Documents, Papers
- Airline tickets, confirmations
- Hotel confirmations
- Rental car confirmations
- Passport
- Visa
- Driver's License or photo ID
- Student ID
- Itinerary
- Vouchers
- Vaccination certificate
- Cash
- Small currency for tips
- Foreign currency
- Credit card
- ATM debit card
- Phone calling card
- Business cards
- Frequent flyer cards
- Eyeglasses and contacts prescription
- Extra passport photos
- Prescriptions for medications
- Extra photocopy of documents (front and back sides)
- Passport
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- Driver's license
- Eyeglasses prescription
- Contacts prescription
- Address list for postcards
- Emergency phone numbers, addresses, emails
- Luggage ID tags
-
-
-
-
|
Pack In Carry-On Bag
- Medicines
- Passport, visa
- Itinerary
- Airline tickets
- Ziplock bag, quart size
- One change of clothes
- Jewelry
- Expensive electronics
- Cell phone charger
- Pen
- Book, magazine
- Ear plugs
- Snacks
- Inflatable neck pillow
- Travel blanket
-
-
Electronics
- Cell phone
- Camera
- camera charger
- USB cord
- spare memory cards, high capacity
- spare batteries
- small storage case
- tripod
- MP3 player
- headphones
- charger
- USB cable
- Video camera
- charger
- extra batteries
- extra tapes
- Notebook computer
- computer charger cord
- USB drive/memory stick
- Tablet (iPad, Kindle, etc)
- GPS navigation system
- Airplane headphones; plug adapter
- Electricity converter, adapters
- Spare alkaline batteries
- Travel clock
-
-
|
Clothing, Men
- Underpants
- Undershirts
- Socks
- Slacks
- Jeans
- Dress shirts
- Casual shirts
- T-shirts
- Sweaters
- Belts
- Shoes
- dress shoes
- casual shoes
- comfortable walking shoes
- athletic shoes
- boots
- sandals, flip flops
- Sports coat/suit jacket
- Necktie
- Shorts
- Swimsuit
- Exercise clothing
- Pajamas
- Coat, jacket
- Windbreaker with hood
- Gloves
- Hat, cap
- Sun hat
- Bandana
- Handkerchief
-
-
-
-
|
Clothing, Women
- Underpants
- Bras
- Socks
- Panty hose
- Slacks
- Jeans
- Blouses
- Tank tops
- T-shirts
- Skirts
- Dresses
- Sweaters
- Belts
- Shoes
- dress shoes
- casual shoes
- comfortable walking shoes
- athletic shoes
- boots
- sandals, flip flop
- Scarf
- Shorts
- Swimsuit
- Robe, sarong or cover-up
- Exercise clothing
- Pajamas, nightgown
- Coat, jacket
- Windbreaker with hood
- Travel purse
- Dress handbag
- Gloves
- Hat, cap
- Sun hat
- Bandana
- Jewelry
-
-
-
-
|
Toiletries
- Medications, in original container, with enough for entire trip
- Toothbrush
- Toothbrush case
- Toothpaste
- Floss
- Dental retainers, nightguards, splints
- Hairbrush
- Comb
- Hair mousse
- Hair spray
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Hair dryer, dual voltage
- Curling iron, dual voltage
- Moisturizing lotion
- Lip balm
- Barrettes/bobby pins
- Soap
- Deodorant
- Cotton swabs
- Razor
- Shave cream
- Aftershave
- Cosmetics, Make-up
- Sunscreen
- Talcum powder
- Tampons, pads
- Condoms
- Contraceptive pills
- Mirror
- Nail clippers
- Nail file
- Hand sanitizer, liquid or individual wipes
- Contact lenses
- Contact cleaning solutions
- Shower cap
-
-
-
-
|
Medicine and First Aid Items
- Prescription medications
- Pain pills (Tylenol, aspirin, ibuprofen, or Aleve)
- Diarrhea medicine (Imodium)
- Decongestant (Sudafed)
- Antihistamine (Claritin)
- Sleep aid
- Motion sickness pills (Dramamine, Bonine, Meclizine)
- Antibiotics
- Triple antibiotic ointment (Neosporin)
- Hydrocortisone cream
- Benadryl/Claritin
- Malaria medication
- Vitamins
- Antacid (Pepto Bismol; Tums)
- Band-Aids
- Insect repellant
- Water purifying tablets
- Sunscreen
-
-
-
-
|
Miscellaneous Items
- Travel alarm clock
- Watch
- Suitcase keys
- Luggage locks, TSA-approved
- Small locks, combination or keyed
- Electrical ties
- Daypack
- backpack
- shoulder bag
- fanny pack
- Extra duffel bag for day trips or souvenirs
- Swiss army knife or Leatherman tool
- Binoculars
- Collapsible umbrella
- Rain poncho
- Eyewear
- Sunglasses
- Reading glasses
- Spare pair of prescription glasses
- Hard glasses storage case
- Money belt
- Flashlight with fresh batteries
- Night light
- Bedroom pillow
- Eye mask
- Fabric softener sheet
- Lint roller, small
- Suction cups with hooks
