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Vacation Planning and Vacation Packing at Cheap Airline Tickets & Cheap Hotels & Cheap Car
Rentals with check lists to make your
traveling vacation unforgettable!
Vacation Planning and Vacation
Packing Lists
The following vacation planning and vacation packing lists are
courteous of ClubMom. Free to join, ClubMom
(click here) is a fun place.
Vacation Planning
Six to nine months in
advance:
 Look
into hotels, resorts, cruise lines, and other vacation packages.
Work
your vacation dates around everyone's busy schedules.
Once
you've determined a time frame, begin researching potential destinations.
 Involve
the kids in your destination research.
Consider
shopping online to save time.
Think
about theme parks, historical sites, and other points of interest you'll want to
visit during your vacation.
If
you're working with a modest budget, consider visiting a destination during its
less expensive, off-peak season.
Settle
on a place to go.
Get
a sense of travel, accommodation, and dining costs at your destination of
choice, then determine your budget.
Look
into hotels, resorts, cruise lines, and other vacation packages.
If
you'd like to stay at a dude ranch, a campsite, or a popular public park, make
reservations now. These locales tend to book up early.
If
you'll be renting a house, condo, or vacation villa, make your reservations.
Consider
the money-saving option of swapping your home with another family's for the
duration of your vacation.
If
your trip requires international air travel, book your flight.
Three to four months
in advance:
Book
hotel accommodations.
If
you'll be renting a camper, make your reservations.
Arrange
for pet care while you're away.
If
you're planning to travel overseas, find out whether you and the kids will need
immunizations.
If
you're traveling internationally, find out what paperwork you and the kids will
need (passports, visas, etc.). Also find out whether there are any travelers'
advisories regarding your destination.
Encourage
kids to save spending money for the trip.
Two months in
advance:
Book
flights for domestic travel.
If
you'll be traveling by train or renting a car, make those reservations.
Discuss
the upcoming trip with your kids to get them excited, create realistic
expectations, and allay any fears.
Want
a babysitter to accompany your family on vacation? Make arrangements now.
One month in advance:
Get
recommendations for affordable, educational attractions for the kids, as well as
any special events.
Set
a final itinerary.
Make
a packing list. (see below)
Consult
our Packing for a Vacation checklist.
Buy
or make arrangements to rent any special equipment you'll need during your trip.
If
you'll be taking your own car on a road trip, schedule routine maintenance
before you depart.
Two weeks in advance:
Start
packing.
Have
kids try on out-of-season clothes (including footwear) if you're visiting a
different climate.
One week in advance:
Arrange
for transportation to the airport or train station.
Call
your post office to arrange a vacation stop on mail.
Arrange
a vacation stop on newspaper delivery.
Leave
your itinerary with a neighbor, friend, or relative.
Two to three days in
advance:
Have
kids pick out a few toys and books they'd like to bring on the trip.
Have
older kids write down the addresses of their five best friends so they can send
postcards.
Put
together a small first-aid kit of medications your family commonly uses.
Put
household lights on timers.
Start
cleaning the house.
One day in advance:
Gas
up and pack the car.
Place
luggage, tickets, and other necessary documents near the door.
Call
your airline to confirm flights and double-check departure times.
Pack
your own carry-on bag with anything else kids might need on a flight.
Clear
perishable foods out of the refrigerator. Take out the garbage.
Departure day:
Make
a final sweep of the house for any forgotten items.
Turn
off large appliances and unplug smaller ones.
Double-check
doors and windows to make sure they're locked.
Turn
on your answering machine.
Load
everyone into the car/taxi/airport shuttle, then turn on the security system if
your home has one and lock the door.
Bon
voyage--enjoy!
Vacation Packing Checklist
Packing for a child
under 2--essentials:
Diapers,
bottles, formula, breast pump (if you're nursing). Try nursing or
bottle-feeding your infant during takeoff and landing to ease the pressure in
the child's ears.
Pajamas,
changes of clothes, shoes and socks, and blankets for the length of your trip.
Extra
clothes in case of a change in weather or if your flight coming home is delayed.
Car
seat, stroller. Check to see whether your airline counts these
items as extra baggage. If you are carrying a lot of baggage, consider checking
these items at the gate. If you don't bring a car seat, you may be able to rent
one if you are renting a car. Check ahead of time with your car-rental company.
Also,
consider bringing a backpack carrier for your baby so your hands are free.
This will make things much more manageable for you at the airport.
Travel
crib, if necessary. Ask at least a week ahead of time whether your
hotel can provide a crib for you. Don't wait until you get to the hotel to
request this important item.
A
copy of your child's most recent medical records.
