The Ultimate Checklist for Your Next Vacation

Packing is undoubtedly one of the worst things about getting ready to go on vacation. Sure, it always seems like it’ll be fine, but how many times have you reached your destination after hours of traveling, only to realize that you have left something important behind at home? 

One thing that we find exceptionally helpful is making a checklist or an itinerary of what you want to bring away with you. It is also a good idea to print this off so you can tick things off as you pack them and so that you don’t forget anything when you’re packing to come home! 

To save you the trouble of coming up with your own checklist of essentials to pack the next time you go away, we have put together the ultimate checklist for you for your next vacation.

You can customize this list to include whatever you want, but we have compiled some of the basic essentials that most people would want to take with them on vacation. Happy packing! 

Paperwork 

Let’s start with the least exciting yet the most important things first. This should include things like your passport and any documents that you’ll need such as transport tickets, proof of insurance, hotel reservations, and confirmation of any pre-booked activities. 

Having these things printed out and stored somewhere easily accessible while you’re traveling, like in a handbag or in a clear travel pouch, will make the process a lot easier. You might also want to print out a copy of your passport and of your emergency contact list.

Additionally, it is always best to carry a reasonable amount of cash with you when you are traveling, both in the currency of the country you are vacationing in and in your own country. We wouldn’t advise taking your whole budget out in cash, however. Just enough to get by.

It is never a good idea to pack your paperwork in a suitcase or inside any luggage that is going to be stored in the hold as there is always a small risk that this could get lost in transit. 

Carry-On Luggage 

The two main things that you will definitely want to think about when you are planning out what to pack in your carry-on luggage are comfort and entertainment. Sometimes you can be traveling for hours until you reach your vacation destination, so make it time well spent! 

For the entertainment side of things, you will want to pack a book or an e-reader, a laptop or tablet device, and chargers for all of your electronics. Don’t forget to be considerate of the people traveling with you – pack a pair of headphones if you’ll be listening to something! 

Comfort-wise, you will probably want to pack things like a travel blanket and a travel pillow so that you can try and get some sleep during the journey to your intended destination. You might also want to take an eye mask or ear plugs with you to keep the noise volume down. 

Even before the Covid-19 outbreak made it even more essential, you should also always remember to pack some hand sanitizer, antibacterial body spray, or sanitizing wipes in your carry-on luggage so you have them close to hand when you are traveling. Have you seen some of these airlines?

We would also recommend packing a small bag for toiletries with travel-sized bottles of your favorite products so that you can still go and freshen up whilst you are en route.

Here are some of the other items that you might want to consider packing in your carry-on luggage so you can easily access them during your journey: 

*Tissues 

*Lip balm 

*Change of clothes 

*Snacks 

*Water bottle (this will need to be empty if you are flying on a commercial airline) 

*Medications 

*Any valuables that you do not want to risk going missing 

*Itinerary 

*Maps/directions printed out 

*Glasses 

*Sunglasses 

*House keys 

Just make sure that when you are traveling, you are carrying no prohibited items in your carry-on luggage, as some methods of transportation or countries will have certain rules and restrictions on what can be stored in your handbag and what must be kept in the hold.

Toiletries and Medications

Next up, check off all of your toiletries and any personal medication prescriptions that you will need to take while you are away. This can and should include the following basic items: 

*Toothbrush 

*Toothpaste 

*Dental floss 

*Soap/shower gel 

*Deodorant 

*Shampoo and conditioner

*Hair brush 

*Styling tools such as clips or curling irons

*Facial cleanser and reusable cloths 

*Face creams and lotions 

*Sunscreen 

*Contact lenses

*Contact solution 

*Shaving supplies 

*Feminine hygiene products

*Makeup 

*Makeup remover

*Nail file 

*Nail clippers 

*Tweezers

*Bandages

*First aid kit 

*Insect repellent

*Pain relief 

*Vitamins 

This way you have covered all bases for while you are away. You’d be surprised at how often you think you won’t need something until you are already there by which point it is too late! 

Clothes

Here is a list of some basic but essential items of clothing that you should consider packing the next time you are going on vacation: 

Underwear (always pack more than you think you will actually need)

*Socks 

*Sleepwear or loungewear

*Comfortable t-shirts 

*Dress shirts 

*Casual day-time shirts 

*Jeans 

*Pants

*Shorts

*Skirts 

*Dresses

*Sweaters

*Swimsuits 

*Cover-ups for the poolside 

*Hats

*Laundry bag 

*Leisure shoes 

*Sneakers

*Sandals or thongs 

*Belts 

*Ties

*Jewellery 

*Handbags 

Before you can even think about what sort of clothing you will need to pack, you will first need to consider the typical weather conditions of whatever location you are traveling to. 

Although, it can also be a good idea to prepare for the unexpected and pack a few items for weather that you are actually hoping to avoid (for example, rainy weather on a beach holiday or glorious sunshine that melts the snow into slippery piles of slush during a skiing vacation).

With that being said, don’t go overboard. Save your suitcase space for the things you need.

Things for Activities 

You don’t need to have pre-booked activities for your vacation to pack for them! If you know that the resort you are staying at offers surfing lessons and you already have a wetsuit, why not save the cost of renting one when you are there and remember to pack your own? 

Beach accessories can often be bought once you have arrived at your destination, but it can also be a good idea to pack a few things to take with you, just in case. If you have a pair of inflatable lilos that fit in your suitcase, again, save yourself the cost of buying new ones!

This also applies to packing the appropriate clothing and footwear. If you have planned to do some of the nearby nature hikes while you are away, make sure you remember to pack your hiking boots and thick socks as well as suitable clothing for different weather conditions.

You might even want to bring a few activities or items for entertainment to have with you while you are on vacation. Board games can be a great addition for family getaway or a card game between couples can pass the time in the evenings before going out to dinner.

Final Thoughts

We hope that you have found this article helpful. We have tried to include pretty much everything we could think of that you might need whilst on vacation, but feel free to personalize this list as much as you need to!