Travel – My check-in packing list

Don’t leave anything important or valuable in check-in luggage.

Always take all personal belongings and valuables in (airport) carry-on hand luggage (i.e. passports and ID-cards, travel documents, tickets, visas, money, credit cards, essential medication, cameras, phones, laptop/tablet, keys, spare prescription glasses, etc.).

I put these valuables in a series of separate transparent Ziploc bags (don’t put everything in one big bag). Travel documents (including boarding passes) can go together in an easy to access travel pouch (some people have a “fanny pack“). I place my laptop/tablet in separate individual protective pouches, and also ensure that all my electronic equipment (including the camera) are charged, and easy to access during security screening (can be switched on if asked). I also take chargers and cables in my carry-on backpack. I include my spare prescription glasses in their protective case (also for my prescription sunglasses). I try to avoid taking any liquids or creams in my hand luggage (but otherwise follow strictly the rules).

As an aside I always travel with a second smartphone, with a SIM and subscription from a different operator in a different country. 

On both my check-in and carry-on luggage I have TSA-approved locks. Some TSA locks also have an inspection indicator. You can also find small battery-operated high-decibel security alarms which can be attached to doors, windows, and luggage. I have AirTag’s hidden in all my luggage.

I also use suitcase covers and a colourful security strap to help identify my luggage on the carousel in arrivals.

Many carriers explain that medicinal tablets and capsules can go in checked luggage or in hand luggage, but must be accompanied by a doctor’s prescription. All essential medication, in their original boxes along with the instructions for use, and with the prescriptions, should be separately packed and kept in carry-on luggage.

I prepare printed packing lists for both check-in and carry-on. I also have copies of any recent bills, proof of purchase, etc., just in case (e.g. laptop, tablet, camera, …). Sometimes people are questioned by the customs about what looks like something newly purchased whilst travelling, and original invoices can show where and when the item was originally purchased.

I also have in my carry-on luggage printout copies of my passport & ID, visas, travel documents, credit cards, etc. I also carry printouts of my travel insurance documentation, including a statement from my heath insurance, and any forms needed for medical exams and claims resulting from an accident.

I label all bags with name, destination address, email address and mobile phone number. I also print out the same information on a A4 sheet and place it inside my luggage. If you are moving from one destination to another, prepare different labels.

During my trip to the Antarctic, the cruise company required that luggage had to be correctly labelled, with complete name, the name of the ship, the destination and number of the cabin.

Always check the fine print. For example, for the cruise there was a long list of forbidden items, which included water heater, rice cooker, drones, radio-navigator, laser pointers, Samsung Note 7, and candles.

I take photographs of all luggage, including during packing. It helps also when I have to unpack and repack during a stopovers. For short stopovers, I try to separate what I need so as not to disturb too much the contents of my luggage.

As an example, travelling through Buenos Aires to an Antarctic expedition ship, I separated, in the same suitcase, compression packs for all the antarctic clothing, so I only needed to open them once onboard the cruise ship.

I also travel in a simple warmish jacket, always with zipped pockets (remember airplanes can be quite cold). So I can put everything in the zipped pockets and dump the jacket in the tray for security control.

In airports, planes, taxis, etc. I try to never keep stuff in trouser pockets, always in zip pockets. I’m a great fan of tops that have interior zipped pockets.

As a last point I usually printout from Google Maps the streets around our hotels, etc. so I have a visual idea on where we are going. I also use Google Street View to “see” my different destinations, before finalising any bookings.

For example, I found it very interesting to see my Antarctic cruise ship location and the boarding routine. With some video reviews and using Google Maps, I could get a firm impression of where I was going, and what I could expect to see.