So, you take a trip and want everything to go well. For this purpose, it’s important to pack all things you may need during the travel. To help you with preparations, we created the ultimate packing list that’ll ease this stage maximally, save you from unnecessary stress, allow to be focused and not forget anything.
Pre-Departure Checklist
A well-prepared packing list for vacation provides a smooth, stress-free travel experience. The first list item is checking whether all things you need are in place. Check this before leaving your house to not worry. Read the list of essentials the vast majority of travelers need regardless of going abroad or to the nearby town, for a couple of days or for a long time.
Your Passport: Don’t Forget the Essentials
Passport with documents for the upcoming travel should be checked first and be at the top of your packing list template. Check the expiration date, compare it with the requirements of the country you are going to. As the requirements for validity of passport may vary depending on the country’s legislation, you may need to renew it.
Visa requirements range in different countries and change over time. Check this aspect beforehand.
Pre-Book and Save: Tips for Smart Planning
Block booking is also one of the travel must haves—it saves time and money. Think trough every detail, starting from booking of a parking space in the airport you are flying from. You can do it a couple of days before the flight or even in the morning of your trip day, it’ll still save you money and your nerves. The same goes for ordering currency beforehand and pre-booking of hotel and event tickets in advance.
Safety First: Ensure a Secure Trip
Before even planning a trip, we highly recommend studying the destination you’ve picked up, for any issues that might change your mind or affect your plans. The best websites to start this investigation are:
- the US Bureau of Consular Affairs (travel.state.gov);
- the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office (fco.gov.uk);
- Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (smarttraveller.gov.au).
Also, depending on the direction or route of travel, you may need money belt, neck or leg wallet, luggage travel lock, reflective clothes or other accessorizes. Ensuring your safety and security during travelling is of a high priority. In this part of your list of things to pack for a trip may also be means of self-defense, headlamps, portable door lock, door alarm and other special items, which register depends on the direction and goals of your journey.
Get Insured: Travel with Peace of Mind
Many travelers prefer investing in travel insurance in case of unforeseen circumstances that may include lost luggage, trip cancellations and medical emergencies. Include travel insurance issue in your packing for international travel routine to be in safe and not worry. It’s especially important during travelling abroad, as your coverage may not apply in the country of destination. Pay attention to declaring all activities you’re planning to be engaged in and all pre-existing conditions in your policy.
Medical Matters: Stay Prepared
This list item is equally important while you are creating what to pack for a week-long trip checklist and one for a longer period. It’s recommended to see your therapist and dentist before heading out. It’s also important to have all the necessary vaccinations that are required to be done before visiting the country you are going to.
What medicines should be packed:
- Personal prescriptions;
- Pain reliever;
- Cold medicines, fever reducers;
- Diarrhea/laxative medicines;
- Throat lozenges;
- Sunscreen, sunburn relief;
- Insect repellent;
- Antibacterial ointment;
- Hand sanitizer.
With such a set of medicines, you’ll be fully equipped, feeling protected.
Discount and Membership Cards: Maximize Your Savings
Discount and membership cards allow saving money while travelling. For example, students can obtain International Youth Travel Card (IYTC) or International Student Identity Card (ISIC) that can be issued on www.isic.org. Regardless of your age, you’ll benefit Hostelling International membership (for more details, see www.hihostels.com).
Some airlines and ground transport companies in many countries provide discounts for senior travelers. It can be used via flashing/ ID, or some local schemes may be needed to use.
Five Tips for Packing Light
We collected several tricks of how to pack a suitcase or bag as compactly as possible:
- Create a proper personal packing list. Delete everything you can succeed without with any regrets. For most people, such a list of items easily can fit in a carry-on bag no matter where they go.
- Study the information about luggage. Often designers care about appearance of products, forgetting about the ease of use. Remember that the best travel bags are not ones that look stunning, but ones that fit your demands. Pay attention to configurations, construction, fabric and special options, including hidden pockets, locks, wheels, etc.
