You’ve chosen your destination, booked your flight, and reserved your hotel room. There’s only one thing left to do – pack. Packing is one of the most daunting parts of planning a vacation, it is necessary. There are many things to remember – clothes, shoes, admission tickets, and itineraries – so that it can be easy to overlook other items. Though leaving your toothbrush home may not be a big deal, if you go on your next trip without these essentials, it could make things a bit more complicated.
The 8 Things You Must Pack for a Trip
- Identification
Whether you’re traveling to another city, state, or country, having proper identification is important. Your ID may be required at an airport, restaurant, retail shop, or other location. Not to mention, failing to have your driver’s license on hand could prevent you from driving. Make sure that you pack your driver’s license, state ID, and/or passport. Having additional copies in your luggage is ideal in case it gets lost or stolen.
- Underwear
Clothes are one of the first things you pack, but forgetting fresh underwear could be tragic. Pack enough underwear such as briefs, panties, tanks, tees, and bras for your vacation. It may be wise to pack a few extra just in case.
- Cash
Traveling with a credit card is convenient. It gives you access to your banking funds no matter where you are without the need to make change or conversions. Should your card get stolen, it’s also very convenient to secure your funds by contacting the credit card company to freeze the account. Be that as it may, you should have cash on hand during your trip. You never know if you may enter a cash-only business, lose your wallet, or run into a technical problem where cards cannot be accepted. Taking a few hundred bucks and stashing some on your person and some in your luggage keeps you safe.
- First Aid Kit
Speaking of emergencies, you should be prepared for your trip by packing a first aid kit. Anything could happen that requires immediate medical attention. Getting cut, twisting your ankle, getting stung or bit by an insect, and a host of other things could go wrong and a first aid kit will ensure you can treat yourself or others traveling with you as quickly as possible.
- Medication
If you take prescription medications or use over the counter medications regularly, you should pack them for your trip. Just ensure that the medications you’re traveling with are properly secured, labeled, prescribed to you, and legal to travel with where you’re going.
- Technology and Chargers
What’s a vacation without a few gadgets? Whether it’s your mobile phone, camera, or laptop, don’t forget to bring these things along with you. More importantly, don’t forget to pack the chargers. It’d be a shame to get all the way to your destination and realize you can’t charge your phone.
- Outerwear
It’s always a good idea to check the weather before packing for a trip so you know what types of clothes to bring. Be that as it may, the weather isn’t always predictable. Having some form of outwear for the trip ensures you’re covered no matter what. This can be a light jacket, raincoat, or heavy sweater for those cooler nights or rainy days.
- GreatCall Link App
If you’re a family member of a senior living in an assisted living facility or nursing home that offers each senior a personal emergency response system like GreatCall, you can use its Link app to keep yourself informed on your grandmother’s, or senior parent’s activities and health needs.
There’s a lot to remember to take on a vacation, but some things you don’t want to travel without. Use this list to ensure that you’ve packed everything you’ll need for a safe, fun, and uninterrupted trip.