Driva’s Ultimate Packing List & Travel Checklist

Life wasn’t meant for working hard with no reward. The world is a big place, and you deserve to see it.

In this article, we’re going to take a look at what you need to consider when travelling, what to put on your packing checklist, how to pack your carry-on bags and checked bags like a pro, and even more! Driva wants you to have the best possible holiday experience, and once we’re through this article, that will be a plane ticket away. So, let’s get started!

Travelling can be expensive. You want to have a good experience and not be penny-pinching the entire time you’re in a beautiful foreign country. The best way to avoid being overly frugal is to get a holiday loan or to make sure you’ve saved up enough money.

With a holiday loan, you can enjoy your vacation without the stress of running out of money any second. Sure, you’ll be paying it back even after the trip is finished, but the experience you get is worth every dollar.

You’re going to a foreign country. In most instances, you’ve likely never been there before, so you need to know what the place you’re going to is like. Look for things like what are their general laws (especially for conservative countries), what is there to do, and where’s it safe to go for tourists.

Another thing we recommend researching is the types of things you should watch out for in these countries, such as scam operations and anything else meant to trip up tourists to get money out of them. You want to have a great trip and by researching the destination, you’re able to have a bit more peace of mind.

Yes, Covid-19 has become far less of a concern in the last year, but that doesn’t mean all airlines and countries have ditched their Covid-19 protocols. So, before even booking a flight or hotel and embarking on international travel, it’s time to investigate what certain countries require all tourists to do in order to enter their country.

Most of the time, the requirements to board the plane or leave the airport are a negative test result and your vaccination certificate. However, once again, this is only if they require such documentation. A lot of countries do not require this anymore.

Other things to consider when it comes to Covid-19 requirements:

• Mask policies (both on the aeroplane and in the country you’re travelling to).
• Travelling with infants.
• Meal service changes.
• Seat spacing.
• Social distancing.
• Hotel cleaning and disinfection policies.

Probably the most important aspect of travelling to international destinations is considering the visa requirements. You need to ensure you’ve checked all the visa requirements for the country you’re planning on going to and have gotten the necessary documents. Without these documents, you’re not going to be able to even enter the country, and that’s not going to make for a great vacation. 

So, be very careful and diligent with this step, as it matters the most. This isn’t necessary for domestic travel as domestic flights won’t require visas to enter different states/provinces.

Building on the Visa requirements, your documents need to be up-to-date to ensure you’re not at risk of being denied entry. This means that you’re double-checking everything from the ticket to your own personal documentation.

While you might not think that getting travel insurance matters, it does; it matters a lot. Don’t look to save money on your trip by cutting out travel insurance. There are numerous providers out there that offer different levels of protection.

When you’re going to another country, there are always risks involved. You need to be prepared for what those risks might be, and theft and loss of property are high up there. So, be prepared.

You’re going to a foreign country; they’re not going to accept your currency; that’s just a basic fact. So, before you go anywhere overseas, ensure you’ve addressed the currency needs you’ll have. For the most part, nobody enjoys carrying cash anymore. It’s inconvenient and also puts you at risk.

This is especially true when you don’t have the best grip on the currency exchange. So, look for services that allow you to transact in various currencies electronically. It’s safer and far more convenient. Now all the boring (but necessary!) bits are out of the way, let’s get ready to pack.

Ready to pack like a professional packer? Well, with this travel checklist, we will explain everything you need to bring with you and how to save space and money! Let’s not waste any more time and get started with this ultimate packing list.

When we’re referring to luggage, we’re talking about the types of bags you’re going to be using and how they’ll be utilised. So let’s take a look at some tips for how to pick the right luggage for your holiday.

This is where airlines will find a way to charge you more, so don’t overpack this type of luggage. Many opt for a duffel bag when they pack carry-on luggage. Any small bag that can fit in an overhead compartment is acceptable.

Packing tips when using a carry-on bag

• A lightweight bag is the best kind of carry-on bag.
• Ensure it has a hard surface for overhead compartment usage.
• Ensure you know the laws surrounding what is allowed in a carry-on bag. There are a lot of things that aren’t permitted on aeroplanes. 
• Carry electronics with you on the plane. This way, if your bag goes missing, at least you’ve got the important items.
• Monitor your carry-on weight ahead of time to avoid paying more than you care to spend. 
• If you pack a water bottle, ensure it’s an empty water bottle, as liquids aren’t permitted on planes.

When it comes to checked luggage, you’re going to want a sturdy suitcase. This suitcase doesn’t need to be flashy or expensive. In fact, the further away it is from being flashy, the better. We’re not saying get a beaten suitcase. Instead, we’re saying stay away from something that draws unintentional attention.

Packing tips when using checked luggage

• Use a suitcase, preferably one with wheels, for easy transportation.
• Don’t get a suitcase that’s too flashy, as it might draw the wrong kind of attention. 
• Pack a travel bag or ‘day bag’ in your suitcase for use while travelling.
• Ensure your day bag is theft-proof and has hidden compartments or is made using slash-proof material.
• Use packing cubes to make space and have your luggage more organised.

