My Travel Packing Checklist

I travel a lot. Sometimes for work. Sometimes for pleasure. Between that and my around-the-world trip back in 2006-2007 I have learned a lot about packing. My packing checklist has evolved (and still changes a little from time-to-time) from this experience. Stuff is heavy and checked bags can cost money. I minimize this to make my life on the road as easy as possible.

The List:

Clothes:

  • 2 pairs of shorts
  • 1 pair of jeans
  • 1 nice button-up or polo shirt
  • 4-5 t-shirts
  • Socks and Underwear (depends on trip length)
  • 1 pair of sneakers and 1 pair of flip flops
  • 1 light jacket (such as a fleece)
  • 1 black belt
I adjust the clothes numbers depending on season and length of travel. Work trips are usually 2-3 days so I bring 2 t-shirts, 1 work shirt, and enough socks and underwear to cover the duration. For travel of 7 days or more I bring the above with 7 underwear and 7 pair of socks.

Higene:
  • Toothbrush
  • Toothpaste
  • Hair brush
  • Deodorant
  • Floss
  • Mouthwash
  • Razor w/extra cartridges
  • Nail clippers
  • Shampoo
  • Bar of soap
  • Small bottle of lotion
  • Shower Towel
  • Toiletry bag
  • Roll of toilet paper (essential!)
  • Trident (for times when I cannot brush teeth)
Utility Items:
  • Swiss Army Knife -- so many useful tools in one package!
  • First Aid Kit - I bought a small one and overstuffed each item in it
  • Meds: Tylenol (pain/headahce), Anti-diarrhea pills, antacids
  • Spray sunscreen
  • Camera, camera case, camera USB cable, memory cards, mini-tripod
  • USB Flash drive for storage
  • Netbook laptop (long trips only)
  • Backup paper copies of all Credit/ATM cards and Indentification docs
  • iPod/iPhone and charger + headphones
  • $100 USD emergency cash
  • Light snacks for extended travel
  • BIC lighter
  • Pen & Pencil
  • Small notepad
  • Small book for reading
This list may seem like a lot but the majority of the items are pretty small and light. When I pack for a month long trip everything I carry weighs around 20-25 pounds total. The majority of these items can be bought at your destination if forgotten. Having less keeps you from taking a long time to pack and wasting energy on moving the heavy bag(s). It also saves time, money, and stress. Pack light and travel happy!

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