The Ultimate Packing List ITN asked readers to submit their “master packing choices, among items most frequently mentioned on readers’ lists” with everything they would, at some time, con- packing lists were the following: plastic baggies (all sizes), sider taking on a trip. We have compiled the results moist towelettes, packets of facial tissue, comfortable walking into The Ultimate Packing List. shoes, fold-up extra tote bag, dirty clothes bag, extra glasses, Of course, as J. Arthur Freed of Los Alamos, extra camera, folding umbrella, photocopies of important docu- NM, commented when submitting his list, “No one ments, highlighter (for marking maps, etc.), preprinted address in his or her right mind would take everything on this list on labels, duct tape and sink plug. any trip. It is meant to be a checklist from which to pick and And here’s a tip from ITN Contributing Editor Wayne Wir- choose depending on the situation.” tanen: “Before your trip, call your travel insurance company, tell And, in fact, there are even more items to be listed than what them where you’re going and ask if the toll-free 800 number in the you see here. Coming up we’ll have a list of items for specialty U.S. is accessible from your destination. If not, ask what number travel (camping, bird-watching, etc.). or numbers will work so that you can get approval for any treat- Of course, many travelers aren’t looking for what else to ment you may need (especially emergency medical evacuation) pack but for ideas on how to get by with less. Next month, BEFORE treatment or action is undertaken. The same goes for along with The Ultimate Carry-on List, we’ll print the tips from your credit cards — ask what number to call from overseas in case travelers who go weeks with just a carry-on. Find out how they your card is stolen.” do it. Coming up after that is a compilation of readers’ pre-trip And now to the list. (Note: items starred with an “to do” lists — plenty of travel tips. asterisk* may not be allowed in carry-on luggage A note to go with this month’s list — aside from the obvious for security reasons.)

DOCUMENTS/MONEY  Money (U.S. currency, Even if you’re retired,  Passport/visas including clean one- and you can print up business  Airline tickets 5-dollar bills) cards with your name,  Transportation tickets, vouchers and confirmations for train,  Foreign currency (including address, phone number, ship, ferry, shuttle, rented auto, etc. small change) fax number and e-mail  International “yellow” health card showing immunizations  Credit cards and debit cards address. These are fun  Travel insurance policy (trip cancellation, baggage loss, as well as (to be kept in a to pass out to people you medical coverage, emergency medical evacuation, etc.)/travel separate place) a list of the meet along the way. insurance card (with number to call in case of emergency) cards and their expiration Judy Eisen, Ponte  “Just in case” list — phone numbers and e-mail addresses of dates plus phone numbers to Vedra Beach, FL health insurance provider (or HMO) and physicians as well call in case of loss as family contacts, in case of illness or emergency  ATM (cash machine) cards and (to be kept in a separate  List of locations of hospitals accepting your medical insur- place) a list of the cards’ access numbers/lists of ATM loca- ance tions at destination  List of IAMAT doctors  Travelers’ checks and (to be kept in a separate place) a list  Personal medical history summary (allergies, blood pressure of the travelers’ checks level, blood type, etc.)/copy of directive to physicians/copy  Personal checks of living will  Currency converter/list of current exchange rates  Trip itinerary (listing places, names and contact numbers  Calculator where you will be staying)  Money pouch (neck, belt, waist or leg)  Group tour company phone number to call, if necessary,  Wallet/decoy wallet/purse/coin purse while overseas  Phone card (ex., AT&T)/prepaid phone cards  Hotel vouchers and confirmations  List of countries’ telephone access codes  Directions to hotels,  Overseas phone number(s) of your airline(s) residences, etc. We have a Park ’n‘ Fly  Photocopies of… passport information pages/visas/airline and  Hostel card/hostel direc- card that we got at the airport. other transportation tickets/travel insurance policy and card/ tories The company operates at both medical ID cards (ex., Kaiser)/itinerary/hotel vouchers/auto  Frequent-flyer ID cards the San Francisco and Oak- insurance card/credit cards/ATM cards/phone number of travel  Air courier card land airports. If we leave our agent/driver’s license/eyeglasses or contacts prescription/serial  Driver’s license — U.S./ car for three days, the card numbers of cameras, computers, etc. international willl be punched three times.  