If youre carrying on, keep yourtoiletry baglight andTSA-compliant. TheTSAs 3-1-1 rulemakes it easy to remember: liquids, gels, aerosols, creams, and pastes must be 3.4 ounces [100ml] or less per container, and they must be stored in one quart-sized, clear plastic, zip-top bag. To make this as easy as possible for you, we have a toiletry set that includes four3-ounce silicone bottlesin a quart-sized clear pouch thats wipeable and has a water resistant zipper. Still need more help? Read theTSA rules regarding what you can pack in a carry-on bag.
Heres a complete packing list of travel essentials for your toiletry case:
THE TOILETRY BAG BASICS
Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, mouthwash
Hair brush or comb, hair ties, barrettes/bobby pins
Deodorant
Shampoo and conditioner [Dr. Bronners is a good option all-in-one option for hair care, face wash, laundry and more.]
Sunscreen and face lotion with SPF
Make up packed in a washable sac
Face wash and/or makeup remover wipes and Q-tips
Night time moisturizer/lotion
Lip balm with SPF and lipstick or lip gloss
Personal hygiene items
Feminine hygiene products
Extra contacts, solution, and contact case
Glasses and prescription sunglasses
Prescription medication with the label/script so that you can refill if needed and not be questioned by TSA.
TOILETRY BAG EXTRAS
Cologne/perfume
Personal mini mirror
Hair products like hairspray, hair gel, and beard oil
Clothesline and detergent
Shaving kit and extra razors
Sewing kit/clothing care kit, stain remover
Facial tissues and/or toilet paper
Travel Towel
Nail clippers and tweezers [optionally, scissors, which must be in checked luggage]
TRAVEL HEALTH
As soon as you decide to travel internationally, check the Center forDisease Control and Preventions websitefor comprehensive information on travel vaccines, medicines, and local travel advice. Whether you decide to get vaccinated or not is your decision, but many vaccinations require administration two months before travel begins. So get informed! And if an emergency does happen, heres everything you should know abouttravel clinicsandhandling medical emergencies abroad.
Although you can buy pre-made travel health kits online, its just as easy to use small,water-resistant packing sacsas the container for your kit, then construct one from your medicine cabinet at home, only securing those items you may not already have on hand.
First aid kit[bandages, gauze, adhesives, etc.]
Personal prescriptions [copies of scripts]
Pain and fever relievers [also childrens strength if you are traveling with kids]
Thermometer
Cold medicines and throat lozenges
Diarrhea/laxative medicines
Oral rehydration salts
Allergy medicines
Hydrocortisone cream/antibacterial ointment
Multivitamins
Sunburn relief
Insect repellent/mosquito net/sting reliever
Motion sickness pills or bands
Altitude sickness pills [if you are planning to hike in higher altitudes]
Eye drops
Moleskin
Medicines and vaccinations specific to the region/activity
ADDITIONAL HEALTH ITEMS
Hand sanitizer or wet wipes
Prescriptions in original packaging [youll want to make sure you have these in your carry-on bag just in case something were to happen to your checked luggage]
Sleeping medicines
Glasses and glasses case [email yourself a copy of your prescription, just in case]
Travel Tip: Your under-the-seat bag can hold a lot! Some travelers can even pack an entire trip in a small bagat the very least learnhow to put your under-the-seat bag to good usewhen packing for international travel.
STEP 4: PREPARE YOUR PERSONAL ITEMCARRY-ONBAG
The next thing youll want to do is prepare a packing list especially for your personal item carry-on bag with anything that youll want with you on the flight. Its always a good idea to make sure you have an outfit [or two] and a few essential toiletries in your personal item just in case your luggage is lost.
If youll be traveling around to multiple destinations, make sure thissmall baghas items tokeep you comfortableon any train, boat or bus rides. It's always nice to have a bag that's easy to access so you don't have to get into your luggage each time you need your eye mask. But remember, youll be carrying all of this, so keep it light.
We recommend you consider using a smalldaypack,shoulder bag, orwaist packas your personal carry-on item. Here are some good things to include in your carry-on bag packing list:
TECHNOLOGY
Mobile device and charger
Laptop, iPad, or E-reader and charger[s]
Headphones[consider noise-reducing headphones if you're sensitive to sound]
Camera and GoPro/video camera, memory card, and chargers
Electrical converters andadapters
TRAVEL COMFORT, ENTERTAINMENT, AND INFORMATION
Travel pillow, blanket, eye mask, and ear plugs
Travel journaland pen [its awful when you forget your pen!]
Books and magazines
Deck of cards and travel games
Chapstick and lotion [ts dry up there]
Water bottle [youll need to fill it up once you get through TSA]
Guide books, travel guides, maps, language guides, etc. [if you will need any of these upon arrival at your destination, put it in your carry-on]
STEP 5: COLLECT IMPORTANT TRAVEL DOCUMENTS, CASH, AND CREDIT CARDS
Start by collecting all of your important documents in a traveldocument organizer. [This travel organizerholds a passport, ID, credit cards, coins, documents, a boarding pass, and a pen!] By bringing all your important information together, this will help ensure you have everything you need to get from one place to the next.
Not sure what you need? Heres your international travel checklist, document-wise:
Passport/visa[s] [not sure if you need a travel visa? Checkhere.]
Personal ID/Student ID card
Frequent flyer card[s] and other loyalty program card numbers [ex: hotel chains and AAA]
Cash and credit card[s] [call your credit card companies before you travel to inform them of your travel,otherwise they might turn them off to prevent perceived fraud. Also consider howtravel hackingcan save you money on the road!]
