Free printable vacation packing list template

The Complete Travel Packing Checklist & The Best Tips For Packing [Printable]

When it comes down to it, packing for a trip [domestic or international] can be stressful. Do you wait until the last minute? Put off researching what youll need for certain activities or weather at your destination? Get distracted easily, or have young kiddos that need attention? It happens to the best of us!

On one hand, if you under-pack you might not be prepared. But if you over-pack, you run the risk of incurring hefty baggage fees or missing out on space to bring home that lovely souvenir. If you forget an essential travel document, you could even miss your trip altogether! We get stressed just thinking about it!

Thats why Upgraded Points is bringing you a guide full of packing tips and tricks, a printable travel checklist, a list of apps to help you out, and reminders for to-dos around the house before you leave.

Were here to assuage your anxieties and make sure youve got what you need, youve cut what you dont, and theres no wallet/phone/swimsuit/teddy bear left behind!

Hot Tip: Dont forget to alsocheck out our Carry-On Travel Essentials guidewhere weve compiled a His and Hers list of some great products that we simply cant do without when we travel!

Click To View Our Printable Travel Packing List >>

General Packing Tips & Tricks

Before you even take your suitcase out of the closet:

Check the weather at your destination.

This seems intuitive, but youd be surprised how many people are stuck traveling in rainy season without a raincoat.

Note how many days/nights you will be away.

This will help you decide the number of necessary outfits. Obviously, how often you prefer to wear the same clothes plays a part in this as well.

Note any special activities/events you may partake in.

Traveling for a birthday? You dont want to forget that heartfelt gift you bought weeks in advance. Going to a wedding? Itd be a shame if you showed up without your suit. Hiking in Hawaii? Your water-shoes wont get much use if you leave them behind.

Make a packing list early and review it at least twice. [Yes, twice.]

You can easily find printable vacation packing lists online [like ours above], or you can write out your own. There are also a number of apps you can utilize if you prefer something more tech-based. Read about several of these below!

Timing is key here. If you jot things down or review your printed list in advance, it gives you the opportunity to take a second look with a fresh mind. All too often youll remember something you didnt yesterday when your brain was thinking about pizza instead of packing.

If youre printing a list thats not trip specific, review it first and immediately cross off items you wont need. Why bring a winter coat to the beach?

Take items you can grab at your destination off the list.

If youre planning to travel with only a carry-on, this tip is especially important as it will save space [at least for your outgoing journey!].

Most times when traveling, your hotel will provide shampoo, conditioner, body wash, toothpaste, etc.; why waste space packing them? If youre a little picky about your toiletries or youre not staying at a hotel, youll probably still encounter a drugstore where you can buy anything you might need.

Purchase travel sized containers or toiletries if you plan on bringing your own.

Remember regulations for the amount of liquids you can bring in a carry-on for a flight. Youll want travel sized containers if you plan on carrying liquids this way.

Even if youre flying with a checked bag and are allowed more liquids, do you really need that 16oz bottle of shampoo for a weeklong trip? Cutting it will save you room for other essential items.

Choose the right luggage.

Yes, different airlines have different restrictions on sizes for carry-ons and checked bags but stick to some general guidelines and you should be safe.

For carry-ons, youre generally accepted at/under max linear dimensions of 155cm/45in. For checked bags, youre generally safe under 158cm/62in max linear dimensions. However, be sure to check the airline youre flying with prior to packing, as some can be stingy!

You also want to seriously consider the type of bag you enjoy traveling with shoulder bag, backpack, roller bag, hard shell, soft shell, etc. There are definitely loads of options so just remember, your bag shouldnt stress you out, it should make traveling easier!

Hot Tip:Weve done tons of research on this topic so dont miss our articles on the best carry-on bags and the best checked luggage bags for any type of traveler.

When youve done your prep and youre almost ready to pack:

Essentials first.

