Here is a list for individuals traveling, though remember Bridget highly recommends you create a travel portfolio to better organize your travels, especially if you have an extensive itinerary.
□ Boarding Pass (plane, bus, rental, train, etc)
□ Passport
□ Driver’s License/ ID/ Student ID
□ Money-cash and cards
- If you are traveling out of state, to the other coast, or out of country- don’t forget to inform your bank.
- Also get your international notes/monopoly money (U.S. Dollars, Euros, Pounds, Pesos, Yen, etc.) ahead of time. You won’t be able to use U.S. currency everywhere so plan for exchange fees and rates; sometimes you lose quite a bit in the exchange.
- RFID purses and little card envelopes are highly encouraged!
- Travel wallets are just dandy. If you can get a longer wallet so you can store your ticketing info in there-it makes it easier. So you don’t lose your boarding pass in the black holes of your packs and also keeps everything pristinely organized, making your life a little easier. Vera Bradley and REI make some great ones that are long enough to fit your boarding passes and passports.
□ Hotel Information
□ Shuttle information/Pick up information/Taxi information
- Goes without saying but don’t forget to arrange your pick up information. Remember where you parked and don’t lose your parking ticket. But also advised not to store your ticket in your vehicle, in case someone breaks into the lot, it will be harder for them to leave with your vehicle….
□ Contact information
- Best to know the addresss and phone numbers of where you are staying and have it with you written down on a hardcopy. Also better if it’s reachable in your backpack or carryon.
□ Cell phone
□ Maps
- Make sure you have your routes mapped out. It’s helpful to use a highlighter if you are driving and study the layout beforehand.
- Know your layover destinations and how to proceed from your gate to the next gate. Sometimes your arrival could only give you 5 minutes to run from one concourse to the next, it has happened to us before. So know where you are headed and the times you need to be there.
□ IPad
□ Camera
□ Laptop
□ Chargers
□ Extra batteries
□ Earphones/ Headphones
□ Memory Card
□ Converter (International Travel)
□ Travel Blanket
□ Travel Pillow
□ Books and Magazines
□ Snack bag
- Always travel with some snacks because you never know if there will be a place to eat nearby. Trail mix, granola bars, pop tarts, chips, etc. are always good to have on hand.
□ Water bottle
- Make sure you don’t fill it up until after you go through TSA or other security measures. It’s also way cheaper as airports significantly markup items, so you won’t pay $6 for a bottle of water. Nahasdzaan, Mother Earth, thanks you kindly for this method as well!
□ Gaming device
□ Your Travel books/guides
- Tip it’s better to store this in your carry on, that way when you arrive you won’t be trying to find it and end up as the annoying person holding up the line…
□ Hand Sanitizer and disinfecting wipes
- Really helpful for public spaces like planes; you don’t know what they used that tray table for.
□ Glasses and case
□ Makeup and mirror
□ Luggage: carry on, main bag, back pack, and/or purse
- A carry on with wheels is helpful so you’re not lugging around a heavy bag during your layovers, especially if there are multiple connections or long trips.
□ Clothes
- We highly recommend you pack layers that you can mix and match. That way you have more room for souvenirs or things you end up buying during your trip.
- Also on day of try to minimize for the sake of TSA and undo your laces while you’re waiting in line, take out your laptop while waiting, and just get ready before you grab your bin. Really makes the world a better place when you’re prepared.
o Shirts (blouse, T Shirt)
o Pants/ Shorts
o Socks
o Sweater
o Jacket
o Hat
o Dresses
o Belts
o Pajamas/ Night clothes
o Underwear
o Sunglasses
o Comfortable walking shoes
o Swimsuits/ Trunks
o Umbrella or Poncho
o Jewelry
- Helpful to buy/make a jewelry organizer for travel or to use a weekday medicine organizer to organize your jewelry per day with your outfits.
- Also to be considerate of others and wait to wear your many jewelry items until after TSA/security. Don’t be that annoying person holding up the line and taking off your jewels. Also it prevents you from leaving them in the bins, we have lost many favorite items to the travel gods in those bins.
□ Toiletries
o Tooth brush, toothpaste, floss, mouthwash
- Remember carry on liquids must be 3.4 ounces or less, and put into a 1 quart sized bag per traveler, as per TSA rules.
o Hair brush, hair ties, bobby pins
o Hair curlers, dryers, straighteners
- Make sure you know voltage for international travel.
o Shampoo & Conditioner
o Sunscreen
o Qtips
o Face Wash, Makeup Remover, Moisturizer
o Lotion
o Make up
o Chapstick
o Feminine products
o Contacts, Solution, and Case
o Hand mirror
o Perfume/Cologne
o Hair gel, hairspray, leave in conditioner, oil
o Shaving kit
o Sewing kit
o Travel Tissue
o Scissors, Nail Clippers, and Tweezers
- These must go into your checked bag
o Health Prescriptions and medicines
- If you are traveling abroad these need to be in their original bottles, the ones with your name and the prescription information on them.
o Multivitamins
□ Emergency Stuff
o First Aid Kit
o Band Aids
- Always have band aids when you travel, just really always keep them nearby.
o Cold medicine
o Aspirin
o Dramamine
o Allergy Medicine
o Eye Drops
o Vaccination record
- Sometimes internationally required.
- If you are traveling internationally please check out the CDC’s Yellowbook beforehand to see each countries specific health guidelines.
Before you leave home, make sure you secure your place. Just in case. Some more tips from us:
□ Make sure you get your mail sorted especially if you have packages arriving while you are gone.
□ Your newspapers sorted.
□ Email autoresponder for business or personal.
□ Organize your pet sitters, lawn maintenance, and plant sitters.
□ Pre-pay for your bills, so you don’t forget-especially if leaving the country.
□ Arrange your absences with work or school.
□ Empty your refrigerator of nearly expired items.
□ Unplug devices in your home you won’t be using or could be safety hazards.
□ Adjust your heating and cooling systems.
□ Adjust your water heater if necessary.
□ Washing machine Taps.
□ Secure all locks.
- Wise to buy wooden sticks to further prevent windows or doors from sliding open, wheel lock for your cars, cinder blocks to blockade your doors-but remember for when you also come home.
□ Time your lights!
- Very helpful to buy a timer for your lights so it will help deter break ins or robbers.
□ Hide your valuables or find a safe place to lock them up! Especially electronics you will be leaving.
□ Give someone you trust an extra key just in case and make sure someone has an extra set of your itinerary info, and passport copy.
□ Double check on your travel times! Make sure your travel modes are on time and double check your reservations.
Navajo Traveling Sisters 