Travel Checklist: Essential Things To Pack For Travelling

Be it a short weekend hiking trip or the long-awaited month-long vacation, what you carry plays an important role in the overall experience of the trip. One of the most important things before a trip is the travel checklist. Another important thing to keep in mind is the fact that the essential things to pack for travelling will differ from destination to destination. If you are travelling to the beach during summer, you wouldn’t require a thick coat, right?

Why Checklist is Important?

Packing is one of the most challenging things and many have claimed it to be an art. One has to be mindful of the things one needs to pack and also take care of the aeroplane luggage guidelines. These are some of the few reasons why a travel checklist is important. Here are some more –

1. Helps in organising

Having a trip checklist enables one to get more organised. There are generally so many things that require packing apart from clothes that it’s easy to get clumsy and confused. A list helps in such a scenario.

2. Accelerates the speed

Instead of freezing in between packing to remember what you are missing out on, it is better to have a packing list. It helps in cutting down on the time required to pack your case.

3. Makes it easier

Do you have to run throughout the house during packing for a trip? Or did you ever have to take an u-turn and return home for your passport after leaving for the airport? Then it would help if you started making packing checklists. Save yourself from so much trouble and anxiety.

General Travel Checklist

A general trip checklist contains all the things that are common for all sorts of travel. Here are a few things you should add to the list.

Clothes – The best way to calculate how many attires you will need for the trip is to count the number of times you will need to change. Make sure you have two extra pairs in case of incidents such as wine spilling or ice cream dripping.
Delicates – Ideally you must have enough underwear to last you the whole trip. However, if you can get assurance from your hotel about a washer and dryer facility, you can take the risk.
Documents – Probably the most important thing in the vacation checklist, important documents should be packed with attention. For this, you must thoroughly research the required and accepted documents in the place you are travelling to. In the case of international travel, you might also want to keep digital copies of your documents on your device as well.
Medicines – If you have a condition, or illness or require daily medication, it is important to add them to your travel packing list. Make sure to pack extra in case you have to extend the trip. It is also advisable to ensure your travel agent, travel partners or the hotel management of your medical requirements beforehand.
Shoes and socks – It is important to carry a pair of terrain and weather-appropriate shoes. Additionally, a spare pair can also help in an emergency situation. Additionally, you can stuff the shoes with socks and save space as well.

Checklist for Different Types of Travel

While a packing checklist is essential, it is important to understand that one form of the checklist cannot be appropriate for all forms of travel. You cannot use the same trip checklist that you used for an educational international trip two years ago, for a romantic getaway at the beach. The vast difference in requirements and context between the two destinations makes it impossible to repeat checklists. This is the reason, we have categorised types of travel and provided a separate checklist for each one. Read on.

1. Checklist for Business Travel

Travelling for business can be very hectic. And packing for a business trip is all the more challenging. A major reason behind this is the fact that a person who travels for business is already preoccupied with the task at hand. It’s not like travelling for a vacation. Some might even have to work through transit. The hack to ace making a travel packing checklist for business travellers is to adopt the mantra of minimalist packing. Here are a few things that you must include.

Travel Documents – The most important things include your passport and other Government-authorized identity cards. Additionally, don’t forget to pack your employee ID card or your business cards. A lot can happen over airport coffee where you have the opportunity to meet people from all over the world.
Vital Business Documents – Cross-check all the business-related documents before leaving for the airport. Apart from having a digital copy, make sure to carry multiple printouts.
Device – The laptop or tablet that you work on contains all the important information. Make sure to fully charge the devices and also carry all the associated equipment for them.
Breath Mints – This is an essential item when it comes to business meetings. Looking sharp is not the only thing, you must also be well-groomed with fresh breath to make the best first impression.
Another important thing to keep in mind while travelling for business is to pack a pair of formal sets and one extra in case there is a mishap. The same applies to shoes, belts, and wallets.

2. Checklist for Solo Travel

Solo travel is exciting and adventurous. A person must take at least one solo trip in their lifetime. It gives one a perspective on life and gives them the much-needed alone time to rediscover themselves. If you are someone who likes to travel alone, you must also know the struggles of packing as a solo traveller. Unlike others, people who travel alone don’t have the safety net of relying on their partners or group members if they miss out on something. On the other hand, they can’t even get someone to share the burden of the luggage with anyone. That is why there are a lot of things to check before travelling solo.

