When packing for a trip, it's essential to ensure you have everything you need. This can be tricky, especially if you're unsure what to pack. Packing mishaps range from inconvenient (heading to the resort without a swimsuit) to disastrous (discovering you left the country without your wallet), but most are preventable. We’ve created this ultimate packing list to help you pack well every time.
Keeping The Kids Busy
If you’ve ever tackled a loooong drive with children like we have, you know there are just two options: Find engaging ways to pass the time, or submit to a soundtrack of “Are we there yet?” and “I have to go to the bathroom!” Shoving a tablet into your kids’ hands might seem like the obvious solution, but even "Bluey" will only distract for so long.
Destination Friends is a monthly subscription club we've created to provide you with our exclusive deals, travel tips, and one-of-a-kind digital downloads! Being a closer part of The Destination Family, you become our "Destination Friend" to better connect with you, our audience, and friends all around the world! Each month you’ll receive a personalized email that will include exclusive deals, upcoming giveaways, digital downloads, and other special gifts from us to you!
With digital downloads to keep your little ones entertained you'll find your little ones making the whole road trip or plan ride without asking "Are we there yet?" From road trip car games to diving deep into ocean discoveries, learning about all the sea creatures swimming below the sea.
Travel Bag
Before you even begin deciding what to pack for your vacation, it’s important to find a travel bag that's as versatile as you need it to be, while also fitting all your stuff and being easy to carry. Consider the length of your trip, as well as if it’s an international vacation if you’ll be using budget airlines, and your primary activities—all of these considerations impact which bag is best for your trip. We love these packing cubes. They allow you to be so much more organized and believe it or not, I was able to pack more stuff inside my suitcase than I typically could. Each bag can be stuffed with way more than you think and it's nice to separate your clothes from your shoes and underwear. We love these when we only want one suitcase for a family of 3!
Wherever you're planning to go, pick luggage that is versatile, lightweight, and big enough to hold all your travel essentials. The most important decision you'll make (as far as luggage is concerned) is buying a bag that has an awesome warranty. Traveling with a piece of luggage with a broken wheel, handle, or zipper is the absolute worst! Brands that back their gear with stand-up warranties build that promised durability into their gear.
Clothes
This is essential to pack, and it can be challenging to know what to bring. First, consider the climate of your destination. If you're going somewhere warm, you'll need lighter clothes. If you're going somewhere cold, you'll need heavier clothes. Second, consider your activities. If you're going hiking, you'll need sturdy shoes and clothing that can get dirty. You'll need dressier clothes if you're going to a formal event. Third, pack for comfort. You don't want to be lugging around a heavy suitcase full of clothes you won't even wear while you're on vacation.
Make sure to pack enough clothing for the length of your trip, plus a few extra items in case of spills or accidents. It's always better to have too much than too little.
Camera
You'll want to document all of your memories on your trip! So whether you use a digital camera, Polaroid, or even just your phone camera- make sure to pack it!
And don't forget extra batteries or the charger. Nothing is worse than having your camera die right when you're about to capture that perfect moment.
If you're planning on doing any kind of water activities, you'll also want to invest in a waterproof case for your camera (or phone). So you can keep snapping away without worrying about ruining your equipment.
Travel Documents
This is one of the most important things you must remember when packing for your trip. Make sure you have all your travel documents in order before you leave. This includes your passport, visa (if required), tickets, and other necessary paperwork.
If you're traveling by air, don't forget to pack your boarding pass and ID. You'll need these to get through security and board your flight.
And finally, make sure you have travel insurance. A good idea would be to read up on schengen countries and their visa / insurance requirements beforehand. This will protect you in case of any unforeseen events during your trip. With these essentials in mind, you'll be well on your way to packing for a stress-free trip.
Money
You'll need money for almost everything while you're on vacation- from food and souvenirs to transportation and activities. So make sure to bring enough cash with you to cover all of your expenses.
If you're traveling internationally, having some local currency on hand is a good idea. That way, you can avoid getting ripped off by exchange rates. In addition, many airports have currency exchange counters where you can get foreign currency before your trip.
And don't forget about traveler's checks! These are safe and convenient ways to carry money while traveling. You can use them just like cash, but they can be replaced if they're lost or stolen.
If you’re anything like my family, you love going on vacation. The part that nobody loves is the packing part….but that’s just part of the deal. What I dread (and you probably do too), is getting to our destination and realizing I forgot something. That’s the worst! So, in my quest to be more organized during our last trip I created a printable vacation packing list so that doesn’t happen again. I hope our packing tips help you too! Download out packing check list below!