Your
pediatrician's and pharmacist's phone numbers, in case of an emergency.
A
copy of your child's birth certificate. You might need to present
this when you check in at the airport if you have a child under two years of age
flying free. This is also important to have in case of an emergency.
Prescription
medicine for your child in its original bottles. Carrying it this
way will make things easier should you need to renew any medication while
traveling.
Necessities
such as diaper wipes and petroleum jelly, plus over-the-counter infants' cold
and stomach medication. (Get your pediatrician's approval.)
Sun-block,
if you are going to a sunny location. Note that sunscreen should be
used only sparingly on infants under six months. It's preferable to keep them
covered with clothing and a hat.
An
easy-to-carry first-aid kit.
Your
child's favorite toys. This will give the child a sense of
familiarity in a new city or town.
Books
to read to your child.
Packing for a child
under 2--carry on:
Prescriptions,
toiletries, first-aid kit, important phone numbers, and a day's worth of
clothes, diapers, and bottles. Never check these items, in case
your luggage gets lost.
Packing for a child
under 2--international travel:
Bring
a passport or proof of citizenship, depending on your destination.
See the Department of State's list of requirements by country
at http://travel.state.gov/foreignentryreqs.html.
You can pick up an application for a passport at a local passport office or a
full-service post office. You will need a copy of a birth certificate to obtain
a passport. To get a first-time passport, have a photo taken at a local
photo-developing shop, then fill out the application and mail it at least three
months before your trip. Visiting a local passport office can help expedite the
process.
Check
whether you need a visa. If you're in a large metropolitan area,
contact the local consulate of the country you are visiting to find out whether
a visa is required. If you're not in a large metropolitan area, contact the
embassy of the country you are traveling to (located in Washington, D.C.). Do
this two months in advance of your trip, if possible.
Check
with your doctor to find out whether any special inoculations are
required. If your doctor does not know, contact the International
Society of Travel Medicine at 770-736-7060 or visit its Web site at www.istm.org.
For information on specific health concerns and recommended vaccinations, visit
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's travelers' health section at www.cdc.gov/travel/.
Start seeking out this information at least two months in advance of your trip,
since some inoculations are given in several parts.
Consider
purchasing traveler's insurance for each member of your family. This
is especially important if you're traveling to a non-English-speaking country or
especially to an underdeveloped nation. To find out about traveler's insurance,
contact your current insurance carrier, your company's benefits administrator,
or your travel agent. Do this as soon as you know you are traveling. These plans
are costly—sometimes several hundred dollars per person—but can provide you
with English-speaking doctors (who may come to your hotel room), medication, and
even emergency paramedic airlift service in case of illness or accidents.
If
applicable, exchange some currency in advance.
Consider
taking an evening flight so that your child can sleep through the trip.
Consider
bringing a few bottles of water if tap water is a concern. That way
you'll have some on hand when you get to the hotel.
Bring
adapters, to plug in items such as blow-dryers.
Packing for a
preschooler--essentials:
Diapers
or training pants.
Pajamas,
changes of clothes, shoes and socks, and blankets for the length of your trip.
Extra
clothes in case of a change in weather or if your flight coming home is delayed.
A
child's pair of sunglasses (or two).
Sun-block,
if you are going to a sunny location.
An
easy-to-carry first-aid kit.
A
copy of your child's birth certificate, in case of an emergency.
Car
seat, stroller. Check to see whether your airline counts these
items as extra baggage. If you are carrying a lot of baggage, consider checking
these items at the gate. If you don't bring a car seat, you may be able to rent
one if you are renting a car. Check ahead of time with your car-rental company.
A
copy of your child's most recent medical records.
Your
pediatrician's and pharmacist's phone numbers, in case of an emergency.
Prescription
medicine for your child in its original bottles. Carrying it this
way will make things easier should you need to renew any medication while
traveling.
Necessities
such as diaper wipes, petroleum jelly, toothbrush and toothpaste,
over-the-counter children's cold and stomach medication, etc.
A
sewing kit.
Your
child's favorite toys. This will give your child a sense of
familiarity in a new city or town. Consider bringing toys that will take up
large blocks of a child's time, such as coloring books and crayons, stuffed
animals, and puzzles. Don't bring loud toys, such as handheld video games and
windup toys, on the flight with you.
Your
child's favorite videos. Most hotels will loan or rent you a VCR.
Books
to read to your child.
An
ID bracelet for your child. It should include her name, home
address, and phone number as well as your name and the name and phone number of
the hotel where you will be staying.
Packing for a preschooler--carry on:
Prescriptions,
toiletries, first-aid kit, important phone numbers, and a day's worth of clothes
and diapers or training pants. Never check these items, in case
your luggage gets lost.
