Master Packing List and Travel Tips

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As a follow-up to my article "On the Road Organization", I wanted to share with you how I pack for travel, to make things as simplistic as possible. Last year, I created a Master Packing List, it was a Trello card with four checklists inside: Makeup, Clothes, Food and Miscellaneous items (eg. phone chargers etc).

For each trip, I would make a copy of the master list and adapt and change the items based on whether it was a business or pleasure trip, or remove items based on the time of year and/or weather forecast.

It made my travel so efficient as I never forgot anything, and didn't have to keep creating new lists from scratch every time I traveled. Here's a preview of my list:

Also, I found originally I was always packing and unpacking my toiletry bag and it would take me the most time, so I decided to keep it packed all the time and this has saved me so much time and energy. Instead of listing all the items on the packing list, I just listed "travel roll-up pack" as everything was already packed. Just grab and go. I had small bottles for everything and would just refill them when I got home so that they were ready for my next trip. 

Here are some great tips I learned throughout my travels, and a few I learned from people I met on planes that traveled the majority of their time: 

-Pack vitamin c, ginger-tabs and probiotics that you can take while travelling and a few days before and after.

-use disinfectant wipes to wipe down surfaces on plane or train (although they may appear clean they could still carry germs that you don't want to be exposed to).

-use hand sanitizer often and don't touch your eyes, nose, mouth or ears (that is the secret that a doctor once told me on why they rarely get sick while seeing sick people all day long).

-bring your water bottle and/or reusable coffee mug to fill up at airports and hotels (also saves the planet from single use plastic), if the water isn't filtered get a bottle with a brita filter built in.

-roll your clothes (instead of folding) to maximize your space, and always (as much as possible) travel with carry-on luggage to avoid lost luggage and delays etc.

-if you are on an extended trip with a carry on bag you can invest in the vacuum seal bags, that take all of the air out of your clothes (so you can pack even more). 

-invest in a portable steamer for your clothes if you need them to be wrinkle-free.

-you can get your laundry done at hotel if you stay for 2 consecutive days, aim to stay at the same hotel for 2 days in middle of trip - which enables you to use a carry on bag for a 2-3 week trip.

Those are the tips that I found most useful for my recent 7 weeks on the road. Would love to hear if you have other tips that work for you. Please share in the comments below.

[BiancaE]

this is so helpful! I use Trello for all my travel stuff too but had *never* thought about creating a master list for my checklist. Clever!

[Jodi LeBlanc]

Thanks so much @BiancaE , it has been a game changer for me, I used to do a new packing list every time and I always forgot things, or brought way too much stuff, or my packing took hours instead of minutes :)

[Michael Kimathi _AC Nairobi_ Kenya_]

This is a great article for back packers like me. Thanks @Jodi LeBlanc .

[Jodi LeBlanc]

Thanks @Michael Kimathi _AC Nairobi_ Kenya_  that's great to hear! :)

[Tara LaFreniere]

I've started to do the 'keep certain things packed' trick as well and it is very helpful!

[BiancaE]

@Darline you might be into this!

[Jodi LeBlanc]

@Tara LaFreniere it sure saves a lot of time, not having to pack and repack continuously :)

[LarryBrock]

Hi @Jodi LeBlanc - thanks for another great article!  I'll strongly second the pre-packed toiletries bag and add a small first aid kit to the list.  Handy for the unexpected scrape, cut, stumped toe (who put that bed-foot there anyway! ;-) I add a pair of tweezers to the kit for the unexpected splinter, or metal sliver from who knows where.

Cheers!

[Libu B]

Thanks for this sharing this @Jodi LeBlanc . It simply amazes me how Trello could be used for so many of such 'non-work' usecases.  #TrelloForLife

[Jodi LeBlanc]

Great tips @LarryBrock - I usually pack bandaids in my travel pack, but a mini first-aid kit would definitely come in handy. Yes, I have kicked that unexpected bed foot a few times over the years, Yow-ch!

[Jodi LeBlanc]

Thanks @Libu B - I completely agree, it is fully functional and useful for everything!

[Danny]

Going to have to use this for Summit 2020! 

[Jodi LeBlanc]

That's great to hear Danny! :)