“Did I Forget to Pack Anything?”

According to TravelSupermarket, it takes an average of 81 minutes to package luggage.
In devoting an hour to packing, you’d think forgetting things wouldn’t be a problem. Yet so many travellers leave their essentials back home. Thankfully, some items are replaceable locally. Nevertheless, it poses a major inconvenience.
The Most Common Leave-Behinds
This post itemizes the most popular things that never make it into luggage. Next time you travel, print out this list to avoid asking yourself, “Did I forget to pack anything?”
What the Surveys Say
Most travel surveys rank toiletries among the top forgotten luggage. Travel Magazine found that 21% of vacationers fail to pack a toothbrush. It ranked underwear, cameras, currency, and passports as showrunners. Similarly, Boom 99.7 hosted an on-air survey with similar results. See the full list below.
- Phone charger
- Sunscreen
- Camera
- Toiletries
- Medication
- Sandals
- Driver’s license
- Money
- Travel insurance
- Passport
Lastly, CheapFlights.com reports umbrellas need adding to the list above. Especially for travellers from wet climates, this is a perceived necessity.
The Two Most Important Things to Remember
Your Travel Documents
Without your passport or ticket, the trip cannot happen. Not to mention, you might need photo ID to check into the hotel or book an activity.
In some cases, failing to bring insurance documents voids the protection. Keep a booklet together for all critical items and make sure it goes into your luggage.
First Aid and Medication
Injuries happen on vacation—some more serious than others. Bring basic first aid equipment like bandages and gauze in the case of emergency. As well, if you take any prescriptions, ensure to bring enough supply.
For information on forgetting medication, read our previous article, “What to Do If You Forget Your Prescription on Vacation.”