What should I pack in my carry-on luggage?

• A passport, for all travel outside the U.S. and identification purposes
• Wallet
• Driver's License and /or other proper photo identification required for domestic travel
• Insurance cards for both your medical and automobile insurance
• Credit Cards
• Travelers checks
• Tour or Cruise documents
• Airline or Train tickets
• Itinerary with confirmation numbers and addresses and phone numbers of where you'll be staying
• Travel brochures and maps
• Lots of crisp one-dollar bills for all those tipping opportunities
• A small amount of local currency if available...otherwise, visit a money changer at the airport upon arrival. Liberty Coins at Frandor Shopping Center in Lansing offers a good foreign exchange rate to get you started.
• All important medications
• Change of underwear / shirt
• Book to read / neck pillow
• A mini-flashlight can come in handy for finding something under the seat or to read a book at night in bed...or find your way to the bathroom

Packing Suggestions:

• Travel with Clothing that is less likely to wrinkle.
• Put clothing in plastic baggies to keep from wrinkling and to help identify clean items. With zip lock bags, use a straw to draw out air before closing. This will compact your clothing without sprinkling.
• Use plastic dry cleaner bags between larger clothing items. Make sure the dry cleaner bags do not have any advertising printed on them. The ink can rub off on the clothes.
• Hang wrinkled items in the bathroom while you shower to help steam out the wrinkles.
• Pack all toiletries in zip lock bags and take extra bags for along the way.
• Always pack small amount of duct tape for repairs and packaging. Wrap it around a hair spray or deodorant can. It holds a suitcase together, mends a hem, removes lint and wraps a purchase for travel home.
• Pack a small rubber door stop. It is added security in a hotel when inserted inside under the door or can be used to prop a door open when you have an impromptu party. It can also stop a rattling window.
• Don't forget an alarm clock. Many hotels do not provide one and I would rather rely on my own clock than a wake-up call.
• Don't pack valuable, perishable, and fragile items in your checked baggage.
• Never take more luggage than you yourself can handle.
• Never leave your luggage unattended or take your eyes off your bags.
• Learn your destination's airport code and make sure the correct one gets put on your bag.
• Clearly label your luggage on both the inside and outside.
• Use a luggage belt around your suitcase.
• Place a trip itinerary in luggage so bags can easily be returned to you.
• Place a unique bright marking on your luggage so you can easily identify it. We provide large bright orange luggage tags for our travelers.
• Switch some of your items with those of a traveling companion. That way if your bags go missing, you'll still have some items with you.
• Cover your hands when you are entering ATM or phone card numbers so others can't copy them down and use them.
• If an airline loses your items make a claim before you leave the airport; some Airlines will not honor claims made after you have left the airport.
• Carry a list of all your items in your carry-on and leave one at home, to help you make a complete claim form if your items go missing.
• PLEASE consider purchasing trip insurance that offers protection for your property.

How can I pack light and still have everything I need?

• The more you travel, the more you know that traveling with the smallest possible amount of luggage is the best way to go.
• Check to see if hotels have hairdryers.
• Coordinate your outfits around a central color so you'll be able to mix and match. Basic black works well as it does not show soil.
• Check the weather, so you can bring the most appropriate items.
• Plan your outfits so you can layer instead of bringing heavy coats.
• Take a solid color sweater that will match any outfit.
• Take small sample sizes of toiletries that will last just long enough.
• Don't waste an inch of your luggage space, pack underwear and socks inside your shoes. This will also help your shoes keep their shape.
• Fill any space lert with bubble wrap to hold clothes in place and to be used for wrapping souvenir gifts to bring home.