Travel Checklist: Must Have Items for Your Travels!

Kyra J
Jun 27, 2018
3 min read

Updated: Jul 18, 2018

Hey there! Are you going on a trip and are trying to pack, but have NO idea where to start? Well, I have composed a list of must have items when traveling. I have traveled a lot, and I'm going to tell you the things that I did (or wish I did take) on these trips! :)

Guess what?! I have a FREE packing list in PDF form! Go down to the bottom of the post to get it now!

Flying on a Plane

Figuring out what to take on a plane with you can be difficult. When I went on my first plane trip (to New Jersey) I did LOTS of research on what I needed to take with me so I wouldn't go without something I needed. Here's a list (divided into sections) of things I would recommend packing on your carry on and checked luggage.

Carry On Bag(s)

Entertainment:

Earbuds

Chargers for all of your electronics

Phone

Laptop

Tablet

Books/Magazines (you can't forget these!! ;))

Necessities:

Sunglasses

Extra Cash (in case there's a problem with your credit/debit cards..)

Chewing Gum (to relieve the popping in your ears)

Wallet, Passport, and Flight tickets

Any Valuables or Fragile Items you might have

A change of clothes (in case your luggage gets lost or you want to freshen up)

Toothbrush/Toothpaste (in case you have a bit of bad breath or want to make a good impression when you reach your destination and don't want to have to rummage through your suitcase in public :) )

A non-liquid and wrapped snack (so you don't have to buy expensive airport food)

A Jacket/Sweatshirt

Tip: Drape your jacket/sweatshirt over your arm or tie it around your waist to not use up room in your carry on bag. :)

Checked Luggage

First off, I suggest NOT carrying a huge suitcase with you. If you have lots of walking to do, this can just get in the way (and can get quite heavy after a while.) So, if you do have Checked Luggage, opt for a smaller suitcase and pack smartly.

Clothes:

Only pack the necessary clothes (If your trip is longer than a week, I'd still suggest taking about a week's worth of clothes, and you can wash them however many times you need to. It's worth it not having to haul a heavy suitcase everywhere. I'd suggest packing about eight shirts, and a pair of jeans/capris depending on where you're going and a pair of shorts if you're going somewhere where you can wear shorts (Obviously you wouldn't wear shorts on a skiing trip. ;)), and one formal outfit if you do plan on going to a nice restaurant, ballet, show, etc..

Nine pairs of undergarments

Socks

Shoes: Formal shoes (if needed), flip-flops/sandals (again, depending on where you're going and the weather there..), sneakers/tennis shoes, boots

Swimsuit

Jacket/coat (depending on your travel destination)

Toiletries:

Toothbrush/toothpaste (if you didn't carry them in your carry on.)

Bar of soap (just in case! :) )

Shampoo/Conditioner/Body wash

Any feminine items

Sunscreen

Deodorant

Any medications

Brush

Rubber bands

Makeup

Cleanser/Moisturizer

Tip: I'd advise always packing your liquid products (shampoo, toothpaste/toothbrush, sunscreen, etc.) in ziploc bags so on the event that they did somehow come open, you wouldn't have all that stuff all over your clothes!