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Don’t Forget to Pack These Travel Essentials
Congratulations! You’ve finally booked that vacation you have been dreaming about. The tough part is over, right? Or is it? Packing for a vacation can be as stressful as putting down your credit card number to book it. Here are some travel essentials recommended by Costco Travel employees to get your well-deserved vacation off to a good start.
For Travel Outside the United States
- Passport: Leaving the U.S.? Don’t forget your passport! To keep it safe during travel, store it in a zip-lock bag. Don’t forget to check your expiration date to ensure your passport is valid for 6 months after your return date. As an extra precaution give a trusted friend or relative a photocopy of your passport just in case the original gets stolen or lost during travel.
- Your ATM Card: For the best exchange rate, use an ATM in your destination instead of the airport currency exchange.
Electronic Entertainment and Tools
Going away doesn’t necessarily mean unplugging completely. The same devices we use for the daily grind and to stay connected can also be used to relax and get away.
- Apple Airtag: Sometimes your checked luggage doesn't get to where you are right away. Your iPhone plus this handy gadget can give you peace of mind should your bags decide to go on vacation in a different location.
- E-Reader: Books are great ways to pass the time, but are rather bulky and unwieldy. If you invest in an e-reader you can easily carry multiple downloaded books for hours of relaxation. A tablet with an e-reader app can also work.
- Smartphone: If podcasts are more your thing, download new episodes onto your smartphone in advance so you don’t have to use the inflight wi-fi. Music streaming services usually have an option to download onto your phone, making your favorite playlists accessible when there is no Wi-Fi. Also make sure you have a travel plan for your phone and don't forget to let your credit card companies know you will be traveling and where.
- Airline App: If you use the inflight wi-fi, I recommend downloading the airline’s app through either Google Play or the iTunes store in advance. Many airlines offer complimentary inflight entertainment through these apps; sometimes music, movies and other media. My favorite is the airplane tracking, as it’s nice to know how much flight you have left, but be warned that time does not speed up if you keep looking at it! (I’ve tried.)
- Phone Charger/Adaptor: To avoid being stuck without a phone, make sure you have the right adaptor for where you are traveling.
Electronic Entertainment and Tools
Going away doesn’t necessarily mean unplugging completely. The same devices we use for the daily grind and to stay connected can also be used to relax and get away.
- Apple Airtag: Sometimes your checked luggage doesn't get to where you are right away. Your iPhone plus this handy gadget can give you peace of mind should your bags decide to go on vacation in a different location.
- E-Reader: Books are great ways to pass the time, but are rather bulky and unwieldy. If you invest in an e-reader you can easily carry multiple downloaded books for hours of relaxation. A tablet with an e-reader app can also work.
- Smartphone: If podcasts are more your thing, download new episodes onto your smartphone in advance so you don’t have to use the inflight wi-fi. Music streaming services usually have an option to download onto your phone, making your favorite playlists accessible when there is no Wi-Fi. Also make sure you have a travel plan for your phone and don't forget to let your credit card companies know you will be traveling and where.
- Airline App: If you use the inflight wi-fi, I recommend downloading the airline’s app through either Google Play or the iTunes store in advance. Many airlines offer complimentary inflight entertainment through these apps; sometimes music, movies and other media. My favorite is the airplane tracking, as it’s nice to know how much flight you have left, but be warned that time does not speed up if you keep looking at it! (I’ve tried.)
- Phone Charger/Adaptor: To avoid being stuck without a phone, make sure you have the right adaptor for where you are traveling.
Your Carry On
Most airlines will allow up to two carry-ons, which is one carry-on bag and one personal item such as a purse or briefcase. (See your airline’s website for more information.)
- Backpack: Make the most of this storage by using a backpack for your carry-on bag. You can even store a cross body bag inside the carry backpack.
- Masks: Airlines and airports will sometimes require masks. Keep spares handy just in case you lose one.
- Documents: More and more places are requiring vaccination records or negative COVID tests. Don't forget to do your research on the destination and have what you need ready to go. We recommend that you bring vaccine records even if they are not needed as destination requirements can change at any time.
- List of Medications: This is important to have just in case you need to seek medical attention while you are traveling.
