Pre-Flight Travel Checklist

Updated: ~~31 july 2011~~ 26 Aug 2020

pre-flight checklist

this is my system for pre-flight packing
i’ve tried to genericise it for other people
use at your own risk, your mileage may vary
print out a copy of this document before packing
cross off all items once packed, or if unnecessary
amendments and updates welcome via e-mail to webmaster at crypticide dot com

day-before pre-flight todo list

check for and remove sharps/dubious items from carry-on luggage, in all pockets
back-up laptop before leaving home
charge bose headphones
charge foreign cellphone
charge home cellphone
charge laptop
charge USB aux battery
in-car USB charger
in-car phone mounting
check-in online
get foreign money
print routes and maps from remote airport to hotel
update ipod with latest podcasts, movies to watch, etc **
laptop sanitisation: encryption for private data, flush “empty” disk blocks. **

morning of departure checklist

cancel beeping alarm clock
check fridge properly shut
check taps / faucets off
empty trash
lock doors
lock windows
switch off oven
switch off coffee machine(s)
switch off tv/hifi/video
switch off boiler if necessary

carry-on bag / on person

all valuable electrical items (implicit ipod, bose headphones, laptop, camera…)
all paperwork
book for flight
in-flight neck pillow **
one change of underwear
one dose of painkillers (aspirin, whatever)
pack of mints / gum
pack of tissues / wipes
small folding umbrella
sunglasses
foam earplugs (augment headphones, also for noisy hotels)***
small handtowel?

checked bags

stuff you can afford to be without for a day or two
stuff you can afford to have stolen
coffee survival kit

paperwork

check-in information / boarding cards
driving license
data access codes for driving license checks
all car rental / hotel loyalty / frequent flyer cards (for lounge access) **
foreign wallet
hotel address and check-in information
maps of destination
passports and visas
security passes for work

clothing

comfy shoes
enough socks
enough t-shirts
enough underwear
exercise / workout clothes and shoes **
flip-flops / shower sandals
hat for sun
light jacket
posh hat
posh outfit / business suit
posh shoes
pyjamas / clothes to sleep in
jacket and tie
shirts
shorts
swimming costume / swim goggles
trousers / skirts
warm jacket

electrical

appropriate mains converter for general purpose
appropriate mains converter for laptop
bose noise-cancelling headphones
camera
camera charger
camera connection cable
camera storage cards
foreign cellphone
foreign cellphone charger
geek toys – tablets, kindles
home cellphone
ipod
ipod charger cable
laptop
laptop ethernet dongle (and cable?)
laptop power supply
laptop aircraft power cable **
laptop video dongles: vga and dvi and HDMI, etc
laptop presentation dongles: pointer, clicker **
smart watch
smart watch charger cable
USB charger
USB Power Brick
voice recorder / work equipment
work 2fa / security authentication token

personal

cleansers
comb
contact lenses and cleaner
earplugs
make-up
moisturiser
painkillers
personal hygiene products
shampoo/conditioner
shaving kit
sunblock
toothbrush/paste
vitamins

utility

detergent for laundry
empty plastic bag for damp stuff
sleeping bag liner if risk of dubious hotel linen
small hank of tough string / washing-line
small sewing kit
spare bag for expansion
towel
universal bath plug (everyone should have one, or something to plug a sink/bath)

other people

presents for friends

travel tips

robin: One other simple packing tip (which I got from Chris Holloway while we were both at IBM) is ‘have a separate sponge-bag/shaving kit for travel’. This helps avoid those nasty moments when you realise you have forgotten toothpaste/brush, deodorant, cufflinks, etc etc.

robin: For a while, pre-Euro, I used to [steal] a sick-bag off each national carrier and put my small change into it. The resulting ‘envelopes’ lived in a recycled toast-rack by my desk, so it was simply a matter of riffling through them and hoicking out the right one for the trip. :^)