Aug

Checklist For Traveling - The Ultimate Guide

Written by Neil Galloway

This is what you freak out over just before you leave on the big holiday. Did you bring enough stuff? What happens if there is an emergency? The best thing to do is write your self a travel checklist a month or two in advance and keep it on hand all the time. Ask people who have been where you are going what you might need. If you are traveling with others, split the shareable items to lighten the load. Here is a travel checklist that you might find handy.

I got that idea for this post from 101 Great Posting Ideas That Will Make Your Blog Sizzle on I Help You Blog.

If you want to build your own, try using the following categories. My own list is farther down.

Before You Leave
Make sure everything is going to be okay at home while you are gone. Will Fido be taken care of?
Documentation Essentials
These can take the longest to be ready, so start early. You cannot even get on a plane nowadays if you do not have your passport on you.
Clothing and Shoes
You will not enjoy your trip if you don't have the proper outfit. Remember, some places you can buy what you need for less money than at home, if you have the time to do so.
Toiletries
Another biggie. If you need anything special and you are going somewhere it cannot be purchased, it can really ruin a trip.
Medical Supplies
Some people would lump this in with toiletries, but I like it in its own section. Typically things that would go in a red emergency kit.
Essentials
These are must haves that don't really fit into the other categories. I always take flat duct tape for fixing stuff. Sunglasses fit in here as well.
Extras
Same as Essentials except not as big a priority. Throw things in here that would be nice to pick up for the right price or a friend will let you borrow.
Food
That is right. It is good to take along some snacks, vitamins, and protein bars to help you through some days where you do not have the time to eat or what there is to eat is not very appealing.
Photography Equipment
This will appeal more to the photography crowd, but everyone will still take a camera. Make sure you do not have any down time with your camera because pictures is the biggest "souvenir" from your trip.

Keep in mind that this is never complete. If you have any suggestions, email them post a comment on this article. If I like them, I will add your suggestion and your url to the article. My checklist is for a lot of situations and you can scratch off anything you know you don't need.

Travel Checklist

Before You Go
Cancel subscriptions Redirect mail or arrange for someone to get it Leave copies of documents and itinerary with someone Arrangements for house/yard care Thermostat settings Lock windows, doors, garage Turn off water to toilet tanks and washer/dryers
Documentation Essentials
travel visa's for destination countries passport copy of passport drivers license copy of drivers license health card airlinetickets copy of tickets insurance phone numbers emergency phone numbers money belt American cash Mastercard, Visa, American Express copy of cards and phone numbers bank card copy of bank card small purse diving certification diving log book travel rewards cards (Aeroplan, Airmiles, etc)
Clothing
Pants, zip-off Sleeping pants/shorts long sleeve sweat shirt long sleeve t-shirt short sleeve t-shirts tank tops underwear black socks tall socks rain/windbreaker jacket, rollup/stuffable bathing suit knitted hat/tuque hair bandana brimmed hat fake wedding rigs (if theft is a concern) *Women Specific* skirt thin material bras (1 sports, 1 regular)
Shoes
runners sandals, sport sandals/birkenstock style) flip-flops, thin
Toiletries
toothbrush, travel size/childrens toothpaste, travel size brush ups (optional) brush/comb combination mini deodorant/anti-perspirant (1) birth control/condoms cream (face/body) nail clippers malaria pills razor Q-tips dental floss, travel size shampoo-conditioner, travel size tweezers bath gel/soap, travel size cloth detergent/dry soap packets plastic grocery bags contact lenses contact lens solution, travel size glasses/case visine/eye drops afterbite mini mirror hand sanitizer sani wipes *Women Specific* tampons (?) feminine cleaning wipes panty liners (?) hair elastics ( ) bobby pins nail file
Tenting
sleeping bag, appropriate rating pillow, mini/stuffable
Medical
band aids butterfly strips polysporin or equivalent penicillin Tylenol 3 syringes diarrhea pills pepto bismol Gravol or equivalent Throat lozenges Dimetapp or equivalent motion sickness wrist bands
Essentials
flat duck tape alarm clock/watch sunscreen ear plugs safety pins lip balm (with spf) sun glasses flashlight/LED headlamp extra batteries bug spray (deep wood brand?) power plug adapters power converter (if 110V and 220V discrepancies) toilet paper in a ziplock bag microfiber towel (pack towel) matches cinch cords elastic clothes line sink plug mesh travel bag or just big ziplock bag for all clothing blue and red pens, mechanical pencil notebook
Extras
mini photo album (10 pictures) umbrella clothes pegs deck of cards tea light candle lice comb calculator reading matierials handheld electronics and chargers (iPod, video games, etc)
Photo Equipment
camera backup camera (an old film canon elph works great) memory cards/film spare batteries battery charger lenses USB or connection cords flash tripod/beanbag film bag (for airport x-ray machines) digital backup device
Food
vitamins, daily packs granola bars fruit bars protein bars/Vector bars (don't have to be the expensive ones) sesame seed bars fruit snacks tea bags juice crystals (individual size for bottled water) nescafe (individual size)

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Category: Travel

Original Post: Saturday, August 22nd, 2009

12 Comments

Anonymous Says:
2007-01-22 16:13:15
Great list! I'll use it everytime! Thanks

Shawna Says:
2008-06-19 14:47:15
Thanks for the checklist- I use it every time !

viewr Says:
2009-06-15 03:17:08
thank you very much this has and will be very useful

eros gaea Says:
2009-07-27 15:40:45
nice checklist!
very useful too.

Margaret Tlou Mabela Says:
2009-08-24 06:15:43
Thank you so much. The information is very valuable and it really assist. I will learn to use every time travelling is needed.

With lots of thanks.

Jessie Says:
2010-03-20 12:44:06
Very useful

jessie hampton Says:
2010-05-02 17:00:16
awsome imfo

Hair Extensions Says:
2010-05-04 06:51:06
I think Sunsilk is the best product for your hair. I used many times this shampoo, it's quality is good. My hair is naturally pretty curly, but fine curly, so it dries out really fast. So it is great choice for you. You can use it.

Tiffany Says:
2010-11-16 08:58:10
Great list! I linked back to it from my wedding planning site. We're headed to Jamaica from Canada and this was the best checklist I found online! Thanks so much.

Bermuda Moma Says:
2010-11-20 13:30:27
I have been looking for a travel check list and this is the best one I have found. Thanks alot!

MontanaNana Says:
2011-01-01 14:31:04
Great comprehensive list! Am using it for my next vacation - did want to include a few important suggestions for the person traveling on business. I can\'t count the times I have forgotten something important for my business conferences - little things like the right jewelry, two pair of nylons in case one tears, laundry dryer sheets and quarters for last minute de-wrinkle and static cling solution. That little black dress needs a ton of thought for all that goes with it when attending an important event during the vacation.

JANET Says:
2011-09-22 18:40:28