Travel

In the perpetual race to check off bucket list items, we often overlook the small details that can make or break our adventures. Sure, planning a trip is exciting. But isn’t it also stressful? Unpacking all those suitcases, organizing your belongings and refilling your carry-on once again can be overwhelming — not to mention time-consuming. We all know that an organized suitcase will save you from spending hours digging through your bag at the airport or checking in at the hotel, and that having a detailed packing list will keep you from forgetting something essential like underwear or your toothbrush. But what about the smaller things? The little things aren’t always so little when it comes to traveling: do you have enough power adapters? Do you have enough luggage locks? Have you double checked the address of your hotel? Are you taking enough chargers and batteries with you on this trip?

The Ultimate Travel Checklist For The Disorganized Adventurer

First, we need to make sure that we are being thorough, which means we need to take a look at what you’re packing and see if each item has a purpose. Is this item absolutely essential? Could you get by without it? Having a purpose behind each item will make you much more aware of what you need to pack, and it will help you make sure you aren’t overpacking or forgetting something crucial.

A Packing Checklist

• Clothing - This is the most obvious and important thing to pack. Make sure to pack for all types of weather. This means taking extra clothing for cooler temperatures and rain. If you’re going somewhere warm, remember to pack sunscreen, as well. If you’re packing for a special occasion, like a wedding or a fancy dinner, make sure to include that in your packing list.
• Shoes - This may not be something you think about when planning a trip, but your shoes are essential. They will take a lot of abuse on your travels and need to be sturdy enough to stand up to all types of terrain while also being comfortable and stylish enough to wear to a nice restaurant or on a night out in town.
• Toiletries And Supplies - This is something that many people forget, but is essential to your health and happiness while traveling. You’ll need your prescription medications, a first aid kit, toiletries, and anything else you might need to stay healthy while you’re away.
• Travel Documents - This might include your passport, visas, travel insurance, boarding passes and itinerary, and more. Make sure to check what you need before your trip and be sure to include it in your packing checklist.
• Tech Gear - All of your cords and chargers, a travel laptop, and everything else you need to stay connected while you’re away. This is essential to making sure you can communicate with friends and family while you’re traveling.

A Organizational Checklist

• Jewelry And Accessories - As you pack your clothes, be sure to include jewelry, belts, scarves, and anything else you might need to accessorize.
• Shoes - Make sure to pack your shoes in a sturdy bag or container so they don’t get squashed or dirty.
• Electronics - All of your chargers, batteries, and any other electronics you might need while you travel. Make sure to keep the batteries separate, so they don’t inadvertently get packed in the wrong place and get ruined by other items.
• Health And Beauty Products - This is especially important if you’re bringing liquids in your carry-on. Make sure to keep them in a clear bag so they can be easily inspected.
• Small Necessities - This includes things like a sewing kit, extra socks, a Swiss Army knife, safety pins, and anything else that might come in handy while you’re traveling.

A Toiletries And Supplies Checklist

• Razor - This goes without saying, but make sure it’s a travel razor rather than a regular razor, so it’s easier to pack and won’t take up too much space.
• Shaving Cream Or Soap - To go along with your razor. It’s much more eco-friendly to bring your own soap or shaving cream with you than to rely on hotel amenities.
• Shampoo And Conditioner - Look for travel-friendly bottles if you want to reduce the space they take up.
• Body Wash - You can also find travel-friendly bottles of body wash, which will save space in your bag.
• Toothbrush - Make sure to bring enough for the duration of your trip, as well as your return trip home.
• Toothpaste - Again, bring enough for the duration of your trip, plus a couple of days extra.

Deodorant - You don’t want to be that person who leaves a trail of funk wherever they go. Pack deodorant and stay fresh.

Hair Ties/Bands - These can easily get lost in your bag, so be sure to pack them in a small bag or container.

Hairbrush - You don’t want to be that person who looks like they stuck their finger in a light socket, so be sure to brush your hair before you go out in public.

Journal - Journaling can be a therapeutic way to process and reflect on your travels, so be sure to bring a journal with you.

First Aid Kit - Definitely bring a first aid kit. Even if you don’t anticipate needing it, you never know when it might come in handy.

A Travel Documents Checklist

• Flight Info - Make sure to have all flight information on hand so you know when you have to leave and when you have to arrive at the airport.
• Hotel Info - Do some research before you leave, and be sure to have the name of the hotel, the address, and the phone number on hand so you can call for any assistance you might need when you arrive.
• Insurance Info - Make sure to bring any policies, cards, or other information related to your insurance policies with you so you can easily access them while you’re traveling.
• ID And Credit Cards - Keep a few copies of your ID and credit cards in a safe or safety deposit box while you travel, so you can easily access them if you need them.
• Passport - This is, of course, the most important thing to bring with you while you travel. Keep it safe and accessible, so you can easily go through airport security checkpoints or hotel check-in desks.

A Tech Gear Checklist

• Camera - If you plan to do any photography while traveling, be sure to bring a camera.
• Laptop - If you plan to write or do any freelance work while traveling, be sure to bring your laptop.
• Chargers - There will be plenty of times when you’ll need a charger for your phone or laptop, but won’t be near an outlet. Be sure to bring backup chargers with you.
• Batteries - Bring extra batteries for any electronics you plan to bring with you, like a camera or a laptop.
• Headphones - These are essential to keeping yourself sane while traveling. You’ll want to be able to tune out the hustle and bustle of traveling as much as possible, so be sure to bring headphones with you.
• USB Flash Drive - Bring a USB flash drive with you, so you can easily transfer files from one computer to another.

Summary

In the perpetual race to check off bucket list items, we often overlook the small details that can make or break our adventures. Sure, planning a trip is exciting. But isn’t it also stressful? Unpacking all those suitcases, organizing your belongings and refilling your carry-on once again can be overwhelming — not to mention time-consuming. We all know that an organized suitcase will save you from spending hours digging through your bag at the airport or checking in at the hotel, and that having a detailed packing list will keep you from forgetting something essential like underwear or your toothbrush. But what about the smaller things? The little things aren’t always so little when it comes to traveling: do you have enough power adapters? Do you have enough luggage locks? Have you double checked the address of your hotel? Are you taking enough chargers and batteries with you on this trip? First, we need to make sure that we are being thorough, which means we need to take a look at what we’re packing