Checklist to Tick Off Before Your Travels

As the world eases back to the “new normal” and the economy is slowly recovering, people are resuming their lives, including their long-overdue travel plans. Vacations from last year that were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic are now being rebooked. Hotels and other tourist destinations are now accepting guests. People are ready to travel again.

But before you pack your bags, check out our travel checklist first to make sure you don’t miss anything and make the most out of your trip. This guide ensures that you get everything you need and you enjoy your travel without worries.

Step 1. Choose the right bag.

Before you even begin thinking about what to pack, you need to find a travel bag first that is versatile as well as functional. It needs to fit all your stuff and easy to carry. When choosing a bag, consider the length of your trip and where you’re going.

Here are some choices you might want to check out:

• Rolling Luggage
• 4-Wheels
• Duffel Bag
• Wheeled Backpack
• Travel Backpack
• Carry-On

Step 2. Organize your clothing and other travel essentials.

This largely depends on what activities you have planned for your itinerary and where you are going. Are you going swimming on the beach or mountain biking? Are you visiting famous restaurants and tourist spots? Prepare everything you’re going to need, starting with the basics below:

• Lightweight clothes that can be layered
• Long-sleeved shirts for sun protection
• Sweaters or fleece jacket for the cold weather
• T-shirts and tank tops for everyday activities
• Pants and shorts for comfy movement
• Comfortable shoes and socks, especially when you’re hiking or camping
• Rain jacket, windbreaker, or umbrella
• Sleepwear
• Underwear
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen lotion
• Hat or sun visor
• Scarf or bandana
• Swimwear
• Phone, charger, and waterproof case
• Portable speakers
• Travel pillow, eye mask, and headset or earplugs
• Electric converters and adapters
• Travel apps
• Digital camera
• Cash

Smart packing doesn’t mean carrying everything you can fit into your luggage. Include a variety of clothing options that you can use for different activities.

Step 3. Don’t forget your toiletry bag.

If you’re planning to pack a carry-on bag, make sure your toiletry bag is light and compliant with travel and aircraft rules. Liquids, gels, aerosols, creams, and pastes should be 100ml or less per container. Store them in quart-sized, clear plastic bags or zip-top bags.

Here are the items you can pack in your carry-on bag:

• Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, mouthwash
• Hairbrush and hair ties
• Deodorant
• Shampoo and conditioner
• Makeup
• Facial wash
• Lip balm or lip gloss
• Personal hygiene items
• Glasses and prescription sunglasses
• Prescription medication with the label/script
• Cologne/perfume
• Detergent
• Shaving kit
• Facial tissues
• Bamboo toilet paper
• Towel
• Nail clippers and tweezers

Step 4. Prepare the necessary health documents.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, tourist destinations and countries have imposed travel restrictions that you need to comply with. For instance, most destinations require a negative swab test for the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19. Your certificate should be recent and valid for a specific period of time before you are allowed entry to your destination.

Most airlines also require tourists to be vaccinated first before traveling. This protects not only the traveler in question but other people who will be flying the same aircraft. Some vaccinations for other diseases also require administration two months prior to the date of travel. Check the CDC’s website for important information on travel vaccines and local travel advice.

Aside from the required health certificates, you should also prepare a handy travel health kit for emergency purposes. Use a small, water-resistant packing bag as the container for your kit then keep emergency kits inside, including:

• First aid kits, such as bandages, gauze, adhesives, and ointment
• Personal prescriptions
• Pain and fever relievers
• Thermometer
• Cold medicines and lozenges
• Diarrhea/laxative medicines
• Oral rehydration salts
• Allergy medications
• Antibacterial ointment
• Multivitamins
• Sunburn relief
• Insect repellent
• Motion sickness medicine
• 70% alcohol-based hand sanitiser
• Prescriptions in original packaging
• Sleeping medicines
• Glasses

Step 5. Prepare your carry-on bag.

The next thing you need to prepare is your personal item carry-on bag with everything that you need or want with you on the flight. Make sure you have one or two sets of clothes and your essential toiletries in your personal carry-on bag. In case your luggage gets lost or stolen, you still have something to survive on.

If you’ll be going to multiple destinations, this small bag should have items to keep you comfortable on any of your trip. It’s always good to have your essentials easy to access so you don’t have to get into your luggage every time you need something. You can use a small daypack, shoulder bag, or waist pack as your carry-on bag.

Here are the things you should include in your carry-on list:

• Laptop, iPad, and other mobile devices, complete with their chargers
• Headphones
• Camera and extra memory card
• Portable Wi-Fi and charger
• Electrical converters and adapters
• Travel pillow, blanket, and eye mask
• Travel journal and pen
• Books and magazines
• Deck of cards and travel games
• Water bottle
• Travel guides, maps

Step 6. Keep your travel and important documents ready.

The next step is to keep all of your important documents in a travel document organizer so they are always ready. This should hold your passport, IDs, credit cards, cash, health certificates, boarding pass, tickets, and a pen. By keeping all your important documents together, you will have everything you need to get from one place to the next.

Here are the important travel documents you need to prepare or print out:

• Passport and travel visa(s)
• Personal IDs
• Frequent flyer card and other loyalty program cards
• Cash and credit cards. Make sure to call your bank and credit card companies before you leave to inform them of your travel, otherwise your cards might be blocked.
• Health insurance cards and documents
• Travel insurance information
• Printed reservations and itineraries
• Hotel and tour contact information
• Transportation tickets
• Emergency contact numbers
• Guide books and maps

Before you leave for your trip, double-check your passports and IDs to make sure they aren’t expire and that they will not be expiring soon while you are traveling internationally.

Summary

Wherever you are going, make sure you make enough preparations and think through your list of activities so you’re able to bring everything you need. Pack light using this checklist so you can enjoy your travel from start to finish.