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Travel Checklist: What to Pack for a Domestic Trip

Beata Santora
Posted on Jul 22, 2011

Your Domestic Summer Travel ChecklistWhat can you not live without when you’re on the road? Share your must-haves for road trips on LearnVest’s Facebook page.

Taking a trip somewhere within the U.S. this summer? Take it from this seasoned traveler—you don’t want to leave these items behind when you hit the road:

1. Credit Card
Usually we’re not fans of credit cards, but when you travel, these are a must. If you are going somewhere that does not have a branch of your bank, a credit card is crucial. There’s nothing worse than being stuck with no cash and no easy (or fee-free) way to get it. That said, we don’t recommend taking out a cash advance on your credit card unless you’re in an absolute emergency; if you’re in a bind, it’s better to pay a few dollars to use your debit card at an out-of-network A.T.M. than to face oppressive cash-advance fees.

Maximize your dollars by using a credit card that gives you travel points or cash back. If you travel a lot, an airline miles card such as Blue Sky from American Express (which has been well-received) might make sense. Otherwise, check out our top picks for credit card rewards.

Also, it goes without saying: Don’t forget your ID.

2. Unstoppable Contact List

Don’t leave home without crucial trip-related contact information, including the numbers of your hotel, rental car agency, friends you’re staying with, airline–in case you have to change your flight at the last minute–and any other person you might need to talk to during your trip. Many phones let you create “groups” of contacts (normally these could be “friends,” “family” or “coworkers”), so we recommend creating a special group for this particular vacation with all necessary vacation-related numbers. That way, you can find everything without a moment’s hesitation. In addition, bring a written list of those crucial numbers in case your phone breaks, is lost or doesn’t get service.

3. All the Necessary Baggage

Because most airlines now change for every checked bag, pack one or two larger suitcases rather than several smaller ones. Just make sure to check your airline’s weight limit, and don’t overstuff those Samsonites, because you won’t be able to avoid fees if your bags are over the limit. Aside from limiting yourself to carry-on bags only, there are two other ways to dodge fees:

  • Fly Southwest or Jet Blue because they don’t charge for the first checked bag.
  • Use an airline credit card that offers checked bag rebates.

4. Stroller

If you are like many mothers who have invested in big, honking strollers, you’ll be stumped trying to fit the behemoth onto a plane. If you’re bringing a tiny tot, a marsupial carrier like an Ergo or a Baby Bjorn kills three birds with one stone: You won’t have to bother with a stroller, you’ll have your hands free for bags and tickets and your baby is likelier to sleep through the insanity of the airport because he’ll be comforted by your closeness. Otherwise, consider investing in a light, portable stroller like the Maclaren Volo, which weighs under nine pounds and retails for $130 (but we found it for $80).

5. GPS

If you’re renting a car, we highly recommend bringing a GPS unit with you, particularly if it’s your first time visiting this place. If you don’t own a GPS, it may actually make sense to pony up the small daily surcharge at the car rental place to ensure you don’t spend countless hours and gas dollars driving around lost.

(You might already have free car rental insurance from your credit card. Find out.)

6. Travel Apps

If you’re traveling with a smartphone, you might as well reap the benefits. Before you go, load up your phone with the most helpful apps that you might need for your vacation. Here are some of our favorite free apps:

  • OpenTable: If you’re not sure where to eat out in a new city, this app will do all the heavy lifting. Just plug in the number of diners, the time you want to eat, the price range and style of cuisine–the app will not only tell you where to go but will also help you make the reservation right on your phone.
  • Free Wi-Fi Finder: Updated weekly, this app will find wi-fi hotspots wherever you happen to be.
  • Goby: This app hits its stride if you aren’t sure what to do for entertainment in a new place. It will search events and activities near you, like live music shows, family-friendly outings or outdoorsy pursuits. Then, it’ll plot them on a map with details and photos.
  • SitOrSquat: Although we’d rather not talk about bathrooms in any context, we’d especially like to avoid talking about bathrooms when we are in need and simply can’t find one. This app will find the closest restroom to wherever you are, including the hours it’s open and whether it has a changing table.
  • TripIt: This app imports info from your email inbox and creates an itinerary of all your flights, meals and car trips (and will store your frequent traveler points). You need only provide it with your flight numbers, hotel confirmations and driving directions.

