When going on a trip, whether a short road trip to another city or a long vacation to a foreign land, you need to make sure you have everything you need. Which is why a travel packing list is crucial and an important step to traveling.
Can you just imagine having a grand time on a lovely beach somewhere only for that joy to come crashing down because you found out you forgot to bring something? Sure, you can purchase them at your destination, but why waste your precious cash for something that you could have brought with you instead?
Sure, making a travel packing list might be the most boring part of your trip, but completing this step might just be the clincher for you to have the best time ever.
Travel Documents
Your trip won't get off the ground if you don't prepare your documents — passport, student and hostel cards, rail pass, international driving permit — well before your departure date. Give yourself plenty of lead time.
Via Rick Steves
Funds
Once you’ve planned your trip, it’s time to get down to the details. You won’t get very far without the means to pay for your travels. If you can’t decide whether to bring along a debit card or a sheaf of traveler's checks, consider the pros and cons of the many different ways to pay for your travel expenses.
Via Trip Savvy
Essential Clothing – Underwear
The best travel underwear has the same properties as other performance clothing. They’re lightweight, breathable, and odor-resistant. Most importantly, they are quick-drying so that you can wash them yourself to cut down on the number of pairs you need to bring on longer trips.
Toiletries
Now’s the part where we give you the list of items you absolutely need to take with you, the essential toiletries kit, along with a little advice on how to pack them all up nice and neat in your luggage of choice.
Via Her Packing List
Medicine
Use this list to help you think of things to pack in your travel health kit. Be sure to think about where you are going and whether you will have access to health items and supplies.
Via Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Travel Adapter/Converter
The world's outlets have basically remained unchanged since homo sapiens first flipped the switch over a century ago. Socket meets plug; they hook up and create a spark. Travelers, meanwhile, have evolved. We no longer traipse around the globe weighted down by multiple adapters and converters. We have flown the nest of cords and plastic bits.
Via Traveller
Cellphones, Tablets or Laptops
There are a lot of issues to think about with each device: size, weight, costs, insurance, and security. Striking the right balance between them all isn’t easy, but it is possible.
Via Nomadic Matt
Portable Battery
When traveling, you won’t always be able to find an outlet to charge your gadgets on. This is especially critical when you rely heavily on your phone and apps to get you around. Portable batteries or power banks are then increasingly necessary.
Via The Wire Cutter
Headphones
A good pair of headphones is up there with your camera when it comes to must-have electronics for your travels. They can make or break a trip, especially on long-haul flights and cross-country train trips, or for your dorm mate who snores. They can help calm you down and distract you from the lengthy wait at baggage claim.
Via Her Packing List
Wardrobe
Travel capsule wardrobes are one of the five key principles of light travel. A capsule has clothing that works in a variety of situations and will also fit into a carry-on. All of the pieces coordinate with each other and combine for different looks. They will also layer together to control temperature variation. This tutorial provides guidance (not rules) for planning a wardrobe. Modify this to fit your own personal needs.
Reusable Water Bottle
To get the water your body needs, you should try and always keep a water bottle within reach. And when it comes time to travel, whether that means getting on an international flight, hiking at a high elevation, camping, or taking a road trip, water becomes even more important.
Laundry Bag
For trips longer than a weekend you are likely moving around, unpacking and repacking your suitcase, and using multiple sets of clothes. It can be a real challenge to keep your clothes smelling fresh after a few days as you begin to mix your clean and dirty clothes. Not keeping things separate can lead to you asking yourself, did I already wear this? I know I have worn a couple items where it was questionable if they were clean or dirty all because I didn’t keep things separate.
Via Trip Dojo
Snacks
Can you bring snacks on an airplane? Yes. Absolutely! You may not be able to get your favorite fruit juice, or can of coconut water, past airplane security, but chips, sandwiches, fruits, crackers, salads, protein bars, and just about anything non-liquid are absolutely fair game to pack in your carry on.
Luggage Tags
Luggage tags are very important, and not something to be overlooked or relegated to afterthought status at the check-in counter at the airport. There’s a good chance those flimsy paper tags provided by airlines will not survive the flight. Include “luggage tags” on your packing list so they’re not forgotten and have the necessary pre-trip attention they deserve.
Comfort Items
These are the things you’ll want to pack that will ensure the best comfort while you travel. These include inflatable pillows, earplugs, sleeping masks, and sleeping bags.
Via One Bag
Did you find these items already in your own travel packing list? Maybe it’s time to update to ensure a worry-free travel.
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