Wait — before you go on vacation — check the packing list below!
Now that you’ve got all your home prep taken care of (see our packing overview), you are ready to start making your list and checking it twice. The objective is to get as much relaxation and excitement out of your vacation as possible, and you don’t want any distractions of “Oh, I forgot this,” or “We need to run out and buy that.”
Below you’ll find some general categories of packing essentials. And if you want a free printable checklist version, sign up here on the right. –>
Important Documentation Items:
- Passport and identification cards
- Travel tickets, hotel and car rental reservation slips
- Vaccination cards and required visas
- Student I.D.s or discount cards
- Printout of emergency contacts, copy of passport
- Local and foreign currency
- Guide books or maps
- Any items needed for emergency remote work access
These are all key items that ensure you can actually go on your next vacation, so you can now add to your checklist items that are related specifically to your holiday destination and activities. It should be noted that the above list is a must, and the following are ideas to help you create your own personal vacation packing list.
Electronic Items:
- Cell phones, batteries and chargers
- iPods and chargers, portable speakers
- Cameras and storage devices
- Tablets and chargers
- Laptops, batteries and chargers
- Power adapters for foreign electrical outlets
- DVD players, DVDs and other entertainment equipment
Essential Items:
- Luggage and fluids containers
- Money belt/passport hider
- Destination-specific clothing and footwear (see below)
- Books and magazines (physical or digital)
- Language dictionaries or phrasebooks
- Flashlight, Swiss Army knife
- Travel umbrella
- Sewing kit
- Sunglasses and prescription eyewear
- Hair straighteners and blow dryers
- Any medications, plus travel first aid kit
- Games
- Snack food
Personal Care Essentials
- Comb/brush
- Oral care products
- Soaps and shampoos
- Deodorants, perfumes, and colognes
- Dietary supplements
- Medication
- Travel first aid kit
- Insect repellents and sunscreens
- Ointments, salves, creams, and lotions
- Nail clippers and tweezers
- Facial tissue and cotton swabs
- Earplugs and eyeshades
- Plastic bags
- Towels and washcloths
- Shaving creams and razors
- Lip balms
As for clothing you will want to pack appropriately – the detailed list will vary so greatly depending on the climate and time of year that you are traveling that you will have to use your best judgment. You will want to pack heavier items for colder winter climates, and lighter items for warmer summer climates. A good tip here is to also have one outfit in case the climate fluctuates in the opposite direction, e.g. one warm-weather outfit if you are expecting cold temperatures and vice-versa.
Regardless of where or when you are traveling, you should definitely pack rain gear of some sort, and you can find this gear in heavier or lighter options. It’s also a good idea to take casual, formal and semi-formal wear depending on the situations.
And last but not least, every vacation will need appropriate footwear, and if you are an exercise or fitness buff, you will want to make sure and put those items that you will need on your travel packing list.
If you use this packing list as a guide you are sure to be better prepared for your holiday. So have fun, take your time, be thorough, and enjoy your next vacation!
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Going camping? See that list.
Going to the beach? See that list.
This travel quote moves and inspires us, so we have created free wallpaper files for your desktop, tablet, and phone.
Simply sign up on the right-hand sidebar to download the files and get a bonus printable packing list! 🙂
