Recently, I have gotten a lot of requests for a post about packing- how to pack and what to pack. As I started to give this some thought, I realized there is so much more to trip preparation than just packing. I mean, the preparation process is enough to induce an anxiety attack; but, with a little advanced preparation, it does not have to be stressful. So, I am going to give you an overview of how I prepare for a trip. This is not just a packing post; it’s a trip preparedness post.
When it comes to packing, though, keep in mind, where you are going and what you are doing when you get there largely dictates what you will pack. There are, however, a few general guidelines that I find helpful, paramount among them is the importance of packing in advance! I like to pack at least one week before my trip. Why? Well, one week gives you enough time to “live” out of your suitcase such that you will be reminded of things that you forgot to pack. I don’t mean that you should literally live out of your suitcase, but generally, as you go through the week leading up to your trip, you may remember that you forgot to pack underwear, your contact solution, your Advil, etc. So, without further adieu, I present to you my tried-and-true packing and trip preparation tips!
As Soon As You Book:Visas and Vaccines
As soon as you book your trip (and I hope this is not a last minute booking because if it is, this won’t apply), check the visa and vaccine requirements for your chosen destination. Make an appointment at a travel clinic to get your vaccines and call the embassy of your destination country to advance purchase your visa. Also, now is the time to check your passport. Make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months from the date of your return. Back in June, I wrote a post about adventure travel preparation. More detailed information on vaccines and visas can be found in that post.
The Month of Your Trip: Travel Documents and Money
Its time to get your travel documents and money in order. I like to bring a folder that has all my trip information with me. In this folder, I put a copy of my flight reservation, my hotel reservation confirmations, my transfer confirmations, the confirmations of all our tours/activities/reservations, and a copy of our itinerary and travel insurance documents, if applicable. I make a duplicate folder to leave at home with my mom, and, in that, I include all relevant phone numbers and email addresses for our travel agent, hotels, guides. etc.
Next I gather my passport, my visa if applicable, my driver’s license, my travel insurance policy if applicable, my health insurance card, and my credit cards. I make several color copies of both the front and the back of each. I leave one set in my home, one in my office, and one with my mom. I also take one copy in my carry-on luggage, I hide one in my checked luggage. In addition to the copies, I also take photos and store them on my phone and email a PDF document of the color copies to myself. Sound like overkill? Wait until you are stranded somewhere, or worse, you get robbed. It won’t be overkill then. You can invest in a travel organizer to house all these documents, and if you do so, make sure to throw in a couple of pens to fill out your customs forms. I bought a large leather envelope bag from Etsy, and I put everything in there.
You’ll also want to call your bank and all your credit cards and alert them of your travels, including dates of departure and return and the countries and cities you are visiting so that they do not freeze your cards while you are traveling and also so that they monitor your accounts for fraud. Now is a good time to inquire about foreign transaction fees too. Finally, you will want to order a few hundred dollars of foreign currency to take with you as well as withdraw enough emergency cash (in U.S. dollars) for the trip. Yes, you can change money while in country, but I find that the change stations in airports have a higher rate than what your bank (or, better yet, a local currency exchange retailer) will charge you. Also, this allows you to monitor the exchange rate and buy on the best date.
The Week Before Your Trip: Hell Week
You have a lot to do this week, so I am going to break this out into steps for you. This will probably be the most stressful time before your trip, but you have to try and remain calm and trust in the value of your advanced preparation. Also, weeks like this will help you appreciate and savor the carefree bliss of your travels.
Step 1: Pack Your Checked Luggage
First, check your airline carrier’s weight and dimension requirements and adhere to them. If you are going to a place where insects/mosquitoes are a concern, make sure to spray both the inside and outside of your luggage as well as your clothing before packing (see the link in my June post mentioned above for more information on this). Also, make sure you have a couple of luggage locks and updated luggage tags. You may also want to consider an electronic luggage tracking device.
