Comprehensive Travel Packing List: Don't Forget These Items!

Whether you’re traveling to a neighboring city or a foreign country on the other side of the globe, planning ahead will make for a more enjoyable excursion.

It can be extremely stressful to get to your destination only to find out that you forgot something important. Creating a packing list will help you remember everything you need rather than spending your vacation time or money on getting replacement items.

Travel Essentials

Forgetting to pack certain items can spoil your entire vacation. Pack the following items first and keep them together to make it easy to retrieve them when needed.

Travel Documents

Driver’s license
Passport
Visa (if required)
Travel authorization (e.g., ESTA for the USA)
Hotel reservation information
Boarding passes
Travel insurance documents
Emergency contact information
Local currency (for foreign travel)

When drawing up a travel packing checklist, make sure to put your driver’s license, passport, visa, and other travel authorization at the top of the list. Keep these items in their own folder, pouch, or organizer, and make sure you can easily access them as you travel. Additionally, keep digital copies of these documents stored securely online, so you have a backup in case they get lost.

While you might not need to include these sorts of documents when writing a camping packing list, there’s more paperwork involved in traveling to other destinations. Make sure to keep your hotel reservation info and boarding passes handy if you’re flying. It’s also a good idea to take out travel insurance, just in case.

Money

Credit cards
Small amount of cash (for snacks, drinks, etc.)
Money belt for secure storage
Emergency cash hidden in multiple locations
Notification to your bank about travel plans (to prevent card blocks)

It’s often best to travel with little or no cash. Consider bringing a small amount for immediate expenses like drinks or snacks, or withdraw cash from an ATM once you reach your destination. For safety, avoid carrying large sums of cash and rely on secure payment options like credit/debit cards and digital wallets. Consider using a money belt to store your credit cards, checks, and cash. Be cautious when carrying a traditional wallet or purse, as pickpockets can swipe these items without your knowledge.

Health and Safety Items

Prescription medications
Over-the-counter medications (e.g., pain relievers, allergy meds)
Vitamins and dietary supplements
Basic first aid supplies or a full first aid kit
Face masks
Travel-sized hand sanitizer
Insect-repellent clothing
Health insurance card or information

Other items to keep accessible include over-the-counter and prescription medications, including vitamins and dietary supplements. Also, bring a few first aid items or pack a full kit for use as you travel. You never know when you or a companion might suffer an injury.

While insect-repellent clothing can help protect you from bug bites, first aid supplies may be necessary for more serious emergencies.

Electronics

Phone charger
Outlet adapter (for international travel)
Portable charging bank
Noise-canceling headphones
Extra batteries
Power strip with multiple outlets/USB ports
Camera and memory cards (if not using a smartphone)

Keep your phone charger in your travel bag to avoid losing it. If you’re traveling abroad, you may need to bring an outlet adapter or a charging bank. Think about packing noise-canceling headphones if you plan to fly or take a train to your destination.

Clothing

Casual outfits
Swimwear
Formal wear
Layerable clothing items
Ponchos or raincoats
Insect-repellent travel clothing
Enough undergarments for each day of the trip, plus transit time
Footwear
Sandals
Casual shoes
Formal footwear
Hat for sun protection
Lightweight scarf or shawl (can double as a cover-up or blanket)

In addition to essential travel items, you’ll need to bring appropriate clothes for every occasion. Depending on the type of trip you’re planning, this might include casual outfits, swimwear, and formal wear. You might want to take part in an exciting excursion or event during your trip, so pack one or two extra outfits.

It can help to check the weather forecast for your destination. Even if the weather seems moderate and clear, expect the unexpected. Prioritize clothes you can layer and remove as needed.

Ponchos or raincoats will make your time more comfortable if you’re visiting a humid climate where rain is likely. Insect Shield’s insect-repellent clothing should also make your shortlist to help guard against bites.

Don’t forget to pack enough undergarments for each day of your trip, including the time you’ll spend in transit. Pack sandals, casual shoes, and formal footwear to cover every possible situation, or consider wearing shoes that are versatile enough for a variety of settings.

