Whether you are planning an out-of-town trip or an out-of-the-country holiday, preparing a packing list is a must. A majority of people pack their travel bags at the eleventh hour. They don’t realize the importance of a travel checklist until they reach their destination and can’t find the most important stuff in their bags.
Regardless of how many times you have travelled before, packing your bags is not only tedious but a mammoth task. No matter how short your trip is, there is so much to pack that you tend to forget the essentials, especially if you have other things to take care of in between. Having a travel checklist can be a blessing at those times. We have compiled below a detailed travel checklist to make the packing process a breeze. It only takes a few minutes to prepare everything on this list. All you have to do is note down all the stuff you can’t live without. So, are you ready to travel smarter? Then let’s get started.
How to pick the perfect travel bag set?
The first step to prepping for your journey is selecting the right bag. Well, the best travel bag is the one that is lightweight yet spacious enough to hold your travel items effortlessly. Hence, we recommend you pick a sturdy travel bag. Depending on your stay period, you can pack your items in either a wheeled suitcase or a backpack. A 4-wheeled bag is a convenient option, as it doesn’t strain the shoulders. It is recommended for tourists who are planning a long trip and have lots of items to pack. Meanwhile, a backpack is more comfortable.
Must-have electronics gadgets to bring on your trip
A camera should be at the top of one’s mind when going on a trip. But people do often forget their cameras at home, only to realise they will have to settle for the subpar image quality of the smartphone camera. As a traveller, that is the last thing you want to happen. To capture the best travel destinations and picturesque views and to make the most out of your trip, you must have all the important tech-gadgets in your travel bag. Here’s the list of some important tech gadgets that you must pack.
- Smartphone and charger – We all have one! Though it’s needless to mention, you must pack your smartphone. After all, this is the only gadget that can keep you in touch with your family and friends back home. Nowadays, smartphones come with excellent cameras. You can use them to click pictures and share them on social media. Of course, don’t forget your smartphone charger.
- Camera – No matter how brilliant your smartphone camera is, you will want the best DSLR camera to capture beautiful pictures. You can even improve your photography skills using the best quality camera. The major difference between a smartphone camera and a DSLR is that the latter offers you quite a lot of flexibility. This flexibility allows you to use your creative muscles and save your pictures from looking like any other run of the mill photos that all look the same.
- Headphones – These are a must for a better travelling experience. Whether you are boarding a plane or a bus, you must bring your noise-cancelling headphones to improve your travel experience. Having a headphone means you can put the time that you would otherwise be sitting doing nothing to good use.
- Laptop – This fantastic gadget is not a necessity for all travellers. But if you are going on a business trip, you may need to stay connected with your colleagues. You can also watch some movies or play games on a laptop. And you can back up all your photos and videos to your laptop if you want to free up some space in your camera storage.
- Power bank – If you don’t own a power bank, it is time to purchase one. To keep your smartphone and camera alive all throughout your journey, you will need the best phone power bank to charge it anywhere and anytime. Always look for the charge capacity of the power bank when you purchase one.
Don’t forget the first aid box
Nowadays, pills have become part of our daily life. They must be in your travel bag as they save you from unpredictable cold, fever, and bowel problems. The temperature of your destination might be too extreme for you. As a result, you could end up with a fever or constipation. You don’t want to ruin your vacation searching for medical pills in a foreign country. When it comes to preparing a first aid box for your travel bag, there are some of the essential items to include. Firstly, don’t forget to take your prescribed medicines if you have any. After that, you should think about the medicines and other necessary items that you will need in case of any accidents. Like bandages, antiseptic cream, paracetamol tablets, etc.
Best travel comfort items to pack
Everyone agrees that they will have to leave many comforts of their home while travelling. And it is true that airplanes are not the most comfortable places to sleep. Furthermore, airlines seem to be on a perpetual mission to make the seats smaller and smaller. But there are some items that can make your experience a notch better. If you are planning to fly or go on a long road trip, you will want some cosy travel items to get a peaceful nap. Below are the best ones that can make your holiday less hectic and more relaxing. And the good news is, most of them are perfect for every mode of transport.
