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Preparation Is Key
Packing the right gear is foundational to traveling well and a critical step in preparing for any trip. It can make all the difference in how we experience our journey and destination. Yet, it tends to sneak up on us in the days leading up to our departure or, worse yet, our oversight becomes a valuable lesson learned in hindsight. Fortunately for you, that’s all in the past.
I’ve assembled a wealth of trip packing information below to elevate the quality of your travels and enable you to travel better, smarter, and more comfortably while staying one step ahead of the curve.
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- Set your automatic out of office reply (WOOHOO!!)
- Check in to your flight (if flying)
- Schedule airport transfer taxi/rideshare (if needed)
- Prearrange pet care (if applicable)
- Water plants and prearrange plant care (if applicable)
- Request temporary post office mail pause/hold (for longer trips)
- Inform bank and/or credit card company of upcoming travel (to avoid fraud feezes)
- Pre-pay bills/expenses
- Get travel insurance
- Purchase an international phone plan or download an eSim access pass
- Unplug appliances
- Check and tighten water taps for possible dripping
- Empty refrigerator of perishable items due to expire
- Put away/hide valuables in a safe location
- Lock all doors and windows
- Turn off/Lower air conditioner or heater
- Turn down water heater (if applicable)
- Set up any timers (if applicable)
- Set alarm system (if applicable)
- Pack your bags…
Travel Documentation
Essentials
- Wallet/Travel Wallet
- Passport
- Passport (printed copy and accessible photo)
- Visa (if/when applicable for immigration)
- Vaccination certificates
- Personal ID (e.g., state ID, driver’s license, Global Entry card, student ID)
- Boarding passes/tickets (e.g., plane, bus/shuttle, train)
- Certifications/Other Licenses (e.g., boating license, motorcycle license, diving certification)
- Membership cards (e.g., lounge pass, airline loyalty program, hotel rewards program)
- Cash
- Debit card(s)
- Credit card(s)
- Medical insurance card/document
- Travel insurance details
- Emergency contact information and reference addresses
Optional (Yet Recommended)
- Foreign currency
- Reservation confirmations (printed copies and accessible screenshots)
- Important contact information and reference addresses (e.g., taxi/transfer, hotel)
- Any additional copies and/or photos in case of loss or theft (to be packed separately)
Carry-On Items
Essentials
- Mobile phone (incl. charger) [also listed in Electronic & Electrical Items section]
- Tablet/E-Reader (incl. charger) [also listed in Electronic & Electrical Items section]
- Laptop computer (incl. charger) [also listed in Electronic & Electrical Items section]
- Headphones/Earphones [also listed in Electronic & Electrical Items section]
- Travel adapter/converter (if applicable) [also listed in Electronic & Electrical Items section]
- Water bottle
- Pen
- Sunglasses and case
- Prescription glasses and case (if applicable)
- Hand sanitizer and/or wet wipes [also listed in Medication & First Aid section]
Optional (Yet Recommended)
- Electronics organizer [also listed in Electronic & Electrical Items section]
- Travel/Neck pillow
- Sleep mask
- Ear plugs
- Travel blanket
- Portable/Wireless mouse [also listed in Electronic & Electrical Items section]
- Portable charger [also listed in Electronic & Electrical Items section]
- Portable hard drive [also listed in Electronic & Electrical Items section]
- Travel notebook/journal
- Pocket/Travel umbrella
- Lip balm/Chapstick [also listed in Toiletries section]
- Hand moisturizer/lotion [also listed in Toiletries section]
- Books and/or Magazines
- Guidebooks and/or maps
Toiletries
Essentials
- Contacts
- Contact solution
- Contact case
- Deodorant
- Tweezers
- Nail clippers/filer
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Floss
- Hairbrush/Comb
- Razor (handle)
- Shaving gel/cream
- Shampoo (in travel bottles)
- Conditioner (in travel bottles)
- Bar soap or body wash (if not available at destination)
- Lip balm/Chapstick [also listed in Carry-On Items section]
- Hand moisturizer/lotion [also listed in Carry-On Items section]
- Basic face makeup (e.g., foundation, concealer)
- Makeup essentials (e.g., lipstick, eyeliner)
- Hair products (e.g., hair gel, hairspray, beard oil)
- Hair ties
- Daily moisturizer/lotion (with or without SPF)
- Night moisturizer/lotion (if different than above)
- Sunscreen
- Feminine hygiene products
- Personal hygiene products
Optional (Yet Recommended)
- Toiletry bag
- Sealable plastic bag (e.g., Ziploc)
- Synthetic washcloth
- Mouthwash
- Cologne/Perfume
- Q-tips
- After-sun lotion