Toiletries

Bath soap and shampoo
Razors
Deodorant
Dental floss and toothbrush/toothpaste
Feminine hygiene products
Hairbrush/comb
Cosmetics and skincare products
Sunscreen
Travel-sized containers for liquids
Travel sewing kit
Quick-dry towel

Don’t rely on the complimentary toiletries at your hotel — you might need deodorant, dental floss, or other items as you travel. Pack a full range of supplies, including bath soap, shampoo, razors, and feminine hygiene products.

You’ll also want to leave some room in your suitcase for things like combs, hairbrushes, cosmetics, and skin care creams or lotions. Don’t forget the sunscreen, even if you’re not headed to the beach.

When checking off your travel packing list, note the size of the containers you bring. You’ll only be able to bring products in travel-size containers aboard planes. Check the website of your airline or call their customer service team if you have any questions about packing toiletries or medications.

In-Flight Essentials

Headphones
Travel pillow
Eye mask
Extra blanket
Tablet, book, or laptop
Non Perishable snacks (e.g., nuts, seeds, crackers)
Empty water bottle (to fill after security)
Portable Charger
Hand sanitizer
Disinfectant wipes
Disposable towels
Compression socks for long flights
Chewing gum (for ear pressure changes)
Travel journal or notebook

If your trip will take you to a faraway destination, you should put as much planning into the flight as you put into your vacation.

It doesn’t take much for a flight to become tedious, uncomfortable, or stressful. Spare yourself the inconvenience by packing for a more comfortable flight. Essential on-flight items include earplugs, a travel pillow, an eye mask, and an extra blanket.

Don’t count on an in-flight movie to provide entertainment. Add a tablet, book, or laptop to your travel packing list. Having a variety of games and content to consume on the flight will help the time go faster.

You can also bring a small bag of nonperishable snacks, such as nuts, seeds, or crackers. If you add an empty water bottle to your carry-on bag, you can fill it with drinking water once you pass the security checkpoint. This will help you save on high-priced airport beverages.

When visiting busy public places like airports or bus stations, there are many high-touch surfaces that can spread disease. Protect yourself by bringing along a supply of hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, and disposable towels.

Packing Tips

Check airline baggage weight limits (20 to 50 pounds typically)
Weigh your luggage ahead of time
Use compression bags to save space
Pack socks and undergarments in shoes to maximize space
Use packing cubes for organization
Plan for unexpected changes in itinerary (e.g., find nearby laundromats)
Permethrin-treated clothing
Share itinerary with a trusted person
Luggage locks
Spare luggage tags
Travel-sized laundry detergent for washing clothes on the go

As you begin packing your belongings, keep in mind that each airline has its own baggage weight limits, which can range from 20 to 50 pounds. If possible, weigh your luggage on a scale prior to your departure date to confirm that it’s under the limit, and avoid packing unnecessary items.

You can make more room in your luggage by using compression bags. Unrolling socks and undergarments and laying them or stuffing them into your shoes can help you save space as well. Use packing cubes to get organized and keep similar garments together.

Don’t forget to plan for sudden changes in your itinerary. If you can’t fit extra outfits into your luggage, search for laundromats near your hotel. Knowing you can do a load of laundry midway through your trip will allow you to pack less while being prepared for any surprises that might come up.

Every location in the world has insects that thrive in that area’s specific climate and ecosystem. Fortunately, you don’t have to research specific pests to prepare for them. Just pack Insect Shield clothing with built-in insect protection to help avoid bug bites.

When finalizing your travel packing list, don’t forget to include plans for your time away. Give someone you trust a copy of your itinerary, along with information about your flights, hotel accommodations, and plans. Doing so will enable them to act promptly and appropriately if something goes wrong.

If you need to board a pet, create a short packing list for them. They’ll likely feel frightened and uneasy in an unfamiliar boarding kennel, so pack a bag with their favorite toys and snacks. They’ll be more likely to eat if you bring the food and treats they normally get at home.

Don’t Forget a Thing: Plan and Pack Early

While you can’t anticipate every possible situation as you pack for your trip, drafting an itemized packing list will keep you from forgetting many of the necessities. Plan well in advance to alleviate the stress associated with travel and get more out of your next big getaway.