What to Pack ? The Visual List to use before any trip

Hello,

I created this list as an help for preparing the suitcase before a trip. The list should help you to remember to pack all the items that you need and not to forget the cable for your camera (for example). Of course that you may have specific items that are not in this list, but a general category should remind you that. For example a category named “medicine” should remind you a specific medicine that you are using.

I am personally using this list before my trips and it turns out to be very useful. You can read information about my trips on my sites about : Vietnam, Thailand, Barcelona, Tel-Aviv and Jerusalem.

Notes :

You probably know that it is much better to travel light , so choose only the items that you need from the list.
The list is adapted for a stay in hotels or hostels, not for camping.
Also on this site : useful Products for the trip and how to find an Hotel.

Luggage:

Product	Details
Main suitcase	Read my recommendations about the main suitcase.. With most airlines, you are limited to 20 Kg in tourist class. (more weight allowed in hand luggage, usually up to 8 Kg)
Bag Name Tag	Attach several of them to your suitcase. It's just a matter of statistics : An airline can lose your bag and this tag will increase the chances that you will see it again.
Airplane hand suitcase	It is comfortable to have a small suitcase with wheels when you stroll between the duty free shops at the airport, but if you have already a big main suitcase maybe you should just take with you a backpack for the airplane.
Backpack for every day	It should be a multi purpose backpack: suitable to walk in the nice streets and also for the beach. It should be comfortable for the back and big enough to put your laptop inside. Read my recommendations about the Backpack.
Lock	You may need more than one, for all the zippers of your suitcases. It is more convenient to chose a padlock with a code system over one with a key. See my recommendations about this item.
External waist pouch	Use it only in safe places, like an airport. Don't give thieves an incentive to easily steal all your important documents and money.
Money pouch (hidden)	Very Important. It is attached to your belt and it is hidden under your clothes. See my recommendations about this item.

Electronic Items:

Product	Details
Smartphone	Read why you need a smartphone in your trip.
Camera
Camera case
eReader	I use my smartphone for reading books.
Electric Razor	Make sure it is suitable for 220 and 110 volts. See my recommendations for the one to buy.
Hair Cutter (Trimmer)	Don't worry, there are hairdressers all over the world. Take a haircutter only if you use it at home.
Travel Alarm Clock	A back-up for your alarm in your smartphone. You don't really want to miss your flight in a trip. See my recommendations about the travel alarm clock.
Flashlight	You can take a very small flashlight that doesn't use batteries (it charges with a hand crank). A flashlight is useful in a trip (hotel, train etc). Yes, you have this function also in your smartphone.
Laptop or Tablet
Laptop Case
External memory drive for laptop	To backup your photos and other data
USB key	A USB key is good for the backup of data and also to keep your sensitive data separate in case your laptop is being stolen.
Universal plug adaptor	Important in a trip. But keep in mind that it doesn't convert voltages so make sure your electronics devices are adapted to 220 volts and also to 110 volts. See my recommendations about the universal plug adaptor.
Multi-socket	Especially important if you use to go to coffee places with your laptop, there is always a shortage of sockets.
Electric cables	For all your electronic devices
Battery chargers	For all your electronic devices
USB cables	For all your electronic devices
Batteries	For all your electronic devices
Memory cards	For your camera and other devices

Toiletries:

Product	Details
Toiletries bag	Make sure it has a loop handle so that you can hang it in the shared bathroom of hostels. See my recommendation about this item.
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Tooth sticks or floss
Mouthwash
Shampoo
Deodorant	You won't always find your favourite deodorant in all countries, so take enough with you.
Soap	In hotels, you usually receive little soaps everyday.
Soap case
Razor blades
Shaving cream
After shave/ perfume
Travel Towel	You better choose one of these modern lightweight, fast dry towels made of microfiber. Make sure it has also a small loop so that you could hang it in the bathroom. See my recommendation about this item.
Travel Mirror
Comb
Nail scissors	It should be a multi purpose scissor (or take 2)
Tweezers
Nail polisher
Make-up (lipsticks...)
Jewellery
Hair dryer	If you take one, make sure it is adapted to 220 and 110 volts.

Clothes:

Product	Details
Trousers/ Skirts
Short Trousers
Belt
T-Shirts	Choose the ones that are quick to dry and that don't leave colors during the laundry. Don't take with you clothes that you don't use regularly at home.
Sweaters
Pullover
Underwear
Socks
Night clothes - pyjamas
Coat, Jacket
Raincoat
Shoes
Sandals
Flip-flops Sandals	Important if you are going to use shared bathrooms in hostels.
Sun Hat - Cap
Sunglasses
Sunglasses Case
Gloves
Scarf
Winter cap

Swimming & Sports:

Product	Details
Swimming suit	I recommend to do sports while you travel, and swimming is a great sport. You can find swimming-pools in all big cities in the world.
Pool Goggles
Pool cap	Obligatory in many swimming-pools, also for men.
Waterproof pouch	For the beach, kayaking, rafting etc...
Beach towel
Other special sports ?	If you are going to visit gyms (or do other sports) take what you need.

