Do you know the feeling of leaning back comfortably in your seat – whether on a plane, bus, train, or other mode of transportation – and thinking, “Yes, we did it. Everything went smoothly, we made it, and now I can finally relax”… only to suddenly realize, with a chill, that you’ve left something important behind in your hotel room?
I do. I’ve lost several things during my travels – some more important than others. But, fortunately (knock on wood), it’s been many years since I (or we) last lost something crucial on a trip. That’s thanks to our travel routines. And I’d love to share them with you.
But why even bother creating travel routines for this?
Some things don’t matter much if they’re left behind. Sometimes I’ve forgotten something, shrugged it off, and thought, “Well, maybe the cleaning staff got a little bonus to take home that day.” But then there are items that are absolutely essential not to forget – things that could have serious consequences for your journey if left behind.
The nightmare scenario I often replay in my mind happened a few years ago at an airport. We witnessed a woman miss her flight because she had forgotten her wallet at a restaurant. I’ll never forget the panic in her eyes as she frantically searched and asked if we had seen it. But the worst moment was when it dawned on her that she wouldn’t make her flight. That sent chills down my spine – it was not a pleasant sight. And let’s be honest, it could happen to any of us.
So, let’s face it. The risk of forgetting important things is very real when leaving a place you’ve stayed, especially when you only have a short time to pack, check out, and make it to your flight, train, or bus. And the risk doesn’t exactly decrease if, like us, you travel as a family – with kids scattering toys everywhere and blending them into the decor of the accommodation.
As parents, we’re ultimately responsible for making sure everything ends up in the backpack and nothing is left behind. That means it’s also up to us to keep things running smoothly and turn traveling into a positive experience for everyone.
That’s why we’ve made it a habit to follow 7 simple travel routines that ensure we take all our belongings with us when leaving our accommodations. Looking back now, we’re incredibly grateful for this practice, as it has given us 9 years of travel without leaving anything important behind (knock on wood). I think our son is pretty happy about that too. And a happy kid means happy parents.
Do you and your family also tend to forget things at your accommodations when you travel?
If so, keep reading – maybe our travel routines can help put an end to that on your future trips. There’s nothing groundbreaking about our routines, but they work for us, and maybe they’ll work for you too.
7 simple travel routines to ensure you take all your belongings with you next time you leave the hotel
The routines are simple and easy to follow – the trick is to remember them and involve the whole family. Not just once, but every time.
We’ve listed them in the order that works best for us, based on our experiences. However, you might find that a different routine or sequence fits better for you and your family.
- Get yourself ready first
Everyone focuses on getting personally ready to leave – this could include brushing teeth, taking a shower, getting dressed, etc. Make sure everyone feels fully prepared before packing begins. - Pack your own belongings
Each person packs their own things and any shared items they are responsible for. The advantage of this approach is that everyone takes ownership of ensuring their personal belongings are packed. - Tidy up the space
As suitcases and bags are packed, place them by the door or exit. Do the same with outerwear, such as jackets, shoes, or hats, that you’ll need for traveling. - Check the room thoroughly
Once packed, everyone takes turns checking the rooms to ensure nothing has been left behind. Be sure to inspect:- Drawers
- Closets
- On top of closets
- Under beds, furniture, and other low spaces
- Behind curtains
- On or in the bed (under duvets and pillows)
- On the balcony or patio
- Any other sneaky hiding spots
- Close cleared rooms
After a room has been thoroughly checked and confirmed empty, close its door. This prevents anyone from re-entering and potentially leaving something behind. - Final checklist
Before leaving the hotel room, ensure you have these essential items:- Phone
- Passport
- Tickets
- Wallet/credit cards/cash
- Keys
- Stick to the routine every time
Consistency is key. Involve everyone in the process each time you leave an accommodation to build a reliable habit.
These routines help ensure a stress-free departure, saving you from the panic of realizing something important has been forgotten!
These simple travel routines can easily be adapted to other places you settle into during your journey, such as airports, restaurants, ferries, and more – of course, modified to suit the situation.
We’ve done this so many times now that it runs like clockwork. It suits us perfectly and gives us peace of mind when leaving hotel rooms to continue our adventures. Most importantly, it allows us to enjoy the trip ahead – without the chilling realization that something important has been forgotten and we can’t go back to retrieve it.
I hope our routines inspire you to create your own habits, ensuring you always take all your belongings with you and can fully enjoy your travels.
Our routines are always open for improvement, and we’d love to hear from you! If you have tips or tricks that could make them even better, don’t hesitate to share. Safe travels!
What are your travel routines – do you have a tip you’d like to share with us?
If not, have a fantastic trip out there!