Health insurance cards/document[s]
Travel insurance information
Reservations and itineraries [print them and save them electronically for easy access]
Hotel and/or tour contact information
Transportation tickets [plane, train, bus, car, etc.]
Emergency contacts and important addresses
Copies of all these things in case you lose your wallet
Guide books and maps
Travel Tip: As soon as you book a trip, its a good idea to double-check that your passports and IDs arent expired, and that they will not expire while you are traveling internationally. If your traveling as a family, heres exactlyhow to get a passport for your kids. Youll also want to inform your bank if youre traveling abroad so they dont assume fraudulent activity and freeze your credit card. Also consider emailing yourself a copy of your passport, drivers license, medical cards and itinerary, so if anything happens to them youll be able to access them online.
STEP 6: CONSIDER TRAVEL SECURITY
In most large cities, travelers should always be on the lookout for pickpockets. The easiest way to keep your belongings safe is to keep them hidden and close to you. One way to do this is to stash your valuables underneath your clothing. Another way is by locking your bags closed and using reflective accents to help folks see you at nighttime.
Consider this list of safety travel essentials:
Money beltor hidden pocket
Neck wallet
Undercover Bra Stashfor credit cards and cash only
Leg wallet
IncognitoAll Terrain Money Beltwhich looks like a real belt!
LuggageTravel Lock
Reflective clothing andluggage accessories
Bring a headlamp or mini flashlight, better to be safe than unprepared
Wearing a money belt or neck wallet lets you keep your valuables close to your body and away from prying hands. Review all the different styleshereto choose what works best for you and the type of travel youll be doing. You may also want to choose an option with RFID protection. RFID protection keeps all passports with an RFID chip [issued after 2006] and credit cards/debit cards safe while travelling. How? Its simple. Identity theft can occur when someone is able to read through your purse or pocket via the microchip, which has personal information stored on it. By using an RFID blocking technology, your personal information is protected.
STEP 7: PREPARE YOUR HOME
If youre going on an extended trip, its essential to get your home in order before you go. Here are some simple tasks to think through before you head to the airport. [And yes, this travel checklist also includes thinking through home care.]
Have the post office hold your mail
Stop newspaper delivery
Set up an email autoresponder [unless you plan to be connected]
Arrange for the care of pets, lawn, and plants
Pre-pay your bills
Prearrange school absences for children and get any home study assignments required
Empty refrigerator of this that will expire
Unplug appliances
Turn off heater/air conditioner
Turn down water heater
Turn off washing machine taps
Lock all doors and windows
Set up timed light system
Store valuables in a safe place
Leave house key and trip itinerary with a trusted friend
Leave flight and hotel itineraries with a relative
Reconfirm/check-in online with airline before you Uber, train, or shuttle to the airport
Travel Tip: If you will be gone for more than 30 days, its a good idea to check with your homeowners or renters insurance for specific instructions.
Wherever you are headed, youre going to have a great time! Just make sure you think through your list of activities beforehand so that youre able to bring everything you need and pick the rightluggage. Andpack lightif you can using this ultimate packing checklist. It always helps with mobility. And remember, youre a traveler: Respect the people and places you go to visit.Respect their customs,tipaccordingly, try and learn their language, and trulyimmerse yourself in the culture.Travel changes usto be better than we were by opening our eyes and giving us newfound respect.
Best of luck! Travel well. AndDOWNLOAD TRAVEL PACKING CHECKLIST.
GET MORE PACKING ADVICE!
Want to learn more about how to pack for a specific type of trip? Weve got more packing advice from travel experts:
Packing Lists by Location:
What to Pack for Europe
What to Pack for Croatia
What to Pack for France
What to Pack for Greenland
What to Pack for Ireland
What to Pack for Italy
What to Pack forLondon
What to Pack for Southeast Asia
What to Pack for Cambodia
What to Pack for Central America
What to Pack for Belize
What to Pack for El Salvador
Packing Lists for South America
What to Packing for an Antarctic Cruise
What to Pack for the Amazon
What to Pack for Argentina
What to Pack for Ecuador
What to Pack for Colombia
What to Pack for Patagonia
What to Pack for Peru[What to Pack for the Inca Trail]
What to Pack for Uruguay
Packing Lists for North America
What to Packing for Canada
What to Pack for Cuba
What to Pack for Mexico City
What to Pack for NYC
What to Pack for U.S. National Parks
What to Pack for Washington, D.C.
What to Pack for Australia
What to Pack for India
What to Pack for Morocco
What to Pack for New Zealand
What to Pack for South Africa
Packing Lists by Activity:
Camping Trip Essentials Packing List
Essential Packing List for a Traveling Kitchen
What to Pack for a Music Festival
Beach Vacation Packing List
Packing List for City Travel
Packing for a Yoga Retreat
How to Pack for Spring Break
What to Pack for a Kayaking Trip
What to Pack for a Mountain Biking Trip
What to Pack on a Long Car Ride
Essential Road Trip Packing List[and forFamily Road Trips]
Packing for a Girls' Getaway Weekend
What to Pack for a Weekend Sailing Trip
How to Pack for a Caribbean Cruise[And aFamily Cruise]
More Travel Checklists:
How to Pack for a Round the World Trip
Packing For Working Overseas
Packing Light for a Cold Weather Getaway
How to Pack the Ultimate Gym Bag
How to Pack for College
What to Pack for Rainy Season Travel
The Eagle Creek Travel System
Main Travel Bag [rolling luggage, travel backpack, or duffel bag]
Packing Organizers [packing folders, packing cubes, packing sacs, etc.]
Comfort and Security Items [travel pillow, money belt, travel lock]
Day Bag and Travel Wallet [backpack, shoulder bag, or tote and a travel organizer]