Packing for a trip may be a chore for some people and for others it may be a fun and engaging ride. The difference all depends on the approach. It doesn’t matter if you are a regular traveller or if you are about to go on your very first trip, putting things together for a fun travel experience will become easier once you go through a comprehensive travel checklist that gives you a rundown of items you may need to pack.
You also need to work out a favourable balance between what you need to pack and what you can simply buy on the road. Keeping this in mind will ensure that you do not over pack and end up not using most of the items after they have constituted an extra load for you. Let us therefore take a look at the top 10 items that you need to pack for your trip.
The Essentials
Be sure to obtain these well in advance, because they can be your life support during your trip.
Your documents, credit cards, and cash
It is often advisable to make scans and/or photocopies of your documents and distribute the copies through several of your bags, to be sure to have backup in the event that you lose a bag.
- Cash and credit cards: inform your credit card company of your trip to avoid getting your card blocked due to suspected fraud
- Passport
- Tickets
- International driver’s licence
- Travel and health insurance
- Student ID (if you are a student you might benefit from certain discounts during your trip)
Your toiletry bag
The basics you need here include:
- Toothpaste, toothbrush, floss, mouthwash
- Soap
- Deodorant
- Comb/hair brush, hair products, hair pins/ties
- Pomade/night time lotion
- Feminine hygiene products
- Contraceptives (pills/condoms)
- Razor
- Makeup/makeup remover
- Travel towel
- Insect repellent
- Sun cream
Medical kit
It is advisable to put together a complete medical kit that should also contain your prescription medications if you happen to have any. Your kit should contain:
- Your inhaler (if you are asthmatic)
- Antacids
- Paracetamol/ibuprofen
- Needles
- Prescription medication
- Plasters
- Bandages
- Imodium (anti-diarrhoea)
- Antiseptic cream
- Antihistamines/cold medicines
- Eye drops
- Multivitamins
- Oral rehydration sachets
- Antiseptic hand-wash
- Spirits
Clothes
- Underwear 7 pieces
- Socks 3 pairs
- Bra 3 pairs
- Shorts 2 pairs
- Trousers/skirts 2 pairs
- T-shirts 5 pairs
- Shoes/trainers/sandals/flip-flops
- Pyjamas
- Swimsuit
- Belt
Gizmos and Gadgets
Your camera and electronic devices are some of the most important items not to forget when packing. Don’t have great travel cameras? There are lots of brands that can come to your rescue, including the camera section on Amazon. If you’d be going on a road trip, the range of car and back up cameras on offer by brands like Tadibrothers will do a great job for you.
- Camera
- Mobile phone, laptop
- Chargers/ plug adapter
- USB stick
- Torchlight
- Headphones/earpiece
Travel comfort, information, and entertainment
- Guide book, maps, travel guides, language guide
- Books and magazines
- Ear plugs, eye mask, blanket, travel pillow
- Travel games, mobile games
- Water bottle
- Writing materials
Travel security
- Luggage lock
- Headlamp/mini flashlight
- Hidden pockets/money belt, leg wallet, undercover bra/sock stash for extra cash and credit cards
Backpack with padded straps
Your backpack serves as a carry-on to keep items that you need to be within reach. It spreads the weight of your luggage and keeps you hands-free.
Emergency contact info card
It is important to write down all of your emergency contact info on a card and put it in your wallet or backpack pocket. This is so that you can have them handy if your phone happens to run out of power or if you lose it. In case of emergency and you need help, people can contact someone on your emergency list.
Snack
You can’t go wrong putting together one or two snack items to keep you going whilst on your trip.
- Water
- Yoghurt
- Snack bar
- Nuts
