The Power of Packing Lists for Your Vacation Planning

Using Travel Checklists to Alleviate Vacation Stress

If using a planner or creating a to-do list helps you get through your workday or week, a checklist can help you pack for vacation. Not only can it help you remember and organize all the things you’ll need to bring with you, but it’ll also help you determine which things you can purchase when you arrive at your destination, and things you don’t need to pack at all.

Before you create your packing checklist (or checklists), it might be helpful for you to list the following things to help you break down what you’ll need:

• Where you’re going. If you’re heading to Hawaii in January, you’ll pack very differently than if you’re heading to Montana in January. Similarly, camping trip in a national park will require different supplies than a trip to New York to see Broadway shows. Think about where you’re headed and the climate to help you decide what to pack.

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• Why you’re going. If you’re attending a business conference or a wedding, your attire might be a little more formal than a family planning a trip to a theme park. If you’re taking your children on a fishing trip or snorkeling in the ocean, you’ll need two entirely different types of water-based gear. Think about the purpose of your trip and what activities you intend to do while you’re at your destination. Even if you’re attending a more buttoned-up event, you may also need to pack something casual for any down time you may have.
• How many people are going. One person needs to pack less than a family of five. Parents who are packing for their children may need to bring extra supplies if their children require car seats, strollers, portable cribs, or diapers.
• How long you’re going. You can get away with packing in a backpack for a simple overnight trip. Minimalists might be able to pack a month’s worth of clothing into a carryon bag. But others may require larger suitcases to fit all their necessities if they’re heading out of town for more than a week, especially if they’re bringing the whole family.
• How you’re going to get there. Are you checking all your luggage on an airplane or filling up the family car? In some cases, the amount you can bring with you may be limited by your mode of transportation, so take that into consideration when making your packing lists.

Types of Packing Checklists to Make

Once you’ve hammered out the details of your trip, you can start making smaller, more detailed checklists to help narrow down what you’ll need to bring.

Clothing

Choose your clothing based on how long you’ll be gone, the activities you’ll do, and the weather. It’s always a good idea to pack items that can be dressed up or down, depending on the occasion. Items that layer are also a good idea. Whether you’re packing for a week-long trip or a simple overnight, making a checklist of the clothing you plan to bring is a good idea.

Toiletries

When creating a packing list of toiletries, think about what you use every day, as well as any specialty items you might need for your trip. A family camping trip will certainly require bug spray and sunscreen should be packed for all trips during the summer months. You’ll also want to think about any amenities that are provided by your hotel. Many hotels provide soap, shampoo, conditioner, and lotion in the rooms, and other items like toothbrushes and combs at the front desk upon request. High-end hotels may have a larger selection of high-end toiletries. If you’re not sure about what’s available to you, call ahead. Remember that you’re flying to your destination and not checking a bag, your toiletries must be TSA-compliant.

Medicine

If there are medications that you or anyone you’re traveling with take regularly or by prescription, you should make sure they’re packed. If you suffer from allergies, packing an antihistamine might not be the worst idea. And if you have a serious food allergy, an epi-pen might save your life. It also might be smart to make a checklist of your prescriptions in case you need to get something filled when you’re away from your home pharmacy.

Make a checklist of medications you definitely need, as well as some you’ll probably need. Think about whether or not you’ll be able to purchase any medicines while you’re on vacation and pack accordingly.

Electronics

Think about your personal relationship with electronics. Does your phone never leave your sight? Do your kids use tablets to play games and watch movies? For every electronic you bring, you’ll need a charging cable and wall charger. You might also want a portable, rechargeable external battery if you know that you’ll need to recharge your devices throughout the day. Look into portable solar chargers as well if you know you won’t always have access to a wall outlet. If you’re traveling internationally, you may want to pack a power converter.

Another smart idea is to download any apps that will help you with your trip, like a transit map for a new city, or a branded app for a theme park. Planning ahead and adding these downloads to your packing list can save you a headache when you’re in a new country and you don’t speak the language.

Gear

The gear you pack will likely vary based on the trip you take. A long flight across an ocean may call for a neck pillow, eye mask, and ear plugs. If your trip involves hiking excursions, you may want a day pack. Families heading to theme parks might want money belts, wet wipes, and ponchos.

Think about what you plan to do on your trip and pack accordingly. It may be that you don’t need any additional gear because you’re only packing the essentials.

Documents

If you’re getting on a plane or leaving the country, you’ll need some proof of identification or citizenship. While many tickets these days are digital, you may need paper tickets for some modes of transportation. International visas, credit and debit cards, and emergency contact information should all be part of your travel checklist for leaving the country.

Preparation

Once you’ve made all your packing checklists, there’s one last list to put together – the list of things that need to be taken care of before you leave. Your own list may vary based on your circumstances, but these are some suggestions to get you started:

• Water your plants.
• Arrange for pet care.
• Stop mail delivery or arrange for a neighbor to pick it up for you.
• Set up an international phone plan or purchase an international SIM card.
• Set up an OOO message for your email account and let your coworkers know who to contact in case of an emergency.
• Notify your bank and credit card providers that you’ll be travelling.

Making a series of lists can help keep you organized and help to minimize any travel-related stress. Packing lists can keep you from bringing too much, and help you remember what you actually need, whether you’re traveling alone or bringing the whole family.