There are two types of travelers in this world – those who plan ahead and those who like to wait until the last minute. If you are a self-proclaimed procrastinator when it comes to getting everything ready for your trip, you may find that you tend to forget things that you need to bring along with you. This can cause you to have a lot of stress, which is the last thing you want before leaving for your trip.
To ensure that you have everything and to help you get more organized, we’ve put together a checklist of items to save the day. This guide is perfect for anyone who tends to procrastinate when it comes to packing, and may even help you remember those last few items that you were forgetting.
Travel Documents Checklist
Passport
The first thing that you need to do is ensure that you have all of your documents in order, especially if you plan on traveling internationally. A good place to start is with your passport. If you have a passport, check the expiration date and make sure that it will still be valid 6 months beyond the date of your trip. If you find that you’ll need to renew your passport or need a new passport and your trip is just around the corner, we suggest working with a company like Swift. Our team of travel experts will work with you and do everything that we can to get your passport to you in time for your trip.
Travel Visa (if Required)
Another thing you may need to get (depending on your destination country and purpose of travel) is a visa. There are a significant number of international travel destinations that require you to obtain a visa or e-Visa. For example, if you plan on traveling for business, work, or to study abroad, there’s a good chance that you’ll need to get a visa. It’s very important to do your research so that you know whether or not you’ll need a visa, as you may not be able to enter some countries without one.
Driver’s License
When traveling domestically or internationally, it’s a good idea to bring along your driver’s license with you. Your driver’s license can come in handy in case you happen to lose your passport. If you lose your passport, you can use your driver’s license to help you obtain a new one at the U.S. Embassy. Additionally, no matter where you’re traveling, you can use your driver’s license to prove your identity.
Carry-On Bag Checklist
Electronics
With everything that you need to pack, it can be very easy to forget to bring along your electronic devices. But trust us, you don’t want to forget your electronics as they can be a great source of entertainment, especially while on a long plane ride. Some electronics that you may want to pack include your phone, laptop, tablet, eReader, headphones, or portable gaming devices. Further, don’t forget to bring your chargers!
Snacks
Odds are that you’re going to get hungry while on your flight, and you’re going to want to bring along snacks with you. Yes, some airlines do hand out snacks and provide meals, but you may not like the options they give you. A new and popular trend that we suggest trying is making your own “snackle box”. All you have to do is get a plastic box that has different compartments and fill them up with your favorite TSA-approved snacks. Additionally, if you want to bring water with you, we suggest getting a reusable water bottle and filling it up before getting onto the plane.
Toiletries Checklist
Medications
Something that is difficult to get while traveling (especially while traveling internationally) is medication. A lot of the time, you may not be able to get your medications while away from home, which can end up being a health concern. So it’s very important that you pack any medications with you, and also ensure that you have your prescription in case you need it.
Cosmetics
When it comes to cosmetics, many people are very specific on what they like to use. And if you’re traveling out of the country, you could have a hard time trying to find the exact cosmetics that you need. To avoid running into any problems, make a list of all the cosmetic items you want to bring (do this ahead of time) so that you can purchase anything that you don’t already have.
Create Space with These Helpful Packing Tips
Don’t Fold, Roll
Did you know that when you roll your clothes instead of folding them, you can save considerable space in your bag? Rolling your clothes up and placing them into your suitcase ensures that you can fit as much as possible into your luggage, and helps you make the most of your space. You’ll be amazed at how much you can fit into your suitcase when choosing to pack this way!
Use Compression Bags
Compression bags are becoming increasingly popular because they do a great job of creating space within your suitcase. All you have to do is place your clothing inside the bag, roll it up, and remove all of the air inside. When you do this, you are able to fit multiple compression bags into your luggage, and pack more clothing than you would normally be able to.
Wear Your Bulkiest Clothing on the Plane
When your end destination is someplace cold, there is a tendency to pack bulky items like coats, sweaters, and hoodies. Unfortunately, this type of clothing can take up a lot of space inside your luggage. Instead of packing bulky clothing that takes up space in your luggage, why not wear some of the heavier items on the plane to save some space? After all, the plane can get cold. They used to give out blankets for a reason!
Make a Packing List
Last but not least, you should always make a packing list before leaving on your trip. Sit down and write out what you need to bring along with you. Then, one week before you leave, go through that list and make sure that you have everything. Doing this at least a week before your trip is very important because it gives you enough time to get anything that you are missing from your list.
Do you tend to procrastinate when it comes to packing for your trip? Let us know in the comments!