- Snacks: Don’t forget the snacks so you don’t have to wait for the snack cart to come by for a quick bite.
- Power Bank: If you use your phone on the airplane, pack a power bank to ensure a fully charged phone on arrival. Some airlines offer USB charging stations right at your seat, you just bring your own USB cord. (See your airline’s website for more information.)
- Headphones: Don’t forget your headphones, I recommend noise-canceling headphones for best sound quality.
- Water Bottle: Keep an empty water bottle with you. You can save money and the environment by filling that water bottle after you get through security at the airport.
- Prescription Glasses: Keep a spare pair of glasses close by. You never know if you are going to lose a contact lens or forget where you left your main glasses.
Your Carry On
Most airlines will allow up to two carry-ons, which is one carry-on bag and one personal item such as a purse or briefcase. (See your airline’s website for more information.)
- Backpack: Make the most of this storage by using a backpack for your carry-on bag. You can even store a cross body bag inside the carry backpack.
- Masks: Airlines and airports will sometimes require masks. Keep spares handy just in case you lose one.
- Documents: More and more places are requiring vaccination records or negative COVID tests. Don't forget to do your research on the destination and have what you need ready to go. We recommend that you bring vaccine records even if they are not needed as destination requirements can change at any time.
- List of Medications: This is important to have just in case you need to seek medical attention while you are traveling.
- Snacks: Don’t forget the snacks so you don’t have to wait for the snack cart to come by for a quick bite.
- Power Bank: If you use your phone on the airplane, pack a power bank to ensure a fully charged phone on arrival. Some airlines offer USB charging stations right at your seat, you just bring your own USB cord. (See your airline’s website for more information.)
- Headphones: Don’t forget your headphones, I recommend noise-canceling headphones for best sound quality.
- Water Bottle: Keep an empty water bottle with you. You can save money and the environment by filling that water bottle after you get through security at the airport.
- Prescription Glasses: Keep a spare pair of glasses close by. You never know if you are going to lose a contact lens or forget where you left your main glasses.
Zip-Lock Bags
Bags with zipper closures can be used in a variety of ways.
- Liquids: You can pack liquids horizontally in a bag, then if there is accidental leakage at high altitudes, your clothes will be protected. I once had a whole bottle of shampoo leak on a flight to Orlando. When I got there, my clothes were all protected because of the zipper bag, and I was still able to use the shampoo!
- Charging Cables: Use the smaller sandwich-sized bags to hold the cords for the various personal electronic devices the kids can’t live without.
- Socks/Swimsuit: Use the larger quart-sized bags so the kids’ socks don’t “mingle” during the trip. They are also very useful for packing away that wet swimsuit when you are ready to come back home.
Odds and Ends
- Clips/Clothespins: If you are a light sleeper, pack a couple of clips or clothespins to hold hotel curtains closed.
- Hand Sanitizer: Can be used to clean and sanitize just about anything, from the tray on your flight to the remote control in your hotel room, plus any little hands you happen to have with you while you are traveling. Just remember to pack it in a zipper bag.
- UPS or Mail: Did you buy too much stuff? I'm guilty of this for almost every vacation I go on! One tip is to mail your new stuff to your home address. That way, you don't have to try to juggle an extra bag (or two... or three), and your new treasures will be waiting for you when you get home from your adventures.
- Sunscreen: Hopefully it's sunny where you are traveling! Keep safe from the sun's rays by applying sunscreen liberally throughout your adventure.
Odds and Ends
- Clips/Clothespins: If you are a light sleeper, pack a couple of clips or clothespins to hold hotel curtains closed.
- Hand Sanitizer: Can be used to clean and sanitize just about anything, from the tray on your flight to the remote control in your hotel room, plus any little hands you happen to have with you while you are traveling. Just remember to pack it in a zipper bag.
- UPS or Mail: Did you buy too much stuff? I'm guilty of this for almost every vacation I go on! One tip is to mail your new stuff to your home address. That way, you don't have to try to juggle an extra bag (or two... or three), and your new treasures will be waiting for you when you get home from your adventures.
- Sunscreen: Hopefully it's sunny where you are traveling! Keep safe from the sun's rays by applying sunscreen liberally throughout your adventure.
