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Checklist: How to Pack a Carry On Suitcase
By
Danelle Ice - Home Ever After |
February 3rd, 2009 |
Category:
Travel |
12 comments
The carry on suitcase is the most important piece of your travel preparation, and the item that can make the difference between a great trip and a terrible trip in many cases. If your luggage is lost, damaged, or delayed, it is vital to have everything you need in your carry on suitcase.
Some important guidelines: You’ll need to make sure you have enough clothing, medications, and personal items (toiletries) to last you one day, or until you can get them replaced. Pack all breakables and valuable items (either monetary value or sentimental value) in your carry on so that they are never out of your possession. This includes travel information and identification.
If you’re traveling with children, you’ll need to anticipate any needs they might have in advance. Do not count on a drink or snack service on a plane being timed with coincide with your child’s appetite.
Preparing for travel can get hectic, and the stress of having to remember so many things can cause you to forget the items you really need. It’s nice to use a checklist to make sure you haven’t forgotten any important items that you’ll need in your carry on. Use this printable carry on packing checklist as a reference, and add additional items to the list to customize for your family.
Checklist for Packing a Carry On Suitcase
Clothing
- 1 change of clothes
- 1 set of pajamas
- 1 pair of comfortable walking shoes
- 1 sweatshirt or sweater (in case you need to layer)
Electronics
- Digital camera and batteries
- Video camera and charger
- iPod or mp3 player with ear buds
- Laptop and power cord
- Portable DVD player
- Cell phones and chargers
Travel Info
- Airplane tickets, confirmation number, reservation info
- Travel itinerary
- Frequent flyer number
- Hotel address, confirmation number and reservation info
- Conference receipts, tickets, and reservation info
- Loyalty card for hotel
- Rental car reservation info
- Passport and/or visa
- Identification
Personal Items
- Extra pair of contact lenses (in case one gets lost or torn)
- Contact solution and rewetting drops
- Glasses
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Hair brush, hair styling products
- Makeup for ladies
- Deodorant
Financial
- Money
- Credit cards
- Traveler’s checks
Medical
- Daily prescription meditations you take
- Allergy medicine (if any family members have food or other types of allergies)
- Vitamin/mineral supplements
- Packaged wet antibacterial wipes (you never know what you’re going to be touching)
- A copy of medical records for anyone traveling in your party with a serious health condition
Entertainment
- Magazines
- Books
- Crossword puzzle books
- Notebook or journal for writing
- Thank you cards or holiday cards to be written out, envelopes to be addressed
- Portable game systems (like Nintendo DS or Gameboys) and extra games
Valuables
- Jewelry
- Watches
- Leather coats
- Purses and wallets
For traveling with kids
- Extra diapers and wipes
- Small toys
- Books
- Coloring books and crayons or markers
- Small individually wrapped snacks, like granola bars or crackers
- Juice boxes (Because of the new liquid rules, check with TSA to see if you can take them through security. Some TSAs will allow you (at their discretion) to take liquids through if you have babies or toddlers. If not, you may have to purchase juice boxes after going through the security checkpoint.)
If you liked this printable checklist, subscribe to our free updates to get them delivered to you as they are released! For more Works for Me Wednesday, check out Rocks in my Dryer. Photo by ninjapoodles.
Great list!! Thanks
This is a great list. I am totally hanging on to it for my next vacation.
The last time I traveled I decided that I could live with the clothes on my back for three days if necessary, because it seemed like my entire bag was full of electronics and their charging cords. LOL
This is an excellent list! Thank you
Come by and see me today
Kristin
This is a great travel list! I always seem to forget at least one item. So printing away now!
@UpstateMom @Farrah:
Thank you! Glad you guys will use it. I love checklists, because they mean I don’t have to spend energy trying to remember things I already remembered once! lol Thanks so much for the comments, ladies.
Barbi
@Kristin:
I know, it seems like we’re all so connected that the electronics could take up all of our suitcase space. Cool to hook up with you through WFMW – thanks for the comment!
Barbi
This is a great list. Thanks for sharing!!
[...] Homemaker Barbi added an interesting post today on Checklist for Packing a Carry On Suitcase | Homemaker BarbiHere’s a small readingThe carry on suitcase is the most important piece of your travel preparation, and the item that can make the difference between a great trip and a terrible. … so many things can cause you to forget the items you really need. It’s nice to use a checklist to make sure you haven’t forgotten any important items that you’ll need in your carry on. Use this printable carry on packing checklist as a reference, and add additional items to the list to customize for your family. … [...]
What is considered medical products for eyes that I can carry in my carry-on suitcase that is 12 oz. that is liquid?
@Hollan: That question is probably best answered by visiting TSA’s website for complete descriptions of which items are acceptable.
Barbi
Hey, really good post.. This is a great way to help an unplanned traveler like me! I always think that I’ll make a checklist. But it never happens!
Great List. Nice and to the point. I’ve seen a lot of sites that have a lot of fluff on there and a lot of items that I wouldn’t carry. This list is great!