Whether you’re an expert traveler or this is your first time leaving the mainland, there’s a good chance you’re going to forget something important. Or, you may not even think you’ll need it. Well, hold tight because while this may seem like “just another travel packing list” – it’s not. We’re here to be your Expert Packing Assistant. You just have to keep reading.
We’re going to list these friendly reminders ‘countdown style’ because chances are, you’re counting down to your vacation. Here we go:
10. Pets/Mail/Plants.
No, we’re not telling you to bring them. But more so we’re asking, “Who’s taking care of these while you’re away?” If it’s a friend-of-a-friend’s neighbor’s kid, pay them in cash. If it’s your bestie, tell them you’ll bring them something nice from your travels. Everyone wins.
9. Bring your own headphones (BYOH).
Yes, your own ear-wax free headphones. (If you think about that for a minute, you’ll never forget them again. Some airlines ‘sanitize’ the rentable headphones, others let you keep the foam covered cheapies.) Our pick for under $100 (on a long flight, quality can come in handy without breaking the bank) are these easy-to-pack Shure headphones.
8. Small waste basket liner bags.
Yep, you read that correctly – use them for your dirty clothes!
7. Hydration items.
Think reusable water bottle + some Vitamin C packs to mix in-flight AND when you land. Flying seems to naturally dehydrate most people, so chug that H2O. Tip: Don’t forget about your skin. Bring a carry-on friendly moisturizer for your eyes and face!
6. All the electronic pieces you’re likely to forget.
Phone chargers, camera and memory cards. Yes, we said “camera and memory cards” – ditch the phone camera and actually take quality photos on your next trip!
5. The eco-friendly reusable mug.
That little tiny cup of (sometimes free) in-flight coffee is never enough, let’s be real. Bring your empty mug and have the flight attendant keep the endless coffee flowing.
4. Snacks.
Trader Joe’s exists for a reason, so don’t overspend at the airport. There are also many airports with healthy food options that won’t break your beach body.
3. Entertainment.
When’s the last time you held a book, became completely engrossed and couldn’t put it down? Well, combined with your headphones above and your endless mug of coffee, you can probably knock out a New York Times best seller and have expanded your vocabulary and imagination by the time you land. Read away!
Also, don’t forget to download your favorite movie or TV shows before you board.(Note:Just beware that some trans-oceanic flights may not offer WiFi for personal use, so check with your carrier ahead of time.) You may need your own screen. Examples: iPad, iPad Mini. Know ahead of time if your flight is fancy enough to have screens on the seat back in front of you. If not, don’t waste a carry-on with your company laptop.
2. Your in-flight travel attire.
Lay them out the night before for those early morning flights. With athliesure styles being all the rage for ladies this year, women can get away with leggings, tunics, maybe a scarf and booties. It’s not all about the ladies though. Men, don’t fret, there are plenty of comfy pants and loose fitting shirts for you too. If you pair them with some loafers or casual tennis shoes, you’ll be flying high in comfort and style. Tip: Compression socks for long haul flights. You won’t have swollen feet when you arrive.
1. Cash/credit cards/ID’s.
Pretty self-explanatory, but you’d be surprised how many people forget their driver’s license or passport upon arriving at the terminal. There are other forms of ID that may get you through, but if you remember anything, be cognizant enough the day you leave to not lose or forget these items. Tip: Get a few hundred dollars’ worth of local currency ahead of time if you’re going international.
Another tip: Switch out your wallet and/or purse to something more efficient. This way, you won’t accidentally head to the airport with your pepper spray still on your key ring.
There are so many ways to find cheap flights and travel comfortably, so don’t fret! We hope this list helps you with packing and that above all, you have a fantastic trip. Now, go make some friends in the airport lounge. Sit back, relax and happy traveling!