This blog post was originally written and posted in August 2019. Updated October 2023.
For Travel Outside the United States
- Passport: Leaving the U.S.? Don’t forget your passport! To keep it safe during travel, store it in a zip-lock bag. Don’t forget to check your expiration date to ensure your passport is valid for 6 months after your return date. As an extra precaution give a trusted friend or relative a photocopy of your passport just in case the original gets stolen or lost during travel.
- Your ATM Card: For the best exchange rate, use an ATM in your destination instead of the airport currency exchange.
Electronic Entertainment and Tools
Going away doesn’t necessarily mean unplugging completely. The same devices we use for the daily grind and to stay connected can also be used to relax and get away.
- Apple Airtag: Sometimes your checked luggage doesn't get to where you are right away. Your iPhone plus this handy gadget can give you peace of mind should your bags decide to go on vacation in a different location.
- E-Reader: Books are great ways to pass the time, but are rather bulky and unwieldy. If you invest in an e-reader you can easily carry multiple downloaded books for hours of relaxation. A tablet with an e-reader app can also work.
- Smartphone: If podcasts are more your thing, download new episodes onto your smartphone in advance so you don’t have to use the inflight wi-fi. Music streaming services usually have an option to download onto your phone, making your favorite playlists accessible when there is no Wi-Fi. Also make sure you have a travel plan for your phone and don't forget to let your credit card companies know you will be traveling and where.
- Airline App: If you use the inflight wi-fi, I recommend downloading the airline’s app through either Google Play or the iTunes store in advance. Many airlines offer complimentary inflight entertainment through these apps; sometimes music, movies and other media. My favorite is the airplane tracking, as it’s nice to know how much flight you have left, but be warned that time does not speed up if you keep looking at it! (I’ve tried.)
- Phone Charger/Adaptor: To avoid being stuck without a phone, make sure you have the right adaptor for where you are traveling.
Electronic Entertainment and Tools
Going away doesn’t necessarily mean unplugging completely. The same devices we use for the daily grind and to stay connected can also be used to relax and get away.
- Apple Airtag: Sometimes your checked luggage doesn't get to where you are right away. Your iPhone plus this handy gadget can give you peace of mind should your bags decide to go on vacation in a different location.
- E-Reader: Books are great ways to pass the time, but are rather bulky and unwieldy. If you invest in an e-reader you can easily carry multiple downloaded books for hours of relaxation. A tablet with an e-reader app can also work.
- Smartphone: If podcasts are more your thing, download new episodes onto your smartphone in advance so you don’t have to use the inflight wi-fi. Music streaming services usually have an option to download onto your phone, making your favorite playlists accessible when there is no Wi-Fi. Also make sure you have a travel plan for your phone and don't forget to let your credit card companies know you will be traveling and where.
- Airline App: If you use the inflight wi-fi, I recommend downloading the airline’s app through either Google Play or the iTunes store in advance. Many airlines offer complimentary inflight entertainment through these apps; sometimes music, movies and other media. My favorite is the airplane tracking, as it’s nice to know how much flight you have left, but be warned that time does not speed up if you keep looking at it! (I’ve tried.)
- Phone Charger/Adaptor: To avoid being stuck without a phone, make sure you have the right adaptor for where you are traveling.
Your Carry On
Most airlines will allow up to two carry-ons, which is one carry-on bag and one personal item such as a purse or briefcase. (See your airline’s website for more information.)
- Backpack: Make the most of this storage by using a backpack for your carry-on bag. You can even store a cross body bag inside the carry backpack.
- Masks: Airlines and airports will sometimes require masks. Keep spares handy just in case you lose one.
- Documents: More and more places are requiring vaccination records or negative COVID tests. Don't forget to do your research on the destination and have what you need ready to go. We recommend that you bring vaccine records even if they are not needed as destination requirements can change at any time.
- List of Medications: This is important to have just in case you need to seek medical attention while you are traveling.
- Snacks: Don’t forget the snacks so you don’t have to wait for the snack cart to come by for a quick bite.
- Power Bank: If you use your phone on the airplane, pack a power bank to ensure a fully charged phone on arrival. Some airlines offer USB charging stations right at your seat, you just bring your own USB cord. (See your airline’s website for more information.)
