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Travel planners4 trip types

Packing list

A checklist by section for four trip types, with a separate list of things to do at home before you leave. It prints with the items already written in, so you tick what is packed and add what is missing.

By Paul Gunder. Free to print for home, classroom and office use; see how our printables are made.

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Vacation Packing List1 page · US Letter

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Vacation Packing ListTripDatesCLOTHESTopsPants and shortsDresses or skirtsUnderwearSocksPajamasSweater or jacketWalking shoesDressy outfitSwimsuitBelt and accessoriesTOILETRIESToothbrush and toothpasteDeodorantShampoo and conditionerRazorHairbrush or combSkincareMakeupGlasses or contactsSunscreenHEALTHPrescription medicinesPain relieverAllergy medicineBandagesHand sanitizerDOCUMENTS AND MONEYID or passportTickets and confirmationsCards and some cashInsurance cardsELECTRONICSPhone and chargerPower bankHeadphonesLaptop or tabletTravel adapterCameraCARRY-ONWater bottleSnacksBook or e-readerTravel pillowPenGumBEFORE YOU LEAVEHold the mailSet the thermostatArrange plant and pet careTake out the trashUnplug small appliancesLock doors and windowsCheck in onlinePrintablePal.com · free printable plannersVacation Packing List
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On this page

What prints

The heading is chosen by trip type: Vacation Packing List, Beach Packing List, Camping Packing List or Business Trip Packing List. Two lines below it say Trip and Dates. The rest of the page is a set of sections laid out in columns, each with printed items and checkboxes.

Vacation has Clothes, Toiletries, Health, Documents and money, Electronics and Carry-on. Beach swaps in a Beach bag section with sunscreen, towels, a cooler and similar items. Camping has Shelter and sleep, Camp kitchen, Clothes, Gear and Personal. Business trip has Clothes, Work, Toiletries, Documents and money and Electronics. Every version ends with a Before you leave section: hold the mail, set the thermostat, arrange plant and pet care, take out the trash, unplug small appliances, lock doors and windows, and check in online.

The settings

  • Heading. Up to 40 characters, for example "Grandma's lake week".
  • Trip. Vacation, Beach, Camping or Business trip.

The printed items cannot be edited on the page, but each section has room to add your own, and a few lines are left blank for exactly that.

Using the list

Print it a week before you go. On the first pass, cross out whatever does not apply: no dressy outfit for a hiking trip, no razor if you have a beard. Then add the things only you need, such as a baby's comfort item, a CPAP machine or a favorite pillow. Pack from the list over two or three evenings, ticking each box as the item goes into the bag.

The Documents section is the one to check twice. If you fly, check the TSA "What Can I Bring?" page, linked above, for what is allowed in carry-on and checked bags, including liquids and batteries. Camping gear like fuel and lighters is restricted on planes. For international travel, the State Department site covers passport and entry requirements, and these can take weeks to sort out.

Worked example: a long weekend at the beach

You choose Beach and write "Outer Banks, July 11 to 14" on the Trip line. In Clothes you cross out Sundress and add "kids' rash guards". In Beach bag you tick sunscreen, towels, umbrella, water bottles and snacks, and add "sand toys" in a blank line. You cross out Motion sickness tablets because no one gets seasick, and add the kids' allergy medicine. Under Documents you tick ID and cards.

On the last evening you work down Before you leave. The mail hold is arranged, the neighbor will water the plants, the thermostat is set, and online check-in is done. The sheet goes into the passenger door pocket so you can recheck at the rest stop.

After the trip

Keep the marked-up page. Next year you start with a version that already says what you forgot and what you never used. A family that travels often can keep one sheet per trip type in a folder.

Plan the days with the travel itinerary. The grocery list helps with snacks and camp food, and the expense tracker keeps the trip spending in one place.

Sources

  1. TSA: What Can I Bring? tsa.gov
  2. U.S. Department of State: Travel.State.Gov travel.state.gov