Packwhiz Streamlines Packing For Your Trip
Always have the sneaking suspicion you’ve forgotten something when you’re ready to head out the door on a trip? Web-based packing list generator Packwhiz aims to ensure that never happens again.
There’s not too much to Packwhiz (in a good way). When you want to put together a new packing checklist, the site prompts you with a few options that create a skeleton checklist with a few packing basics. Actually, “basics” might be a little off—tongue-scraper was on my packing list for a domestic trip to a city/hotel; but you can easily customise auto-generated packing lists to your liking. Packwhiz integrates with your Google account, so you can save your lists for later without signing up for yet another account (assuming you’ve got a Google account, that is).
If the idea sounds familiar, that’s because it’s not really new—see, for example, the Universal Packing List or Don’t Forget Your Toothbrush. Still, Packwhiz seems to strike the best balance between the Universal Packing List’s spartan interface and Don’t Forget Your Toothbrush’s in-your-face design.
Comments (AU Comments | US Comments)
Good idea; I have packing lists on my PDA.
But I can't believe I'm the first to say this...
"Packwhiz": Almost the worst name they could have found for this site. (Joke: They wanted "Packfudge," but it was taken.)
Mercurial Chimaera
it should have some standard lists already with out having to sign in
Forgot to add this link:
[www.ricksteves.com]
Learn it, live it, love it.
four12
People always over-pack, especially when going to a foreign country.
For most leisure/vacation trips, you can easily go for three weeks with a carry-on sized suitcase and a small rucksack. I've done it numerous times to Europe and other destinations. The key is to pack intelligently and realize that every day doesn't require a totally new outfit.
Packing light gives you a freedom of movement and a lower cultural impact than dragging along two rolling footlockers and a massive carrybag.
four12
OOoOoooooOOOhhhhh yeah.
Finally, my life online is complete: a packing helper. :)
hardman.ethan
That looks VERY handy. And I'm going on a big trip this summer, I will definitely look into it!
For me, I prefer solutions that involve both the web and a smartphone (I happen to have an iPhone, but there's no requirement for that). I create my lists online, and, sometime before a trip, I uncheck the items that I'll need (I tend to reuse the same list over and over, and it'll often contain items that I won't need for the current trip, but will contain items that I may need for other trips, hence the unchecking of the list items). Right before the trip, or while I'm packing, I'll then check off (but not delete) the items on my list, from my phone. It's really nice not having to be next to a computer.
I then keep the (fully) checked-off list around for future trips.
(For my iPhone, I happen to use Zenbe Lists. I like this app because it doesn't require an internet connection, except when syncing with the web.)
aj_robins
I've always kinda needed something like this; packing was never my strong suit.
I particularly like the Google account sign-in...website sign-ups are always very annoying.
That's precisely what 37signal's Backpack is for, and it's been around for years.
AlvaNavroz
www.onebag.com pairs well with Packwhiz
VedetteMoogle
Assuming that the goal is to travel lightly, I think that this kind of an approach to a personal packing list rather misses the point ... kind of like the "packing lists" that you can get from travel stores. Their focus is more on enumerating the possibilities, when it should be on eliminating the liabilities.
Most people can travel indefinitely with no more than will fit into a single carry-on-sized bag, but it's difficult to do effectively if you have not developed a personal list ... one created from the perspective of travelling lightly, rather than "not forgetting anything". Excessive concern about the latter is the *cause* of the problem, not the solution.
A good packing list is a sort of contract with yourself: "This is the most stuff I will ever bring with me." It may well change (gradually) over time, as your skills improve, but it should remain fairly constant, and work for any climate, type of travel, trip duration, etc.
Trust me: the author of the venerable "Universal Packing List" uses a very different list for his own travels!
The last few years, I started a packing list spreadsheet with T-5 day thru T-0 day entries (sorted).
The first few trips, I used online resources to add to my personal list. I believe it is honed perfectly after using it unchanged the last year.
These online lists don't remind you to
- stop the snail-mail,
- get cash,
- check on international travel information,
- register with the state department,
- check skype-out balance,
- print my latest, best, emergency info list (Hotel #, address, & directions, CC, airlines, travel ins, banks, and US embassy info for my destination(s), top 5 friends/family contact info,
- take out the trash,
- too many other, important things to list.
On one of my early trips, I stored all this data, encrypted in my N800, then left it in the car, parked at the airport as I rushed to catch a 4:45am flight to China.
This list also reminds me fill my N800 16GB with
- local street maps with POI,
- books on tape,
- audio walking tours,
- music,
- language tapes,
- scanned, encrypted passport, vaccinations, drivers license in case they are lost or stolen.
Definitely start with these online resources, but your needs will be a little different and you should have a written list that can be checked off as you work through it.
TheFu
This is great! Although I have a laptop and PDA, Pencil/Pen (not in the list) are a must for me too.
@four12: I totally agree. I usually have a carry on and a small backpack that includes a laptop for my two week vacations, which are typically in Europe. When I spent 5 weeks in Tanzania, the people at JFK kept asking if one suitcase was all I had to check. The lady at the counter said that most people take what I had for just one week's vacation. Just pack light. You're on vacation. There's no need to be dressed fancy all the time.
This sounds like it would be totally useful. Too bad I'm leaving for a two week international trip in 20 minutes!
lifehacker, do you really think that people are stoopid! really, a story about grocery store shopping and a website to suggest stuff to pack for a trip? Maybe you can focus on some tips that are useful to your audience.
A website telling me how to pack is as bad as an application for an iphone telling me when to take a dump!
here are my two bits.
- bring half as many clothes
- bring twice as much money
- call your bank and cc company to tell them that you are traveling (otherwise your ATM might not work)
- Buy the majority of your toiletries once you get to your destination.
- when you buy something have it shipped home through the mail, don't bring it on the plane.
@shamalama: I found both articles incredibly useful. As a college student I haven't been buying my own groceries that long, and I also haven't gone on many trips that needed much of a packing list. I have a feeling Packwhiz is going to come in handy in the future!
In short, please don't knock it just because you're not interested in it. I would be very unhappy if Lifehacker stopped publishing this sort of articles.
Erica Binns
Actually, Packwhiz *does* have a reminders section down at the bottom. I thought it was ingenious!
Sounds like you have a great plan, though, without extra software. :)
Erica Binns
Being sent to a google accounts login always creeps me out. Not worth my time to verify that it's a legit login and not a phishing site. I know some people like the universal login idea, but I would prefer to compartmentalize damage done by stolen passwords rather than lose everything. Everyone should just download KeePass and give up the idea of one password for all your accounts is good.
sperotium
C'mon, seriously? I've been using a text file in Notepad for years for this. Keep it simple, people.
Seriously, maybe it's not helpful to you, but maybe it is for others. Personally, I think this is great. I make a list to pack everytime i go somewhere. Now there's a checklist on my computer that will take me half the time!@shamalama: