The Ultimate Travel Checklist: 50+ Essentials You Need

No one wants to plan for a well-deserved vacation only to find that they left their favorite swimsuit at home. Mishaps like these happen all the time. After all, we saved and planned for our trips months in advance. Yet, with all that planning, things can go awry. In order to avert these issues, it’s crucial that we make a travel checklist for ourselves.

What is a Travel Checklist?

A travel checklist is necessary if you wish to arrive at your destination with all of the items you’ll need for your trip. No two travel checklists will be the same. After all, a business travel checklist will have different requirements than an international or domestic travel checklist. This is why you need to take care when planning, as no one wants to travel to Disney World only to find that they left their son’s asthma medication at home.

What Is a Travel Checklist Template?

A travel checklist template is a pre-printed list of items required for your trip(s) that you can just print out from your computer. The travel checklist template will have everything necessary for any type of trip, including business, international or domestic. All you do is look through the checklist, checking off all that you’ve packed, then look for anything you missed.

Travel Checklist Templates & Examples

    The Ultimate Travel Packing Checklist

    In order to maximize the efficiency of your own packing list, it’s crucial that you begin early. This is not something to rush at the last minute. By giving yourself several days or even a week ahead of time, you’ll be able to have enough time to remember important things. However, to get you started, we’ve compiled a packing checklist for you. Remember, you won’t be packing all of these items. For instance, you probably won’t need a bathing suit if you go on a skiing trip to Colorado in December. So, below is just a general packing list to cover most occasions:

    Clothing: T-shirts, bras, etc.

    • Underwear
    • Pajamas
    • Casual wear: (blue jeans, shorts, shirts, exercise wear
    • Formal wear: Suits, ties, dress shirts, evening gowns)
    • Dresses: (fine dining, evening wear, casual)
    • Skirts
    • Swimwear
    • Footwear: athletic, leisure, dress shoes, sandals
    • Outerwear: Coats, jackets, scarves, hats, gloves, umbrellas
    • Laundry bag
    • Laundry kit: Stain remover, soap, portable iron
    • Accessories: Wallets, purses, belts, jewelry

    Toiletries

    • Oral care: Toothbrush, mouthwash, floss, toothpaste
    • Bath care: Soaps, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, razors, lotions
    • Haircare tools: Blow dryer, mousse, spray, comb, brush
    • Shaving supplies
    • Contact lenses and supplies
    • Sunscreen
    • Makeup
    • Makeup remover
    • Feminine products
    • Birth control
    • Manicure supplies
    • First aid kit
    • Insect repellent
    • Medications: Dr. prescribed and OTC
    • Vitamins and supplements
    • Portable exercise equipment: Stretch bands, etc.

    Misc.

    • Cell phone
    • Chargers
    • USBs
    • Laptop
    • Tablet
    • Adapters,
    • Binoculars
    • Emergency contact information
    • Necessary documents
    • Copies of your passport
    • A list of things to do before you leave the house for the airport: Close garage door, lock up, etc.

    Carry-on

    • List of medications
    • Necessary medications
    • House and car keys
    • List of contacts
    • Change of clothes
    • Cash
    • Snacks
    • Credit/debit cards
    • Headphones
    • Portable gaming unit
    • Travel blanket
    • Sleep aides: Eye mask, ear-plugs
    • Tissues
    • Valuables
    • Identification: Passport, ID, Visa
    • Note pad and pen
    • Itinerary
    • Insurance cards
    • Guidebook
    • Address book

    Camping/Roadtrip

    • Sleeping bag
    • Sleeping pad
    • Pillows
    • Pre-charged mobile device personal chargers
    • Tent
    • Chair
    • Jumper cables
    • Solar charger
    • flashlights
    • Cooking implements
    • Stove
    • Bear bags
    • Survival foods
    • Water
    • Hygiene supplies
    • First aid
    • Sunscreen
    • Insect repellent

    Travel Packing List: Tips & Tricks

    It definitely doesn’t hurt to look up some packing tricks online. We’ve gathered together some nice ones to help you pack lighter and smarter. Also, before you pack, it’s crucial that you look up the TSA’s 3-1-1 rule and follow it completely. If you don’t, you’ll be holding up the line.

    • Purchase and pack portable chargers for mobile devices
    • Pack by outfit: All items needed for a particular “look” will be in their own packing cubes or bags
    • Rolling clothing takes up less space than folding
    • Wear your heaviest, most bulky clothes on the plane
    • Keep a separate packing bag/cube for pandemic supplies like sanitizer and masks
    • Keep basic needs items such as medications and snacks in your carry-on or backpack
    • Pack your items in packing cubes
    • Use Ziploc bags to store your small items such as snacks, USBs, hand sanitizers, etc.
    • Keep any liquid items separate in watertight bags in case one of the items springs a leak
    • Check out the TSA PreCheck section of their site (https://www.tsa.gov/precheck)
    • Check out the TSA Travel List for airport tips and tricks (https://www.tsa.gov/travel/travel-tips)
    • Never check essential items; they always go in your carry-on
    • Take your travel packing checklist along with you. If a suitcase gets lost, you’ll have a list of the items within
    • Get a digital luggage scale to weigh bags at home first
    • Pack dryer sheets in your baggage to keep items smelling fresh
    • Pack a waterproof bag for swimwear
    • Get a TSA Checkpoint Laptop Bag
    • Remember to bring a folding paper map just in case
    • Pack a microfiber towel or two
    • A roll of duct tape can temporarily repair torn luggage, etc.
    • If going camping or on a road trip, remember to pack a portable battery charger, jumper cables, flashlight, emergency blanket, and plenty of snacks and water
    • If hiking, remember a shower tent. These are lightweight, cheap, and can provide some shelter in case you get lost
    • Pack an alarm of sorts, such as a whistle, just in case

    Final Thoughts

    A travel packing list ensures that you’ll never arrive at your chosen destination lacking anything. This equals a relaxed state and peace of mind. By creating your very own travel packing checklist template, you can make it even more specific. For instance, you can color-code items, make important items such as meds and keys larger and in boldface, and so on. As you can see, a travel packing list template will save you not only headaches but also save you money as you won’t have to purchase items you forgot to pack once you get there. Happy travels!