Creating my Travel Packing List was my least favorite part of planning our first Around the World Trip back in 2014.
When I sought out help, the general travel checklist I found was of little use. I wanted – I needed – a detailed list of what to pack for my trip.
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With little assistance, I floundered through the process of creating my own travel packing checklist – but I succeeded!
Now, I’m sharing my list of travel essentials – including very specific details about what to pack for a trip – in this Ultimate Travel Checklist!
Best Travel Packing List
When I was determining what things to pack for my trip, I was torn between being minimalist and the fact that I was preparing for a year-long adventure that would span all seasons.
It was a strenuous task, but I’m convinced that I have created the Ultimate Packing List!
As most travelers aren’t faced with this challenge, I share important tips about how to create a packing list for a week or two throughout this post.
My detailed packing list includes every item I carry – as well as the bags I carry it all in – with detailed specifics of those travel items, too.
It is, perhaps, important to note that while we are full-time travelers, what I pack does not differ greatly from what I would pack for a week-long vacation.
Whether you are looking for an international travel packing list for a week in Europe or a backpacking list for a month-long trip to Southeast Asia, I can help!
In this post, I talk in detail about my trip packing list – including why some items are necessary and which items can be left behind.
To help fellow travelers, we also have a printable travel checklist, plus other valuable travel tips!
Travel Packing Trouble
I’ve never met anyone who loves packing for a trip. In fact, I think packing for a vacation is the most daunting, upcoming-trip-buzz-killer there is.
Incorporating necessities for traveling, comfort and style – and resisting the urge to pack everything you own – can be a real struggle.
I used to be an over-packer with a long packing list that went on forever. I was the traveler who checked two large suitcases for a one-week vacation…then wore about a fifth of what was packed.
However, those days of arriving at a hotel amongst a pile of suitcases are long behind me. The more I traveled, the savvier I became.
Coordinated outfits, essential toiletries and sensible shoes are now what I pack. I have streamlined the process and eliminated my packing dilemma.
I can pack for a week-long, overseas trip in about an hour. For weekend jaunts, I’m all set and out the door in 20 minutes’ time!
Ultimate Packing List For All Types of Travelers
What I pack seldom varies, but if I add (or get rid of) anything, I update this Packing List accordingly. I’ve provided a link to each item so you can see if it will work for your packing list for travel.
I have attempted to feature the exact product that I own, but that has become difficult over time. In that case, I’ve linked to a similar product.
I share this information in an effort to help other travelers create their prefect packing lists for vacation. Above all, my best packing advice: Pack What’s Comfortable!
Travel Clothes
I pack clothes that can be worn in all weather. The items I carried in my backpack to Iceland in Winter are the same as when we travel to Vietnam.
While my list will likely work for travelers making a vacation packing list for California in the spring or to Croatia in the autumn, summer or winter travelers should plan clothing that is better suited for that weather.
Likewise, if you are creating a beach vacation packing list – or are packing for a cruise to the Arctic – then you will want to tailor your checklist to weather-appropriate gear.
Pro Tip: All clothing on your travel items list should be of the same color scheme to create a travel capsule wardrobe. Read more in our Packing Hacks article!
Pants, Skirts and Dresses: Vacation Packing List Tips
My trip packing checklist includes a variety of bottoms – including jeans, yoga pants, leggings, capris, a skirt and a skort – but I only pack one pair of each.
Many minimalist travelers warn against packing heavy jeans, but honestly, I love wearing jeans – so they make my packing list for vacation and world travel.
One thing that I don’t travel with is zip-off, convertible pants – and here is why: I am not comfortable wearing them. As I mentioned earlier, you must be comfortable in the clothes you wear on your trip.
In warmer weather destinations, I love wearing dresses…but they are also great for cool weather, when I can warm up the outfit with leggings and a thin hoodie. (This is why matching all clothing items is key!)
My dresses are casual, loose-fitting and non-revealing. That way I am able to visit churches and temples in destinations where modesty is required.
Pack for Travel List: Pants, Skirts and Dresses
- 1 pair jeans (or casual pants or zip-off pants)
- 1 pair loose yoga pants with pockets
- 1 pair moisture-wicking leggings
- 1 pair cargo capris or shorts
- 1 thin, cotton skirt
- 2 casual dresses
- 1 casual skort
Long Sleeve Shirts, Short Sleeve Shirts and Tank Tops
When we first left to travel the world, I didn’t pack enough shirts. I only had 1 tank top, 2 t-shirts and 3 long sleeve shirts in my bag!
It was a huge mistake, as I was constantly doing laundry in both warm and cold weather climates. I have since added additional shirts without adding too much weight to my bag.
That said, washable, quick-drying, non-wrinkling shirts are packing essentials. Pay close attention to the materials of the clothing you pack.
