Travel checklist: What do you need on vacation?

A travel checklist is a good way to ensure you don't forget anything on vacation and to keep track of your travel essentials.

Going on vacation or a holiday means rest, relaxation, and simply letting your mind wander for most people. However, for the trip to truly become a vacation and not lead to nasty surprises before you even start, it is important to think about a number of documents and items.

Keeping a Travel checklist before the start of your vacation is sensible and recommended: You can check the contents of your suitcase and start your vacation in a relaxed manner!

Travel checklist – Tasks & Errands

Before you set off, check all necessary tasks and errands, so that you don't have to worry unnecessarily during your vacation:

• Complete and check your travel first-aid kit
• Exchange money or obtain the correct currency if necessary
• Take your credit card with you
• Research the address of the German embassy in the destination country
• Get necessary vaccinations
• Apply for a visa if necessary
• Cancel or redirect your newspaper subscription
• Note down important phone numbers
• Take your mobile phone and accessories with you
• Turn off electrical appliances
• Turn off the heating
• Turn off water or gas
• Close windows
• Don't forget your front door key or leave it with the caretaker or neighbor
• Take out travel health insurance for trips abroad

Travel checklist – Clothing

Perfectly packed suitcases are essential; after all, you want to be dressed appropriately for every occasion and event. When packing, be sure to consider the local climate or situations, because for a skiing holiday, you need a swimsuit or swimming trunks less. Likewise, a thick down-filled jacket will not be necessary for a vacation in warmer regions. Nevertheless, some items of clothing are extremely important:

• Underwear
• Headgear
• Towels
• T-shirts or sweaters
• Short or long pants and skirts
• Shoes or sandals
• Socks and stockings
• Rain gear
• Sleepwear
• Swimwear
• Sports or hiking clothing

Travel checklist – Cosmetics & Toiletries

Of course, no trip, whether short or long, should be without hygiene or cosmetic items. When packing, keep in mind that some items are more valuable than others. Try to weigh up what you can buy during your vacation and what you will definitely need during the trip, such as:

• Cosmetics
• Shaving utensils
• Body lotion, hand cream, and face cream
• Tampons, pads, and panty liners
• Deodorant
• Hair care products
• Shampoo
• Shower gel
• Hair dryer and hair brushes
• Nail care set
• Sunscreen with sufficient UV protection

Travel checklist – Travel first-aid kit

Just as important as a passport and wallet, for example, is undoubtedly an up-to-date and complete travel first-aid kit. No one can foresee what might happen before the trip begins. Therefore, you should definitely be prepared for any situation. Under no circumstances should the following items be missing from your travel first-aid kit:

• Important medications that you need daily and that are intended for you personally.
• Painkillers
• Medication for diarrhea, headaches, fever, and stomach problems
• Fever thermometer
• Bandaging materials
• Insect protection
• Cream for treating insect bites

Travel checklist – Documents & Paperwork

Some important documents – especially for trips abroad – are very significant. Sometimes these very papers are the key to your entry or a condition for staying in that country. Therefore, you should definitely think about these IDs and tickets:

• Valid ID card or passport
• Tickets for flight, bus, train, or ship travel
• Visa
• Driver's license
• Booking confirmation for hotel or holiday resorts

Travel checklist – Carry-on luggage

A small carry-on bag is always useful on board airplanes and during bus or train journeys. Think about some significant items here. E.g.:

• Sufficient cash
• IDs and credit cards
• Reservations and booking confirmations
• Mobile phone

Travel checklist – useful items

Perhaps you also need other useful items, which are important for one person and possibly insignificant for another. Packing the following items could potentially be useful:

• Adapter for mobile phone
• Sewing kit
• Pocket knife
• Umbrella
• Flashlight
• Travel detergent

Perhaps you were able to expand or complete your directory with the help of this checklist. Check all passages as best as possible before starting your trip so that you can start your vacation relaxed and in a good mood. We wish you a relaxing vacation!

Is our checklist missing a point or two? We look forward to comments, tips & suggestions!

Photo by Sabine, meinhaushalt.at

Also read: Checklist for the Travel First-Aid Kit