Checklist before leaving for New York

Heading to New York? Here’s your essential packing checklist before you go! Print it out and review it one last time before heading to the airport.

1/ Your passport

• Your passport is one of the most important things for your trip. Without it, you won’t be going anywhere. Before you lock up your apartment or house, double-check that you have your passport with you. Forgotten passports happen more often than you’d think.
• Here’s another tip: don’t just glance at the cover. Open it to make sure it’s actually yours and not someone else’s from your family.

2/ Your ESTA authorization

• Along with your passport, print out your ESTA travel authorization, which allows you to enter the United States. Although this authorization is electronic, immigration officers may ask for a printed copy. It’s worth having one on hand just in case. It saves time at the border.

3/ Your credit card

• Your credit card is the third essential item for your trip! Make sure you’ll have funds available when you arrive.
• Check that your card’s spending limit is high enough to cover all your expenses. If needed, contact your bank and ask them to temporarily raise your limit for the duration of your stay in New York.
• Ideally, bring two credit cards from two different banks. If one has a problem, you’ll have a backup.

4/ Your flight tickets

• Even though e-tickets are standard now, print a copy of your flight ticket anyway. You’ll have the check-in deadline and all your flight details right in front of you.

5/ Your US dollars

• Here’s a classic traveler’s mistake: exchange your money before the trip, then leave it in an envelope in a drawer at home. It happens more often than you’d think!
• Have some dollars easily accessible for your first expenses when you arrive.

6/ Any medications you need

• If you take any medications, pack them with you. I recommend keeping them in your carry-on bag. If your checked luggage goes missing, you’ll still have your medications. This saves you from having to hunt for a pharmacy when you arrive.
• Even if you don’t take regular medications, it’s a good idea to bring some common over-the-counter medicines. See my article on medications to bring to New York.

7/ Your complete camera equipment

• Your camera will obviously be part of the trip. But make sure you pack everything you need. I remember a couple of tourists who had to limit their photos because they forgot their camera battery charger. I’m sure they missed capturing the end of their trip.
• Similarly, make sure you bring all the lenses you need, your battery charger, and an adapter for US electrical outlets. To keep things simple, make a small list of your equipment and check off each item as you pack.
• For more details, see my article on camera gear to bring to New York.

8/ Your hotel reservation

• To avoid any issues when you arrive at your New York hotel, print a copy of your reservation. You’ll have the hotel’s contact information and all the details of your booking. Your name and credit card should be enough, but it’s good to have it on hand just in case. It can be especially useful if the front desk doesn’t give you the specific room type you requested.

9/ Your vouchers for tours and activities

• If you’ve booked tours, passes, or entry tickets for New York landmarks and museums in advance, bring your vouchers. You’ll need them to access the activities.
• Also bring confirmation emails for any guided tours you’ve booked through our site CNEWYORK. Make sure you arrive on time on the day of your tour.
• If you’ve booked tickets and tours through CNEWYORK via our New York Excursions section, we can send you a duplicate of your vouchers by email if you lose them. Just contact us through our support form. This has happened several times since the site started, and we’ve always resolved it 🙂

10/ Your travel guide

• Don’t forget your guide! Like your dollars, a travel guide is easy to leave on your nightstand when you’re rushing out the door. It would be a shame to have to search New York for a replacement.
• I’d like to invite you to discover the new edition of my guide Destination New York, the first guide born on the Internet. You’ll find everything you need to see and know for an unforgettable stay in New York!

11/ Your mobile plan for internet access

• To avoid a shock when your phone bill arrives, make sure your plan includes international calls and data access. The USA is typically not covered by standard mobile plans. Using mobile data abroad can be very expensive.
• You can use WiFi once you’re there, especially at your hotel. You’ll be able to browse the internet without paying anything to your carrier. You can also use WiFi to make calls through WhatsApp.
• While you’re out on New York’s streets, the best option is to get a mobile plan for the duration of your stay. You can use an eSIM card. Choose a plan based on how much data you expect to use. See our page on eSIM cards for the USA.

12/ Your adapter for US electrical outlets

• Be aware that the USA uses different electrical outlets than Europe. You’ll need an adapter to charge your smartphone, your razor, your camera battery, or any other electronic device.
• You can buy an adapter at any hardware store in Europe. You’ll also find them easily in the US at drugstores like Rite Aid or CVS. They cost just a few dollars. There’s no need to buy an expensive model. A simple basic adapter like the one shown in the photo below works perfectly.