Travel is supposed to relax and reenergize us but for many it actually increases stress, according to recent polls by Travel Pulse and The Points Guy. Leading causes of travel-related stress are last minute packing and sleepless nights from a nagging suspicion that something will be forgotten. As someone who has travelled almost every week for over thirty years I’m no stranger to those feelings.
Scrambling to catch fights in my 20s, on numerous occasions I had forgotten some rather important things. Once, I actually flew to Montreal, Canada without my wallet or passport! After several tense minutes with border security I was able to flirt my way through but almost missed the Black and Blue festival. Stepping out of the airport into the cold Canadian air I vowed — then and there — that would never happen again and started a packing checklist.
Even now, as a seasoned traveller, the checklist is reviewed to prepare for any trip, no matter how long or short. Travel is now stress free.
“Travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on deep and permanent in the ideas of living”
— Miriam Beard
Travel Without Worry
Steal my checklists and enjoy stress free travel. It evolves over time — early versions had “books and magazines” instead of “iPad” — so check back as our world evolves. If you see something missing, comment and I’ll add it.
Below is the “101 checklist” to help prepare for any travel. The other tabs include items for specialty travel, use those in addition to the list below.
| CHECKLIST | ☑️ |
|---|---|
| Check in to the flight the night before | 🔲 |
| Schedule Uber or book advanced airport parking | 🔲 |
| Select outfit the night before | 🔲 |
| iPhone, wallet, drivers license | 🔲 |
| iPad: fully charged, tv shows and movies downloaded | 🔲 |
| Headphones | 🔲 |
| Charging cables | 🔲 |
| Sunglasses | 🔲 |
| Umbrella | 🔲 |
| Prescription medicine | 🔲 |
| Pants and shorts | 🔲 |
| Shirts and t-shirts (2 per day) | 🔲 |
| Underwear and socks (2 per day) | 🔲 |
| Shoes | 🔲 |
| Belts | 🔲 |
| Sleepwear | 🔲 |
| Hair dryer | 🔲 |
| Cold: sweaters, sweatshirts, coats, gloves, scarfs, chapstick | 🔲 |
| Workout: shorts, shirts, socks, shoes, headphones, swimming suit, goggles | 🔲 |
The key to successful business travel is simple: use carry on luggage only, never check bags! This provides maximum flexibility to make changes even after passing TSA screening. In bad weather it’s a lifesaver … you can change flights, airlines, connections, destination airports, even switch to a train or rental car and not have to worry whether you will ever see your belongings again.
| CHECKLIST | ☑️ |
|---|---|
| Laptop | 🔲 |
| Corporate ID / building access card | 🔲 |
| Suits | 🔲 |
| Dress shirts | 🔲 |
| Ties | 🔲 |
| Cufflinks | 🔲 |
| Dress shoes | 🔲 |
| Dress belt | 🔲 |
Vacation travel can be more complex than business travel. Are you flying or driving? Are you staying in a hotel or an AirBnB? Is this a relaxing beach weekend or multi-week outdoor adventure? Different destinations affect your packing strategy.
For short, air travel getaways in hotels, I rely heavily on in-room amenities and avoid checking bags. Sunscreen larger than TSA’s 3 ounce rule? Leave it behind and buy some when you arrive. Extra time on the sand in the sun is more than worth the few extra dollars local shops charge.
Staying at an AirBnB may mean packing extra to save time. Short term rentals don’t have the amenities of hotels. If you arrive at a remote location and something’s missing, buying will add an unwanted adventure.
Regardless of where you’re vacationing, pack at least two days in advance. This sounds excessive but you will forget something even with a checklist. A night or two of sleep always reveals what’s missing.
| CHECKLIST | ☑️ |
|---|---|
| Hats / baseball caps | 🔲 |
| Beach: swimsuits, sandals, sleeveless t-shirts, sunscreen | 🔲 |
| Ocean: snorkeling gear, anti-fog spray, reef shoes, life jackets, sunscreen | 🔲 |
| Hiking: hiking shoes, hiking clothes, backpack, water bottles, mosquito spray, raincoat, sunscreen | 🔲 |
| Biking: bike, bike shirt, bike shorts, socks, helmet, gloves, clip shoes, sunglasses | 🔲 |
| Rafting: rafting shoes, water clothing, life jackets, sunscreen, shammy, towels | 🔲 |
| Triathlon: wetsuit, swim cap, goggles, race numbers, timing chips, tri shorts, tri shirt, bike, helmet, gloves, clip shoes, sunglasses, change of socks, handlebar end plugs, bike rack, tire pump, USAT card, race registration confirmation, anti-chaffing, mosquito spray, shammy, towels | 🔲 |
There’s a reason many Hollywood comedies have scenes where people in airports are struggling to check into an international flight due to passport problems: because it happens! In addition to having a valid passport, other considerations you’ll need to think through include visa and medical requirements, international mobile phone plans, and different electrical standards.
| CHECKLIST | ☑️ |
|---|---|
| Passport | 🔲 |
| Printed Visa Documentation | 🔲 |
| Printed Travel Documents: itinerary, flight information, hotel address | 🔲 |
| Noise Cancelling Headphones | 🔲 |
| Travel toiletries: toothbrush, toothpaste, wet wipes, moisturizer, chapstick, deodorant, airplane socks, blindfold | 🔲 |
| Ball point pen … to fill out landing documentation | 🔲 |
| International phone and data plan … do vacations even occur if they aren’t posted on Instagram? | 🔲 |
| International power adapters | 🔲 |
| International currency | 🔲 |
| World Health Card updated and signed by your doctor | 🔲 |
| Verify passport is still valid at least 6 months past your return date | 🔲 |
| Check passport, visa, and health requirements of the destination countries | 🔲 |
| Check requirements for connecting flights, some countries require visas to transit | 🔲 |
| Talk to your doctor. You may need additional proof of certain classes of prescription medicine and may need new ones: malaria pills and tetanus boosters are good examples | 🔲 |
These helpful reminders will save you some money and make sure you don’t return to a small disaster.
| CHECKLIST | ☑️ |
|---|---|
| Turn on the Alarm | 🔲 |
| Set HVAC to Eco Mode | 🔲 |
| Turn off computers | 🔲 |
| Unplug electronics | 🔲 |
| Clear fridge of perishables | 🔲 |
| Take out garbage | 🔲 |
| Check laundry machine for washed and undried items | 🔲 |
| Leaving for a long time? Consider turning off water supply and hot water heater | 🔲 |
Click on the image below to open the checklist in a new tab
Feel free to comment, I would love to hear from you