Packing blunders range from inconvenient to disastrous, but the vast majority are avoidable. We’ve put together this ultimate packing list to help you pack correctly every time.
The All-In-One Packing Checklist
Scroll down to see the ultimate packing list.
Packing Clothes
- Collapsible tote
- Purses
- Jewelry
- Ties
- Belts
- Sandals
- Dress shoes
- Snow boots
- Sneakers
- Hiking boots
- Leisure shoes
- Umbrella
- Laundry kit
- Scarves
- Gloves
- Hats
- Coats
- Cover-ups
- Swimsuits
- Suits
- Sweatshirts
- Sweaters
- Skirts
- Dresses
- Shorts
- Pants
- Jeans
- Casual shirts
- Dress shirts
- T-shirts
- Sleepwear
- Bras
- Socks
- underwear
Tips for Packing Clothes and Other Items
When packing for a vacation, the most crucial considerations are the length of your trip, the weather, and any non-standard clothing or equipment you may require.
The first step in packing is deciding whether you’ll check a bag or only bring a carry-on and then deciding how much clothing you’ll need based on that decision. Generally, you should avoid checking a bag if you have a layover because the likelihood of your bag going missing increases with each connection. You should also avoid checking a bag if you need items in your bag upon arrival, such as on a cruise.
If you’re packing light, focus on layering clothes in more neutral colors. That’s not because we don’t like bright colors and patterns; rather, neutral-colored clothing is more versatile, allowing you to wear these items more than once when space is limited.
Invest in crushable hats, multi-use wraps, self-cooling and heating fabrics like quick-drying activewear, wrinkle-resistant shirts, bug-repellent clothing, merino wool layers, and undergarments UPF-proof clothing, casual sneakers, and compressible jackets, to name a few. Look to popular athleisure brands for stylish yet comfortable travel clothing.
When creating your packing list, keep the length of your trip in mind and base your quantities on that. You can probably get by with the following for a shorter trip: one-two pair of shoes, one-two casual outfits, one-two athleisure or activewear outfit, one-two dressier outfits, one pair of pajamas, and one pair of socks and underwear per day. For a longer trip, two athleisure or activewear outfits, two pairs of shoes, three-four casual outfits, three dressier outfits, two pairs of pajamas, and one pair of underwear and socks per day are sufficient.
And if you can do laundry while on vacation, you can probably get by with even fewer items. Just remember to bring a travel laundry kit.
Bring accessories such as a sarong or scarf, a money belt, and a day bag or collapsible tote for any extra items you may acquire on your travels. If you’re going to a pickpocket-prone destination or city, make sure to pack some pickpocket-proof gear and clothing.
Depending on the nature of your trip, you may need to invest in some specialized travel equipment. You can trust our recommendations because we’ve tried everything from a headlamp to interchangeable heels. If you’re going on an organized group tour, the tour provider will most likely provide you with a packing list, which should make your trip planning easier. If not, do some online research and refer to this story for more useful lists of tips.
Ensure you have snacks, a day pack, quick-drying clothing, a sturdy pair of hiking boots, and necessary equipment for more active trips.
A cruise is another type of trip for which you may need to pack slightly different items. Pack unusual items such as your bathing suit, dress shoes, formal wear, and seasickness remedies. Beach vacations necessitate various things such as water shoes, towels, sunscreen, and possibly snorkeling equipment.
Finally, take into account the weather. You can skip the gloves and coats for warm-weather destinations like jungles and Caribbean islands, but if you’re going skiing, you’ll need a slew of items like snow boots, a neck gaiter, goggles, and more.
We like to use packing cubes and/or compression sacks to keep things organized. They’re incredibly beneficial if you’re traveling to multiple locations in a single trip.
Packing toiletries
- Vitamins
- Pain relievers
- Insect repellent
- First-aid ointment
- Bandages
- Hand sanitizer
- Tweezers
- Nail clippers
- Nail file
- Medication/birth control
- Period products
- Makeup remover
- Makeup
- Shaving supplies
- Contact solution
- Contact lenses
- Moisturizer
- Sunscreen
- Face lotion
- Facial cleanser
- Styling tools
- Hairbrush
- Conditioner
- Shampoo
- Deodorant
- Soap
- Dental floss
- Toothpaste
- toothbrush
Toiletries and Medications: How to Pack
Pack your essentials for toiletries, such as contacts, medication, and any other items that you may not be able to buy or substitute during your trip. Whether it’s critical medication or your preferred lipstick, forgetting any toiletry can range from moderately inconvenient to a major issue. Nevertheless, if you forget something important, such as a razor or toothbrush, you can usually call the hotel’s front desk and request a replacement.
We also recommend packing a travel first-aid kit with items such as insect repellent, sunscreen, travel-sized hand sanitizer, bandages, first-aid ointment, and tweezers.
Miscellaneous items
- Plug adapter
- Copy of passport
- Emergency contacts
- Electronic chargers
- Banking information/contacts
- List of medications
- memory/film card
- tablet/laptop
- Cell phone
What should you pack in your carry-on?
- Face masks
- House keys
- Sunglasses
- Glasses
- Directions/maps
- Itinerary
- Insurance cards
- ATM/credit cards
- Cash
- Gum
- Hand sanitizer
- ID/Visa
- Passport
- Camera
- Valuables
- In-flight medications
- Empty water bottle
- Snacks
- Change of clothes
- Disinfecting wipes
- Lip balm
- Tissues
- Earplugs
- Eye mask
- Travel pillow
- Travel blanket
- Headphones
- E-books or books
What you should always have in your carry-on bag
If you are separated from your checked bag or other items, always bring a copy of your itinerary, glasses, cards, cash, pen, tablet, laptop, phone, camera, valuables, medications, house keys, and ID with your ID you on the plane.
Other items you may want to bring with you include entertainment for your flight, comfort items such as gum, snacks, a change of clothes, an empty water bottle to fill up after security, and a blanket or pillow.
Packing Suggestions for Everything Else
Traveling without your camera, tablet, laptop, or phone can be extremely inconvenient. For those traveling abroad, remember to bring converters and electronic adapters. Photographers should also bring memory cards, backup batteries, and a sturdy camera bag, as well as a lens cleaner. Don’t forget to bring a waterproof case for your cellphone, a standby charger if you’re on the water, and a tripod or phone stand for taking photos.
What’s a travel packing tip we discovered the hard way? Bring a copy of your passport, bank contacts, and credit card, as well as a list of medications and your emergency contact information.
Another piece of advice for international travel? Check that your passport is current, that it has at least six months of validity, and has enough blank pages for any stamps. Allow plenty of time to apply for any necessary visas and make arrangements to visit a travel clinic if any special vaccines or medications are required. You should also be aware of any COVID-19 travel restrictions in your destination.
There are also some items you might not think to bring but should, such as a whistle, a decoy wallet, toilet paper, duct tape, and an electronic tracker.
What should you bring for COVID-19 safety?
We are all aware that the pandemic has altered the way we travel. As a result, the items we prioritize in our luggage have shifted. Make sure you always have a face mask on you, no matter how you get to your destination. It’s also a good idea to pack a few extras in your carry-on or personal item.
While having hand sanitizer and sanitary wipes on hand at the airport is always a smart idea, they have now become utter carry-on essentials. For peace of mind, wipe down frequently touched surfaces near your plane seat or in your hotel room; make sure that any liquid sanitizing products you bring on board meet TSA requirements.
Finally, double-check that you have your vaccine passport or negative Covid-19 test results with you. Numerous destinations and airlines necessitate one of these forms of identification to proceed. Bring a laminated copy of your vaccine card for added protection.
