This is a check list I created for my own use. Recently, it occurred to me that others could benefit from it so why not put it at my Web site.
You use this both to do before or pack when you leave on a business trip and to pack while on the trip before you return home. The latter is to make sure you do not leave anything in your hotel room, relative’s house, distant office, etc.
I'm sure there are other things that could be added. If you think of one, please let me know and if I agree, I will add it and give you credit if you want.
- pay bills that will fall due during the trip
- notify relatives of your contact information during the vacation hotel phone number, hotel room, local police/embassy (suggested by Michael Beifeld)
- stop mail and newspapers if you do not have neighbor to get them (Brian Czako)
- adjust thermostat so as to reduce climate control bills while away but not turned off so that pipes freeze in winter (Brian Czako)
- razor or electric shaver
- toothbrush
- floss
- toothpaste
- deodorant
- comb
- spare pair of glasses or contact lenses
- prescription medicine
- vitamin and/or mineral supplements
- regimen aspirin
- tweezers
- nail clippers
- cell phone
- cell phone charger
- note pad
- reading material
- business cards
- underwear for each day
- socks for each day
- shoes for each event
- athletic shoes if appropriate
- athletic shorts and shirts and workout suit if appropriate
- pants for each event
- shirts for each event
- ties
- suits
- sports coats
- raincoat
- hat
- coat and gloves if cold
- bathing suit
- handkerchiefs
- pocket calculator
- personal data assistant
- personal data assistant charger
- belt for each event
- pocket calendar if any
- tickets for plane, train, or other transportation
- cash for tips, etc.
- addresses and phone numbers of friends, relatives, and contacts in the destination area
- check book
- wallet
- photo ID
- credit and ATM cards
- key to get back into house or apartment upon return
- car key if parking car at departure point
- pen or pencil and spare
- luggage keys
- street map of destination area
- itinerary of trip
- confirmation numbers for all travel and lodging arrangements
- camera
- charger for camera (Gary Czora)
- travelers checks
- laptop computer
- laptop computer charger
- birth control and/or other items for having sex during trip if appropriate
- exercise equipment if any (e.g. rubber exercise bands)
- items pertaining to the purpose of the trip like presentation materials, handouts, scientific instruments, etc.
- passport (suggested by Lt Chris Garvin, USN) (Preedee Chenhansa adds that you should make multiple photocopies of your passport and leave one at home, take some with you and carry them in different places from your passport in case you lose the passport—supposedly, having the photocopies will expedite getting a replacement passport)
- frequent flyer cards/free drink coupons (suggested by Lt Chris Garvin, USN)
- spare memory card (or film) for camera (suggested by Lt Chris Garvin, USN)
- spare batteries for camera (Brian Czako)
- iPod
- iPod earphones or noise cancelling earphones
- iPod charger
- your credit card PINs which are necessary for getting cash from ATMs in many foreign countries (suggested by Oliver Jones)
- travel first-aid kit (suggested by Oliver Jones) Imodium A-D, dramamine, band-aids, etc.
- eyeglasses repair kit including hinge screws and tiny screw driver for installing them (suggested by Oliver Jones)
- multiplug adaptor in order to plug chargers into non-U.S. outlets (suggested by Oliver Jones)
- sunblock
- mosquito repellent
- fanny pack
- dental retainers
- international drivers license (Go to your local AAA office and get an International Driver's License. The cost is $10, plus the cost of a passport sized photo, about $13. The license is good for a year, is honored in more than 150 countries, and you get to determine the date when it initially becomes valid. From Gary Townsend)
- Navigation devices (Garmin, TomTom etc. suggested by Carey Ryan)
- Call your bank/credit card companies to notify you will be travelling or overseas. (My check/debit card was suspended by fraud dept, suggested by Carey Ryan)
- Antibacterial moist towelettes (suggested by Travis Bayne)
- Money belt (suggested by Travis Bayne)