Gather your most important items first. This includes all travel documents such as your passport, ID/drivers license, boarding passes, hotel reservations, etc. This also includes anything youll seriously regret forgetting and cant purchase while traveling: wallet, credit cards, camera, cell phone, etc.

This being said, there are a number of apps that can assist with itinerary management and decrease the number of printed documents youll need to carry. See our list of helpful packing apps at the end of this post.

Choose an appropriately sized suitcase.

If you only have 1 suitcase, then youre set. If youve got more options, attempt to use the smaller one most people tend to overpack when their suitcase is too large for their trip. You dont really need an extra sweater, 2 more t-shirts, and another pair of boots just because they fit! Plus, your baggage will be a lot easier to handle if its smaller and lighter, which will cut your stress level significantly.

Lay everything out.

Laying all of your items out allows you to plan outfits and account for your days/nights away. When everythings laid out, you can clearly see how much youre bringing and spot missing items easier. This also includes shoes, accessories, toiletries, etc.

Dividing items into sections based on where theyll be packed is also helpful.

Lastly, dont forget to lay out your plane/travel day outfit and consider it with your other pieces.

Pick simple mix-and-match pieces to prevent overpacking.

In general, choose simple tops and bottoms that can be mixed and matched to make multiple outfits. Did you know that just 3 bottoms [pants, shorts, skirt, etc.], 4 tops [tee, tank, etc.], and 2 outer layers [sweater, coat, or cardigan] can make up to 24 different outfits??

Depending on the reason for your trip, you might need to pack a special item that can only be worn once [suit, bridesmaid dress, etc.], but try to keep these to a minimum! This step is key if youre pressed for space.

PUT STUFF BACK!

Once youve laid out all your items, really consider the number of days youll be on your trip. Chances are you could stand to put a few things back in the closet in order to pack more efficiently. Remember, no one wants to pay a fee for overweight baggage or lug around extra clothes for no reason!

Pack it up!

You never thought wed actually get to this step, did you?? There are a number of recommended packing tips when it comes to getting everything neatly in the suitcase. This can be overwhelming, but if you pick up the right habits packing will seem much less stressful.

Check, double-check, and triple-check your essentials.

Put a checkmark next to each item youve packed and DONT TAKE IT OUT OF YOUR BAG. If youre not ready to pack an item, do NOT check the box! Thats exactly how you leave your phone at home on the charger next to your bed. But the box was checked!!! youll say

[Note: this rule actually goes for everything, not just essentials!]

If youre notorious for leaving essentials at home, print an extra travel checklist just for those items and tape it to your front door the night before you leave. Make a promise that you cant walk out without reviewing the list one final time.

Fold, Interfold, Bundle, or Roll?

By now youve probably heard that old-fashioned folding isnt the best method to use when it comes to packing, especially in tight cases. If you have the room to spare, virtually any of these methods will do.

Interfolding involves layering clothes on top of each other in a top-to-bottom, bottom-to-top format, then interweaving them as you fold them together. If you fold the items in accordance with the size of your suitcase, youre left with a neat little bundle that will fit right in. Additionally, this style of folding will leave your clothing virtually wrinkle-free.

Bundle packing is very similar to interfolding, but you are tightly folding or wrapping your clothing items around a soft core [like a dopp kit, stack of underwear, cloth zippered jewelry bag, etc.]. Bundle packing is also said to reduce wrinkles and save space.

Many people also recommend rolling when packing your clothes at least for softer items and jeans. Again, this method tends to save room and reduce creasing in the process.

If none of the above methods are doing the trick and you dont have the option of a hanging garment bag, it may be beneficial to learn the proper way to fold nicer items [like a dress shirt or suit coat] for the best results.

Pack liquids in secure bags.

Toiletries that can leak will leak. These should be placed in a plastic zippered bag or another secure bag of your choosing. Some travelers even encourage cutting small squares of plastic wrap to cover the opening between bottles and their lids in attempts to prevent further seepage.

Utilize shoe space when you can.