Documents – They are extremely important for anyone who is taking a tour alone in a far-off land.
Money – While it is not advisable to carry a lot of cash while travelling, it is important to make sure you have enough in case of emergencies. Additionally, also pack a safety device in your backpack that can double as an SOS device.
Medical Kit – It is important to have a kit with the basic medications and

3. Checklist for Honeymoon Couple Tour

For a honeymoon couple tour packing list, apart from the regular important items, you must carry a “just married kit”. This can include scented candles, massage oils, your favourite lingerie, small thoughtful gifts for your spouse, and anything that helps you to spice things up. It is also important to take travel insurance before taking a honeymoon tour to make sure that nothing goes wrong on the first trip with the love of your life.

4. Checklist for Family Tour

While a family trip can be extremely fun and rewarding, we understand how difficult it can get with toddlers and the old. Here are a few things that need to be on your family tour checklist –

Medicines – Be it children or your old parents, this is a crucial item you should not miss.
Favourite toys – Imagine being on a family road trip and your child asking for their favourite stuffed rabbit before bed. Always make space for their favourite toy to have a peaceful trip.
Hand Sanitiser – Even if COVID-19 is almost over, there lies the threat of various diseases. It is therefore very important to take precautions and maintain hygiene.

5. Checklist for Group Tour

While travelling in a group, the most important item on your checklist should be the contact details of all the members of the group.

6. Checklist for International Travel

International travel requires attention to detail. Here are a few things you must add to your travel checklist right now –

Digital copies of your documents including your passport and visa.
Digital and written copies of all important contacts.
Cash.
A safety lock for your passport.
Devices, chargers and adapters.
Medicines.
Power banks.

7. Checklist for Road Trip

If you are planning to take a long ride by the road, here are a few things you must add to the packing list –

Equipment to change a tyre and a step.
Blankets and pillows(in case you can’t find a hotel for the night).
A first aid kit with all necessary and regular medications.
Healthy and dry snacks.
Sanitiser and disinfectant spray.
A mini cooler to keep your supplies fresh.
All important documents.

8. Checklist for Girls Group Tour

A girl’s tour can be the ultimate fun. Whether you are meeting your girl gang after a decade or celebrating a bachelorette party when the girls get together it’s fun. However, it is important to include the following in your travel checklist –

Updated documents with multiple copies.
A first aid kit.
List of local police stations with their contacts.
A self-defence kit.
A polaroid camera captures all the fun moments.

9. Mountain Vacation Packing Checklist

A trip to the mountains is the best thing during the summer. If you are planning a mountain vacation, follow this travel packing list.

Gear – Mountains have rough terrain. And if you want to go for a trek or go hiking, you will need the appropriate apparatus. A quick trip to the sports store before the journey will be enough.
Warm Clothes – Check the temperature and weather conditions beforehand and pack accordingly. The best thing is to layer when it gets cold up there.
Mosquito and Insect repellent – Comes in handy while camping.
Dry food, superfoods, healthy snacks and a water bottle.
Raincover because mountain rains can get nasty.
Extra pair of shoes, socks, undergarments and jackets.

10. Beach Vacation Packing Checklist

A beach vacation suits you best when you want to lay back and do nothing for some time. Here are a few essential items that you must include in your beach travel checklist.

Sunscreen – Although sunscreen is recommended at all times when you visit a beach, it becomes a necessity. It must have an SPF of more than 50. Remember to apply it a minimum of 15 minutes before direct Sun exposure.
Sunglasses, a hat and Sandals– Needless to say, these are essential for a comfortable time by the beach.
A well-fitted bathing suit if you decide to swim with the sharks.
A bottle of water and some pouches of Oral Rehydration Solution.
Your favourite book for leisure reading.

Conclusion

Planning and executing a tour is an elaborate process. Having a travel checklist helps in various ways. Apart from organising the process, it speeds it up as well. If you have a list of items to pack before the tour, it becomes easier and the chances to commit a mistake reduces. While you can always hire help to help you book tickets and arrange the itinerary, packing your bags is your responsibility.