I am obviously a planner. Planning is part of the fun. Pre-packing, packing and re-packing is also part of the fun.
This list is not all inclusive. You also don’t need everything for every trip. But it gives you a place to get started.
Documents & Paperwork:
- Passport and/or Driver’s license
- International Driver’s license (if needed)
- Boarding pass
- Debit card and at least two credit cards (from different banks)
- Airline app, lounge apps, CBP app
- Shot record (if needed)
- ETA or Visa (if needed)
- Other country entry requirements (proof of return flight, proof of funds etc…)
For the Flight:
- Layers
- Snacks
- Pillow
- Reading Materials / download media (don’t count on the airline media or WiFi)
- Toothbrush / paste, underwear
- Medicine or irreplaceable health items
- Cords for electronics / spare batteries
- Glasses
Toiletries & Medical:
- Shampoo, Conditioner, Soap, Razor
- Make-up / Shaving items
- Q-tips
- Toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss
- Lotion
- Comb (my most forgotten item)
- Sunscreen, lip balm, bug spray
- Vitamins & over the counter medicine
- For other medical items – think through destination and your activity. If hiking through Nepal then you are unlikely to have access to stores and want to bring everything you might need for blisters, pain etc… But also, you are unlikely to set a bone and instead would evacuate. If traveling in a city, remember that people live there every day. And while you may want a single Advil or band aide, if something happens to require more, you can pop into a shop.
Clothes: When thinking through your clothing requirements, it is helpful to think through your activities and plans day by day.
- Tops – if it won’t touch the skin it can be worn multiple times. Wool can be worn multiple times and synthetic fibers can be easily washed and dried. Think about layers.
- Bottoms – these can be worn multiple times. Jeans can be heavy, hard to pack, stretch out and are hard to dry if they get wet.
- Shoes
- Socks
- Special activities – dinner, concert, hiking
Electronics:
- Phone
- Laptop or tablet
- Ear buds or headphones
Other:
- Swimsuit / cover up
- Towel
- Water purification
Additional Tips:
- There is very little that you can’t easily replace — Money, passport, phone
- Don’t bring just in case items. If you can replace it with $10 in 10 minutes – then don’t bring it.
- Keep a travel bag packed with duplicates
- I always pre-pack – think through each day of the trip and stage items ahead of time. You can then review and cull when you actually pack.
