Printable Packing List (Travel Checklist, Free PDF)
Never get to the hotel without a charger again. This free 2-page travel packing checklist covers clothes, toiletries, documents, electronics and the travel pharmacy on page 1. Page 2 has a before-you-leave list for the house, a kids section and space for flights, hotel and car rental details.
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How to use the packing list
Page 1, what to pack. Six sections: clothes, toiletries, documents and money, electronics, health and things for the journey. Cross out what does not apply to this trip, add your own items on the empty lines, and tick each item as it goes into the bag.
Page 2, before you leave. A checklist for closing up the house (fridge, trash, plants, heating), a section for traveling with kids, and a small table for outbound and return travel, accommodation, car rental and an emergency contact.
Packing tips that save space
- Roll clothes instead of folding. They take less space and wrinkle less.
- Wear your bulkiest shoes and jacket on the journey.
- Use packing cubes or bags per category, so you never unpack everything to find one thing.
- Decant toiletries into small travel bottles, and keep liquids in one clear bag for airport security.
- Pack one outfit less than you think. Most people come home with clothes they never wore.
Keep the list for next time
Save your filled-in list after the trip and note what you missed or never used. Next time, packing takes half the time.
Budget for the trip too
Holidays are one of the most common reasons budgets go off track. Save for them month by month in a sinking fund, and track spending on the trip with the monthly budget planner.
Questions
How far ahead should I start packing?
Write the list about a week before the trip, then pack two or three days ahead. That leaves time to buy or wash what is missing.
How do I avoid overpacking?
Plan outfits by day, choose clothes that mix and match, and count on doing a small wash if the trip is longer than a week. Cross out everything on the list you do not truly need.
What should go in my carry-on?
Documents, money, medication, phone and charger, valuables, and a change of clothes. If your checked bag is late, you can still manage the first day.
