You must have found cheap flights to Europe or within the US, you have booked a wonderful hotel room, rented a car. Now you need to think about what to take with you. Whether you’re heading alone for a short car trip, a flight to a different state, or a travel supervisor, this packing list will help you pack all the essentials you might need and not forget about things.
Here’s your travel checklist.
Print it out, pack it up and mark it off the list!
PREPARATION
TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS
- Book a hotel room
- Reserve an extra cot or bed if you are traveling with children (usually at no additional cost)
- Flight reservation and purchase of airline tickets; make sure you have the seat numbers in advance
- Make a train or bus reservation
- Arrange transportation from the airport to the hotel if you are traveling by plane (rent a car or book a transfer)
- Rent a car or prepare your own vehicle for travel
- Check visa and passport requirements if traveling outside of the US.
- Research activities, tours and events; Depending on the destination, it may be cheaper to buy tickets before you go or at your destination.
- Check electricity, voltage, and outlet / plug types, if traveling outside the US Pack adapters if necessary Find out phone service and dialing codes for your country
- Research vaccination requirements, if you are traveling abroad
Also …
- Pay all bills that may be due while you are away
- DO NOT stop delivering mail or newspapers, but have a trusted person pick them up every other day. Intruders are more attracted to empty houses.
- Tell your trusted family or friends about your trip.
- Leave and hide a key outside the house.
TILT:
If you plan to rent a car, do it in advance, not at your destination, you will save a lot of money.
BEFORE YOU LEAVE
- Reconfirm flights with the airline 24-48 hours before departure
- Reconfirm hotel reservation
- Print and take with you all the reservations you made and have confirmation numbers
- Change the currency before you leave or at the airport (rates are usually better at local banks, not at the airport)
HOUSE PREPARATION
- If you have pets, arrange for a pet sitter or book a pet hotel
- Secure the home: close and lock windows and doors
- Turn off the water (if it doesn’t freeze)
- Adjust the temperature inside the house (lower or turn off the thermostat)
- Turn off the lights
- Remove valuables from the yard
- Take out the trash
- Unplug the kitchenette and other appliances.
- Aquatic plants
- Empty refrigerator
~~~~~ TRAVEL PACKAGING CHECKLIST ~~~~~
BEFORE PACKING
- Check with airlines about baggage weight limit and measurements for carry-on and checked baggage.
- Pack your luggage so you can carry it
TRAVEL NEEDS
- Airline tickets (if they are paper tickets) and itineraries
- Hotel reservation confirmation
- Car rental confirmation
- Bus or train tickets
- Tour, entertainment or other events, confirmation or tickets.
- Passport, green card, personal identification (driver’s license)
- Birth certificate, if necessary
- Marriage certificate, if necessary
- Visa
- Copies of passports and other documents.
- Road map / directions
- Destination guide book
- Travel insurance / Medical insurance
- Credit cards / checks
- Purse
- Cash / traveler’s checks
- Student ID
OTHER TRAVEL ITEMS
- Pleasure reading
- Food / snacks
- Water bottle
- Travel pillow
- Sleeping mask
- Ear plugs
- Chewing gum
- Plastic bags
- Unmissable
- Appropriate luggage
- Luggage locks / keys
- Headphones
- Address book / important contacts
- Calling card
- Business letters
- Newspaper
- Day planner
- Phrasebook / Dictionary
- Playing cards / games
- Sewing kit
PERSONAL STUFF
TOILETRIES
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste (3 oz if handheld)
- Floss
- Mouthwash
- Deodorant (3 oz if handheld)
- Shampoo (3 oz if carried)
- Conditioner (3 oz if carried)
- Shower gel (3 oz if handheld)
- Hair brush or comb
- Hair gel / mousse (3 oz if carried)
- Hair spray (3 oz if handheld)
- Soap sunscreen (3 oz if carried)
- Body cream / lotion (3 oz if carried)
- Lipstick
- Shaver / razor
- Shaving cream (3 oz if carried)
- Aftershave lotion (3 oz if handheld)
- Washcloth
- Perfume cologne
- Makeup remover / makeup remover (3 oz if handheld)
- Mirror
- Pair of scissors
- Tweezers
- Nail clipper
HEALTH / MEDICINES
- Medical prescription
- First aid box
- Aspirin, Tylenol / pain reliever
- Cold or sinus medication
- Laxative
- Diarrhea medication
- Insect repellent
- Motion sickness medicine
- Antibiotic ointment
- Hand wipes / tissues
- Band aids
- Sleep aid
- Vitamins
- Contact lenses / cleaners
- Eye care
- Thermometer
- Cotton balls / swabs
- Feminine hygiene
- Natality control
BASIC CLOTHING
- Sleepwear
- Underwear
- Socks / Hosiery
- Arm
- Shirt
- Wear
STREET CLOTHES
- Jeans
- Skirts
- shirts
- Sweaters
- Tshirts
- Tank tops
- Sweatshirts
- Sportswear
- Shorts
- Swimsuits
- Jackets
- Coat
- Waterproof
- Wear clothes (dresses, suits, pants, shirts)
- Tie / scarf
- Hat
- Gloves
FOOTWEAR
- Flip flops
- Dress Shoes
- Leisure shoes / flip flops
- Athletic shoes
- Sneakers
ACCESSORIES
- Belt
- Wristwatch
- Jewels
- Hair Accessories
- Glasses (reading, sunglasses)
- Glass box
- Umbrella
ELECTRONICS / TECHNOLOGY
- Voltage adapter / converter
- Hair accessories (dryer, straightener, rollers)
- Laptop / charger / cables
- Phone charger
- Music player / iPod
- DVD / DVD player
- Camera / batteries / memory card Video recorder / batteries / memory card
- PDA / charging
- Alarm clock
- Batteries
- Small flashlight
- Binoculars
- Calculator
WORK ITEMS
- Office supplies
- Working / reading documents
- Work contacts
- Pad
AUTOMOTIVE PREPARATION
- Check tire pressure (including spare wheel)
- Check the oil
- Check the windshield fuel
- Check the fuel
- Check battery
- Clean and wash
- Roadside emergency kit
- Extra set of keys