Extra passport photos  Proof of auto insurance After so many punches, we  Photos of luggage and description of luggage, including  AAA card get a free week’s parking. brands  Park ’n‘ Fly card (for Ruth & Hubert Russell  Waterproof holder for documents repeated airport parking) Orinda, CA  Receipts of new-looking electronics  Handicap tag  Business cards Call 800/486-4968 to subscribe The Ultimate Packing List — INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL NEWS, August 2002 1  Member club cards — airlines, hotels, national parks, etc.  Surgical mask/dust mask  Area entertainment discounts guide/vouchers/Coupons  Water-purifying tablets/iodine/purifier wand/purifying  AARP card system  Air sickness bag HEALTH AND MEDICINE  Prescription pills and solutions with accompanying prescrip- PERSONAL HYGIENE tion information/list of medicines & CLEANING PRODUCTS  Allergy medications — antihistamines (Claritin, etc.)  Soap — small bar/liquid soap/facial soap/body wash  Asthma inhaler  Soap case  Antimalarial medication (Lariam, quinine, etc.)  Scrub brush  Jet lag remedies (melatonin,  Shampoo/conditioner etc.) I pack a “bathroom  Shower cap/shower cap hook  Sleeping pills bag” to carry toiletries  Washcloths/compact sponge that expands in water  No-doze tablets when the facilities are  Quick-drying towel  Anti-nausea remedies, “down the hall.”  Hand sanitizers — packets of moist towelettes (Wet Ones, motion sickness medications Sherry Barber Olay cleansing cloths)/waterless gel (Dramamine, Marezine, Whittier, CA  Antiperspirant, deodorant Bonine)/acupressure bands  Feminine sanitary supplies/panty liners  Vitamins (vitamin C, multivitamins, calcium, zinc, echinae-  Talc/body powder cea, etc.)  Foot powder  Electrolytes (sports drinks)  Lotion — skin, face  Cold medications — decongestants, anti­­histamines (Sudafed,  Moisturizer, salve (ex., Vasoline for nose during flights) Acti­fed, Contac, Comtrex, Benadryl)/nasal spray  Astringent  Cough drops/throat spray  Perfume/cologne  Pain reliever (Tylenol, aspirin, Motrin, ibuprofen, etc.)  Hair dryer/curling wand  Antacid (Mylanta, Pepcid, chewable Pepto-Bismol, Beano)  Comb/brush  Anti-gas medication (Phazyme)  Curlers/bobby pins I love the cloth-and-mesh  Anti-diarrheal medications (Imodium, Lomotil)  Hair spray*/setting “packing cubes” from Travel­  Laxative (Ex-Lax, Dialose, Senekot) lotion, hair gel, mousse Smith (Novato, CA; phone  Medication for regularity (Citricil)  Hair tint 800/950-1600 or visit www.  Fiber pills  Makeup/cosmetics travelsmith.com). I have  Tucks  Facial tissue packs several, keeping underwear  Suntan lotion (sunblock)  Cotton balls/Q-tips in one, T-shirts in another,  Insect repellent  Mirror/magnifying turtlenecks, etc. It speeds up  Insect bite medication (Campho-Phenique, After-Bite) mirror the packing and unpacking  Anti-itch medication (hydrocortisone cream, aloe vera,  Shaving kit, dop kit processes. calamine lotion)  Shaving cream Nili Olay, New York, NY  Antifungal medication (Lamasil, Tinactin)  Razor* (disposable or  First-aid kit* reusable) and blades*/shaver (electric or battery)  Dental emergency kit*  Styptic pencil  Orthodontic wax  Tweezers*/forceps  Antiseptic cream/antibiotic ointment (Neosporin, Polyspo-  Manicure set — nail clippers*/emery boards, nail file*/nail rin)/iodine wipes brush  Band-Aids (extra)/spray-on bandage/surgical tape/athletic  Nail polish/polish remover tape  Dental floss and threaders  Moleskin/blister-block pads/bunion cushions  Toothbrush and case/water pick  Ace bandages  Toothpaste, baking soda, salt  Knee (or other joint) brace  Mouthwash  Heating pad  Breath spray, drops or mints  Thermometer (plastic strip, not mercury)  Dentures/denture cleaner  Glasses (plus extra pair)/reading glasses/contacts  Retainer/bite guard  Copy of glasses and/or contacts prescriptions  Chapstick/lip balm  Glasses case/contacts case  Laundry detergent/Woolite/fabric softener  Contact lens cleaning solutions/eyedrops (liquid tears)  Anti-static laundry sheets  Hearing aid/extra batteries  Spot remover — Shout Wipes packets/stain stick  Breathe Right nasal strips  Toilet paper/toilet seat covers  Travel urinal One unique item on my list is a tongue scraper, a won-  Mini lint-brush derful invention I discovered in India over 40 years ago.  