- Headphones: Don’t forget your headphones, I recommend noise-canceling headphones for best sound quality.
- Water Bottle: Keep an empty water bottle with you. You can save money and the environment by filling that water bottle after you get through security at the airport.
- Prescription Glasses: Keep a spare pair of glasses close by. You never know if you are going to lose a contact lens or forget where you left your main glasses.
Your Carry On
Most airlines will allow up to two carry-ons, which is one carry-on bag and one personal item such as a purse or briefcase. (See your airline’s website for more information.)
- Backpack: Make the most of this storage by using a backpack for your carry-on bag. You can even store a cross body bag inside the carry backpack.
- Masks: Airlines and airports will sometimes require masks. Keep spares handy just in case you lose one.
- Documents: More and more places are requiring vaccination records or negative COVID tests. Don't forget to do your research on the destination and have what you need ready to go. We recommend that you bring vaccine records even if they are not needed as destination requirements can change at any time.
- List of Medications: This is important to have just in case you need to seek medical attention while you are traveling.
- Snacks: Don’t forget the snacks so you don’t have to wait for the snack cart to come by for a quick bite.
- Power Bank: If you use your phone on the airplane, pack a power bank to ensure a fully charged phone on arrival. Some airlines offer USB charging stations right at your seat, you just bring your own USB cord. (See your airline’s website for more information.)
- Headphones: Don’t forget your headphones, I recommend noise-canceling headphones for best sound quality.
- Water Bottle: Keep an empty water bottle with you. You can save money and the environment by filling that water bottle after you get through security at the airport.
- Prescription Glasses: Keep a spare pair of glasses close by. You never know if you are going to lose a contact lens or forget where you left your main glasses.
Zip-Lock Bags
Bags with zipper closures can be used in a variety of ways.
- Liquids: You can pack liquids horizontally in a bag, then if there is accidental leakage at high altitudes, your clothes will be protected. I once had a whole bottle of shampoo leak on a flight to Orlando. When I got there, my clothes were all protected because of the zipper bag, and I was still able to use the shampoo!
- Charging Cables: Use the smaller sandwich-sized bags to hold the cords for the various personal electronic devices the kids can’t live without.
- Socks/Swimsuit: Use the larger quart-sized bags so the kids’ socks don’t “mingle” during the trip. They are also very useful for packing away that wet swimsuit when you are ready to come back home.
Odds and Ends
- Clips/Clothespins: If you are a light sleeper, pack a couple of clips or clothespins to hold hotel curtains closed.
- Hand Sanitizer: Can be used to clean and sanitize just about anything, from the tray on your flight to the remote control in your hotel room, plus any little hands you happen to have with you while you are traveling. Just remember to pack it in a zipper bag.
- UPS or Mail: Did you buy too much stuff? I'm guilty of this for almost every vacation I go on! One tip is to mail your new stuff to your home address. That way, you don't have to try to juggle an extra bag (or two... or three), and your new treasures will be waiting for you when you get home from your adventures.
- Sunscreen: Hopefully it's sunny where you are traveling! Keep safe from the sun's rays by applying sunscreen liberally throughout your adventure.
Odds and Ends
- Clips/Clothespins: If you are a light sleeper, pack a couple of clips or clothespins to hold hotel curtains closed.
- Hand Sanitizer: Can be used to clean and sanitize just about anything, from the tray on your flight to the remote control in your hotel room, plus any little hands you happen to have with you while you are traveling. Just remember to pack it in a zipper bag.
- UPS or Mail: Did you buy too much stuff? I'm guilty of this for almost every vacation I go on! One tip is to mail your new stuff to your home address. That way, you don't have to try to juggle an extra bag (or two... or three), and your new treasures will be waiting for you when you get home from your adventures.
- Sunscreen: Hopefully it's sunny where you are traveling! Keep safe from the sun's rays by applying sunscreen liberally throughout your adventure.
This blog post was originally written and posted in August 2019. Updated October 2023.
About the Author: The above piece was written by Penny Anderson, Merchandising/Ecommerce Manager at Costco Travel, with the help and input from several Costco Travel employees. Penny has been a Costco employee for 25 years, the lion's share of these years at Costco Travel.
