Travel preparation and checklist
This is my travel checklist and lifehack collection for traveling to conferences and similar events.
I have put this travel checklist online for primarily for my personal ease of access,
but I am happy if it is helpful to whomever else happens to read it!
Bags and luggage
-
Hand luggage
Any small bag that you can carry with you. Contains items that you must keep securely with you!
-
Carry-on luggage
Items of secondary importance which you can tolerate losing.
Keep in mind that if the airline forces you to check in your carry-on,
you will not have access to it during the flight,
and it may happen that the airline loses your carry-on.
-
Bigger luggage
Any other items that you tolerate losing. Same concerns apply as with carry-on luggage.
For each piece of luggage, prepare a sheet of paper with Lost-and-Found information.
The Lost-and-Found information should contain:
- Your name
- Email and phone number
- Flight number
- Travel address
- Home address
(how to contact you, flight number, etc.), and deposit that sheet in each piece of luggage. I recommend writing it once and then print a few copies.
Travel Preparations
Destination Research
- Read Wikitravel entry for the country/state
- Read Wikitravel entry for the city
- Safety conditions at destination, city areas to avoid
- Official travel advisories and warnings
- Vaccinations (check required and recommended vaccinations)
- Visa requirements and entry restrictions
- Local laws and regulations
- Local customs and etiquette
- Weather conditions during visit
- Opening hours of grocery stores
Finances
- What are the local currency and the exchange rates?
- Credit/debit cards and their limitations
Accommodation
- Hotel/hostel reservations
- Check-in/check-out times
- Contact information for the accommodation
Transportation
- Flight/train/bus tickets and their prices
- Transportation between destinations (e.g., car rental, local transportation options)
- Airport transfers
- Maps and directions
Communication and Technology
- Internet access options (phone provider)
- Language translation help and tools
- Emergency contact details
- Sufficient space on phone for photos and videos
Entertainment
- What are the sights and tourist destinations that you want to visit?
- What are the local food options?
Packing categories, listed in descending order of importance
Travel documents and essentials
- Wallet
- Credit/Debit cards and cash
- Cash for emergencies
- Travel itinerary and reservations
- Passport / ID
- Visa, permits, printouts of all relevant immigration documents
- Printout of event invitation
- Vaccinations (check required and recommended vaccinations)
- Travel-size umbrella
- Travel insurance documents (if needed)
- International driving permit (if needed)
Health
- Prescription glasses and glasses cloth (if applicable)
- Contact lenses and solution (if applicable)
- Prescription medications
- Over-the-counter medications (pain relievers, allergy medication, etc.)
- Sunscreen
- Travel insurance (medical coverage)
- Insect repellent
- First aid kit
- Emergency contact information
Toiletries and Personal Care Items
- Zip bags to deposit these items
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Soap or body wash
- Deodorant
- Razor and shaving cream
- nail clipper
- band aids
- desinfectant
- Hairbrush or comb
- Hair styling, face wash, skincare products
- Tissues
Electronics
- Power adapters and converters
- Mobile phone and charger
- Laptop and charger
- Laptop mouse
- USB stick
- Earphones (and case, if applicable)
- General-purpose USB cables
- Power banks
- Camera and memory cards
Work
- Folder with relevant work documents and sheets of paper
- Pen/pencil
Clothing and accessories
- Tops: shirts and T-Shirts
- Bottoms: trousers (long/short)
- Socks and undergarments
- Warm top (sweater, etc.) on body as back-up
- Jacket appropriate to weather
- Belt
- Scarf
- Sunglasses
- Swimwear (if applicable)
- Sportswear and sports shoes (if applicable)
Miscellaneous:
- Passport photos (e.g., for public transport passes)
- Reusable shopping bag
- Water bottle
- Snacks
- Luggage tags and locks
- Travel-sized laundry detergent (if needed)
- Fork, knife, spoon (check flight regulations)
- ....
After return:
- Stash spare change
- Laundry all cloth (as necessary)