This is a checklist of everything you should have for a vacation.
- You may not need all of this, but it’s better to decline something you’re aware of than to forget something later.
Documents
Destination, departing airport and airline, departure date and time
Any transfers or trips to a second destination
Returning airport and airline, returning date
Tickets and confirmation numbers for all travel arrangements and events
Contact information for everything
Traveler’s checks and cash
Passports and ID
Travel guides and paper maps
Copies of important papers
General-Purpose
Tissue paper
Paper and plastic bags
Pens, pencils, and notebooks
Hidden money belt
Tie-downs and bungees
Locks and cables
In-Transit
Ice chest
- Ice
- Sandwiches
- Water bottles
Snacks
Gum
Luggage locks
Reading glasses
Hygiene & Clothing
Clothing
- Shirts
- Pants and shorts
- Socks
- Shoes
- Underwear and bras
Optional clothing
- Hats
- Swimming outfit
- Nylons
- Earmuffs or beanies
- Scarves
Laundry care
- Laundry soap
- Fabric softener
- Bags for dirty laundry
- Pocket sewing kit
Sleeping
- Eye cover
- Ear plugs
- Mouth guard
- Sleep sound machine
- Rubbing alcohol and triple antibiotic ointment
- Bandages
- Eye drops
- Pain reliever
- Skin lotion
- Lip balm
- Prescription medication and maintenance (e.g., EpiPen)
- Multivitamins
Toiletries
- Comb or brush
- Soap
- Deodorant
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Dental floss
- Shampoo
- Razor or electric shaver
Extra toiletries
- Mirror
- Hair conditioner
- Hair spray or hair gel
- Body powder
- Makeup
- Cologne or perfume
- Skin care products
- Hair dryer or hair curler
- Nail clipper
- Shower cap
Technology
Devices
- Laptop computer
- Cell phone
- Headphones
- Music player
- GPS device
- Battery alarm clock
- Camera
Electrical
- Laptop charger
- Cell phone charger
- Camera charger
- Backup battery
- Extra batteries
- Power adapters
- Power strip
Sandwich bags (for electronics)
Entertainment
Books
Toys or books for kids
Kites, beach balls, footballs, or Frisbees
Outdoor-Specific
Fire-starting equipment
Firewood
Cooking supplies
- Propane or charcoal stove
- Grill or griddle
- Skewers, tongs, spatula, ladle, and knife
- Dish set and silverware
- Napkins and paper towels
- Scissors and can opener
- Tablecloth
- Coffee/tea
- Cooking spray, salt, and pepper
Shelter
- Tent
- Tent stakes
- sleeping bags
- Pillows or inflatable pillows
- Air mattress or foam tiles
- Tarp for the tent
- Glow-in-the-dark paint
- Umbrellas and sunscreen
- Beach towels, blankets, and beach chairs
General tools
- Duct tape
- Tin foil
- Toothpicks
- Dish towels, dish rags, and towels
- Twine, newspapers, and clothespins
- Shovel
Good-quality hiking boots
Hygiene
- Disintegrating toilet paper
- Unscented deodorant
- Glasses or contact lenses case with saline
- Camp soap
Bug spray
Before Leaving
Within 6 months
- Arrange passport visa
Within 3 months
- Reserve lodging
- Arrange for a pet-sitter
- Traveler’s insurance
- Have the post office hold mail
- Set up lawn care
- Buy everything necessary
- Notify security service
A few weeks before leaving
- Trim pet claws
- Trim bushes
A few days before leaving
- Empty the fridge
- Set the plug-in timers
- Clear wallets and keys of unnecessary items
- Pile up everything you plan to take
- Do and sort half the laundry
- Take all the trash out
- Do all the dishes
- Notify your neighbors
- Water all plants
- Extra food and water for pets
- Prepare food and water in the fridge
- Mow and edge lawn, spray weed killer
The day you leave
- Do and sort the remaining laundry
- Wash bedsheets
- Turn off the thermostat
- Set the sprinklers
- Set the light timers
- Unplug car battery and top off the tank
Right when leaving
- Lock all doors and windows
- Unplug all appliances and computers