Travel essentials for your next trip

Carry on baggage

• E-reader
• Change of clothes when travelling from warm to cold climates and vice versa
• Credit cards
• Mobile device/cell phone
• Water bottle
• Boarding pass
• Money belt
• Laptop, charger laptop, and other fragile electronics such as a memory card or camera that may be broken in the hold
• Local power adaptor for international travel
• Booking confirmations
• Language guides
• Books, magazines, newspapers
• Tablets
• Sunglasses
• Health and medication
• Emergency contacts
• Any valuable personal item(s)
• Any item that requires easy access

Checked baggage

• Clothes 
  T-shirts
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• Toiletries
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• Travel insurance policies
• Any personal item(s) that is not fragile or valuable
• Any item that is not bulky/not needed in carry on bags

Want to enjoy your holiday even more? With Driva, you can look for the best holiday loans. It’s simple and easy. All you need to do is input your information, and we’ll connect you with several amazing lenders to see what they’re willing to offer you!

Make this a true vacation with Driva. So, what are you waiting for? Get started today and start packing for your amazing holiday away from home!

We get it. Everyone wants to save some money. However, be very careful where you decide to save money. The best thing we can recommend is looking for flight deals, hotel deals for longer trips, etc. There are also deals on holidays in multiple destinations across Europe, for example.

When you’re planning an overseas trip, we recommend you double-check the information regarding your flight and hotel stays. Start doing it a couple of weeks before and slowly build up to a daily check. You want to make sure you’re going to the airport on time on the right departure date, and that your hotel is booked on the right dates. Make sure you check the year of the bookings because this is often where mistakes happen without realising.

Even if your clothing has been washed recently, wash it all again before taking it with you overseas. Why? Because you want your clothes to be as fresh as possible when travelling. This means you’ve got everything exactly how it should be before even touching down.

One thing you might have forgotten is that there are a lot of options when it comes to travel rewards with your credit card provider. Shop around for the best credit card for travelling, and you can earn points for tons of things resulting in possible free flights, hotel stays, and even sign-up bonuses.

Of course, these take a while to achieve, but you’ll travel again and again in your lifetime, why not get rewarded for doing so?

We’re not saying to plan the entire holiday. However, what about taking a look at what’s available to do in your holiday destination ahead of time? When you do some prior research into what you can do while visiting a foreign country, you are freeing up time that you’d likely much rather spend enjoying yourselves. You and the whole family want to get there, check in, and start having fun immediately.

If you’re going there to have a truly spontaneous time, then so be it.

However, if you want to get in on some of the local action, make sure you know what it takes to do those activities. If you need to book, book ahead of time. Try to find online resources from people who’ve travelled to these destinations for some travel inspiration.

You’re going overseas, and you might miss certain dates for financial priorities such as paying rent, bills, etc. So, plan and try to set up auto payments for your bills. By ensuring your bills are set to be paid automatically, you avoid any confusion or possible late payments.

This saves you the headache of dealing with your bills while in another country. It’s far more convenient and ensures you can truly relax on your holiday.

This should go without saying, but we’re going to say it anyway. Don’t, we repeat, do not leave your travel packing for the day of departure. That makes no sense. The point of a holiday is to reduce stress and to have fun somewhere else.

Why would you want to ruin that with a haphazardly packed suitcase or clothes that aren’t truly clean?

A week before leaving, start packing. That’s right, a week. It’s going to be a process over several days as you ensure you’ve got everything you need. Make a list, check it multiple times to ensure you’ve not forgotten anything and do a final check before leaving.

This is an important tip as it could save you from a lot of trouble. By making copies of important documents you’re ensuring that if you lose these documents while away you’ll have an easier time replacing them. We’d recommend making multiple copies. One set for taking with you in a different bag and another for home in the event you don’t make it home with all your documents.

It’s nice to have peace of mind while on vacation, but in turn, the people you’re leaving behind should likely also be given some advanced warning. You want them to know where you’re going, where you’re staying, and, if possible, an itinerary. This is for your safety and their peace of mind too.

While you’re on your vacation, attempt to give updates where you can so they know you arrived alive and are having a good time. Don’t be showing off that you’re somewhere amazing while they’re stuck at home, but just give them some updates here and there.

You’re going to a different country, and the way of life isn’t going to be exactly what yours is. You need to understand that you’re a visitor and, as a result, need to respect the way of life the people of your chosen holiday destination live.

So attempt to do some basic research surrounding the cultures of the country and its people so you can avoid unintentionally offending locals. This goes beyond just disrespect. It’s a tip that could keep you out of jail. If you break the law in the country you visit, you don’t get special treatment just because you’re a foreigner.

Getting help in a foreign country after breaking the law is difficult, especially in countries where they’re far harsher with their justice systems, assuming they have one, to begin with.

The team at Driva hopes you enjoy your holiday. You’ve learned all we can teach you about packing for a holiday with our ultimate packing list. With these tips, you’ll be able to have the best holiday with the whole family. This is a list of travel essentials that every explorer should know about before leaving Australia for a foreign place. With that, all there’s left to do is pack your bags and get on a plane for paradise.