Just Press Go Travel

We’ve now been to 19 states, 7 National Parks, 5 Disney trips, I don’t know how many flights, and a good number of road trips with my almost 2 year old. Below are my tips for packing to travel – especially for flights.

As always, none of these links are commission – just information and vibes.

General

• Air tag everything – bags, strollers, car seat, etc.
• Overpack instead of underpack, especially if you are going to a destination where shopping may not be easy.
• Make a packing list…and if you’re an overachiever, mark which bag you put each item in.
• Packing cubes. Every family member gets their own color.
• Garbage bag(s). Everyone’s dirty clothes go in the garbage bag to come home. We used to keep each person’s worn clothes separate – but now we just combine for ease.
• When packing for the kid, I separate day clothes into one packing cube, and pajamas into a second packing cube.

Carry Ons

• All important documents.
• SNACKS.
• Water bottle with ice. Ice does not count as a liquid. Bring your bottle filled with ice and then top it off with water once you get through security.
• Keep enough diapers with you to get through at least 24 hours.
• On the same note, have everything with you to get at least your kid(s) through 24 hours – especially sleep sacks and sound machines should you get stuck in the airport overnight or your checked bags get lost.
  • Honestly – we try to keep enough to get all of us through 24 hours including toothbrushes, toothpaste, glasses, contacts, etc. We have had suitcases not make our flights, and this gets us at least through the night.
• Keeping with this theme – pack saline, nasal aspirator/bulb, ibuprofen with you to help the kiddo through the travel day.
• Stroller fan.
• Entertainment for the family:
  • Tablet
  • Tablet Holder
  • Headphones
  • Kid books
  • Kid toys
  • …refer to my previous post regarding Favorite Travel Items
• If going somewhere off the beaten path, carry on with you anything you may have to have or that may be difficult to purchase on short notice.
  • Example: We flew to Spokane, WA to go to Glacier National Park in Montana and our first hotel was in East Glacier, which is the remote side of the park. We made sure to keep our hiking shoes, knee braces, and hiking backpacks with us in our carry ons along with necessary toiletries to get us through our stay on that side of the park.

So how many bags does this equal?

My family when getting through the airport, depending on the length of the trip, typically has:

• (1) Carry-on suitcase
• (1) Diaper Bag 
• (1) Backpack
• (1) Additional bag with family items 
• (1) Car Seat
• (1) Stroller
• At least one checked bag that is larger than a carry-on suitcase.
  • Sometimes we have an additional checked bag to help with weight distribution, not because we couldn’t fit it all in one. We typically fly Southwest so each ticketed passenger gets 2 free bags under 50 lbs.
• (1) Pack n Play depending on the destination – this gets checked.

Prepared to pack for your own vacation?

Reach out to melanie@simplyperfectvacations to start booking!