Pre Departure:

  1. Passport
  2. Visa
  3. Health Documentation
  4. Transportation Tickets
  5. Frequent Flyer Cards
  6. Emergency Information
  7. Insurance
  8. Hotel Reservations
  9. Traveler’s Checks
  10. Currency
  11. Credit Cards
  12. Guide Books and Maps
  13. Trip Cancellation/ Medical Insurance
  14. Personal Identification
  15. Copies of Airline Tickets & Passport
  16. Special Event Reservations
  17. Select airplane seats
  18. Pre-order meals to meet special dietary requirements
  19. Give travel itinerary, list of credit card and travelers check numbers, and photocopies of tickets, passport, reservation confirmations and other important documents to relative/friend
  20. Place luggage tags on both the outside and inside of your baggage

Travel Gear:

  1. Main Travel Bag (Travel Pack/ Duffle Bag/ Luggage)
  2. Packing Accessories (for clothes, small stuff and toiletries)
  3. Security (Passport Carrier/ Locks/ Luggage Tags)
  4. Document Organizer
  5. Everyday Bag

Everyday Basics:

  1. Travel Clothing
  2. Raincoat/ Umbrella
  3. Travel Footwear
  4. Visor or Brimmed Hat
  5. Camera, Lenses, Film
  6. Radiation Shield for Film
  7. Video Camera, Tapes
  8. Binoculars
  9. CD/ MP3/Cassette Player
  10. Electric/ Phone Converters
  11. Travel Alarm
  12. Language Books or translator
  13. Reading Materials
  14. Address Book
  15. Travel Journal
  16. Pen/Pencil
  17. Scarf/ Bandanna
  18. Games/ Playing Cards
  19. Snacks
  20. Water Bottle
  21. Hand Sanitizer/ Towelettes
  22. Travel Neck Pillow
  23. Eye Shade/ Ear Plugs
  24. Portable Door Lock
  25. Tissues/ Toilet Paper
  26. Keys

Maintenance Items:

  1. Flashlight Batteries/ Bulb
  2. Matches or Lighter
  3. Extra Batteries
  4. Sewing/ Repair Kit
  5. Duct Tape
  6. Travel Iron or Steamer
  7. Sink Stopper for Hotel Sinks
  8. Zip-close Plastic Bags

Travel Health:

  1. Travel Health Booklet
  2. Pain Reliever/ Aspirin
  3. Cold Medicines
  4. Contact Lens Items
  5. Diarrhea Medicine
  6. Laxative
  7. Insect Protection
  8. Sun Protection
  9. Sunburn Relief
  10. Antibiotic Cream
  11. Malaria Medication
  12. Motion Sickness Medicine
  13. Personal Hygiene Items
  14. Personal Prescription

Home Checklist:

  1. Stop deliveries
  2. Have Post Office hold mail
  3. Arrange care for pets, lawn and plants
  4. Set-up a timed lighting system
  5. Notify local police of absence
  6. Leave house key and trip itinerary with a neighbor
  7. Empty refrigerator
  8.  Eliminate possible fire hazards (unplug appliances, etc.)
  9. Turn down thermostat
  10. Turn off water heater
  11. Store valuables in a safe place
  12. Lock all doors and windows
  13. Reconfirm with airlines
  14. Make arrangements for payment of all bills that will come due during absence
  15. Cancel newspaper delivery
  16. Ask neighbor to remove doorknob hangers and flyers

Toiletries:

  1. Comb / Brush
  2. Toothbrush / Paste
  3. Dental Floss
  4. Deodorant
  5. Soap-Personal & Laundry
  6. Skin Care Lotion / Creams
  7. Make up
  8. Mirror
  9. Manicure Articles
  10. Hair Care
  11. Sunscreen / Lipbalm
  12. Razors / Shaving Cream
  13. Hair Dryer
  14. Towel / Washcloth
  15. Travel Bottles (for shampoo & laundry soap)

How to avoid ear pain on planes:

  1. Drink plenty of water (to facilitate swallowing and to thin mucus).
  2. Chew gum or suck on hard candy.
  3. Yawn frequently
  4. Use a decongestant before takeoff and descent.
  5. Stay awake during takeoffs and landings to clear ears.
  6. Wear pressure-regulating earplugs.
  7. Close mouth, hold nostrils shut, blow out through nose.
  8. Avoid flying if you have a cold.
  9. Feed your baby during the flight and do not allow him/her to sleep during descent.