Sleeping equipment:

Product	Details
Travel sheet / Sleeping bag	You don't really need a sleeping bag for a stay in hotels or hostels but taking with you a bed sheet made of silk in form of a sleeping bag could be a good idea for use in trains and for other circumstances. See my recommendation about this item.
Earplugs	If you are going to visit many hotels, there is a high probability that some of your rooms will be noisy. See my recommendation about this item.
Sleep mask
Travel pillow	See my recommendation about this item.

Laundry:

Product	Details
Light cord	Laundry could be a tough issue while traveling. The hotels want you to use their expensive laundry service and they don't make it easy for you to hang clothes in your room. Take a light cord and do whatever you can. Some hotels will allow you access to the roof.
Clothes pins
Laundry soap	You should put all your liquids in small plastic bottles.

Health:

Product	Details
Wet wipes	It is a miracle that this product was invented. During a trip, you can use wet towels to wash your hands, refresh your face and clean surfaces.
Toilet paper
Analgesic pills
Diarrhea pills
Infection treatment
Throat pills
Antibiotics
Bandages
Menstrual
Contraceptive
Sunscreen
Lips balm
Vitamins
Your special medicines
Glasses/lenses/ cleaning material
Mosquito repellent	There are sprays that you can put on your skin, there are electric repellents and also mosquito nets that are quite difficult to hang in a hotel room. See my recommendation about this item.

Storage:

Product	Details
Plastic Bags
Garbage Bags
Storage Bags	Use plastics and bags to nicely arrange your suitcase.
Document case
Coins wallet	If you are going to visit a country with a different currency from your home, you will strangely accumulate a lot of coins.

Repairs:

Product	Details
Sewing Kit
Safety pins
Super glue	Can be found all over the planet, don't really need to take with you.

Documents & Money:

Product	Details
Passport	Check that your passport has a validity of at least 6 months.
Passport Visas	Check if your need a visa in advance to enter your destination country.
Flight tickets (Train, boats...)	In most cases the airline will send you by email an electronic ticket, make a print. Read my recommendations here regarding choosing the flight.
Hotel Reservations
Health Insurance / Travel Insurance	You can never know so make one. Some credit card companies give you a free health insurance for a limited time but you have to call them before your trip to activate it.
Vaccinations	For some countries and zones.
Passport photos	You may need passport photos for passing borders and extending stays. Save time and bring some photos with you.
Driver license
Your Special Cards	Student card, Airline frequent traveller etc
Credit cards	Try to bring more than one for backup. Your credit card should be your main way to get money from ATM and to pay in stores but remember that any ATM withdrawal will entail commissions from both banks. The total commissions are in the order of 7% !
Cash	You want to use cash abroad instead of the ATM withdrawals because of the commissions, but you don't want your cash to be stolen. So on a long trip you must use ATM and keep some cash for any case.
Photocopy of passport and other documents	Do it on papers and if not at least make a photo with your smartphone.

Miscellaneous:

Product	Details
Travel guide book	The only paper book I take with me on trips. See my recommendation about this item.
Pen
Maps
Small Notebook
A4 Papers
Envelopes	You know the Internet was invented, right ?
Teddy bear	Don't leave him alone at home.
Reading Material	Put it in your smartphone ! Or an electronic reader
Information papers (restaurants, recommendations etc)	Take a photo of them with your smartphone.

Food:

Product	Details
Plastic Spoon & Fork
Swiss army Knife (for fruits)	Don't put it in your hand luggage, you will have problems at the security check.
Can & Bottle Opener
Special Foods	For instance, if you are Vegetarian you may want to bring with you some almonds, nuts etc because some countries are more vegetarian friendly than others.

Just Before Taking Your flight, What to take in the Hand Luggage :

Product	Details
Snack for the Airport	If you want to save money, take a sandwich with you. The food at the airport is expensive. (there may be also delays with your flights).
Drink for the Airport	If you want to save money, take a small plastic water bottle, because also buying water is expensive at the airports. The security check usually won’t let you pass liquids, so fill the empty bottle from one of the free fountains after the security check.
Sweatshirt for the flight	You may feel cold during the flight.
Toiletry kit for the flights	Consider taking in your handbag equipment for the case there will be long delays in your flights. Put extra pair of underwear, socks, t-shirt, toothbrush, deodorant.
Re-Check the List to Pack	Go over the list and see that you haven’t forgotten to pack something.
Check bag tags	Make sure you have bag tags on all your suitcases with your name.
Check suitcase locks	Make sure you have a lock on all your suitcases.
Don't forget documents & Money	Make sure to take the important documents: Wallet, money, flight tickets, reservations, passports, sunglasses, keys.

Preparing the Suitcase before a Trip