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Most people approaches preparations for a trip with both excitement and trepidation. The excite comes from looking forward to your vacation as well as the fear that you may overlook something in your preparation. It is natural for some people to feel overwhelmed by the thought that they have to prepare for the trip. They hate packing, and often put aside the activity until the last minute. Forgetting to bring along an essential item can cause a lot of inconvenience, comfort and expense. While the whole exercise may seem cumbersome, if you approach it systematically, you will leave for your trip relaxed and will enjoy your holiday much more.
To help you in your preparation, I have prepared a Packing List which you can print out and use. This check list covers the essential items that general travelers will be bringing along. If you are going on a specialized trip, you may have to create a second packing list with items which are specific to your needs. For example:
- Dr Graham Thompson is flying from Los Angeles to Buenos Aires to speak at a medical seminar. He uses my Packing List to cover his essential, and creates a second packing list that includes his presentation, pointer, X-ray slides, etc., things he needs which are not part of a general traveler's luggage.
- Bill is spending a month as a monk at a monastery in Thailand. In addition to my Packing List, he also has a second list that includes his attire, gift, letter of commendation, etc.
When to start packing
Pack your bags as early as possible. Items which you will not be using on a daily basis should be packed and checked off from your packing list. Many travelers have a set of "travel toiletries", so they do not have to empty their bathroom of items they use daily. This helps in ensuring that you don't have to wait till the last day to do the packing.Segregate and pack the clothes that you will be bringing on the trip from those you still intend to wear until the day. Read my accompanying article, How to Pack Your Luggage.
Delegating Home Responsibilities
Make sure everything at home is in order during your absence. If you leaving behind dependents (children, the elderly, the invalid, pets), make sure you have assigned someone to look after them while you are away. If you have plants at home, assign someone to water them or ensure they are watered by drip tray. Expensive jewelry are put away in a safe deposit box at the bank.Leave a set of house keys with someone you can trust - a family member, relative, friend, colleague or neighbor, and ask the person to check on your home from time to time. Give the person a copy of your itinerary and your contact numbers so that you can be reached if necessary.
Cancel your newspaper delivery for the duration of your trip. A stack of newspapers on your front door is not a good a tell-tale sign of your absence. Have someone pick up your mail regularly.
The night before
Select the clothes you will be wearing on the trip. This should not have been packed into your luggage, as rummaging may mess things up. If you need a second set of clothes to change into upon arrival (you are going for a dinner, the beach, a seminar), where your travel clothes won't do, pack that second set of clothes above the rest of your luggage. That way, you don't have to rummage deep to find them.Preparing to leave for the trip
Go through your Packing List once more, ensuring all items needed have been packed. Keep your Packing List handy at all times.Close all windows. Do not however "advertise" your absence. If you do not usually draw the curtains, leave them as they are, or draw them half way, to avoid arousing unnecessary suspicion. Put away valuables and expensive items that are usually on display or leave them under the care of someone until your return.
As you prepare to leave your home, ensure all electrical appliances are switched off. If you have a security system installed at your home, ensure it is switched on. Make sure timers for lights are working properly. Make sure all faucets are turned off as well as the mains.
You are ready to leave. It's time to carry your luggage out of your home. Lock the door. Count your suitcase once. Did you forget anything? Take five steps, look back. Is everything in order. If yes, you are ready for a pleasant trip. It's time to relax and enjoy yourself. Have a nice time.
More Travelers' Tools
Here's a whole list of tools to help you prepare for your trip.- Tips to become a smart traveler: Useful tips to remember, to get the best out of your travels.
- Preparing for a Trip: Systematic approach to help you prepare for your trip.
- How to plan your travel itinerary: Step-by-step guide to creating the itinerary for your trip.
- Find and compare hotel room rates: View room rates from all the different booking sites.
- How to compare hotel room rates: Step-by-step guide on finding the lowest rates every time.
- When NOT to go where: List of seasons to avoid when traveling the globe.
- How to do your travel homework: Systematic approach in making preparations for your trip.
- How to pack your luggage: Useful steps to take when packing your luggage.
- Packing List (PDF): Print out this free packing list to make sure you don't forget anything for your trip.
- Voltage, Frequency, Plugs & Sockets of the World: Learn about the mains electricity supply in the world.
- Travelers' List of Plugs and Sockets (PDF): Easy-to-use list of electricity and plugs for all countries.
- Airport User Guide: User information for arriving at various airports in the world.
- Making International Direct Dail Calls: Learn to make IDD calls from anywhere in the world.
- IDD Call Prefixes & Country Codes (PDF): Listing of Call Prefixes and Country Codes on one page for you to bring on your trip.
- Safety Tips When Traveling Alone: Useful advice for when you travel on your own.
- Guide to Health Matters related to Travel: Comprehensive coverage of different issues related to your health when traveling.
- Getting Travel Insurance for your trip: Benefits of travel insurance, and advise on when you should signing up for one.
- Improve your travel photography: Tips to improve your photography skills, especially when traveling.
- Guide to Traveling Around the World: Useful tips for encircling the globe.
- English Made Simple: Improve your English for your travel.
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