Ample
snacks, sandwiches, water, and juice for the plane. Pack additional
snacks for your hotel stay.
Packing for a
preschooler--international travel:
Bring
a passport or proof of citizenship, depending on your destination.
See the Department of State's list of requirements by country at http://travel.state.gov/foreignentryreqs.html.
You can pick up an application for a passport at a local passport office or a
full-service post office. You will need a copy of a birth certificate to obtain
a passport. To get a first-time passport, have a photo taken at a local
photo-developing shop, then fill out the application and mail it at least three
months before your trip. Visiting a local passport office can help expedite the
process.
Check
whether you need a visa. If you're in a large metropolitan area,
contact the local consulate of the country you are visiting to find out whether
a visa is required. If you're not in a large metropolitan area, contact the
embassy of the country you are traveling to (located in Washington, D.C.). Do
this two months in advance of your trip, if possible.
Check
with your doctor to find out whether any special inoculations are
required. If your doctor does not know, contact the International
Society of Travel Medicine at 770-736-7060 or visit its Web site at www.istm.org.
For information on specific health concerns and recommended vaccinations, visit
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's travelers' health section at www.cdc.gov/travel/.
Start seeking out this information at least two months in advance of your trip,
since some inoculations are given in several parts.
Consider
purchasing traveler's insurance for each member of your family. This
is especially important if you're traveling to a non-English-speaking country or
especially to an underdeveloped nation. To find out about traveler's insurance,
contact your current insurance carrier, your company's benefits administrator,
or your travel agent. Do this as soon as you know you are traveling. These plans
are costly—sometimes several hundred dollars per person—but can provide you
with English-speaking doctors (who may come to your hotel room), medication, and
even emergency paramedic airlift service in case of illness or accidents.
If
applicable, exchange some currency in advance.
Consider
taking an evening flight so that your child can sleep through the trip.
Consider
bringing a few bottles of water if tap water is a concern. That
way, you'll have some on hand when you get to the hotel.
Bring
adapters to plug in items such as blow-dryers.
Packing for a child 5
to 12--essentials:
Pajamas,
changes of clothes, and shoes and socks for the length of your trip.
Extra
clothes in case of a change in weather or if your flight coming home is delayed.
A
child's pair of sunglasses (or two). If your child wears
prescription glasses, you should consider bringing a second pair.
Sun-block,
if you are going to a sunny location.
An
easy-to-carry first-aid kit.
A
copy of your child's most recent medical records.
Your
pediatrician's and pharmacist's phone numbers, in case of an emergency.
A
copy of your child's birth certificate, in case of an emergency.
Prescription
medicine for your child in its original bottles. Carrying it this
way will make things easier should you need to renew any medication while
traveling.
Extras
such as over-the-counter children's cold and stomach medication, etc.
A
sewing kit.
Toothbrush
and toothpaste.
Your
child's favorite toys. This will give the child a sense of
familiarity in a new city or town. Consider bringing toys that will take up
large blocks of a child's time, such as coloring books and crayons and puzzles.
Don't bring loud toys, such as handheld video games and windup toys, on the
flight with you.
Your
child's favorite videos. Most hotels will loan or rent you a VCR.
Books
for your child to read. Try to find books on travel to excite your
child about her trip.
A
journal for your child to record her experiences in.
A
small backpack for your child to carry her toys in. You carry the
most important items.
An
ID bracelet for your child. It should include her name, home
address, and phone number as well as your name and the name and phone number of
the hotel you will be staying at. Make sure it is comfortable enough so that
your child will wear it throughout the trip.
Packing for a child 5
to 12--carry on:
Prescriptions,
toiletries, first-aid kit, important phone numbers, and a day's worth of
clothes. Never check these items, in case your luggage gets lost.
Ample
snacks, sandwiches, water, and juice for the plane. Pack additional
snacks for your hotel stay.
Packing for a child 5
to 12--international travel:
Bring
a passport or proof of citizenship, depending on your destination. See
the Department of State's list of requirements by country at http://travel.state.gov/foreignentryreqs.html.
You can pick up an application for a passport at a local passport office or a
full-service post office. You will need a copy of a birth certificate to obtain
a passport. To get a first-time passport, have a photo taken at a local
photo-developing shop, then fill out the application and mail it at least three
months before your trip. Visiting a local passport office can help expedite the
process.
Check
whether you need a visa. If you're in a large metropolitan area,
contact the local consulate of the country you are visiting to find out whether
a visa is required. If you're not in a large metropolitan area, contact the
embassy of the country you are traveling to (located in Washington, D.C.). Do
this two months in advance of your trip, if possible.