Like I said, your itinerary and destination will largely dictate what you need to pack. So, I think it is a good idea to have a copy handy while you are packing. Go through each day and think about what you are doing, the climate, and how long your days are so that you can pack accordingly. I like to literally lay out complete outfits for day and night for each day and then add in a few extra tops. I try to build my travel wardrobe around a few key basic/classic pieces, like a good pair of jeans, my favorite leggings, etc. The basics include lightweight clothing that can be layered. In choosing your clothing, try to pick versatile pieces to mix and match that can be dressed up or down. You don’t know anyone there so you can re-wear outfits (GASP!), and I don’t care what you see on Instagram from fashion bloggers who bring like two entire suitcases for a weekend getaway, you do NOT need that many clothes. Remember, you need to drag all this crap all over the world, so choose wisely.
Keeping everything organized can be a challenge, so packing organizers can be a life saver. You can keep clothing organized in compartments by using packing cubes. These are some staple items that you want to pack:
- Tops (1 to 2 per day and then 2-3 extra; short sleeved and tanks for warm weather and long sleeved or sweaters for cold weather)
- 2 pairs of jeans (preferably one blue and one black)
- 1 pair of leggings
- If it’s a warm weather destination, then a couple pairs of shorts
- 1 versatile, neutral colored jacket and/or a cardigan (I like to bring a jean jacket)
- Active-wear (I love Lululemon. I bring a few pairs of their yoga pants, some sports bras, and a few tanks)
- Swimwear if necessary (1 to 2 pieces is plenty and 1 cover-up)
- 1 to 2 dresses or dressier options (like a skirt, a pair of dress pant, a jumpsuit, or rompers)
- Socks
- Underwear and bras (I usually bring 2 bras, 4 sports bras, and 2 pairs of underwear per day)
- Pajamas/sleepwear (1 set is usually enough)
- 1 pair of sneakers or comfortable walking shoes (or flat boots/booties if necessary)
- 1 pair of comfortable flats or sandals for evenings
- 1 pair of flip flops (for walking around the beach or the hotel room)
- Water shoes, if necessary
- 1 versatile belt (I like a gold skinny belt)
- 1 pair of sunglasses
- 1 lightweight, neutral colored rain jacket or a poncho
- 1 neutral colored cross-body day bag (again, I like a metallic, like gold or pewter)
- 1 small evening wristlet or clutch
- If it’s cold, then:
- 1 puffer vest
- 2 neural colored scarves
- 1 pair of gloves
- 1 neutral colored hat or ear warmers
- 1 set of thermals
- a heavier coat (that you should carry on the plane with you)
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Forget the jewelry. It takes up space, you have to keep track of it, and you don’t need it. Leave your wedding bands and watches in a home safe and your costume jewelry at home unless you are traveling for an event, like a wedding. I also like to pack a plastic laundry bag to house my dirty clothes. Also, I am assuming that you will get your hair blown out and a gel manicure before you leave. Most hotels now have a pretty decent blow dryer so just bring a light flat iron, or, better yet, find a nearby salon to get your hair blown out in-country and don’t bring anything (this is very cheap in Asia and South America)! I recently got a lightweight travel steamer, so I will be bringing that when I travel next year for my sister’s wedding in Greece.
Step 2: Pack Your Carry-On Bag
The next thing you’ll want to do is prepare your carry-on bag. Again, check your airline carrier for required dimensions and weights. Some airlines are very strict about this. I like a roller-board over a duffel bag. The first thing you need to do is make sure you have one or two complete outfits, sleepwear, and underwear in your carry-on in case your luggage is lost or delayed (or you miss a flight/connection). I also like to carry my essential toiletries in my carry-on. Remember, you’ll be carrying this bad boy with you, so keep it light. Here are some things to include:
Technology
- Mobile device/iPad/e-reader, charger, and converter/adapter
- Cigarette lighter charger for the car
- Mobile/wireless charging device
- Mobile Wi-Fi device or personal hotspot and charger
- Headphones
- If you still travel with a camera and/or a video camera/GoPro, you will need the charger and memory card (same goes for your laptop)
Health Items
- Hand sanitizer or wet wipes
- Baby wipes (which can also double as toilet paper when you visit countries where that is a luxury in public restrooms, aka, almost everywhere outside of the U.S.)