- Travel pillow – You must purchase a special and comfortable travel neck pillow that’s specially designed for tourists. It can give you comfort on a plane, bus, train, or even a ferry. We recommend you go for foldable and inflatable travel pillows. They consume little space yet offer the best nap. Also, make sure that it is compact enough to fit in your travel bag.
- Eye mask and earplugs for sleeping – You never know what type of people will be travelling with you. Loud music and bright lights can lead to severe headaches. Besides, these loudspeakers will not let you enjoy a peaceful nap. Put an eye mask and an earplug in your handbag to avoid travel headaches.
- Smart water bottle and light snacks – Nowadays, foldable water bottles are highly in demand. Since they consume very little space, they are especially recommended for travellers who don’t have sufficient room for a large bottle. You can fill them at the airport and fold them once you are done drinking. If you love tea or detox water, then opt for a travel water bottle with filter.
- Travel moisturizer and hand sanitiser – The weather in your destination might not be anything like the weather you have experienced in your life. So, prepare yourself for unpredictable climates by packing a moisturiser, a lip balm, and a hand sanitiser. A hand sanitiser is particularly important to stay safe from bacteria and germs at public places.
The discomforts of travelling should not be a reason for you to give up travelling altogether. Instead, pack all the right things in your travel bag and be smart. Luckily, there are hundreds of different travel comfort items that you can choose from. But you also want to keep the size of your luggage to a minimum. While it might be tempting to bring a lot of comfort items, your backpack can get heavier and bulkier. The trick is to find the right balance between the number and size of the items you carry without making your luggage too heavy.
Pack your toiletries and wet wipes
Keeping yourself is important when you are travelling. Probably even more than if you are staying in your home. Getting any infection or having an upset stomach can ruin your travel plans. You can create a separate bag for toiletries. It doesn’t have to be big, as a small handbag can accommodate your essential toiletries. The first thing to pack is your toothpaste, travel toothbrush, and floss. Sun protection cream and necessary lotions are also necessary to avoid skin problems. Carry a packet of wet wipes, some travel towels, and bobby pins with you. Ladies will need a few things extra like sanitary napkins, makeup removers and other feminine stuff.
Secure your valuable belongings
If you are travelling for fun, the chances are that you don’t know much about your destination. That is why scammers and pickpockets seem to centre around tourist places. To avoid falling prey to them, keep expensive items separate from your main travel bag. Keep your money inside a neck wallet or money belt instead of keeping them in your trouser pockets. The same applies to mobile phones, credit cards, and travel documents. If a neck wallet is too conspicuous for your taste, then you can go for a leg wallet or an all–terrain money belt.
Organise your passport and travel documents
Finally, you cannot board a plane or a train without travel documents. Moreover, you are legally required to carry all the travel documents with you if you are in a foreign country. So, make sure that you pack your passport, visa, photo identity cards, and boarding pass in a special travel handbag. Take an international credit card with you even if you have money as cash. Once you’re done packing all these items in your luggage, you can then move on to wardrobe packing. This is quite easy as you already know which outfits you will need. However, you must consider the temperature and climate conditions of your destination. Hope you gained a lot of useful tips from our travel checklist!
Things to do before leaving your home
Once you have packed everything, prepare your home days ahead of the trip. Stop newspaper and mail delivery until you get back. Having both of them pile up in front of your house is a dead giveaway to outsiders that you have been away for long. This might make your home an easy target for thieves. If you have any pets, take them with or arrange someone else to feed and take care of them. In case you are going to be away for a few months, pay your utility bills in advance. Finally, unplug all appliances, empty the refrigerator, and lock all windows and doors before you step out of the house. Hope you gained a lot of useful tips from our travel checklist. Bon voyage!