Rolled up socks, belts, gloves, stocking caps, and other small items can easily fit into shoes [as long as theyre relatively clean and not smelly!]. This also helps the shoe hold its shape throughout your travels. Rolled up belts can also be used to keep a shirt collar stiff if needed.

Prevent dirty shoes from soiling clothes.

Pack them in a separate space or utilize plastic bags/shower caps to cover the bottoms and prevent dirtying the rest of your clothing. Have a delicate pair of dress shoes or heels? Pack them in their own bags if possible, or clean the bottoms and wrap with a durable garment.

Toss a dryer sheet into your suitcase to keep things smelling fresh.

While youre at it, grab a stain pen or stain wipes for your carry-on. If you happen to spill on one of the only tops youve brought and dont have laundry facilities, youre cutting your number of outfits drastically. If you know youll have laundry facilities or need to wash your clothes by hand, you can purchase individual detergent packets.

Pack a change of clothes in your carry-on.

By packing a change of clothes and undergarments in your carry on, youre covered for at least a day if your baggage gets delayed or lost. Some travelers may want to pack an extra pair of shoes just in case.

Similarly, if youre heading to a beach locale, pack a swimsuit and sandals. If you have to wait to check into your hotel, you can head to the pool while the concierge keeps your luggage!

Keep expensive/irreplaceable items on your person.

As a general rule of thumb, you should leave irreplaceable items at home. This includes objects such as expensive jewelry and heirlooms. If you must travel with them, these items should be kept with you at all times. Do not trust them to be safe when placed in checked baggage; if your suitcase is lost, delayed, or stolen, youre out of luck.

Similarly, if you must travel with official documents such as birth certificates or social security cards, check to see if a certified copy will suffice. Or maybe take a photo on your phone for less hassle. Otherwise, the same rule applies to these irreplaceable documents.

Follow the TSA 3-1-1 rule for liquids in carry-on baggage.

3 Travelers may carry liquids, aerosols, gels, creams, and pastes in containers of 3.4oz [100ml] or smaller.

1 These items must fit into 1 clear plastic quart-sized bag.

1 Only 1 bag per passenger is allowed.

Remove this bag from your carry-on and place it separately in the screening bin. This is meant to slightly expedite passing through security.

Apps for Packing Assistance

The following apps can be ultra helpful for those who prefer a mobile device to the standard pen and paper methods!

Evernote: While Evernote isnt technically travel oriented, its all about lists and can be a big help for packing! With Evernote, you can sync your packing list across all your devices, making it easy to keep track of things no matter where you areeven out at the store buying items from your list!

Evernote also enables sharing notes with others, which is especially helpful for group trips. Need reminders? No problem, you can set alerts in Evernote to keep you on top of your game.

Packing Pro: This app is everything you ever wanted if youre a list maker, and everything you didnt know you needed if youre a constant forgetter! Packing Pro helps travelers get organized via packing lists. From templates and suggestions to customizable designs, Packing Pro has options for every type of traveler. Users are allowed an unlimited number of packing lists of an unlimited length, and you can even add images, alerts, and mark need to buy items.

It also has iCloud support and the ability to share your lists via email, AirDrop, Dropbox, etc. You can also export and edit your lists with Excel, Numbers, or Google Docs. If youre the type that physically needs to cross things off, you can send directly to a printer too.

The Packing List Assistant is a cool feature if youre low-maintenance: it will take your parameters [number of people, destination, weather, etc.] and automatically create lists for you.

PackPoint: PackPoints purpose is to take the guesswork out of packing. The app pretty much tells you what to pack based on how long youre traveling, where youre going, the weather when you get there, and any activities you have planned [chosen from a pre-defined list in the app]. With PackPoint Premium, users can connect to TripIt, share your lists across devices, and add customizable packing items/activities.