- Portable fan
-
-
-
-
|
Miscellaneous Items
- Entertainment
- books
- magazines
- playing cards
- electronic games
- travel games
- toys
- Snacks
- bottled water
- energy bars
- crackers
- candy
- gum
- Pen
- Notebook
- Journal
- Postage stamps
- Guidebooks
- Maps, Gazetteer, atlas
- Phrase book
- Translation dictionary
- Gifts for locals or staff
- Laundry supplies
- Liquid detergent
- Travel clothes line
- Clothes pins
- Sink stopper
- Thin wash cloth
- Extra ziplock bags of various sizes
- Garbage bags, for wet items
- Toilet paper
- Kleenex
- Sewing kit
- Travel iron
-
-
-
-
|
Things To Do Before Leaving
- Make sure passport is valid for travel dates plus 6 additional months
- Check visa requirements of countries on your itinerary
- Check Department of State for travel warnings, alerts, and visa entry/exit requirements
- Get any recommended vaccinations, malaria medication; check CDC website
- Get refills on prescription medications
- Get cash or foreign currency
- Leave copy of itinerary, passports with relatives
- Arrange mail collection, forwarding, or mail hold
- Arrange newspaper collection or hold
- Arrange neighbor to watch front door for flyers, packages
- Confirm reservations
- Arrange care for pets
- wet and dry food out
- fresh litter in litter box
- Arrange yard and lawn care
- Program automatic sprinkler system settings
- Arrange for trash cans on garbage day
- Prepay bills that will be due while gone
- Call credit card company; inform them of travel dates and places
- Check credit card expiration dates
- Register with airline, to receive email or text message about flight delays
- House key, instructions, itinerary, emergency contact info to caretaker
- Put lamps, radio on timers
- Water houseplants
- Adjust pool and hot tub chemicals
- Charge batteries in cell phone, cameras, computer
- Set camera clocks to destination time zone
- Airport parking discount coupons
- Put rings, jewelry, computer back-up drives in safe; lock safe
- Program DVR to record favorite TV programs
- Weigh packed luggage
- Unplug appliances
- Empty ice cubes out of freezer
- Turn off automatic ice maker
- Empty garbage
- Run dishwasher
- Adjust furnace/cooling thermostat
- Adjust water heater thermostat
- Turn off water main; or at least washing machine, toilets, sinks, ice maker
- Shut down computers
- Set alarm clock
- Set back-up alarm clock
- Lock windows
- Set garage door opener to vacation setting
- Lock doors
- Arm security system
- Take luggage, passport/license, and go!
-
-
-
|
Scuba Diving Vacations
- Certification card
- Wetsuit
- BCD
- Fins
- Mask
- Mask defog
- Regulator
- Dive Computer
- Wetsuit
- Booties
- Snorkel
- Hood
- Gloves
- Mask anti-fog
- Dive log book
- Cyalume sticks
- Underwater flashlight
- Dive Alert or whistle
- Safety sausage
- Reef hook
- Mesh gear bag
- Underwater camera
- Camera housing
- Silicone lubricant
-
-
|
Ski Vacations
- Skis
- Snowboard
- Boots
- Poles
- Gloves
- Hat
- Earmuffs
- Headband
- Goggles
- Helmet
- Sunglasses
- Thermal underwear
- Ski jacket
- Ski pants
- Turtlenecks
- Winter boots
- Ski lock
- Ski tote
- Ski ties
-
-
|
Camping Vacations
- Backpacks
- Sleeping bag
- Sleeping mat
- Stuff bag
- Tent
- Tent stakes
- Tarps
- Rope
- String or twine
- Flashlights
- Compass
- Whistle
- Spoon, fork, knife
- Plates
- Cups
- Cooking pots and pans
- Utensils
- Can opener
- Dish soap
- Paper towels
- Citronella candles
- Camp stove
- Lantern
- Fuel
- Matches
- Ice chest
- Water jug
- Hatchet
- Small shovel
- Camp chairs
- Portable table
- Garbage bags
-
-
|
Babies or Toddlers
- Baby food jars
- Baby formula
- Baby bottles
- Dish soap
- Diaper bag
- Diapers
- Wipes
- Diaper rash cream
- Sunscreen
- Pacifiers
- Blanket
- Collapsible stroller
- Car seat
- Toys
- Clothes
- tops
- pants
- socks
- booties or shoes
- hat
- Washable bib
-
-
|
What NOT to bring
- Valuable or expensive-looking jewelry
- Expensive watch
- Unnecessary credit cards
- Personally-identifiable items you will not need on vacation
- social security card
- library card
- membership cards
- Irreplaceable objects
- Too many guide books
- Unnecessary gadgets
- Anything flammable
- Anything corrosive
-
-
|
Go to Electrical Converters & Adapters page