7. Lo-Tech Activities

No matter how well you plan, travel is inevitably filled with at least a measure of downtime. (Like flight delays, to name just one example.) So, it’s always smart to have plenty of fun ways for you and your companions to pass the time. Instead of sitting at the gate at the airport buried in mp3 players, Kindles and cell phones, suggest some non-digital entertainment, too. We like taking a break from books and magazines to actually hang out with our travel mates and play cards or even do Mad Libs.

8. Healthy Snacks

There’s nothing worse than being stuck in an airport and having no food options other than greasy, $20 pepperoni pizza that’s been sitting under a heat lamp for hours. Next time you travel, bring healthy snacks that you’ll actually enjoy. Our favorite snack is fresh fruit (apples and oranges work well, but avoid anything squishable like berries or bananas) with nutty trail mix, since the protein in the nuts keeps us fuller for longer. For additional snack ideas, we have both expert suggestions and reader picks.

And a Few More Travel Tips …

When is it cheaper to fly instead of driving? We do the math.

Should you use Expedia, Orbitz, Travelocity, Kayak or something else? We’ll tell you.

Thinking of going international instead? A Condé Nast Traveler editor spills on international travel must-haves.

–

Beata Santora is a former editor at Condé Nast Traveler and an avid traveler herself.

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  • LV Fan!

    I never travel without a credit card. I use one rewards card and typically put all of our spending on that card. When we get back home, all of our expenses are in one place and we know how much we paid for everything.  As long as you are disciplined re: setting a budget and paying it off, credit cards can be a useful tool.

  • LV Fan!

    I never travel without a credit card. I use one rewards card and typically put all of our spending on that card. When we get back home, all of our expenses are in one place and we know how much we paid for everything.  As long as you are disciplined re: setting a budget and paying it off, credit cards can be a useful tool.

  • Anonymous

    It’s important to bring along chargers for all your gadgets, especially your cell phone!  One for wall plugs and one for the rental car.  If you aren’t renting a car, I’d suggest buying a backup battery and ensuring that you head out for the day with 2 fully charged batteries – having all those great travel apps on your phone won’t do you any good if your battery is dead!

  • Tracy

    I am looking for a good App for packing list for iphone if anyone has any recommendations. 

  • Natalie @ Mango

    Too true– planning what you’re going to DO on a vacation is way more fun than planning what you’ll need to bring and then somehow stuffing it all into a bag. But these are great tips! I really love your tip on bringing your own snacks. Not only is this a more healthful choice, but it’s a whole lot less expensive than airport food. I work at Mango Money’s blog and we have a whole schpeal of other travel tips, like these, to help you stay on a budget. Check them out, you travelers! You might find them helpful! http://www.mangomoney.com/blog/blog/mango’s-top-10-ways-to-save-on-summer-vacations

  • Natalie @ Mango

    Too true– planning what you’re going to DO on a vacation is way more fun than planning what you’ll need to bring and then somehow stuffing it all into a bag. But these are great tips! I really love your tip on bringing your own snacks. Not only is this a more healthful choice, but it’s a whole lot less expensive than airport food. I work at Mango Money’s blog and we have a whole schpeal of other travel tips, like these, to help you stay on a budget. Check them out, you travelers! You might find them helpful! http://www.mangomoney.com/blog/blog/mango’s-top-10-ways-to-save-on-summer-vacations

  • Viki

    My favorite snack for airline travel:  cuts or cubes of cheddar cheese, walnut halves and an apple.  Plus don’t forget the water!  I bring an empty water bottle through security then fill it from the water fountain near the gate.  A few drink mix-ins provide variety (orange for an AM flight, tea for an afternoon flight, something soothing and caffeine-free for a night flight).