A Basic Packing List For A Trip

Below is my packing list for a trip we took to South America. It is just an example, and every trip is different, so after this list, you'll find a checklist of things that you may want to bring on your travels. You'll notice that I travel very light (carry-on only). If you decide you may want to do the same, visit the page, "How To Travel Light."

Packing List For A Six-Week Trip To Ecuador

8 pairs of thin nylon socks
2 silk shirts for restaurants and discos
4 poly/cotton blend t-shirts
5 pair of light underwear
1 extra pair of lightweight slacks
Nylon shorts for hiking or swimming
Thin gloves
Thin hat
Thin wool sweater
Waterproof/breathable rainsuit
Light plastic camera
Sunglasses
Small chess set
Bathroom kit
Maps
Notebook
Pen
List of important numbers
Cash hidden in three places
Medicines
Debit card
Credit card
Passport
Copy of passport
Hidden document pouch
Extra passport photos
Jacket
Notes on hotels and hostels
Camera
Plane tickets, well hidden
Sunblock
Vitamins
Travel sheet

A Packing List Of Things You May Need

For a trip in the United States or abroad, here are some of the things you may need. You will certainly not need all, or even most of the things on this travel checklist. This is simply to help you to not forget anything, and to give you ideas for some things you may not have thought of bringing. Use it to create your own packing list for each trip you take.

Passport
Language books or dictionaries
Maps
Tickets
Visas
Lists with important numbers
Phone number of U.S. Embassy where you are going
Collect call numbers for lost or stolen credit cards
Currency of the country you are going to
Credit card
Debit card
Cash
Photo identification
Notebook
Pen
Reading material
Travel games
Guidebooks
Phone cards
Copies of passport and other documents
Medicines
Vitamins
Vaccination certificates
Sun block
Insect repellant
Coffee
Water
Food
Camera
Film
Socks
Underwear
T-shirts
Shirts
Pants
Jackets
Rainwear
Sweaters
Hats
Gloves
Shoes
Shorts
Swimsuit
Sandals
Other clothing
Alarm watch
Travel sheet for hostel
Comb
Brush
Shampoo
Conditioner
Skin cream
Razors
Hand sanitizer
Tweezers
Nail clippers
Lip balm
Napkins
Iodine pills for bad-water areas
Sunglasses
Small towel
Toothpaste
Woman's things
Duffle bag for carrying gifts back

Travel Checklist: Before You Leave

There are things to do before you take a vacation in the U.S. or a trip overseas. Again, many of the things on this list are irrelevant to your particular needs. Just use this to make your own travel checklist.

*See Consular Information Sheets for destination (see "International Travel Tips")
*Register with the U.S. Embassy where you are traveling (see "Travel Safety Tips")
*Notify credit card companies that you'll be using the cards in other countries
*E-mail copy of passport to yourself (access from any internet cafe if lost)
*E-mail copies of other important documments to yourself
*Get you passport (see "International Travel Tips")
*Get vacinations (see "Travel Safety Tips")
*Get visas if necessary
*Leave itinerary with friend or family
*Have the post office hold your mail
*Arrange for plants to be watered
*Hide money in clothing and luggage
*Get necessary prescriptions
*Buy tickets
*Pack

Making Packing Lists and Travel Checklists

Make your packing list for your trip far enough ahead of time, so you can purchase anything you need before you leave. The same goes for your travel checklist; your list of things to do before you go. You don't want to remember the day before departure that you need a vaccination, only to find out that it's a three-part process spread out over two weeks.