Print copies of all of your travel confirmations, including airline, train, hotel, rental car and attraction tickets. If your airline allows online check-in, print your boarding pass the night before and bring it with you. Ensure that all members of your traveling party have their driver's licenses, state ID cards, passports and or/visas. If you will be traveling to an area of the world that requires special shots or medicines, bring proof of your immunization from your doctor or travel clinic.
Ensure that you have at least one outfit for each day of your trip, including socks and undergarments. Add evening wear for fancy dinners or nights out and a bathing suit if you're visiting a warmer climate. Limit shoes to no more than two or three pairs, including the pair you're wearing while traveling to your destination. Don't forget comfortable, broken-in walking shoes if you plan on extensive sightseeing. Leave expensive jewelry at home; bring cheap, mix-and-match pieces instead.
Bring prescription medications in their original containers with your name on them. If you're staying at a hotel, items like soap, shampoo and lotion are already provided, so leave these at home if possible. Purchase travel-sized versions of other necessities, including sunscreen, deodorant, toothpaste and a toothbrush. If you will be traveling by plane, all liquids and gels in a carry-on bag must be under 3.4 ounces and kept in a clear, quart-sized zip-top bag.
Bring a book, crossword puzzles or other handheld activities to keep yourself busy while on the road. Pack small toys or handheld games for kids, as well as snacks. A travel pillow or blanket, earplugs and a sleep mask come in handy for long car, plane or train rides; skip these if your airline provides them. Tuck a small umbrella into your suitcase in case of a rainy atmosphere upon your arrival. A fully charged GPS, as well as paper maps, are essential for a road trip if you're traveling to unfamiliar locations. Don't forget a camera to capture memories along the way.