- Extra razor cartridge(s)
- Facial tissue and/or toilet paper
- Mini/Travel mirror
- Travel towel
Medication & First Aid
Essentials
- Prescription medication (in labeled/scripted container)
- Other non-prescription/over-the-counter personal medication or relief
- Pain relievers/Fever reducers
- Electrolyte powder/tablets and/or rehydration salts
- Vitamins and/or supplements
- Antibacterial ointment/cream/gel
- Hydrocortisone cream/ointment/gel
- Bandaids
Optional (Yet Recommended)
- First aid kit
- Moleskin (for blister protection and care)
- Travel thermometer
- Eye drops
- Sleeping aids and/or supplements
- Insect bite/sting and itch relief cream/ointment/gel
- Allergy medicine
- Cold medicine
- Cough drops
- Motion sickness medication and/or acupressure bands
- High altitude sickness medication or supplements
- Diarrhea/laxative medication
Electronic & Electrical Items
Essentials
- Mobile phone (incl. charger) [also listed in Carry-On Items section]
- Tablet/E-Reader (incl. charger) [also listed in Carry-On Items section]
- Laptop computer (incl. charger) [also listed in Carry-On Items section]
- Headphones/Earphones [also listed in Carry-On Items section]
- Camera and charger [also listed in Photography section]
- Video camera (e.g., GoPro) and charger [also listed in Photography section]
- Extra camera/video camera batteries and charger [also listed in Photography section]
- Extra SD card(s) [also listed in Photography section]
- Travel adapter/converter (if applicable)
- Portable charger [also listed in Carry-On Items section]
Optional (Or As Needed)
- Electronics organizer [also listed in Carry-On Items section]
- Portable hard drive [also listed in Carry-On Items section]
- Portable/Wireless mouse [also listed in Carry-On Items section]
- Mini power strip
- Portable speaker
- Portable lock box
- Hair dryer
- Hair straightener and/or curler
- Travel iron
Clothing
Men
Essentials
- Underwear
- Undershirt
- Socks (cotton blend)
- Pajamas/Sleepwear
- Swim trunks
- Workout shirt
- Athletic shorts
- Casual shorts
- Casual pants (e.g., jeans, chinos)
- Formal pants (e.g., wool trousers, khaki slacks, dark jeans)
- T-Shirts (short-sleeved and/or long-sleeved)
- Polos
- Casual button-down shirts
- Rain jacket/Rainproof windbreaker
- Lightweight jacket (e.g., faux leather, bomber jacket)
- Pullover sweater
- Warm hat (for winter)
- Gloves (for winter)
- Thermal underwear (for winter)
Optional (Or As Needed)
- Vest and/or Cardigan (great for layering)
- Wool suit
- Casual blazer or sports jacket
- Neckties
- Dress-shirt
- Dress socks
- Wool socks (if hiking or camping)
Women
Essentials
- Underwear
- Bras and sports bras
- Socks (cotton blend)
- Pajamas/Sleepwear
- Swimsuit
- Workout top/Tank top
- Leggings
- Casual shorts
- Casual pants (e.g., jeans, capris)
- Dressy pants (e.g., silk trousers, dark jeans)
- T-Shirts (short-sleeved and/or long-sleeved)
- Tops/Blouses
- Skirt(s)
- Rain jacket/Rainproof windbreaker
- Lightweight jacket (e.g., faux leather, denim jacket)
- Pullover sweater
- Warm hat (for winter)
- Gloves (for winter)
- Thermal underwear (for winter)
Optional (Or As Needed)
- Vest and/or Cardigan (great for layering)
- Formal dress
- Sundress/Flowy dress (for summer)
- Scarf, Shawl, and/or Bandana
- Sarong skirt/wrap/cover-up
- Hosiery (e.g., tights, pantyhose)
- Wool socks (if hiking or camping)
Shoes & Accessories
Men
Essentials
- Sunglasses and case
- Hats/Sun visors
- Comfortable/Walking closed-toe shoes (e.g., tennis/trainers, white sneakers, slip-ons)
- Comfortable/Walking open-toe shoes (e.g., sandals)
- Shoulder Bag/Sling Bag/Cross-Body Bag
Optional (Or As Needed)
- Casual belt
- Dress belt
- Cufflinks
- Suspenders
- Watch
- Jewelry
- Loafers
- Boots (e.g., chukka, lace-up)
- Boat/Deck shoes (e.g., Sperry)
- Flip-flops
- Water shoes
- Snow boots
- Hiking boots/shoes
Women
Essentials
- Sunglasses and case
- Hats/Sun hat
- Comfortable/Walking closed-toe shoes (e.g., tennis/trainers, white sneakers, slip-ons)
- Comfortable/Walking open-toe shoes (e.g., sandals)
- Handbag
Optional (Or As Needed)
- Belt
- Clutch
- Beach bag
- Watch
- Jewelry
- Flats
- Booties (for fall)
- Boat/Deck shoes (e.g., Sperry)
- Flip-flops
- Water shoes
- Snow boots
- Hiking boots/shoes
Photography
Essentials
- Camera bag
- Camera and charger [also listed in Electronic & Electrical Items section]
- Video camera (e.g., GoPro) and charger [also listed in Electronic & Electrical Items section]
- Extra camera/video camera batteries and charger [also listed in Electronic & Electrical Items section]
- Extra SD card(s) [also listed in Electronic & Electrical Items section]
- Go-to lens
- Lens pen/Microfiber lens cloth
Optional (Or As Needed)
- Compact tripod
- Compact monopod
- Additional lenses
- Camera rainsleeve