Everyone Should Have a Travel Box (Here's What's in Mine)

Preparing for a Getaway

About two weeks in advance of my trips, I start a list. I keep mine prominently on the kitchen counter. The list contains such things as stopping the mail, notifying my neighbor I'll be away, and getting a friend to water my garden.

Writing things down as I think of them clears my brain clutter. Otherwise, everything is too much to remember. Thoughts of having to remember this or that will keep me up at night in the days preceding the trip, but this way, I write it down, and it's taken care of.

I compose an email draft of my itinerary which contains contact information for the various hotels. I will also include my flight itinerary. I address it to everyone who needs to know and/or anyone who might worry if they can't get in touch with me. The other purpose it serves is so people aren't calling me on my cell phone when I am away.

Personally, when I have a getaway, I want to enjoy the sights and experiences at my destination. It is not a time to be distracted by friends calling me to chat. Generally, I send it out late the day before I leave.

The Travel Box Idea

It struck me a few years ago that the things I need to take on a trip are scattered all around my house. So, I found a plastic tote and set it up to collect everything and put it in one place. This is stored at the top of my closet, above my luggage.

When I am getting ready to go on a trip, I take it out, go through it, and pull out what I need for that particular vacation. Not every trip requires everything in the box, but by having everything there, I (almost) never forget anything.

So, What's in the Box?

• A travel pillow for long plane or train rides or trips when I expect to travel through the night.
• A phone charger. By having an extra one in the travel box, I can just pack it, and I will never forget it.
• A folding rain slicker. I only take this when the weather predicts rain for my destination.
• A very small, lightweight travel umbrella if the weather predicts rain.
• Shoe bags to stuff shoes in to keep them from dirtying my clothes.
• A plastic bag to put dirty laundry in.
• Empty travel-size bottles and zippered plastic pouches for them.
• One of my zippered pouches is already filled with earplugs and cotton swabs, so I don't forget them.
• A luggage scale. I don't take this with me, but there are times I weigh my luggage so I don't just go a smidge over the limit and get charged extra.
• An international travel adapter. Outlets in foreign countries are different from each other. The adapter is needed to plug in my phone charger.
• A lightweight water bottle.
• A Ziplock bag in which I put laundry detergent sheets. These are sheets that look like dryer sheets but are laundry detergent. I cut one into fourths for hand washing and take a few full sheets to use in a washing machine if the hotel has one. I use these at home in lieu of buying detergent in bulky plastic bottles that drip. The cleaning power is enough for my needs. Just drop one in the washer on top of your clothes. For handwashing, I let one little square dissolve in warm water and just swish away.
• Two pairs of compression socks. One pair to pack and one pair to leave out to wear on the plane for my departure.
• A pair of lightweight travel slippers.
• A night light. Depending on how the room is laid out, it is not always comfortable to leave the bathroom light on. A night light is invaluable, especially on a cruise. When the lights are out, there is no outside light coming through the port hole.
• A weekly pill organizer. This serves the purpose of reminding me to pack my pills and supplements.
• Disinfectant wipes for wiping down trays on the plane or the remote control in the hotel room.
• A hairbrush and comb.

The Set Up and Some More Organization

A week or so ahead of time, I open my suitcase and put it in a spare room or on a chair in the living room.

As I remove things from the travel box, I put them in the suitcase and stow the travel box back up on the shelf, out of the way.

Each of my suitcases has a sturdy luggage tag on it. I don't count on the flimsy ones at the airline desks.

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Tracking Devices

Each of my suitcases has a tracking device hidden away in the lining. These little devices are super easy to set up with an app on your smartphone. They work by giving the GPS coordinates of where the tracking device is and, thus, whatever the tracking device is in. I can tell where my luggage is by checking my phone.

I also have one in my purse. When I travel, so many of my daily routines get changed that sometimes I misplace things I ordinarily wouldn't. By having a tracker in my purse, my smartphone can tell me if I left it in a restaurant or on a tour bus.

Contact List

In each of my suitcases, I always keep a list of contacts with phone numbers as well as an index card with my name and cell phone number. I never list my home address on or in my luggage. Several times I have read not to put a home address on or in your luggage. An address informs whoever finds your luggage that you are away and your home is vacant.

My Tale of Woe, and by Way of Explanation

I explained above that I keep a list of contacts and their phone numbers in each of my suitcases. You may ask if that's necessary when they are all also on your cell phone.

Once I overslept and was woken up by my ride to the airport. In my hurry to get dressed and get out, I left my cell phone on the kitchen counter where it was charging.

It was an eye-opener on how dependent we have become on cell phones, particularly when traveling.

When I got to the hotel, I decided to use the lobby computer to email my family and friends that I'd arrived safely. My email wouldn't let me in. I got a message that my carrier didn't recognize the device I was using, but they would send an access code to my cell phone.

I felt completely cut off and wondered how I would contact anyone in an emergency. I have become so completely dependent on a cell phone contact list that I don't remember anyone's phone number.

That is why I now carry a handwritten list of a number of friends and relatives and their phone numbers.

Your Own Travel Box

Every traveler is different, so everyone's travel box will be different as well. You can adapt the idea to whatever your travel needs are, but either way, it is sure to keep you more organized before going on your trip. I hope some of the items I list above can help you get started on creating your own travel box. Have a good trip!

More Packing Tips and Tools

• Best Packing Cubes and Organizer Pouches for Travelling
  Packing cubes and organizer pouches are designed to organize any piece of luggage or even a camping backpack. I never take a trip without them.
• How to Avoid Wrinkles When Packing Clothes
  Need to learn how to pack your bag efficiently? This tutorial gives tips to avoid those annoying creases in clothes and save space in your luggage, too!
• 9 Amazing Notion Packing List Templates
  Explore the full range of Notion Packing List templates here, keep organized with the series of list templates so you never forget a thing!

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2023 Ellen Gregory