Check
with your doctor to find out whether any special inoculations are
required. If your doctor does not know, contact the International
Society of Travel Medicine at 770-736-7060 or visit its Web site at www.istm.org.
For information on specific health concerns and recommended vaccinations, visit
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's travelers' health section at www.cdc.gov/travel/.
Start seeking out this information at least two months in advance of your trip,
since some inoculations are given in several parts.
Consider
purchasing traveler's insurance for each member of your family. This
is especially important if you're traveling to a non-English-speaking country or
especially to an underdeveloped nation. To find out about traveler's insurance,
contact your current insurance carrier, your company's benefits administrator,
or your travel agent. Do this as soon as you know you are traveling. These plans
are costly—sometimes several hundred dollars per person—but can provide you
with English-speaking doctors (who may come to your hotel room), medication, and
even emergency paramedic airlift service in case of illness or accidents.
If
applicable, exchange some currency in advance.
Consider
taking an evening flight so that your child can sleep through the trip.
Consider
bringing a few bottles of water if tap water is a concern. That way
you'll have some on hand when you get to the hotel.
Bring
adapters to plug in items such as blow-dryers.
Packing for a
teen--essentials she should pack:
Pajamas,
changes of clothes, and shoes and socks for the length of your trip.
Extra
clothes in case of a change in weather or if your flight coming home is delayed.
A
pair of sunglasses (or two). If your teenager wears prescription
glasses, consider bringing along a second pair.
Sunscreen
or sun-block, if you are going to a sunny location.
An
easy-to-carry first-aid kit.
A
journal to record her experiences in. Also encourage your teen to write
postcards, after you arrive, to friends back home.
A
camera and film.
A
portable radio with tape or CD player and favorite recorded music.
A
driver's license, if she has one, for identification purposes.
Packing for a
teen--essentials you should pack:
A
copy of your teenager's most recent medical records.
Your
family physician's and pharmacist's phone numbers, in case of an emergency.
Prescription
medicine for your teenager in its original bottles. Carrying it
this way will make things easier should you need to renew any medication while
traveling.
Extras
such as over-the-counter cold and stomach medication, etc.
A
sewing kit.
Toothbrush
and toothpaste.
A
low-limit credit card for your teenager's use. Provided your child
is responsible with money.
Your
smallest laptop computer, if your teenager is hooked on sending and receiving
email.
Packing for a
teen--carry on:
Prescriptions,
toiletries, first-aid kit, important phone numbers, and a day's worth of
clothes. Never check these items, in case your luggage gets lost.
Ample
snacks, sandwiches, water, and juice for the plane. Pack additional
snacks for your hotel stay.
Books
for your teenager to read on board the flight.
Packing for a
teen--international travel:
Bring
a passport or proof of citizenship, depending on your destination. See
the Department of State's list of requirements by country at http://travel.state.gov/foreignentryreqs.html.
You can pick up an application for a passport at a local passport office or a
full-service post office. You will need a copy of a birth certificate to obtain
a passport. To get a first-time passport, have a photo taken at a local
photo-developing shop, then fill out the application and mail it at least three
months before your trip. Visiting a local passport office can help expedite the
process.
Check
whether you need a visa. If you're in a large metropolitan area,
contact the local consulate of the country you are visiting to find out whether
a visa is required. If you're not in a large metropolitan area, contact the
embassy of the country you are traveling to (located in Washington, D.C.). Do
this two months in advance of your trip, if possible.
Check
with your doctor to find out whether any special inoculations are
required. If your doctor does not know, contact the International
Society of Travel Medicine at 770-736-7060 or visit its Web site at www.istm.org.
For information on specific health concerns and recommended vaccinations, visit
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's travelers' health section at www.cdc.gov/travel/.
Start seeking out this information at least two months in advance of your trip,
since some inoculations are given in several parts.
Consider
purchasing traveler's insurance for each member of your family. This
is especially important if you're traveling to a non-English-speaking country or
especially to an underdeveloped nation. To find out about traveler's insurance,
contact your current insurance carrier, your company's benefits administrator,
or your travel agent. Do this as soon as you know you are traveling. These plans
are costly—sometimes several hundred dollars per person—but can provide you
with English-speaking doctors (who may come to your hotel room), medication, and
even emergency paramedic airlift service in case of illness or accidents.
If
applicable, exchange some currency in advance.
Consider
taking an evening flight so that your teen can sleep through the trip.
Consider
bringing a few bottles of water if tap water is a concern. That way
you'll have some on hand when you get to the hotel.
Bring
adapters to plug in items such as blow-dryers. |
