My family of 4 travels full-time. Here are 7 packing tips after visiting 21 countries with our kids.

• After over 60 hours of flight delays in three years, smart packing has helped us avoid stress.
• Everything is listed in a universal checklist that prevents us from forgetting tasks and items.
• We’ve optimized space by making our wardrobes more versatile and cutting down on unneeded items.

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I’ve been jetting my family of four around the globe almost nonstop since 2020. We’ve visited 21 countries and almost exclusively travel with checked luggage.

Even when our suitcases arrive at our destination days late, we’re not worried because we’ve gotten so good at packing that relatively few travel-day situations stress us out.

Here’s how I pack reliably each time.

I’ve created a universal packing checklist

Phil Lockwood

When you’re traveling to a variety of countries and climates, it can be frustratingly easy to forget little things like collar stays for dress shirts, a favorite hat, or the right type of socks for a certain pair of shoes. So I created a 25-item checklist in the Notes app on my iPhone listing all the things I typically need but often forget.

I haven’t had an issue since. I even use it as a predeparture checklist for things like taking out the trash, feeding my son’s pet geckos, checking the mail, and charging all our devices.

Our wardrobes have become increasingly versatile

Wardrobe versatility helps us reduce packing space by at least 50%.

My wife sticks to dresses that work just as easily for a pool cover-up as they do for a polo brunch or trendy dinner.

I created my own modular wardrobe that provides five days of clothing that fit into one large packing cube. Having a bit of a “uniform” keeps my packing to a minimum.

It starts with a single pair of higher-end athletic shoes (with no logos) that are versatile enough to use in the gym but upscale enough to wear with a casual sports coat. I wear those on the flight so they don’t take up room in my suitcase.

For bottoms, I pack two pairs of fitted shorts and a single pair of white jeans. For tops, I have several identical, solid-color, long-sleeve button-downs that are comfortable enough for a safari but still sharp enough for an upscale lounge.

I like to pack things that help us with jet lag

Our travels frequently take us to the opposite side of the world, which means jet lag is a major consideration. For us, it’s really as simple as avoiding and getting light at the right times.

To aid with that, we each pack a good sleep mask, ear plugs, sunglasses, and melatonin gummies.

We’ve also been using a mobile app called Time Shifter that takes our trip and flight information, combines it with our preferences, and gives us an hour-by-hour schedule that’s supposed to help eliminate jet lag.

We’ve found some creative ways to deal with common travel challenges 

Phil Lockwood

We always pack for different scenarios that could pop up once we’ve reached our destination.

Disposable rain ponchos have come in handy multiple times. A packet or two of granulated laundry detergent works wonders when our supply of clean clothes runs low.

We’ve even learned some sneaky hacks that have helped in unfortunate situations. A spare debit card hidden in the lining of a suitcase is a lifesaver if our wallets ever get stolen (many bank apps let you keep it disabled until you need it).

I also always keep pictures of our passports and driver’s licenses in a special photo album on our phones.

I pack our carry-on with the assumption that our checked bags will be lost

I always ask myself, “If we end up sleeping in the airport, what will we wish we had from our checked luggage?”

We’ve had more than 60 hours of flight delays over the past three years, but we’ve always been prepared with toothbrushes, a day or two of supplements and medications, plenty of chargers and cables, a portable power bank, neck pillows, a travel blanket, and all the jet-lag supplies I mentioned already.

If I have room, I’ll even stuff an extra shirt and socks into my carry-on. 

Travel credit cards have been great for us, so I always carry at least one

Our cards get us benefits like lounge access for free Wi-Fi, meals, cocktails, and showers. Many also cover lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency evacuation.

We’ve gotten smarter about where we place our AirTags

Phil Lockwood

When we travel, we want to track everyone’s suitcase, backpack, purse, and sling, which means we could end up needing dozens of Apple AirTags. They’re not terribly expensive, even at those quantities, but when you factor in annual battery swaps, it easily becomes a hassle.

Instead, we place an AirTag in the smallest bag. For example, my wife packs a more formal purse for nicer dinners out, so we put an AirTag in the purse and put the purse in her suitcase. That allows us to track her suitcase on travel days and her purse when we’re out on the town. 

Using this strategy for everyone saves us from buying even more AirTags.