Travel List to Pack for Shirts and Tops
- 4 long sleeve quick drying shirts
- 1 long sleeve cotton shirt
- 3 tank tops
- 1 thin camisole used for bottom layer or beachwear
- 3 loose fitting t-shirts
- 1 thin, zip up hoodie
Undergarments, Pajamas and Swimsuits
It seems to me that most travelers either over-pack or under-pack undergarments. Those who over-pack argue that you should have 2 pairs of underwear and socks for every day of the trip.
Minimalist packers contend that undergarments are the easiest to sink wash and the quickest to dry, so there is no reason to pack more than 5 pairs of each for any length trip.
I pack 8 pairs of underwear and 8 pairs of socks. This is what I recommend for anyone who is making a packing list for a week or longer.
Travel Packing Checklist for Undergarments
- 1 set of pajamas
- 1 bikini swimwsuit (choose one swimsuit that fits your style)
- 8 Fruit of the Loom underwear
- 2 sport bras
- 2 bras and 1 racerback bra
- 6 athletic socks
- 2 socks for flats or slip on shoes
- 1 fuzzy socks
- 1 compression socks
Travel Outerwear: Coats, Gloves, Hats, Scarves & Wraps
We travel in all seasons, so I pack a variety of caps and gloves. However, for a shorter, destination-specific trip, I would choose between thin and wool, rather than both.
The most multi-function clothing item I pack is my wrap – and, in my opinion, it is an essential item for travelers!
In addition to its obvious purpose, I have used mine as a beach towel, bath towel, picnic blanket, airport blanket and bus pillow. The one I carry is black, thin and I use it all the time.
I have – unfortunately – gone through several pairs of sunglasses since we started traveling. I started with my favorite – and expensive – pair of Maui Jim sunglasses, but lost them while in Ireland.
After that, I went ultra-cheap…and wasn’t surprised when three consecutive pairs broke just after a few weeks of use. I currently travel with moderately-priced polarized sunglasses, which are sufficient…but not heartbreaking if they get lost or broken.
List of What To Pack for Outerwear
- 1 lightweight zip up fleece (with zip pockets)
- 1 water resistant jacket (which fits over fleece)
- 2 fashion scarves (or a secret zippered pocket Travel Scarf)
- 1 versatile wrap
- 1 baseball cap (or travel hat)
- 1 thin winter cap
- 1 warm winter cap
- 1 pair of thin winter gloves (with touchscreen functionality)
- 1 pair of wool mittens
- Sunglasses for travel
Packing Advice for Shoes
When it comes to shoes, I feel most travelers can get by with just 3 pairs. They just take up too much space!
Make sure the shoes you choose for your trip go with all of your outfits and – most importantly – that they are comfortable for exploring.
For more detailed information about what shoes to pack for your trip, read our reviews of The Best Travel Shoes!
Shoes for Travel Packing Checklist
- 1 pair walking shoes for sightseeing and hiking
- 1 pair casual shoes (or casual travel flats or foldable flats)
- 1 pair flip flops
Travel Toiletries List
When it comes to your toiletries packing list, it is important to strike a balance between space-saving items and short-changing yourself.
My best recommendation when packing toiletries is to consider the overall length of your trip. If you are packing for two weeks or less, pack travel-size toiletries.
That said, these are available all around the world, so replacing items while traveling is not likely an issue.
Pro Tip: One thing to consider is that the price of sunscreen is ridiculously inflated in some top destinations, so it’s best to pack an ample supply.
Essential Travel Toiletries Tips
Re-fillable travel bottles are the way to go for bathroom essentials like lotions and shampoo. Many travelers swear by the GoToob brand.
If you don’t have travel size bottles, however, many travel-size items are sold together in a convenient toiletry travel kit. I also travel with disposable facial cloths (cut into halves to make the box last longer).
Essential Travel Toiletries List
- Toiletry bag with hanger (when there is a hook, but no counter space)
- Travel size Bar Soap (just in case it is not provided)
- Shampoo Conditioner 2-in-1 (in 3-ounce, refillable bottle)
- 3 Razors
- Travel size Shaving Cream
- Travel size Hair Brush
- Electric Toothbrush
- Travel size Toothpaste
- Retainers (with case and special brush)
- Floss
- Unscented Body Lotion (in 3-ounce, refillable bottle)
- Facial Cleansing Wipes and/or Individual Makeup Remover Wipes
- Everyday Facial Moisturizer with Sunscreen
- Full or Travel size Deodorant
- Kleenex travel pack
- Toilet paper (folded in a snack-size ziplock or these handy travel rolls)
- Shower cap
- Sunscreen
- Lip balm
- Tweezers, Nail Clippers, Nail File Kit
- Cuticle Cream
- Quick-dry Washcloth
Makeup and Travel Essentials for Women
While we do include makeup on this packing list for women, I recommend keeping it simple with just a few makeup travel bag necessities.
Also, ladies, don’t forget to put feminine products on your travel essentials list! In some countries the choices aren’t as liberal as at home.
If you have a preference for tampons, you should pack them, as they may not be available where you are traveling. Some female travelers like to use the Diva Cup.
