Below is a collection of travel tips and packing suggestions collected from a team of road-warriors and frequent flyers, reprinted with permission from the original author.
TL;DR? You can also view/print/download a PDF at this page:
Downloadable Travel Tips & Vacation Packing Checklist
Or just be bold and download it now: Printable Packing List
Tips:
- Check your passport ~ Is it valid for 6 months AFTER your RETURN date?
- Take photos with your smartphone – of your Passport, license, vaccination card, and credit cards
- Let your credit card company know you’re traveling ~ They freak easily these days
- Check with your cell phone company about international texting/calling ~
- Load an App for free wifi calling (Such as Skype, WhatsApp, WeChat, Duo, Facebook Messenger, Viber)
- Take $1 bills for tipping ~ ATM Cash or change won’t be in USD & there are fees
- Carry meds in your carry-on ~ Don’t pack anything valuable you can’t lose…..
- Pack light, and then cut that in half
- Take ‘costume’ jewelry – like these nifty Check Pricesfake wedding rings ~ Leave your real stuff at home
- Check the TSA website for a current list of banned and allowable items
- Carry these 3 things too – Check PricesMask(s), Check PricesAntibacterial Wipes & Check PricesHand Sanitizer
- Travel in comfortable shoes that easily slip on and off
- Carry-on an empty Check Priceswater bottle/container (fill it after you’re thru security)
- Use a unique luggage tag and/or ribbon to easily identify your luggage
- Pack lightweight set of non-bluetooth earphones for movies on the plane
- Bring a Check PricesSarong/Pareo ~ They are incredibly versatile (Work that Jagger look)
- Get a Check Pricesneck pillow … So your don’t have baby head the whole way home
- Carry a small/basic Check Pricesfirst aid kit: aspirin, anti-itch cream and band-aids
- Keep yourself hydrated – or risk missing dinner(s)
- Order a room service sandwich for your return flight ~ Airport food is pricey & lousy
For Your Carry-On Bag:
- Airline tickets or e-ticket confirmation
- Hotel & Transfers reservation confirmations
- An Check PricesRFID Blocking travel wallet
- Passport/Visas/Driver’s License
- Credit Card… Visa or MasterCard are most widely accepted worldwide
- Photocopies of all of the above, PLUS a photocopy of any prescriptions in the event you need an emergency refill while on vacation
- Mask(s), antibacterial wipes, and hand sanitizer
- Phone numbers for your credit card companies (in case your cards are lost or stolen)
- Prescription medicine (important – keep it in the original bottle)
- Contraception
- Check PricesPortable charger/cords for electronics
- Non-Bluetooth Headset for movies on the plane (seat-back TVs don’t work with bluetooth)
- Check PricesSarong or Pareo (for the plane, which can get cold)
- Your swimsuit, sandals and a cover-up, just in case your room is not ready
- And….don’t bring valuable jewelry. Everyone is the same barefoot :-)
HER things to pack:
- Khakis (for casual evenings that may be chillier than days)
- A sundress
- An evening cocktail dress
- A lightweight sweater/shawl/blazer (pareos work great & can double as a swimsuit cover-up)
- 4 casual shirts (T-shirts, tank tops, short-sleeve button-downs, etc.)
- 2 pairs shorts
- 2 swimsuits
- A swimsuit cover-up (again, pareos work great & can double as a shawl in the evenings)
- Comfortable walking shoes/sandals (you may wind up walking a bit if you go shopping or sightseeing)
- Evening shoes/sandals
- Evening purse
- 1 pair flip flops (for beach or poolside)
- Extra socks and underwear
- Bras (don’t forget a strapless one if you’ve packed a top or dress that needs it)
- Accessories (scarves/jewelry to “stretch” your wardrobe)
HIS things to pack:
- Consider Polyester. It’s not just for breakfast anymore
- 1 pair jeans or khakis
- 1 pair nice slacks
- Light jacket or pullover (easily tie it around waist or stuff into backpack)
- 4 casual shirts (T-shirts or short-sleeve button-downs)
- 2 walking Shorts
- 2 polo or button-down short-sleeve shirts
- Sports jacket (for nicer restaurants, some do require them)
- Swimsuits
- Comfortable walking shoes or sandals
- Nice shoes – black sneakers can look good
- Flip flops
- Extra socks and underwear
Both hers & his to pack:
- Check PricesReef Safe Sunscreen and lip balm
- Sunglasses
- Sun hat and/or baseball cap
- Sleepwear
- Paperback books
- Tablet or IPad (NOTE: you can get a sunburn from the reflection)
- A Check Pricescanvas beach bag or lightweight day-pack
- A small money belt or fanny pack to hold cash, credit cards, etc.
- Local Guidebook, if you go exploring
- Disposable camera (good photos & avoids having an expensive camera damaged or stolen)
Basic Toiletries (use travel-sized containers whenever possible & carry-on size is limited to 3.4oz)
- Toothpaste
- Toothbrushes & Toothbrush Cover
- Deodorant
- Cosmetics
- Make-up remover
- Cotton balls and swabs
- Comb/brush
- Hair gel/spray
- Emory/Nail file & nail clippers
- Shaving cream
- Razors
- Contact lens and re-wetting solution, storage case
- Hair accessories – clips, headbands, etc.
- Buy or pack a small Check Pricesfirst-aid kit that contains:
- Band-Aids
- Aspirin
- Antacid
- Anti-inch cream
- Antihistamine
- Insect repellent
- Diarrhea medicine
- Motion sickness medicine
- Aloe Vera
- Tampons/pads (can be difficult to find outside the US)
Optional Items: (the resorts we work with provide these)
- Shampoo, conditioner, body wash/soap
- Body lotion
- Hair dryer
- Shower cap
- Alarm clock
Convenient Extras (nice to have, but not necessary):
- Extra asthma inhaler, pair of glasses/contacts and the like
- Large Ziploc bags (for wet swimsuits or clothes)
- Earplugs
- Sewing kit
- Shout Wipes or Check PricesTide Stick (instant stain-treatment)
- Eye Drops (get the red out)
- 1 pair old sneakers that can get wet or left behind
- 1 pair workout sneakers and 2-3 workout outfits if you plan on getting your sweat on
- Compact umbrella or rain poncho
Important – “Know Before You Go”:
Very Important – Email yourself – or take a picture with your phone – Share with family/close friends:
- Your airline and hotel confirmation and important phone numbers
- Photocopies of your passport, license, vaccination card, and credit cards (front and back)
- Insurance-policy numbers and pertinent financial info
- Remember to keep your personal info locked in your hotel safe & remove your belongings from the safe when you depart!
Get the 4-1-1 on Luggage:
- Each Airline has their own rules for checked and carry-on luggage – be sure to check your Airline’s policies before you start your packing.
- Check your carry-on size limitations
- Most airlines charge checked bag fees, sometimes even for your carry-on
- Check your weight limit of bags or pay an extra fee, know before you go
What to Expect at Security:
- Shoes off
- Electronics out
- Liquids are limited to 3.4oz.(100ml) each and all must fit in a clear quart-sized ziploc-style bag
- No water/beverages – an empty water bottle/container is okay
- Everything out of pockets
- If metal in pockets or on jeans or shirt, you may get pulled aside for the wand or a pat-down
Download This as a printable PDF: Printable Packing List
