Ever wanted to have a jumbo checklist before you pack your bags for that dream vacation? Here’s one which we created (we travelled as a group of 8, college friends) to Europe (Austria, Hungary and Czech Republic) in Sep 2019. Thought this would help someone out there:
Disclaimer: Some items might not appeal to you; some may. That’s how it’s a jumbo list, not a ready-to-pack list.
- Passport
- A copy of Passport
- A copy of Visa
- Printed copy of Inward and outward flights
- Boarding Passes, if any.
- Printed copy of Intra-country travel tickets
- Printed copy of Inter-country travel tickets
- Printed copy of hotel reservation tickets
- Printed copy of tourist attraction/activity entry tickets
- Printed copy of Insurance document
- Universal Charger
- Powerbank (highly recommended) – keep in hand-baggage
- Powerbank charger
- Mobile
- Mobile charger
- A small torch
- Neck Pillow
- Water Bottle (drinking water in Europe is usually a paid commodity when you’re outside of your ho(s)tel)
- Toothpaste
- Toothbrush
- Tounge Cleaner
- Mouthwash
- Comb
- Hand sanitiser
- Moisturiser
- Lip Balm
- Hair Oil
- Bath Soap/Bath lotion
- Conditioner
- Shampoo
- Facewash
- Sunscreen cream/lotion
- Wet wipes
- Dry tissues
- Shaver
- Shaving Cream
- Deodorant
- Bath towel (preferably the quick-dry ones). Hostels might not provide towels for free.
- Chappals
- Shoes (waterproof recommended)
- Umbrella (everyone should have a copy each)
- Tshirts
- Jeans
- Belt
- Lungi (oh yea, who doesn’t like some air)
- Shorts
- Trackpants
- Shirts
- Scarf
- Earplug (you might get them on the flight for free. Ask)
- Sleep mask (eye-mask) (you might get them on the flight for free. Ask)
- Cap/Hat
- Gloves (recommended if you’re travelling to a chilly place)
- Nylon cloth for pools
- Undergarments
- Socks
- Nightwear/Thermal wear
- Jacket
- Sunglass
- Spectacles
- Backpack/Racksack
- A label to be affixed on Backpack/Racksack while checked-in
- A separate small bag (cross country bag) to keep easy-access documents/items, preferably with a waterproof cover.
- Sealable bags to keep used/wet cloths
- A lock (preferably a number lock)
- Watch
- Camera
- Camera charger
- Camera battery (need to check where to pack)
- SD Card for additional storage
- Tablet/iPad
- License
- Credit Card
- Debit Card
- Forex Card
- Priority Pass (or any pass that may give you access to airport lounges)
- Another national identity card (Aadhaar/PAN/Driving License/Voter ID)
- Wallet
- International Driving Permit
- Pen
- Books to read (or Kindle)
- Headphones
- Lighter (for cigars; make sure this is packed inside of the checkedin luggage)
- Activating International Roaming on your SIM
- Loading Forex Card
- Having a little of the destination currency in hand
- Intimating your bank about international travel
- Change international usage limit on Credit Card
- Change international usage limit on Debit Card
- Google Translate (thank me later!)
- Download local languages for offline translation on Google Translate app
- Google Lens (thank me twice later!)
- Waze (planning to drive?)
- Here (and download the entire countries that we go to)
- Download selected areas offline on Google Maps
- SplitWise, if you’re travelling as a group
- Disable all unwanted sync services on mobile to save data
The following items could be add-ons, depending on the nature of the trip:
- Whistle
- A copy of the itinerary in print
- Prescription letter for medicines, if any
- Snacks
- Nuts, biscuits, Fruit Cake, Chocolates, etc. for easy, quick use.
- Common/Daily Medicines (make sure that you consult your doc before you take them with you. Here’s what our group took with us)
- Paracetamol
- Vicks Vaporub
- Band aid
- Sprain Spray
- Amoxylin
- Odomos
- ORS
- Avomin
- Pudin Hara
- Eldoper/LOPAMIDE
- Diamox
- Domstal
- Gelusil
- Cheston Cold
- Genvol Plus
- Levocetirizine