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

04.09.2023 - 13:57 / insider.com

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.

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.

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.

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 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).

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