Packing your bags for that exotic trip is not an easy task. Especially, when you have to remember all the essentials and things-not-to-carry. Apart from these, there are financial things and chores to remember before you leave your home.
So to make your life simpler, here’s a list of some things one should remember to carry. Remember that this is a comprehensive list and not everything may be required for your trip. Pack light, travel light:
Essentials |
Finances |
- Passport (check validity)
Most countries require you have minimum 6 months of validity at the date of departure.
- Visa (if applicable)
Double check on the start and end dates of the visa. Some countries issue visa with a start date as the issue date.
- Tickets and itinerary (airline, train, bus etc.)
Keep print-outs handy. Some countries require print-outs to be able to enter the airport during departure.
- Travel Insurance
- Any other important documents
Immigration documents, vaccination certificates, letters of employment, etc.
- Backpack / suitcase / sports bag
- Notebook
Take notes wherever you go.
- Addresses and list of important contacts or numbers
Friends, relatives, ICE, embassies, etc.
- Pencils, Pens
To fill landing forms and notes.
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Clothes |
Clothes Accessories |
- Boots, shoes, sneakers, flip-flops
- Undergarments
- Dress shirts, long-sleeved shirts
- Dresses, skirts
- Jacket / light jacket
- Jeans, shorts, pants or trousers
- Jumper, sweater or fleece
- Long or thermal underwear (in case of winter)
- Pyjamas/Sleepwear
- Sarong (in case of beaches)
- Socks
- Swimming gear
- T-shirts, singlets
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- Cap / Hat
- Belt
- Cotton handkerchief or tissues
- Jewelry
- Raincoat / umberalla
- Safety pins
- Scarf
- Sewing kit
- Ski glasses (in case of winter destinations)
- Sunglasses
- Ties (if traveling on business)
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Toiletries |
First-Aid Kits |
- Anti-bacterial cream
- Comb or brush
- Condoms and/or contraceptive pills
- Contact lens or glasses
- Cotton buds
- Dental floss
- Deodorant
- Earplugs
- Fingernail clippers
- Hair products (gel, spray etc.)
- Lip balm
- Mirror
- Moisturizer (face and body)
- Razors, Shaving cream
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Sleeping pills
- Soap
- Sunscreen and after sun cream
- Talcum/baby powder
- Tampons and pads
- Toothbrush, toothpaste
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- Band aids
- Compression bandages
- Diarrhea tablets
- Insect and/or mosquito repellent
- Iodine/hydrogen peroxide
- Medicines/prescription Drugs
- Motion sickness tablets
- Paracetamol, Tylenol etc.
- Replacement/re-hydration salts sachets
- Small scissors
- Tweezers
- Vitamin pills
- Water purifying tablets
- Yellow Fever certificate or International Certificate of Vaccination (if necessary)
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Rules for carry-on liquids
What kind of every-day use liquids can or cannot be carried inside the airplane. List of policies on carry-on liquids from TSA’s policy page.
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Other Items |
- Backpack rain cover *
Depending on your destination, a good cover on backpack is essential for rainy days.
- Batteries *
Usually AA or AAA sized ones, but this applies to all the batteries you may need for the equipment you’re carrying.
- Books *
Travel guides or your favorite ones.
- Bottled water *
Although not essential, you may want to carry an empty bottle which can be filled from airport fountains after security check-in.
- Camera,
film, batteries, Memory Cards *
- Chewing gum or mints *
Keep these in your cabin bag and start chewing on it as soon as the flight descends, prevents popping ears.
- Combo or key locks *
- Duct tape
- Eating utensils
- Electrical adapter and plug converter *
- Fishing line
- Flashlight or torch *
- Frisbee, hackey sack, ball, pack of cards or other recreational items
- Gifts are always appreciated while travelling
- Guidebooks *
How about using Evernote for saving your guides online and accessing it while you’re traveling? This helps packing lighter.
- Inflatable travel pillow *
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- International driving license *
If you plan on driving in a foreign country, then IDP is a must.
- International Student Identification Card – For discounts worldwide *
- iPod, MP3 player etc. *
- Laptop, adapter *
- Laundry detergent
- Maps *
How about Google Maps instead?
- Mini camera tripod
- Mobile phone or SIM card *
- Mosquito net or repellent
- Passport photos *
- Phone card – Both for local and international calls
- Photocopies of important documents in case they are stolen *
Tips on what do you if your documents are stolen?
- Phrase books or dictionaries *
- Pillow or pillowcase to stuff with clothes *
- Plastic bags *
- Charger for electrical items *
- Resume and work references (if working)
- Sleep sheet / bag / mat *
- Swiss Army knife *
- Toilet paper *
- Towels, beach and otherwise *
- Travel alarm clock
- Universal sink plug
- Watch *
- Wet wipes/Baby wipes *
- Ziplock bags *
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