Travel List: Travel List seems to have fewer bells and whistles. You can do many of the same things as with Packing Pro and PackPoint: create customizable packing lists, sync across your devices, share with other people, and create alerts/reminders. One nice component is their calendar view, which gives a different type of visualization that some people really prefer. And this one is compatible with Apple Watch, which can be a huge organizational perk.

*DUFL: This app is great for business travelers who dont want to lug a suitcase on each trip. DUFL is a service where business clothes are cleaned and sent directly to your destination so you can basically travel hands-free. DUFL also has an option to ship sporting equipment you may not want to lug all over the place. Another option for businesses allows shipping, retrieval, and storage of items like signage, banners, trade show set-ups, cables, cords, merchandise, etc.

Apps for Itinerary Management

The following apps are helpful for keeping all your travel information in one place. From flight itineraries to hotel confirmation, event tickets to dinner reservations, theyve got you covered. Plus, this means fewer printed travel documents you need to worry about carrying with you.

Google Trips: In a nutshell, Google Trips seamlessly integrates reservations [flights, hotels, rental cars, etc.] from your Gmail and creates a specific trip in the app. These trips are like folders of information including some basic categories like Reservations, Things to Do, Saved Places, Day Plans, Food & Drink, Getting Around, and Need to Know.

It also provides opportunities for travel inspiration, traveler reviews, dining/drink options, and encyclopedic information on several hundred top cities and attractions around the globe.

Also good to note: when you download your trip, everything is available offline in case youre stuck without WiFi or data.

Kayak Trips: Part of Kayaks main app includes a platform called Trips, which acts as an itinerary management app to keep all your pertinent travel information together. With Trips, you can forward your booking confirmations to [emailprotected], where your itinerary is managed for you in a nice timeline format with maps and important info all on one screen.

Kayak Trips gives you the ability to send other people access to your travel plans through sharing options, link to your calendar app for planning consistency, and receive SMS and email flight alerts.

TripIt: TripIt is one of the most popular travel organization apps on the market. The app automatically imports flight, hotel, rental car, and other booking confirmations [concert tickets from StubHub, dinner reservations from OpenTable, etc.] from your e-mail. If you dont appreciate the e-mail scan, you can always forward your emails to [emailprotected] or manually input all the information into the system.

TripIt then creates an itinerary in an easy-to-read format, including space for directions between airports, rental car pickup, and hotel details. TripIt also allows for calendar syncing and makes it easy to send your travel info to family/friends by sharing via text, Evernote, LinkedIn, Slack, or WhatsApp.

With TripIt Pro, users get real-time flight alerts, help finding alternative flights, fare refund notifications, seat tracker, integration with LoungeBuddy, reward program points tracking, and the ability to save money with VIP benefits.

Before Leaving the House

In this section, we list some steps you might forget to take when youre in a hurry to leave for vacation.

Remember to:

• Download your travel resources [guidebooks, language apps, etc.]
• Notify credit card companies of upcoming travel [international trips]
• Set an email auto-responder if necessary
• Take out the garbage
• Check washing machine for wet clothes
• Check dishwasher for dirty dishes
• Turn off all lights and electronics
• Set lighting timers
• Water the plants
• Drip taps [in cold climates where pipes could freeze]
• Close/lock all doors and windows; pull all curtains
• Set alarm system

For longer trips, dont forget to:

• Empty the refrigerator/pantry of perishable food
• Unplug electronics
• Put a hold on your mail
• Consider having a friend check on your house from time to time

The Upgraded Points team is always jetting off somewhere and even westill have trouble packing sometimes!

Additionally, if youre interested in the best of the best travel products to up your packing game, check out these posts:

• All Our Best Travel Product Reviews In One Place
• The 15 Best Checked Luggage Bags For Any Traveler
• The 15 Best Carry-on Luggage Bags for Any Traveler
• The 16 Best Travel Duffel Bags on the Market in 2019

Lastly,if youre looking for the top travel-related gifts, weve got you covered with our 20+ Best Gifts for Travelers [His & Hers Editions].