From choosing a flight and buying tickets to finding great accommodation or a hotel at the best price, traveling can be hard enough without thinking of what to pack in your bags.
62% of Americans tend to overpack when trying to pack for a trip. That’s a lot of people packing items that they might not really need to go somewhere! If you overpack, you do not have any room to bring your souvenirs home or pay baggage fees for heavy items.
With this packing checklist that lists the travel essentials any traveler needs, you will never suffer those issues again.
Luggage
Before you can pack, you need to have the right kind of luggage that will hold most of the items you will pack for your trip. Pack your items with these kinds of bags for your next trip away from home.
Rolling Luggage Bag
While certainly the most common type of bag to travel with, it allows you to do so much. When moving your luggage over paved roads and buildings that have elevators, a wheeled bag is all you need for easy traveling and transportation. Just don’t buy one that’s too big or else you will end up packing more than you need and not fit
Duffel Bag
This lightweight and durable type of bag is a travel favorite as it can be carried across all terrain and throughout the airport. It can also be a great extra bag option in case your other bags are overweight. If it gets too heavy to carry, there are also duffel bags available that have wheels on the bottom of it.
Carry-On
For items that you want close to you and do not want to get lost during transit, you can pack these items in your carry-on bag.
Backpack
Backpacks are typically one of the most common bags to use as a carry-on item. It is a type of bag that is a dependable and easy way to bring essential items with you when traveling.
Purse(s)
Some airlines allow a few carry-on bags and a purse is one great way to use it. Along with being an accessory piece for your outfits, you can place any essential items that you are most likely to use without taking it out of an overhead compartment.
Clothing
When considering what to wear on your next trip, you will need to consider the climate of the areas and countries you are traveling to. After all, you do not want to be stuck with heavy winter coats in the middle of the Caribbean. You will also want to consider the length of your trip, as that can determine if you need to pack a few weeks or a few days’ worth of clothes.
Here is a sample list of clothing items you should take (reminder: you can adjust as needed).
- Eight to ten pairs of bras and/or underwear
- Sleepwear/pajamas
- Eye mask
- Five to seven shirts and/or polos
- Jeans and/or trousers
- Shorts
- Dresses
- Skirts
A few pairs of shoes
- Sneakers
- Flip-flops
- Slippers
- High heels
A few pairs of socks
- Jackets and/or coats
- Raincoats
- Swimsuits
- Belts
- Ties
- Winter accessories, i.e. scarves, hats, gloves
- Jewelry
- Watches
Of course, you should adjust this to the destinations you are heading to. Make sure not to pack too many clothes.
Toiletries
Though some accommodations may have a sample kit of toiletries, it does not hurt to bring some toiletries of your own. Take these toiletries on your next trip with you.
- Deodorant
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Dental floss
- Body wash or soap
- Glasses and/or contact lenses
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Hair products, i.e. hairspray, bobby pins, hair clips
- Cologne/perfume
- Face lotion
- Moisturizer
- Face cleaners
- Tweezers
- Earplugs
- Feminine hygiene products, i.e. tampons, pads
- Hairbrush and/or comb
- Shaving items
- Travel towels
- Nailcare items
- Mini mirrors
- Mini sewing kit
Make sure that your toiletries are travel-sized and can get through security! If your toiletries are in big containers, you can buy travel-sized bottles you can place your toiletry items into.
Financials
If traveling abroad, you will need your home country’s money to convert it to the other country’s currency so you can pay for items at your travel destination. Consider bringing these items with you on your next trip.
- Foreign currency
- Spare money for any emergencies
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- Extra wallet for traveling purposes
- Checks
- A checkbook
- Money belt
Make sure you keep an eye on the financial items you bring with you and protect it from potential scammers and robbers. If you don’t want to pay for your mistakes financially or waste precious time when you’d rather be going sightseeing, take care of your finances and notify your financial institutions before you go to the airport.
Documents
Before you go to the airport, you need to make sure you have the right documents you need or you won’t get onto the plane. Make sure these items are in your luggage before heading out on your next trip.
- Passport
- Tickets for airplanes, boats, etc.
- Driver’s License
- Travel insurance
- Health insurance
- Information for rental cars you may use
- Student ID
- Visa information
If you’re concerned about losing these items, photocopy your documents just in case you need to show them to officials. Make sure you don’t forget these items at home!
Electronics and/or Appliances
For both pleasure and working purposes, electronic items are a growing need when going on a trip. To keep yourself busy on your flight, access the Internet, or store the pictures you take during your travels, these items are necessary items for your travel packing list.
- Laptop
- Headphones
- International converters (if traveling out of the country)
- Phone
- Cameras
- MP3 players
- Phone and laptop chargers
- Reading tablets (also known as E-books)
- Memory cards
Taking these tech items with you on the road will add to a valuable traveling experience, no matter how old your electronics are. With Cyber Monday coming up soon, you can stock up on the latest electronics here that you can add to your packing checklist.
Health Items
With the COVID-19 pandemic affecting traveling and tourism, tips for traveling post-COVID is on many people’s minds. Even without a pandemic, you should also think of important medications you may need in your everyday life or in case you have another illness.
These are some of the items you should consider taking.
- First Aid kit
- Cold medication
- Bandages
- Important prescriptions
- Insect repellant
- Vitamins
- Hand sanitizer or disinfectant
- Towels
- Tissues
Even while traveling, you should consider your health as a high priority on your travel checklist.
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Miscellaneous
If the item you want to bring on your next trip does not fit under other categories in this packing checklist, consider it as a miscellaneous item you can take.
Emergency Contacts
In case there is a serious emergency that happens to you or your family while on a trip, you should create a list of emergency contacts. The list should contain people who you know would be able to trust with your personal information, such as your parents and/or guardians, siblings, or other family members.
Umbrella
You can never be too prepared for a rainy day! Pack an umbrella that you know would be able to fit into your luggage or carry-on bags. Travel-friendly sizes are readily available to purchase at airport kiosks or convenience stores.
Sunscreen
If you are going somewhere where you know you will be spending time outside, like somewhere within a tropical climate or an area that has a beach, you will need sunscreen to protect your skin.
Books
Whether you read them on a plane or on the beach, taking a book or two with you is not a bad option to add to your packing checklist. If you don’t want to bring a lot, you can also bring an e-book reader that will save space in your bag.
Pack For A Trip With These Travel Essentials
Depending on where you go, many people have some idea of what to pack but cannot think of which items are travel essentials. The next time you begin thinking of traveling somewhere and you do not know what to pack, you can create a travel checklist with the items listed above. Pack for a trip with these travel essentials and you will be able to travel smartly anywhere you go.
Smart travel allows for better preparation and the best experience you can get. For more travel articles like this, check out our website.