Handi-wipes for shoe cleaning Julian P. Donahue, Los Angeles, CA  Shoeshine packets/polish  Glass-cleaning cloth, liquid (for bus window) 2 INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL NEWS, August 2002 — The Ultimate Packing List visit us at www.intltravelnews.com CLOTHES, SHOES & ACCESSORIES TRAVEL ACCESSORIES  Shirts or blouses — casual (long-sleeved, short-sleeved) and  Luggage — suitcase(s)/carry-on bag/suit bag/duffel/back- dress pack/briefcase  Dress — casual and formal  Extra fold-up tote bag  Skirts  Packing “cubes” (of cloth, to separate clothes in luggage) or  Sarong/pareo other dividers for clothing  Pants/jeans/slacks  Luggage locks/plastic cable “ties”  Shorts  Extra luggage lock keys  Leggings  Light chain or steel cable (to secure luggage to structures or  Underwear/silk underwear/thermal (long) underwear into car trunk or train compartment)  Undershirts  Luggage tags/straps/marking ribbon or cord  Lingerie — bras/slips/panties  Tag showing destination hotel  Socks — regular/thick for hiking/dress socks  Luggage carrier (folding, wheeled)  Nylons/hose  Cushion (inflatable)  Garter belt I pack mesh laundry bags purchased  Neck pillow (inflatable)  Jacket/wind- at WalMart or K-Mart to hold under-  Earphones — for radio/TV/airplane breaker (with wear, socks, etc. It’s easy to see what I  Earplugs hood) have, and things don’t get “lost.”  Eyeshades  Sweaters Juneal Reitan, Northome, MN  Fan (small, battery run)  Sweatshirt/  Flashlight — waterproof flashlight/penlight/extra bulb pullover/jogging suit  Reading light, book light  Vest  Alarm clock — battery run or windup/folding  Travel vest (with pockets)  Pillowcase/sheets/sleep sack  Sport coat  Doorstop (rubber)  Suit  Immersion heater coil with converter  Formal accessories — cummerbund/ handkerchief/cuff links  Tea leaf strainer  Ties, bow ties, bolo ties/tie clips  Cup (folding cup) For each leg of the journey,  Collar expander  Coffee-making kit tie a tag on each checked bag  Belts  Sink stopper (univer- naming your next hotel stop  Gloves (leather) sal) and the dates of your stay  Evening bag  Laundry bags — mesh/ there, in case the bag does not  Jewelry plastic arrive with you.  Watch/extra watch  Clothesline/small Valerie Bulkeley  Light shawl/evening wrap clothes pins or clips, Bloomfield, CT  Scarves/bandanas safety pins or extra-  Handkerchiefs long straight pins* (for hanging skirts or slacks)  Muffler  Clothes hangers — plastic covered (for drying clothes)/  Hats/visor/rain hat/beach hat/canvas hat/straw hat/stocking inflatable/paper-covered wire hangers cap/ITN hat  Travel iron/steamer  Headband  Sewing kit*  Earmuffs  Small scissors*/folding scissors*  Flats (for walking and travel)  Swiss Army knife*/Leatherman tool*  Mid-heels (for dress)  Binoculars/opera glasses  Dress shoes  Power converter, transformer (220V to 110V)  Tennis shoes/sneakers  Electrical adapter (ex., 3-prong to 2-prong)  Sandals — sport sandals/thongs (for shower)/water socks  Extension cord (reef runners)  Mosquito net  Slippers  Airline slippers or socks PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT  Rain boots/rubber boots/overshoes  Camera  Hiking boots  Lenses/filters  Spare shoelaces  Strobe (flash) attachment  Shoehorn  Tripod/spare parts  Shoe bags  Single-use camera as a backup  Raincoat (with zip-out lining)/poncho  Panoramic camera  Pajamas/nightgown  Film (plenty of it)  Robe (doubles as beach coat)  FilmShield Bag (lead lined)  Swimsuit  Videocamera/videotapes, cassettes/extra battery/charger/ accessories  Cleaning cloth or tissue/lens brush/lens-cleaning fluid  Dessicant Call 800/486-4968 to subscribe The Ultimate Packing List — INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL NEWS, August 2002 3  Gray card  Tape — Scotch/duct/electrical/masking/strapping, packing  Camera bag/camcorder bag  Bubble wrap  Camera, camcorder instruction booklets/notes  Super glue/glue stick  Magnifying glass — lighted/handheld/strip MISCELLANEOUS  Tape measure  Guidebooks/background info/brochures  Bottle stopper  Field guides (birds, mammals, plants)  Can opener*/corkscrew*  Phrase books/Quickpoint  Eating utensils* (metal or plastic)  Maps  Chopsticks* Bubble wrap is great  Pocket atlas  Vegetable or potato peeler* for wrapping stuff to get  Compass  Orange juicer it home unbroken, and  GPS (global positioning  Sharpening stone you can toss it if it’s not system) unit  Paper towels needed; it weighs nothing.  