Packing for a vacation can be nerve racking. Concerned packers are afraid of packing too much, packing too little or forgetting something important.
In order to pack quickly and efficiently, it's important to have a list to follow. That way as soon as items are packed, they can be crossed off the list.
What to Pack?
A packing list should contain the following items:
- Sunscreen and bug spray if headed to a sunny place where mosquitoes like to hang out
- Sunglasses
- Evening purse. This is especially handy if going on a cruise or staying at a resort
- Day pack
- Flip flops or water shoes
- Books/magazines
- Swimsuits if headed to a beach!
- Passports and/or Visa's
- Cruise/airline/boarding passes
- Printed receipts for hotel accommodations
- Two way radios are handy if older kids are tagging along. It's an easy way to keep in touch
- Camera, batteries and charger
- Bottled water
- MP3 players/iPods and chargers
- Cell Phones and chargers
- Cash
- Travel iron
- Ginger pills/vitamins/Tums/Advil
- Prescription Medicines
- Swimmers ear medicine and earplugs
- Copies of passports in each suitcase
- Contacts and glasses
- Makeup/toiletries/personal hygiene items
- Clothing
- Jacket or sweater if needed
- Maps and brochures
- Special credit cards if needed
- Snorkel/Diving/Golf or other recreational gear
Packing Tips
If flying on an airplane from or to the United States, it's important to keep the TSA rules in mind while packing. These tips are taken directly from the TSA website.
Do not pack the following items in your checked baggage:
- Jewelry
- Cash
- Laptop computers
- Electronics
- Fragile items (no matter how they are protected)
Below are a number of tips for packing your checked baggage:
- Don't put film in your checked baggage, as the screening equipment will damage it.
- Pack shoes, boots, sneakers, and other footwear on top of other contents in your luggage.
- Avoid over packing your bag so that the screener will be able to easily reseal your bag if it is opened for inspection. If possible, spread your contents over several bags. Check with your airline or travel agent for maximum weight limitations.
- Avoid packing food and drink items in checked baggage.
- Don't stack piles of books or documents on top of each other; spread them out within your baggage.
- The following general packing tips apply to both carry-on and checked baggage:
- Do not pack or bring prohibited items to the airport.
- Put all undeveloped film and cameras with film in your carry-on baggage. If your bag will pass through the X-ray machine more than five (5) times ask for a hand inspection to prevent damage.
- Label your laptop computer. Tape a business card or other identifying information beneath your laptop to avoid loss or the accidental "exchange" by other passengers.
- Check ahead of time with your airline or travel agent to determine the airline's baggage policy, including number of pieces you can bring and size and weight limitations.
- Carry-on baggage is limited to one carry-on bag plus one personal item. Personal items include laptops, purses, small backpacks, briefcases, or camera cases. Remember, 1+1.
- Don't forget to place identification tags with your name, address and phone number on all of your baggage, including your laptop computer. It is a good idea to place an identification tag inside your baggage as well.
- Avoid over packing so that your articles don't spill out if your bag is opened for inspection.
- Think carefully about the personal items you place in your carry-on baggage. The screeners may have to open your bag and examine its contents.
- Place your personal belongings in clear plastic bags to reduce the chance that a TSA screener will have to handle them.
- Wait until the journey is over to wrap your gifts. Be aware that wrapped gifts may need to be opened for inspection.
Travel Tips for the Household to Do Before Leaving
There are also some things to take care of around the house before leaving on vacation:
- Put in a vacation stop for the local newspaper
- Put in a vacation stop for mail
- Make arrangements for pets to either be boarded or to have a home pet sitter take care of them
- Turn off A/C, ceiling fans, computers and anything else that doesn’t need to be on
- Activate auto light timer on at least two lights in the house
- If there is a hide a key, make sure it is in house and not left out
- Turn off fountains or any other outdoor features and equipment
- Charge camera and cell phones completely
- Forward house phone to cell phone if needed
- Activate cell coverage for country if going out of the country
- Pay all bills up to date
- Backup computers
By putting these tips and list to use, it will alleviate some of the stress involved with packing and getting ready for a perfect beach vacation.
Copyright Sherry Jackson. Contact the author to obtain permission for republication.
Sherry Jackson - My articles have been featured in InfoWorld Magazine, Entrepreneur.com, USA Today, Jetsetter.com, Bootsnall.com, Gadling and many ...
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