If you’re planning a Florida vacation, you might be wondering what to pack besides your bathing suit. Whether you’re traveling the highways, flying there, or riding the rails, with or without kids, having a checklist is helpful.
There are so many variables in what you should pack, depending on your destination and the activities you have planned once there. Of course, there are the basic necessities that include personal items, clothing for hot or cold weather, beach items, special activity gear, Florida “must-haves” and more.
Use these handy printable packing lists as a guide when planning what to bring on your next trip to Florida:
- Florida Travel Checklist: Pick and choose items from this extensive list that includes tips or add your own unlivable items.
- Kids Travel Trip Checklist – Use these tips and the packing guide when planning an airplane trip with kids from infants to teens.
Essential
While clothing options may vary depending on the time of year, there are several items that are considered “must-haves” when it comes to preparing for a vacation to the Sunshine State. After all, it’s about how to beat the Florida heat. . A sunburn can ruin a vacation and can happen even on a cloudy day.
Equally important is keeping those pesky mosquitoes away, so bug spray should be on the must-have list too. Mosquitoes not only make you itchy and uncomfortable, but they also carry diseases, including the Zika virus.
Air travel
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) air travel regulations and airline baggage fee hikes have made packing for travel a difficult task. Of course, it is always better to pack light, but it has become a necessity when traveling by plane.
When it comes to your carry-on luggage, you should have all the little necessities on hand when you board a plane, not stored in the hold. Please note that TSA regulations do limit what can continue, as follows:
Liquids: One quart Ziploc ® resealable bag is allowed for liquids. That includes sprays, gels, creams, and pastes. Only travel size containers that do not exceed 3.4 ounces are allowed. Items that are larger must be packed in your checked luggage.
Medications: Medications must be clearly labeled. Liquid, gel and aerosol medications do not have to fit in a passenger quart bag and are exempt from the 3 ounce rule.
Prohibited Items: Sharp items, such as knives, scissors, and firearms, are not allowed in carry-on baggage, but can be packed in checked baggage. Firearms must be securely sealed in a hard case and revealed at check-in.
Car travel
Perhaps you are taking a road trip to your Florida vacation destination. If so, there are a few things to know before heading out of your driveway. Attention to a few details before packing can help ensure you get to your destination without incident.
To avoid an unexpected emergency on the road, invest in preventive car maintenance. Get your car serviced and ready to go on vacation. Also, in an emergency, it is a good idea to have a kit in your vehicle that includes:
- First aid kit
- Jump cables
- Manual tools
- Flashlight with new batteries
- Jack
- Gloves
Of course, your cell phone and GPS are your best friends when it comes to taking a road trip. Paper maps are almost out of date and public telephones are a thing of the past.
If you have children, keeping them safe should be your first concern. Florida law requires that child restraints be worn at all times. Children three years and younger must use a separate car seat or the vehicle’s built-in child seat. Children five years old and younger must be buckled in a federally approved child restraint system designed for their age, height, and weight. Children ages six to 17 must wear a seat belt.
Electronic tablets are great for keeping your child busy during a long car ride or quietly on an airplane, but kids can also spend hours playing travel games.
