Nothing can bum you out on a much-awaited vacation other than knowing that you forgot something. If you tend to be forgetful, consider having a travel packing list. That way, you can check and double-check if you have everything. But what should you include in your travel packing list? Here are six ideas to help you get started:
Travel Documents
You should bring many travel documents with you regardless of where you’re traveling and what you’re doing there. Having these travel documents with you at all times will ensure that there aren’t any unnecessary hold-ups along the way. Plus, these travel documents can help you during times of emergencies.
Ensure that your travel documents are in an envelope or a sealed waterproof container so that you’re confident that they won’t get damaged. You should also make sure you have your travel documents on your person at all times.
That said, here are some of the travel documents that you’re going to want to have on hand:
- Passport or Visa
- Itinerary and Reservations
- Health and Travel Insurance-Related Documentation
- Personal IDs
- Photocopies of All Important Documents
- Hard Cash
- Credit and Debit Cards
- Emergency Contacts List
Electronic Items
Of course, many travelers will have some form of electronic items with them, so don’t forget to bring yours with you. There are many electronic gadgets that you probably want to bring for travel purposes. Some of these electronic gadgets are more fragile than others, so make sure you have enough padding around them to prevent damage during travel.
Here are a few examples of electronic items that you might have that you want to bring with you:
- Smartphone and Charger
- Camera and Charger
- Extra Batteries For the Camera
- Extra Memory Card For Your Camera
- Universal Adapter
- Headphones
- Power Banks
- Electric Converters
If you’re traveling for work, don’t forget to bring your laptop and charger. You might also want to get a hard drive or USB with you for work purposes.
Clothes
Clothes are essential in any traveler’s backpack. However, it can be a challenge to narrow down your packing list to just the essentials. This explains why most traveler’s bags are filled to the brim with clothing.
As a traveler, you must learn to narrow down which essentials you need, especially if you’re going on an outdoor adventure.
Even if you’re not going on an outdoor adventure, you should still reduce the number of clothes you pack. Stick to fashion essentials that you can easily pair or mix and match with one another, and reduce the number of shoes you pack.
Aside from those types of clothes, you should also bring protective clothing in case the weather turns bad.
A trusty, sturdy, and high-quality rain jacket will be a huge help, especially if you’re going to be in the wilderness at some point during your travels. A rain jacket can also help keep you warm depending on what type of rain jacket you decide to purchase.
Toiletries
Basic toiletries are another essential item you would want to bring with you during your travels, no matter what.
Places like hotels and vacation rentals may provide you with complimentary bathroom essentials, but you might not want to use them or maybe you have specific needs from your toiletries. Thus, it’s best to bring your own.
Some people even reduce the number of items they bring with them by opting to buy their toiletries after arriving at their destination. If you’re confident that you’re going to be able to buy some at your destination, you can pack light.
This also ensures that you won’t have issues bringing liquid items to the airport. That said, here’s a list of basic toiletries that you should pack with you:
- Shampoo and Conditioner
- Toothpaste and Toothbrush
- Body Soap
- Shaving Cream
- Sanitary Napkins or Tampons
Medical Kit
It’s ideal to bring a medical kit, especially if the purpose of your travel has to do with outdoor-based activities that could get you hurt. Otherwise, you don’t have to bring a whole medical kit with you. Instead, dial it down to a few essentials.
Band-aids, bandages, and antiseptic wipes are three of the bare medical necessities you should bring. You’ll also want to bring along any prescription medications you need, anti-cold or fever medicine, medicine for motion sickness, antihistamines, and painkillers, just in case. Don’t forget to list down some specific conditions you may have so that people around you know what you’re suffering from in case of an emergency.
Travel Comfort Items
If you have extra space, you could bring along some travel comfort items with you. Many people choose to bring travel pillows that wrap around their necks for convenience, while others also bring eye masks or earplugs so they can sleep comfortably anywhere. Overall, it all boils down to what you think you’ll need to have a comfortable travel experience.
Following this travel packing list can ensure that you’ve covered all your bases. This means that you have almost everything you need without having to pack your entire wardrobe. Just remember to double-check that you have everything before leaving, and don’t be afraid to narrow down your travel items as needed.
