The Best Travel Packing Checklist (FREE Download)

It is currently snowing in New York City. From inside, looking out the window, I can even trick myself that it is. The violent flurry of snowflakes look so romantic—they even seem worth writing about. Then, you go outside. It’s cold and wet, your ears turn numb, the wind whips you, and you just want to be warm again.

For many of us, most of the traveling we do is through Instagram (and that trip to the grocery store that gives you an unsettling amount of excitement). However, there lies a glimmer of hope for 2021. And with it, that desire to get up and go grows stronger.

So, as you prepare to hyper-plan your next getaway, let B.E AWAY help organize all those thoughts that are difficult to sift through. We’ve created a comprehensive travel checklist and planner for that moment when you’re so close to being in another (better) place you can barely contain yourself.

In addition to your vacation packing checklist, this blog post is for you, soon-to-be jet-setter. Here you will find advice from a fellow frequent flyer on packing, ways to feng-shui your luggage, things to keep in mind, and ways to travel sustainably.

*note: this post may contain affiliate links and we may earn a small commission for click-throughs. We earn small commissions on purchases as Amazon Affiliates. That said, we only recommend products we love and/or personally own.

Things to know before you go on vacation:

If you are a novice traveler, firstly I would like to say congratulations! As scary as it is, nothing about adventure and new experiences is overrated. I would also like to urge you, get to the airport 2-3 hours BEFORE the departure time for your flight. Running through an airport (not to mention during a pandemic) dragging your luggage(s) frantically is not a place you want to be in. Undesired cardio is just gross. Give yourself time to conquer any unexpected obstacles. If you’re worried you’re too early, there’s really no such thing (within reason). If you’re attempting to avoid having to loitering at the gate or the possibility of boredom, grab a bite or call someone before you are cellularly incapacitated or imagine frame-by-frame getting to know the good-looking stranger sitting next to you on the flight.

Speaking of cellular incapacitation, a list of important information you’ll want to be downloaded before you depart can be found in the B.E Away Travel Checklists below. In addition, for those taking any prescribed medication, I suggest carrying/downloading a copy of your prescription or proof of sale from your pharmacy.

Tips for Packing A Carry-On

Let’s talk carry-on! If you’re someone who likes traveling in style, your carry-on may match your luggage, or you may just use any durable bag (stylish or not). Either way, you should keep a few things in mind when packing your carry-on. Firstly, you should select a carry-on with either a front or side pocket(s). An easily accessible bag or tote with a pocket inside works as well.

In this pocket, you should have a wallet (equipped with your credit/debit card, cash if you’re bringing any, and ID), a copy of your boarding pass (you can keep one on your phone as well but I suggest bringing a printed copy to be safe), and your passport. For TSA purposes, put all prescribed medications you plan to bring with you (along with any Melatonin if you’re planning to knock yourself out on the flight naturally) in a Ziploc bag. For the space-saver junkies, don’t forgo a water bottle because of size and bag space! Instead, look into a collapsible water bottle or a portable slim water bottle. Lastly, I HIGHLY suggest you invest in a charger bag or (if you have) use an extra makeup bag as one. Repeatedly getting lost in the unraveled chords of your chargers is going to cause an unnecessary amount of frustration (and you need to preserve your frustration for the six-year-old kicking the back of your seat for hours).

Clothing Packing Tips for Travel

For this section, I thought seeing would be better than reading. So here are a few packing helpers:

If you’re interested in the packing cubes from the video, here is a link. I will not say they are necessary, you can absolutely make do without, but they can be beneficial.

I also very much suggest investing in a travel laundry bag. This one (I personally own) is compact to fit snug in a smaller pocket of your luggage and expandable when you need to start filling it.

Packing Tips for Toiletries

Ok. Womxn, femme-presenting individuals! This is for y’all. Marie Kondo the SHIT out of your toiletry case(s). I tend to prefer to divide by category: beauty, skin, and hair. Each will have a corresponding beauty bag in my luggage for easy identification when it comes to unpacking.

When packing your beauty bag, DO NOT get carried away by the idea that since you’re on vacation, you MAY use that really bold color you’ve used only once...a year ago. You aren’t. Don’t waste space on it. Pack what you need for your everyday look and a little something to spice that up if you’re going out. Be that a glittery eyeshadow or a colored liner.

Haircare Travel Packing Tips

Now for hair. I am someone with 3C curls. So for anyone with 3A curls or higher who need products tailored to their curls, I’m with you. I often check my bag in for trips longer than a week so that my luggage can take all and any non-TSA-approved hair care products. That said, try to limit the number of products you take with you. In my case, that’s my curl cream, gel, and leave-in conditioner. If you don’t want to bring an entire bottle of styling cream (which I hope you don’t), look into a 4-in-1 travel dispenser. Just fill the bottles with your desired products, slip into back into the dispenser, and you’re good to go!

This next part is for everyone. Suppose you buy easy-to-find conditioner and shampoo from a drug store or are comfortable using various products. In that case, you do NOT need to weigh your luggage down with these. Use your search of shampoo and conditioner for a new adventure tracking down a local drug store in a foreign country—really for any toiletries.

Skincare Packing Tips

When it comes to skincare, bring only your holy grail, which will probably include: cleanser, toner, serums (if you use any), and moisturizers. To optimize space, I suggest keeping an Aveeno facial bar as your trusty travel cleanser. For the toner and moisturizers, take a page from our very own Editor-in-chief, Bronwyn Spain. Transfer those essentials into .5-1oz bottles, decanting everything you can into them. It’s plenty of product, and it’ll save you from having to struggle to close your beauty bag. Bronwyn uses amber glass bottles (she’s so chic, I know). While there are many options out there if you’d like to travel Bronwyn-style, here is the link to your very own amber glass travel bottles.

Tips on Packing Accessories

Now for all those eye-catching accessories, you’re planning on packing. Set aside accessories that correspond with the weather of your destination, then step back and assess. Other than the weather, consider how your selection will complement the clothes/outfits you’ve packed. I suggest bringing universal accessories that can easily pair with the clothes you’ve selected.

Packing accessories should take a certain level of reservation. Limit yourself to an everyday bag and a night-out bag. If you have a shoulder bag (like I do), feel free to toss that in; they’re pretty compact. In the case of jewelry, consider investing in a foldable jewelry bag. They can store a fair amount and help keep things from becoming a tangled mess. As an alternative, I encourage you to pick your favorite everyday pieces and wear them with you on the plane. Don’t forget, traveling in style will never get old, and just imagine how enchanted that cute stranger will be when your earrings catch the sun from 30,000 feet in the air.

You’re almost ready to go on vacation..scroll down for the packing checklist

Photo by jimmy teoh from Pexels — Photo by **jimmy teoh** from **Pexels**

Download the packing checklist for your next vacation below:

Now with all these stellar insights (if I do say so myself), all you need is the B.E AWAY vacation packing checklist! Print it and keep it in that easy access pocket of your carry-on with all your other essential documents OR download it to your phone to check things off as you go! (I know, we’re very versatile). Fill out the form below to get the ultimate travel packing checklist.