Altimeter  Toothpicks  Pedometer Barbara Barrett  Food bag (insulated) t ouis W e t a k e p a p e r  Cell phone and charging S . L , MO  Hot water bottle/ice pack grocery bags on trips. unit  Umbrella — folding/cheap If we rent a car, we’ll  Laptop com­puter/Palm Pilot  Folding cane* use one as a litter bag.  CD or cassette player (Walkman)/CDs, tapes  Folding seat or stool Also, some trains  Travel radio  Fanny pack don’t have anyplace  Shortwave radio  Exercise strap for disposing of trash.  Tape re­corder/blank tapes  Whistle  Batteries — for camera, clock, watch, flashlight, etc./  Pepper spray* Carroll Chandler recharging unit  Gas mask Dallas, TX  Books/Bible(s)  Lighter*/waterproof matches*  Magazines  Candles  Copies of ITN  Air deodorizer*  ITN sample copy signup sheet  Plastic vase  Pens — ballpoint pens/highlighter (for maps)/Sharpie marker/  Spray bottle pencils/mechanical pencils plus extra lead  Bath mat (small, rubber)  Post-it Notes  Suction-cup hooks (for holding bathroom items onto mirrors)  Small notebook  Night-light  Journal/diary  Beach blanket/towel  ITN Report Cards  Beach bag  Greeting cards  Playing cards/games/crossword puzzles  Envelopes — regular and small (for tips)/large (for shipping  Dictionary stuff home)  Calendar  Gummed labels — preprinted with addresses (for postcards)  Cigarettes/cigars and blank  Sunglasses (regular and clip-on)  Stamps  Strap for glasses, sunglasses  Glue stick  Small glasses repair kit*  Addresses of friends, family  House keys  List of e-mail addresses  List of favorite Internet sites FOOD  Church directory  Water bottle  Gifts — for host/for family/for locals (ballpoint pens)/things  Gum to trade  Mints  Gift list (with sizes; bring tape measure)/shopping list (for  Trail mix/gorp/dried fruit self)  Granola bars/power bars/protein bars  List of birthdays, anniversaries, upcoming appointments  Crackers  Photos of family/postcards of U.S. sights (to show people  Candy — hard candies/candy bars/M&Ms, etc. overseas)/small map of U.S.  Hot chocolate  Cardboard tube for posters  Drink powder (Crystal Light)  Shopping bag (string or canvas)  Coffee/tea bags/herbal tea  Paper bags (for litter)  Sweetener/sugar packets/Sweet’n Low  Plastic bags — zip-lock (from small to large)/dry cleaning/  Salt and pepper large “trash” size  Peanut butter  String  Tabasco sauce  Rope/nylon cord  Mustard  Fasteners — safety pins*/long pins*/twist-ties/rubber bands/  Liquor/airline Scotch (for emergencies) paper clips/binder clips 4 INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL NEWS, August 2002 — The Ultimate Packing List visit us at www.intltravelnews.com Our thanks go to the many readers who contributed to this list! Arline Ames, Glendale, CA Julian Donahue, Los Angeles, CA Cynthia J. Neuman, Sacramento, CA Sherry Barber, Whittier, CA Muriel Dowe, Forth Worth, TX Nili Olay, New York, NY Barbara Barrett, Kirkwood, MO Judy Eisen, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL Dorothy Peavy, Grass Valley, CA Louis R. Bechtel, Rancho Palos Dorothea Falkenberg, Evanston, IL Richard A. Rawson, Sacramento, CA Verdes, CA J. Arthur Freed, Los Alamos, NM Juneal Reitan, Northome, MN Carol R. Blucher, Mamaroneck, NY Karen Gifford, Raleigh, NC Joellyn Ross, Philadelphia, PA Dr. and Mrs. William A. Bocchino, Barbara G. Hubinger, Danville, CA Charlotte Rother, Ocala, FL Guttenberg, NJ Nancy H. Hughes, Sonoma, CA Roger Russell, Denver, CO J.J. Brummer, Toronto, Ontario Dorothy Kearn, Sonoma, CA Ruth and Hubert Russell, Orinda, CA Valerie Bulkeley, Bloomfield, CT Albert Lindauer, Merrick, NY Margaret Schwab, Castro Valley, CA Carroll Chandler, Dallas, TX Nancy Micklon, Lakeland, FL Patricia Setzer, Sacramento, CA George S. Dehnel, San Diego, CA Phylllis Mueller, San Jose, CA Paula Strain, Rockville, MD Pim Dodge, Frankfort, MI George Nastas III, Haslett, MI

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