When preparing to travel inside or outside your home country, begin by going to your country’s Governmental Transportation Security Authority website, and become familiar with the rules and regulations related to traveling via planes, trains, or whatever.
For instance:
Those who live in Europe should review security requirements established by the European Commission for all Transport Modes:
http://ec.europa.eu/transport/index_en.htm
Australians should visit the Australian Government’s Department of Infrastructure and Transport:
http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/index.aspx
Canadian Citizens should review the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority’s website before flying:
http://www.catsa.gc.ca/home.aspx?id=1&pname=Home_Accueil&lang=en/
And so on …
Those who live in the USA will find a wealth of flight regulation information on the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) website:
http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information
Next, study the tips and lists provided by our two favorite travel experts—Rick Steves and Reid Bramblett.
Rick Steves’ Packing List
http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/packlist.htm
He also offers one for Women:
http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/womenpack.htm
Reid Bramblett’s Ultimate Packing List
http://www.reidsguides.com/t_pa/t_pa_packing_list.html
“The five cardinal rules of traveling clothes: 1) nothing white; 2) nothing that wrinkles; 3) clothes you can layer; 4) lots of pockets; and 5) very few. Clothes take up the most space in your luggage, so don’t pack many. Just get used to doing a bit of laundry each night or two in your room.”
Be particularly attentive to packing items and suggestions that are duplicated by Rick Steves and Reid Bramblett. Clearly, repeated tips are the most important ones to follow.
After that, peruse the extra packing pointers we’ve posted!
CHAS