What is the packing checklist form template?
Most packing lists are written once and then ignored, because they include snow boots for a beach holiday or forget the plug adapter for a trip abroad. This packing checklist starts by asking a few things about the trip and then gives you a list to tick off.
On the first page you say who's packing, where you're going, when you leave, how many nights and what kind of luggage you're taking. The question that matters most is "Domestic or international?" Choosing International adds a short section with a plug adapter, local currency, visa or entry permit checks, passport validity, telling your bank and sorting your phone, plus spaces for the plug type and currency at your destination.
The second page is the packing itself: documents, clothes, toiletries and electronics as tick lists, a medication section that opens when you need it, extras for children and a quick list of things to do before you lock the door. Families can fill one in per person, and every list is saved in FileIt as a PDF you can look back on next time.
- Best for
- Families, solo travellers, students and anyone who forgets the charger
- Filled in by
- The traveller, or a parent packing for the family
- Time to complete
- About 5 minutes
- Includes
- International reminders, medication checks, children's items and a leaving-home list
Who uses a packing checklist form?
- A family of four getting ready for a week at the beach
- A student heading abroad for a semester who needs the adapter and visa reminders
- A business traveller who wants the same reliable list every trip
- Grandparents travelling with regular medication
- A school or scout leader sending a packing list to parents before a trip
- Checking what you took last time before packing for a similar trip
Questions on this packing checklist form
22 questions over 2 pages · includes conditional questions, multiple pages.
1 Your trip
- Who's packing?*
- Where are you going?*
- Leaving on*
- Number of nights*
- Luggage* Carry-on only · Checked bag · Travelling by car
- Domestic or international?* Domestic · International
- What kind of trip?* City break · Beach · Business · Hiking or camping · Skiing or snow · Cruise · Visiting family · Wedding or event
- Expected weather Hot · Mild · Cold · Mixed or unsure
2 What to pack
- Documents* Passport or ID card · Tickets or boarding passes · Hotel and booking confirmations · Travel insurance details · Driving licence · Bank cards · Health insurance card · Copies of key documents stored separately
- Before you go abroad* asked only when it applies Plug adapter · Some local currency · Visa, eTA or entry permit checked · Passport valid long enough for the destination's rules · Bank told about travel dates · Phone roaming or local SIM sorted · Vaccination or health requirements checked
- Plug type at destination asked only when it applies
- Currency asked only when it applies
- Clothes Underwear and socks · T-shirts and tops · Trousers, shorts or skirts · Something smart · Jumper or fleece · Rain jacket · Warm coat · Swimwear · Pyjamas · Walking shoes · Sandals or flip-flops · Hat and sunglasses
- Toiletries Toothbrush and toothpaste · Deodorant · Shampoo and conditioner · Razor · Sunscreen · Insect repellent · Hairbrush · Contact lenses or glasses · Travel-size liquids bag
- Electronics Phone charger · Power bank · Headphones · Laptop or tablet and charger · E-reader · Camera · Extension lead
- Taking any medication with you?*
- Medications and how much to bring* asked only when it applies
- Medication checks asked only when it applies In hand luggage · In original packaging · Copy of prescription · Doctor's letter if needed · First-aid basics
- Packing for children too?
- For the children asked only when it applies Snacks for the journey · Books or games · Comfort toy · Nappies and wipes · Car seat or booster · Child's ID or passport
- Anything else not to forget
- Before you lock the door Bins out · Fridge cleared · Plants watered · Heating or AC set · Windows locked · Someone has a spare key
The packing checklist form, page by page
1 Your trip
Start with "Who's packing?", "Where are you going?", the date you're leaving and the number of nights. Luggage is carry-on only, a checked bag, or travelling by car. Then answer "Domestic or international?". Tick what kind of trip it is (city break, beach, business, hiking or camping, skiing, cruise, visiting family, a wedding or event, or something else) and the expected weather.
2 What to pack
Documents come first, from your passport or ID card and tickets to insurance details, a driving licence, bank cards and copies of key documents kept separately. International trips get a "Before you go abroad" list: plug adapter, some local currency, visa or entry permit checked, passport valid long enough for the destination's rules, bank told, phone roaming sorted and any vaccination or health requirements checked. There are also boxes for the plug type and currency.
Clothes, toiletries and electronics are tick lists you can add to. "Taking any medication with you?" opens a box for medications and how much to bring, plus checks like keeping them in hand luggage and in original packaging and carrying a copy of the prescription. "Packing for children too?" adds snacks, games, a comfort toy, nappies, a car seat and the child's ID. Finish with anything else not to forget and the before-you-lock-the-door list.
Make the template yours
- Add your own regulars to any list, like a favourite pillow or a coffee press
- Make a copy for a specific trip type, such as a ski trip, with the gear you always bring
- Remove the children's section if you always travel without kids
- For a school or group trip, edit the lists to match the organiser's kit list and share the link
- Turn off the respondent copy if you're only using it on your own phone
- File the lists under a family member so each person's list sits with their documents
Tips for a better packing checklist form
- Pack documents and medication in your hand luggage, never in a checked bag
- Check entry rules for your destination with the official government source before you book, not the night before
- Take a photo of your passport and keep it somewhere separate from the passport itself
- Lay everything out on the bed and tick it off as it goes in, rather than from memory
- Look at last trip's PDF to see what you packed and never used
Every response becomes a PDF in your vault
Each packing list is saved as a PDF in your FileIt vault and emailed to you, so it's on your phone if you want to check something at the airport.
Group organisers who share the form with parents or participants can see every response in the Responses table, which is handy for checking that everyone has their passport and medication sorted.
- Start from this template. It opens in the FileIt Forms designer — change any question, add pages, set the rules for when questions appear.
- Share it. Turn on a public link, or send it to people by email, each with their own link. They don’t need a FileIt account.
- Get the answers as PDFs. Each response is saved as a PDF in the vault folder you choose, with uploaded files attached — and listed in a Responses table you can export to CSV.
Packing checklist form: frequently asked questions
Is this packing checklist free?
Yes. It's included with the Forms app on every FileIt account, including the free plan.
When do the adapter, currency and visa items appear?
Only when you answer International to "Domestic or international?" on the first page.
Does it tell me if I need a visa?
No. It reminds you to check. Entry rules depend on your passport and destination, so check them with the official government source.
Can I use it for the whole family?
Yes. Fill in one per person, or use the children's section to cover the kids on one list.
Can I add my own items?
Yes. Most lists let you add an "Other" item as you fill them in, and you can change the lists permanently in the designer.
Can I share it with a group?
Yes. Share the form link, and every person's list comes back to you as a separate PDF.