A Comprehensive Vacation Packing List
We’ve all felt it: that sinking feeling. You’re driving to the airport and you’re late. You stuffed some clothes in your suitcase and threw it in the trunk, but you can’t shake that uneasiness. Around the office we call this airport anxiety, aka that sinking feeling that you forgot something. And most everyone feels it! If it wasn’t universally felt then Home Alone would be less humorous and instead a very troubling tale of child abandonment.
But don’t worry, at Stay Alfred we’re here to make things easier. We’ve compiled a packing checklist to help you combat that “oh sh*t I forgot something” feeling next time you travel.
The Paper Trail
-Passports, insurance information, credit cards are all important information that, if lost, can seriously ruin a trip. Before your trip make photocopies or scan pdf versions of all your important documents and keep these pdfs somewhere that they can be accessed – like in the cloud.
-If you’re traveling to a foreign country, make sure to call your bank beforehand and let them know you’ll be traveling. There's nothing worse than enjoying a delicious meal then finding out your card is frozen. Awkward.
Absolute essentials:
- Passport
- Credit cards
- Driver's license
- Insurance
- Emergency numbers
- Extra cash
- Plane tickets
- Trip documents/ itinerary
- Stay Alfred check-in instructions
- Guidebooks, maps
What Gadgets To Pack for A Vacation
- There's nothing worse than trying to get that amazing photo during your trip and discovering that you don’t have enough storage space. Before you get to your travel destination free up some storage space on your phone. Do you really need 400+ photos of your dog sleeping in the exact same position?
- Embrace the cloud! If your phone can automatically back-up files, make sure this feature is turned on before your trip. If a spilled margarita or a sneaky pick-pocket renders you phoneless, at least you'll have access to your photos.
-People always forget their chargers. If you’re a frequent traveler, consider buying an extra phone and laptop charger that you keep in your suitcase permanently.
-Download music, videos and games before getting to the airport. While it’s more common for airports today to have WiFi, theirs is often slower than what you’ve got at home.
-Looking for east in flight entertainment? Try downloading a podcast. They’re free, engaging and make time fly.
What Devices Should I Bring On Vacation
- Cell phone + charger
- Voltage adapter (if traveling overseas)
- Laptop + charger
- Camera + charger
- Headphones (because Hell is listening to a baby cry on a flight)
- Charging block (useful if you predict being out for hours at a time)
What Toiletries to Bring on Vacation
-Don’t be “that person” who holds up the airport security line. If you’re flying make sure all your liquids are in 3.4 ounce (100ml) bottles. And all of your liquids need to fit in 1 quart-sized plastic bag.
What Toiletries Should You Pack For Vacation:
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste + floss, mouthwash, etc.
- Deodorant
- Shampoo + conditioner (these are provided in your Stay Alfred but if you can’t part with your fav product then bring it)
- Brush/comb
- Curling/flat iron
- Sunscreen
- Moisturizer
- Lip balm
- Contacts lenses, case and saline solution
- Makeup
- Makeup remover/wipes
- Lint roller
- Razor, shaving cream, nail clippers (if you’re checking your bag)
It’s the little things (that matter a lot)
- Medication
- First aid kit
- Basic medicine (Advil, Tylenol, Tums, Immodium, cold medicine)
- Sleeping aid, like melatonin (take THAT jet lag!)
What Clothing to Bring on Vacation
-Over-packers (we’re looking at ourselves here) – plan your outfits! If you are fine wearing the same sweatpants around the house all weekend then you don’t need to pack 37 shirts for your three day trip. Also your Stay Alfred has a washer and dryer so you can just wash your clothes!
-Ogres have layers and so should you! Take a moment to consult your weather app. Going someplace cold? Remember to pack layers! Nothing ruins a trip or throws you off your business game like being freezing.
-What so great about our travel apartments is their walkability! But be careful, all this walking (especially in heels) can result in blisters and sore feet. Pack a pair of Dr. Scholl’s inserts and some blister band-aids.
-Roll with it: It turns out that throwing all your clothes into a bag isn’t the best way to pack. (Weird, we’ve been doing this for years.) According to the internet the ideal packing plan involves:
- Rolling all t-shirts, skirts into little clothing-sushi rolls and placing them in the bottom of your suitcase.
- Place your pants and trousers over your rolled items leaving the pant legs out.
- Add more rolled clothing and bulky items.
- Wrap pant and trousers legs (that had been previously left out) over bulky clothes.
- Stuff accessories and shoes into corners of bag (put socks inside shoes)
- Enjoy your well packed suitcase and wrinkle free clothing
Packing list:
- Casual shirts
- Casual pants/ shorts
- Dress shirt/ dress pants
- Pajamas (+ robe and slippers if you’re fancy)
- Sweaters
- Underwear/ undergarments
- Socks
- Casual shoes/ sandals
- Dress shoes/ heels
- Hats, scarves, gloves
- Belts (don’t want your pants on the ground, lookin’ like a fool with your pants on the ground)
- Swimwear, cover up
- Workout clothes and shoes (because Stay Alfred buildings usually have amazing gyms)
Men:
- Suits
- Sports coat
- Ties, suspenders, bow tie
Women:
- Skirts/ dresses
- Bras
- Spandex
- Tights
“Just throw it in the bag” aka Stuff for your Carry On
- Travel blanket/ pillow
- Eye mask
- Collapsible water bottle (because we will NOT pay $5.50 for a water at a newsstand)
- Snacks (Nothing makes a flight delay worse than being hungry)
- Gum
- Ear plugs
- A good book, magazine, crossword puzzle
The Stuff You Never Think About But Actually Need:
- Hand sanitizer (trust us)
- A rain poncho (unfashionable?...yes. Helpful when you need it most?.... Also yes)
- Sunglasses
Home:
No you don’t have to pack up your home. (That’s why we love our travel apartments – they’ve got all the comforts of home .) But you should take some steps to make sure your home is safe and secure while you’re gone.
- Stop newspaper and mail delivery or arrange with a close neighbor or friend to pick up your mail
- Pay any bills that may become outstanding while you’re away
- Set up an out-of-office email response.
- Set up alarms, turn off air conditioning and appliances that won’t need to run while you’re away
- If it’s going to be extremely cold at home, make sure the heat is on
- Make arrangements for pets and plants
Go By Car:
A number of our guests arrive via car. And while the downtown location of our Stay Alfred’s allow most guests to walk everywhere, it’s still important to make sure your car is ready for your upcoming road trip. Pack your car a just-in-case bag with the items below.
Car Care:
- Foam tire sealant
- Jumper cables
- Flashlight and batteries
- Gloves
- Rags
- Duct tape
- Tow rope
- Multipurpose tool
- Car charger for cell phones
- Paper maps (you never know when you won’t have cell service)
- Car snacks!
We hope you’re feeling less anxious about your trip and can relax and enjoy it. All of our travel apartments are beautiful, centrally located in downtown urban neighborhoods, and full of top notch amenities. Don’t let packing anxiety take away from your stay.
Need more help? We got you! Check out our other blogs on packing selection, and packing organization. And if you're looking for spacious, luxurious, and reliable urban accommodations, check out our other travel apartments to find "Your place in the city.™”
