The Ultimate Packing Checklist

Are you getting ready for a big trip? That’s really great!

After all, there’s a reason why people need a vacation from time to time.

No matter what kind of life you lead, there’s one unifying factor for us all – at some point or another, we could all use a change.

That’s why people plan vacations in the first place.

But even though a vacation is a chance for some much-needed rest and relaxation, there’s still much to do before you go on your trip.

For starters, you’ll need to think about all the stuff you need to pack.

And forgetting something crucial will mean a lot of hassle down the line. (Why is why it’s also recommended that you avoid last minute travel packing).

That’s why we’re here, though – with an ultimate packing checklist you might find useful!

 

1. Choosing the Right Luggage for Your Vacation

Let’s face it – wherever you’re going, you’re bound to be carrying at least some luggage with you.

And that’s why one of the first things you need to think about for your ultimate packing checklist is: picking the right type of luggage.

Obviously, the kind you need largely depends on the type of your journey.

If you were relocating to a new home, you’d obviously ask for professional assistance when moving and pack a ton of cardboard boxes.

And if you were going on a local road trip with your friends, all you’d need is a large backpack.

But if you’re going somewhere that’s more far-flung, you’ll need more of your stuff from home.

You want to avoid relying on local stores for important things because there’s no way of knowing what kind of stocks they have.

So, with that in mind: what kind of luggage will you need?

As we’ve mentioned, this will depend on the destination.

You’ll hear most hardened travellers scoff at the notion of wheeled cases. But rolling luggage is actually quite useful, in terms of packing space.

Sure, it can be tougher to carry around, but if you’re visiting a European destination, you’ll be dealing with well-paved roads and elevators in buildings.

So, getting to the hotel with these won’t be too much of a hassle.

On the other hand, you may want to opt for a simple duffel bag.

Many people find them more versatile while offering a similar amount of space.

Though, if greater versatility is something that’s important to you, we definitely recommend thinking about a wheeled backpack.

These are good for all kinds of terrain, and you can easily adapt to new locations on your trip with one of them.

 

 

Carry-On Travel

If you want to pack lightly, but you tend to overpack, one of the best solutions for you is travelling just with a carry-on.

Naturally, this won’t be an option anywhere in the world.

But if you’re flying to a destination which won’t require a lot of your personal items, you should try only packing the bare necessities.

Plus, if you’ve only got a carry on with you at the airport, you’ll be saving yourself a great amount of time.

There’s no risk of the airport misplacing your luggage, and no hassle with check-ins.

 

2. Your Electronics

There are lots of people who think their vacation is the ultimate unwinding experience.

They want to completely remove themselves from the minutiae of their daily lives, which includes stuff like electronics and social networks.

However, on the other hand – if you’re not that kind of person, you definitely want to make sure you’ve got everything for your hardware to run properly.

 

 

Don’t forget your phone charger, and take a spare one as well; you never know what can happen to one of them, and if you can’t buy a new one at your destination you’ll be in a pickle.

With that in mind, if you’ve got a portable power bank – now’s the time to take it with you.

Also, if you’re going somewhere coastal, you may want to buy additional protection for your phone.

Sure, most of the newer models claim to be waterproof, but if you ask us – there’s no need to take that risk.

Invest in a phone case that’ll provide your phone with an additional layer of protection against water.

Naturally, if you still need your laptop with you, even on vacation – make sure to bring its charger as well.

This is a crucial part of any ultimate packing checklist. And it’s something that’ll be even harder to find than a phone charger if you forget or misplace it.

 

3. Toiletry essentials

We all have different needs, both at home and on vacation.

But also, there are certain things that most of us require at any location, regardless of our personal lifestyles.

That’s why we wanted to remind you of some of the essential toiletries that you might need on your vacation.

 

a. Toothbrush/dental kit

Obviously, your toothbrush is an essential part of your personal hygiene. That’s why you mustn’t forget it!

Also, take some mouthwash and toothpaste. While some of these might be provided by a hotel you’re staying in, that’s never certain.

 

b. Hair products

If you ask us, having a bad hair day is one of the worst things that can happen to you on vacation.

That’s why you want to make sure you’ve got everything you need to prevent that!

Once you start working on your ultimate packing checklist, don’t forget to put all of your essential hair products there. And a hairbrush as well.

 

c. Sun protection

Are you going to a place where there’s a lot of sun?

While we all like a sunny vacation, you may want to take precautions to protect your skin, especially if you haven’t got much of a tan in the first place.

Indeed, people with white skin complexion should always bring some sunscreen and skin lotion with you. Skin care is important even on vacation!

 

d. Glasses and contacts

Let’s be honest; glasses are a real pain on vacation.

But still, if you do wear contacts or glasses, make sure to bring them.

And take a spare pair of glasses just in case; no matter how careful you are, it only takes a split second of carelessness or an accident for them to break.

And then you’re stuck in a foreign place with reduced eyesight!

That’s something you definitely want to prevent.

 

4. Medication

For most of us, a vacation is a perfect time to think about nothing at all.

We like leaving all of our daily worries behind, and just sitting back and relaxing at a beautiful beach.

However, when you’re making the ultimate packing checklist; you still need to think about every eventuality, even unpleasant ones.

But that’s the beauty of thoughtful and thorough packing!

You do all of your worryings before the vacation itself, and then once you’re there; there’s nothing that can surprise you. Which means you can truly relax!

 

 

With that in mind, we recommend thinking about your medication on time.

If you’ve got any chronic conditions that you need to take care with even on vacation; fill up on the meds you’ll need before the trip.

Even if you’re travelling somewhere within the country, there’s no way of knowing how well-stocked the pharmacies will be. So, pack any medication you might need beforehand.

Also, even if you’ve got no specific conditions to keep in mind; you may want to bring some common remedies with you, in case of the flu or stomach problems.

 

5. Important documents

Lastly, let’s consider one of the most important aspects of any ultimate packing checklist for your vacation; your travel documents.

This is obviously something you want to pay special attention to.

If you think about it, you’ll realize that all vacation disaster stories start with some sort of misplaced travel document.

With that in mind – put your passport and your visa (if you need one for the destination) at the absolute top of your checklist.

This should be your first priority while packing.

 

 

Also, make sure you’ve got some other kind of personal ID with you, apart from your passport.

Don’t forget to bring your personal ID card with you.

Apart from this, there are a couple of other less crucial documents; but still important nonetheless.

If you have any frequent flyer cards or customer loyalty cards, pack them to potentially save money on your trip.

Also, if you’re taking a credit card with you, inform your credit card provider that you’ll be using it while you’re travelling. This will prevent any issues of perceived fraud.

Finally, don’t forget to bring enough cash with you. There’s no guarantee that your card won’t go haywire in another country, so it’s better to be safe than sorry!