- Avoid liquids or take them in travel-sized bottles. Liquids and gels weight a lot and may raise suspicion from security.
- Being prepared for regular laundry, you can reduce the list of items for travel. A simple set of powder detergent, travel clothesline, universal sink stopper and a couple of pairs of underwear is the minimum that allow being wherever you want as long as needed.
- Take clothing sets that match each other, including by color. Proper cloth combinations reduce your baggage amount, increasing the versatility of your wardrobe.
Backpacker’s Packing List
Here are several main categories of things you’ll need during every travel, regardless of its duration. We also recommend taking into account the best checked luggage options that’ll make your travel more comfortable. It’s crucial to have access to things you may need first, being sure all of them are in safe.
Essential Items to Pack
The main things you need are as following:
- Passport;
- Boarding Passes;
- Travel insurance documents;
- Credit/ATM cards;
- Guidebook material, map, itinerary;
- Foreign cash;
- First aid kit, medicines.
A folder for documents, a backpack and a combination lock’ill ease your travel as well.
Must-Have Electronics for Travel
Electronics help to navigate and communicate, that is crucial in any travel. What to pack for a trip from this category:
- Mobile phone with charger;
- Camera with charger;
- Portable powerbank or a couple of them;
- Headphones;
- Plug adapters, converter (we’ll deal with this question in detail later);
- Back-up hard drive.
You may need a head torch with batteries, waterproof camera and other special electronics depending on the direction or your plans.
NB! It’s useful to keep your smartphone, its charger and powered powerbank in a convenient, easily accessible place to be able to pull them out and use at any time.
Be cautious, keep your phone in a protective case, it’ill save you from unexpected troubles.
Clothing: Pack Light, Pack Smart
Proper clothes are a must-have in any travel. So, what are travel necessities from this category:
- Underwear;
- Bras;
- Sleepwear;
- Socks;
- Sun hat/cap;
- T-shorts, sweaters, hoodies;
- Pants, jeans, shorts;
- Swimsuit;
- Cover-ups, coats;
- Hats, scarves, gloves;
- Laundry kit;
- Shoes, sneakers, sandals;
- Umbrella.
Choosing of proper cloth is crucial — pick up sets that match the predicted weather and activities.
Cosmetics: Keep It Simple
To stay comfortable, fresh and healthy during your travel, take the following cosmetics:
- Sunscreen, aftersun lotion;
- Facial, body care;
- Deodorant;
- Insect repellent;
- Perfume;
- Sunscreen;
- Bath products (shampoo, conditioner, soap, razor, shaving cream);
- Toothbrush, paste, dental floss;
- Make-up, remover;
- Hair products, hairbrush;
- Wipes;
- Sanitary products (toilet paper, sanitary pads, tampons);
- Tweezers;
- Hand sanitizer;
- First-aid kit.
Thinking of what to pack on a trip, one of the first thing you should not forget is toiletries. They allow us to stay healthy and beautiful, maintain personal hygiene. This category may also include contact lenses, glasses, hair dryer.
Miscellaneous Essentials for Your Journey
The list of what to bring on vacation may include many more things starting from earplugs and ending with sleep sack, portable stove, cutlery and waterproof watch:
- Glasses, lenses;
- Books;
- Journals, pens;
- Sunglasses;
- Memory card;
- Beach towels;
- Travel neck pillow;
- Sewing kit;
- Emergency contacts.
The final list depends on your travel goals, preferences, needs and predicted activities.
International Plug Sockets: What You Need to Know
If you are about to go abroad, the list of international travel essentials should include a converter with individual plugs. Plugs sockets and fitting vary in different countries—check the information before leaving to be prepared.
It’s much easier and less stressful to pack knowing exactly the current list of items you’ll need. We hope, our guide will help you focus on good emotions from the upcoming trip instead of worrying if you’ve forgotten anything. The essentials listed above allow packing fast, easy and be ready for any adventures your upcoming travel offers.
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