Below is the checklist I've read in an article which will help us tour in a smarter and safer way. Whether this is your first trip or your hundredth trip, it’s always helpful to have a rundown of what items you may want to pack so you have a travel checklist. Bookmark this packing list, because you'll want to refer back to it to make sure you've thought of everything you might want to pack. We even have trip-specific resources at the end.
Step 1: Collect Important Travel Documents, Cash, and Credit Cards
Start by collecting all of your important documents in a travel document organizer (this travel organizer holds a passport, ID, seven credit cards, coins, documents, a boarding pass, and a pen!). This will help ensure everything you need to get from one place to the next is all in one place. Think about including the following documents:
Passport/visa(s)
Personal ID, including a student ID card if you have one
Frequent flyer card(s) and other loyalty program cards such as a hotel or hostelCash and credit card(s)
Health insurance cards/document(s)
Travel insurance info
Reservations and itineraries
Hotel and/or tour contact information
Transportation tickets (plane, train, bus, car, etc.)
Emergency contacts and important addresses
It’s a good idea to double-check your passports and IDs aren’t expired. You’ll also want to inform your bank if you’re traveling abroad so they don’t assume fraudulent activity and freeze your card. You may also want to email yourself a copy of your passport, driver’s license, medical cards and itinerary, so if anything happens to them you’ll be able to access them online.
Step 2: Prepare Your Personal Item Bag
The next thing you’ll want to do is prepare your personal item carry-on bag with anything you’ll want with you on the flight. It’s always a good idea to make sure you have an outfit (or two) and a few essential toiletries in your personal item just in case your luggage is lost. If you’ll be traveling around to multiple destinations, make sure this bag has items to keep you cozy on any train, boat or bus rides. It's always nice to have a bag that's easy to access so you don't have to get in your main travel bag each time you need your eye mask. But remember, you’ll be carrying all of this, so keep it light.
We recommend you consider using a small daypack or backpack as your personal item. Here are some good things to include:
Technology
Mobile device and charger
iPad or e-reader and charger, headphones (consider noise-reducing headphones if you're sensitive to sound)
Camera and/or a video camera, memory card, and charger
Electrical converters and adapters
Travel Comfort, Entertainment, and Information
Travel pillow, blanket, eye mask, and ear plugs
Travel journal and pen
Books and magazines
Games
Guide books, travel guides, maps, language guides, etc. (if you will need any of these upon arrival at your destination, put it in your carry-on)
Health Items
Hand sanitizer or wet wipes
Prescriptions in original packaging (you’ll want to make sure you have these in your carry-on bag just in case something were to happen to your checked luggage)
Glasses and case.
Step 3: Choose Your Main Bag
Whatever you're planning, we recommend luggage that is versatile, lightweight and big enough to hold all your essentials. The most important decision you'll make as far as luggage is finding a piece that's versatile and can fit lots of gear while also being easy to carry. If you’ll be going through different types of terrain, or switching from airports to cobblestones, having a bag with the option to roll it or carry it like a backpack or duffel is handy.
Step 4: Organize Your Stuff
When you have many different types of activities and a variety of gear to pack in your suitcase, keeping everything organized can be a challenge. One of the best things you can do when you're packing for any trip, especially one that requires you to pack lots of layers, is to make sure you use packing organizers. Keeping your suitcase organized with packing organizers will make it easy to get from one place to the next without having to rearrange your entire bag every time you reach a new destination.
You can keep clothing organized in compartments based on outfit type or activity type using packing cubes. These are zippered organizers that make it easy to keep your bag organized and neat and provide quick access to all the different things you'll need during your trip. .
Here are items you don’t want to forget:
The Basics
Lightweight clothing that can be layered
Shirts
Pants and/or shorts
Socks
Sweaters
Jacket
T-shirts
Belt
Pajamas/sleepwear
Underwear
Sunglasses
Comfortable walking shoes Dress(es)
Jewelry
A swimsuit or swim trunks
You’ll want to pack lots of clothing options if your trip will take you to a variety of places. Having options doesn’t mean you’ll need to over-pack. Just pack smart. Include clothing that can be worn on your adventures and then dressed up slightly with a different pair of shoes and a scarf. You may want to try creating a capsule wardrobe –
Step 5: Pack Your Toiletry Bag
If you’re carrying on, keep your toiletry baglight and TSA-compliant. The TSA’s 3-1-1 rule makes it easy to remember: liquids, gels, aerosols, creams, and pastes must be 3.4 ounces (100ml) or less per container and they must be in a 1 quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag. To make this as easy as possible for you, we have a set that includes four 3-ounce silicone bottles in a quart-sized clear pouch that’s wipeable and has a water resistant zipper.
Don’t forget the following for your toiletry case:
The Toiletry Bag Basics
Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, mouthwash
Hair brush or comb, hair ties, barrettes/bobby pins
Deodorant
Shampoo and conditioner
Sunscreen
Make up
Face wash and/or makeup remover wipes
Moisturizer
Lotion
Lip balm
Personal hygiene items
Feminine hygiene products
Extra contacts, solution, and case
Toiletry Bag Extras
MirrorCologne/perfume
Hair products
Clothesline and detergent
Shaving kit and extra razors
Sewing kit/clothing care kit
Facial tissues
Scissors, nail clippers, and tweezers (must be in checked luggage)
Travel Health
First aid kit (bandages, gauze, adhesives, etc.)
Personal prescriptions (copies of scripts)
Pain and fever relievers (also children’s strength if you are traveling with kids)
Thermometer
Cold medicines and throat lozenges
Diarrhea/laxative medicinesAllergy medicines
Hydrocortisone cream/antibacterial ointment
Multivitamins
Sunburn relief
Insect repellent/mosquito net/sting reliever
Motion sickness pills or bands
Eye drops
Moleskin
Medicines and vaccinations specific to the region/activity
Step 6: Pack Your Day Bag
A lightweight, versatile day bag can be used in a variety of ways and help you stay comfortable and prepared.
Step 7: Consider Travel Security
In most large cities, travelers should always be on the lookout for pickpockets. The easiest way to keep your belongings safe is to keep them hidden and close to you. One way to do this is to stash your valuables underneath your clothing. You can do this with a money belt, hidden pocket, neck wallet, undercover bra stash, leg wallet, or holster. All of these options let you keep your valuables, such as passports, credit cards, and cash, close to your body and away from prying hands. You can review the different styles here to choose one (or more) that works best for you and the type of travel you’ll be doing. You may also want to consider choosing one that has RFID protection. RFID protection keeps your passports (issued after 2006) and credit cards/debit cards safe while travelling. Identity theft can occur when someone is able to “read” through your purse or pocket, because these items contain microchips with information stored on them. You can learn more about RFID safety from Scott Shelter, freelance journalist and frequent traveler.
Step 8: Prepare Your Home
Have post office hold mail
Stop newspaper delivery
Set up an email autoresponder
Arrange care of pets, lawn, and plants
Pre-pay bills
Prearrange school absences for children
Empty refrigerator
Unplug appliances
Turn off heater/air conditioner
Turn down water heater
Turn off washing machine taps
Lock all doors and windows
Set up timed light system
Store valuables in a safe place
Leave house key and trip itinerary with a trusted friend
Leave flight and hotel itineraries with a relative
Reconfirm/check-in online with airline
If you will be gone for more than 30 days check, it’s a good idea to check with your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance for specific instructions.
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