- Prescriptions (in case something happens to your checked luggage)
- Glasses and case
- Advil or a pain reliever
- Birth control
- Antacids
- Band-aids
- Anti-diarrhea medications
- Tissues
- Lip Balm
- Gum
- Snacks (I like protein bars, nuts, and dark chocolate)
I usually also pack a pair of plane socks and my flip flops. Your selfie stick can go in here or your checked luggage, and I sometimes bring a small, lightweight, hand-held fan with batteries. Did she just say a fan?!? Yes, she did. Go to Asia for three weeks (or the Greek Islands in the summer) and then tell me what the one thing you wished had with you was. I bet it’s a fan. And a cool towel (which I also brought). By the way, if you are traveling to a place where you will be visiting temples or mosques, then remember to always have a pair of socks on you and something to cover your shoulders. You can’t wear shoes inside these places.
Remember, you also get a personal item (like a purse or a backpack), so use that space as well. In here, I pack my travel wallet, my phone, extra cash, my travel document organizer/folder, a pen, a light scarf that can also be used as a blanket, and some extra luggage locks and keys in case mine break along the way. I don’t use a travel pillow anymore because all airlines give you pillows on board, but if you do, stick it in your carry on, and don’t forget your earplugs, eye-patch, book and/or magazines.
Step 3: Pack Your Toiletry Bag
I like to pack this a week in advance and actually live out of it for a week to make sure I packed everything I need. I will usually pack two toiletries bags: one that I carry on with essentials and one that I check in my luggage. If you’re carrying on, keep your toiletry bag light and TSA-compliant. The TSA’s 3-1-1 rule makes it easy to remember: liquids, gels, aerosols, creams, and pastes must be 3.4 ounces (100ml) or less per container and they must be in a 1 quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag. Here is what I pack:
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Hair brush
- Hair ties, clips, and bobby pins
- Deodorant
- Shampoo and conditioner (sometimes I skip this since all hotels have these)
- Dry shampoo
- Small bar soap or body wash
- Razor and shaving cream
- Sunscreen
- Face Wash (and my travel Clarisonic)
- Moisturizer
- Hairspray
- Feminine hygiene products
- Extra contacts, solution, and case
- Personal prescriptions
- Pain and fever relievers
- Cold medicines and throat lozenges
- Diarrhea/laxative medicines
- Allergy medicines
- Band-aids/blister covers
- Hydrocortisone cream/antibacterial ointment
- Sunburn relief
- Insect repellent/mosquito net/sting reliever
- Motion sickness pills or bands
- Eye drops
- Medicines and vaccinations specific to the region/activity, including precautionary antibioitcs and oral yeast infection treatment if that is a side-effect to your antibiotic
- Make up
- concealer
- pressed powder compact
- blush with brush
- eyebrow brush
- mascara
- lip gloss
- lip balm
- travel sized perfume
- tweezers and nail clippers
Step 4: Prepare Your Home
Now is the time to make preparations for your home, your pets, and your workload.
- Have the post office hold mail or arrange for a friend or family member to come pick it up
- Stop newspaper and meal delivery services
- Cancel your pool service, pest control service, and cleaning service companies
- Check upcoming work deadlines and coordinate for coverage with a co-worker
- Set up an email auto reply and leave the information of your coverage co-worker
- Arrange care of pets, lawn, and plants
- If you are having someone stay at your house or come by periodically while you are gone, make sure to leave specific feeding instructions for pets, including instructions to administer medication and emergency vet numbers
- If you are boarding, make sure to make a reservation and pack food, medication, a bed, toys, and emergency contact information (yours, a local contact, and your vet)
- Leave watering instructions for your plants and/or care instructions for your house
- Pre-pay bills online
- Prearrange school absences for children
- Empty your refrigerator of perishables, but leave some non-perishable items for your return
- Unplug appliances
- Turn up your air conditioner
- Set up light and sprinkler timers
- Take out your trash
- Lock all doors and windows and set your alarm
- Leave a set of keys to your car and home with a trusted friend or family member
- Store valuables in a safe place
- Leave your trip itinerary with a trusted friend or family member, including flight and hotel itineraries and contact numbers
- Reconfirm/check-in online with airline and print boaridng passes or send them to your mobile device
- If you will be gone for a long time, consider putting up your hurricane shutters (just in case)
Phew! You are done! It’s time to sit back, relax, and enjoy that vacation, because you earned it! Also, you can now enjoy your time away knowing that you’ve taken care of every last detail! I hope you found this post helpful. If so, drop me a comment or an email and let me know. If I have forgotten anything or you have some other great tips, I’d love to hear them.
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