Travel Packing Checklist

At a glance

This is an interactive packing checklist for domestic and international trips. It contains 30 items sorted into six categories, a progress bar that updates as you tick things off, and a switch that hides the items that only matter when you cross a border. It is built for anyone who has ever reached the airport and realized the charger was still on the nightstand.

• Six categories: documents and ID, electronics, clothing, toiletries, health and medicine, and money and miscellaneous
• An "All" tab for international trips and a "Domestic only" tab that hides items marked International
• A live progress counter and bar based on the items currently visible
• Your ticks are remembered in this browser, with a one-click reset

How the checklist works

The list is stored in the page as a fixed set of items. Each item has a category, a short task, an optional note, and a flag that says whether it is only needed for international travel. When you tick a box, the page saves the item's id in your browser's local storage under a key just for this checklist. When you return, it reads that stored list back and ticks the same boxes. The "Domestic only" tab simply hides items that have the International tag and recounts the progress bar using only the items still shown, so the percentage always matches what you can see. No account, no server, and no network request is involved.

How to use this checklist

We've organized the items that are easy to forget when packing into documents/ID → electronics → clothing/accessories → toiletries → health/medicine → money & misc. If you're traveling domestically, click the "Domestic only" tab above to hide items only needed for international trips, like your passport or visa. Checked items are saved automatically in your browser, so you can pick up where you left off later.

1. Choose the trip type. Pick "All" if you are leaving the country, or "Domestic only" if not.
2. Work through the categories top to bottom. Documents come first because they are the hardest things to replace on the road.
3. Read the grey notes. They flag the rules that most often cause trouble, such as power banks in carry-on bags and passport validity.
4. Tick items as you physically place them in the bag, not when you merely intend to. That way the progress bar reflects reality.
5. Use the reset button after the trip to start the next one from zero. It asks for confirmation first.

Hypothetical example: for a four-day domestic city break, the "Domestic only" tab hides the passport, visa, travel insurance, International Driving Permit, plug adapter, travel-size skincare, foreign currency, SIM/eSIM, and neck-pillow lines. That leaves you with 21 of the 30 items. If you have ticked 7, the counter shows 7 / 21, which is about 33 percent.

Easy to overlook before you leave

For international trips, check your passport's expiration date (many countries require at least 6 months of validity from your entry date, though the rule differs by country) and whether your destination requires an electronic travel authorization or visa, at least 1-2 weeks before departure. It's also a good idea to notify your card issuer of international use and arrange roaming or a SIM a few days ahead rather than on departure day.

• Batteries: Power banks and spare lithium batteries usually have to travel in the cabin, not in checked baggage. Check your airline's rules.
• Medication: Keep prescription medicine in its original packaging, and carry a copy of the prescription or a doctor's note for international trips.
• Copies of documents: Keep a digital copy of your passport, tickets, and insurance somewhere you can reach offline.
• Shoes and weather: Check the forecast the night before you leave, and pack shoes you have already worn.
• Payment: When paying by card abroad, you are often offered the choice of paying in your home currency or the local one. Local currency is usually the better choice.

Accuracy, limits, and privacy

This is a general reference checklist. The items you actually need will vary by destination, season, and trip purpose (business, backpacking, family trip, etc.), and no list can know your particular plans, so add and drop items to fit. Entry rules, baggage limits, and customs regulations change and differ between countries and airlines, so always confirm them with your airline, your government's travel advisory, and the destination's official immigration pages. The notes on this page are general reminders, not legal or medical advice.

Your ticks are stored only in this browser's local storage and are never sent to a server, so you will need to check items separately on other devices or browsers. The list itself is fixed and cannot be edited on the page, so anything extra, such as baby items, sports equipment, or work gear, needs to be tracked separately.

Common packing mistakes

• Packing the night before departure. Starting two or three days ahead leaves time to buy or replace what is missing.
• Putting essentials in checked luggage. Medication, documents, valuables, and chargers belong in the carry-on.
• Overpacking clothes. Choose a small set of items that mix and match, and plan to do laundry on longer trips.
• Forgetting the return leg. Leave space for souvenirs, which is the reason the checklist includes an extra tote.
• Assuming the outlet fits. Plug shapes and voltages vary around the world. Check them before you go.

Frequently Asked Questions