En largo camino paja pesa.
On a long journey, even a straw weighs heavy.
-Spanish proverb
It’s packing time again–we (me, Matt and the girls) are off to Paris next week for work and play. This packing list by Doug Dyment, comprehensive yet efficient, has forever been my favorite. If you’re traveling with specialized equipment for example as a photographer would, of course you’ll have to augment the list. Families with infants, or those with other exceptional needs, will need to add gear and other necessities to it, but for most of us, the list is quite perfect.
Each time I pull this list out, I’m reminded of the first time I took my high-school students to Europe. I handed it out to the kids to help them prepare for packing. At least five students came in with the same question the following day; they, and their parents, wanted to know why they’d need contraceptives for our trip–it was on the list…oops.
Tailor it to meet your own needs and you’ll be prepared for anything.
I’ve pasted the list here and provided several links to it within this post.
A One-Page Packing Checklist
dressy jacket
2-4 shirts/blouses/tops
2 pairs trousers/skirts (shorts?)
3+ pairs socks
3+ pairs undergarments
long (lightweight) underwear
swimsuit
dark (cardigan) sweater
rainwear (umbrella?)
parka, coat, or equivalent
long T-shirt or sarong (nightclothes?)
necktie, scarf, shawl, hairband, bandanna
gloves / mittens
sun hat / knitted cap, hat clip
1 pair dressy shoes (laces?)
1 pair walking shoes/boots (laces?)
flip-flops or sandals
belt
_______________________________________
travel pack or shoulder bag
(& luggage cart?)
daypack (fanny pack? purse?)
lightweight duffel/laundry bag
luggage lock(s) (cable?)
_______________________________________
alarm clock/watch (batteries?)
flashlight, headstrap, extra batteries (bulbs?)
knife, screwdrivers, pliers, scissors
spoon (fork? chopsticks? spork?),
(coffee tin lid) plate or bowl
compass
whistle
door lock
_______________________________________
safety pins, cord, fasteners
sewing kit, including large needle
to accommodate dental floss
(Ziploc®) plastic bags, garbage bags
repair tape (packing tape? glue?)
_______________________________________
toothbrush, cap, tooth cleaner, floss
razor, blades, shaving oil/cream
comb and/or hairbrush
shampoo, bar soap & container
deodorant
nail clippers
[unbreakable] mirror
viscose towel (washcloth?)
_______________________________________
inflatable travel pillow
earplugs (sleep mask?)
sleep sack (sleeping bag?
bivouac sack? blanket? tent?)
_______________________________________
universal (flat) sink stopper
detergent, spot remover
(surgical latex braid) clothesline (carabiner?)
inflatable hangers [to dry clothes]
_______________________________________
toilet paper, water squirt bottle,
antibacterial wipes
(chemical or mechanical) water purifier
analgesic of choice
diarrhea treatment of choice
infection treatment of choice
malaria tablets
insect repellent, mosquito net
sunscreen, lip balm
tweezers
bandages (other first aid?)
menstrual, contraceptive,
and/or prophylactic supplies
vitamins, necessary medications
(collapsible) plastic water bottle & cup
dark glasses, retainer, case
lens cleaning cloth/supplies, copy
of prescription (spare glasses?)
_______________________________________
pen(s), small notebook, glue stick
[for notes, addresses, diary, …]
personal address book (stamps?)
maps, guidebooks, phrase books, Post-it® notes, restaurant lists, membership cards, business/calling cards, telephone access numbers
reading material
large envelopes [to mail things home]
_______________________________________
passport, visas, extra passport photos, vaccination certificates
copies of important documents
(international?) driver’s license, health insurance information
travel tickets
charge & ATM cards, cash (traveller’s cheques?)
2 personal cheques
security pouch [worn under clothes]
_______________________________________
Specialty Items
camera (lenses? flash? tripod? extra cards & batteries? charger? download adapter?)
cellular telephone (charger?)
travel computer (flash drive? power cord/adapters? network cable(s)?)
jump rope
(solar) calculator
foodstuffs
gifts