Women Travel Essentials List
- Face Powder
- Face Powder Brush and Concealer Brush
- Eyelash Curler (travel size)
- Mascara
- Hair ties
- Feminine products
- Simple Fashion Jewelry
Travel First Aid Bag
My first aid travel bag is one of my must-have travel items. I carry an assortment of medications (both prescription and over the counter) that are within easy reach if I need them.
Medicine bottles can take up a lot of space and it can be tempting to just mix all the medications together, which isn’t ideal.
I use small, individual jars with screw caps to store medications – and use a marker to label each bottle. A weekly pill box could also work in a travel first aid kit.
For more of our tips, read our article on Staying Healthy While Traveling!
First Aid Kit List of What To Pack
- Anti-bacterial hand sanitizer
- No-rinse hand cloths or Wet Ones Wipes
- Band Aids, Antiseptic and Cortizone Cream
- Advil
- Tums and Anti-diarrhea
- Dayquil and Emergen-C
- Anti-histamine
- Eye drops
- Sea bands (for motion sickness)
- Medications
Travel Odds and Ends to Pack
All of our random items may not be necessary for a weekend packing list, but a few of these items are all-star travel accessories!
Also check out our Everyday Items for Travel for tips on why you may want to pack these items!
List of Just in Case Travel Items
- Silk Sleep Sack
- Sleeping Mask and Ear Plugs (especially for Long Haul Flights)
- Water Bottle (these collapsible water bottles are great for travelers!)
- Whistle
- Bottle Opener
- Mini Mag Light Flashlight
- Mini roll of duct tape
- Binder clips, carabiner clips and rubber bands
- Re-sealable plastic bags: sandwich and gallon size
- Combination lock
- Bandana
- Small Scissors, Sewing kit and extra safety pins
- Travel size laundry detergent (machine and sink)
- Travel Umbrella
- Playing Cards
- Travel Journal
- 2 pens and 1 marker
Travel Electronics
As digital nomads, carrying all of these electronics are essential. It does, however, complicate travel days, so we only recommend that you pack what you will really use on your trip!
Electronic Travel Items List
- Cell phone, iPhone, iPad, iPod
- Laptop (similar to this slim Samsung Notebook) or Tablet (like a Kindle)
- External Hard Drive
- DSLR Camera (with slim camera case and extra battery)
- SD Card (2)
- Headphones (2)
- Cords and battery chargers
- Universal Converter
- Portable Wifi and Charger Power Bank
- Portable Speaker
- 128GB thumb drive (3)
What We Pack In for Travel
What we pack in is just as important as the items on our packing checklist. When flying to a destination, you will need to consider whether you want to deal with checked luggage or carry on only.
This can have a big impact on your list of what to pack. If you do decide to check a bag, read about how to avoid your Luggage Getting Lost.
Luggage
We carry backpacks, rather than suitcases, because we believe it’s a more efficient way to travel. You can read more about the pros and cons of both in our article, Backpack vs Suitcase!
Either way, the actual size of your luggage is a major consideration when creating your packing list for traveling. Both your luggage size and weight can incur extra baggage fees if traveling by plane.
Travelers attempting to avoid extra fees will likely want to stick to a Trip Essentials List – rather than including any just-in-case items that can be purchased on arrival if needed.
Packing Cubes
Packing Cubes are the top item on our travel accessories list (and one of our best overall packing tips)!
We splurged on packing cubes and compression bags before we started traveling full-time – and it was, without a doubt, one of the very best pre-travel purchases we made.
We cannot imagine traveling without them as they help to save space and organize our travel gear. For more details, read about all the benefits of Packing Cubes!
Day Pack
I travel with a small backpack – which doubles as my carry-on and day pack. When traveling by plane, it is essential to take a carry-on size personal item that will fit under your seat. We feature other styles in our article, Best Day Pack for Travel.
What Bags To Pack: Travelers Packing Checklist
- Lowe Alpine Walkabout 45 backpack (similar to this backpack) & Osprey Farpoint (for Kris)
- Small Backpack
- Packing Cubes
- Compression Bags
- Passport and document organizer
- Money Belt and Bra Stash or Neck Pouch
- Wallet and small purse
- Foldable, reusable shopping bag
Trip Documents & Credit Cards
I have covered the top things to pack for a trip, but don’t forget to put your trip documents on your Travel Necessity list!
Plane tickets and boarding passes, hotel reservation information and trip insurance documentation all need to be packed in your bag. And, don’t forget your driver’s license, credit cards and cash.
For an International Packing List, make sure you have your passport and international driver’s license (if needed).
I also highly recommend including a No-International-Fee credit card for your Overseas Travel Packing List – to avoid paying extra fees.
It’s also wise to make copies of important documents to pack separately from the originals – just is case.
Don’t have a trip planner? Use our Printable Travel Planner to keep track of your vacation details!
Start planning your next big trip! Search for the lowest airfares, the best accommodations and fun things to do…then start packing! Want additional advice? Head over to our Travel Planning Page for more tips on traveling – and for country-specific information, take a look at our Travel Guides Page!
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