (opens in a new window)). If you plan to use your cell data, ask your provider about the best plan, or buy an eSIM (see the Technology section).

Keeping a positive outlook when the unexpected happens makes your trip richer. Surprises are often the moments that stay with you.