Packing for a trip can be daunting. For most people, making a packing list and packing itself are the worst parts of planning any trip, and more often than not, you leave feeling like you forgot to pack something important.
But don’t worry- packing is a skill that can be mastered. All it takes is some practice and preparation!
But in case you have not yet mastered this skill, I have created the ultimate trip packing guide & packing list for you.
I go into all the things you need to add to your packing list, what to consider before packing, and tips for packing as efficiently as possible.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products that I personally would use or do currently use. Please read full disclosure for more information.
Just here for a printable copy of the list? You can grab that below:
Below, we get into the packing list in a more detailed way, expert tips for packing like a pro, plus we’ve included some links to the products we would recommend for your next trip.
We want to make packing as easy as possible for you. So let’s get started!
A few things to consider when making a packing list
Before we get started packing, let’s go through a few things that are going to help you pack the right way for your trip. There isn’t usually a one-size-fits-all packing list that will work for every trip or destination, so by answering a few questions first, you can better prepare.
1. Are you driving or flying?
Your mode of transportation can make a huuuuuge difference in how and what you pack.
Driving typically allows you to be a little more liberal with packing, because you basically just need to be able to fit it in your car.
Flying, on the other hand, puts size and weight requirements on your luggage which, for most people, can make things a little trickier.
If you’re flying, be prepared to focus on packing efficiently so that you can avoid baggage fees (and hauling hundreds of pounds around an airport).
P.S. If you’re flying, check out this blog post for tips on how to have the coziest flight ever.
2. What will the weather be like?
The weather where you’re going will obviously impact what you need to have on hand. Trust me- being underprepared for the weather or prepared for the wrong kind of weather is no fun.
We went to Disney World one year, and because we were going to Florida, we didn’t even think about it- we just packed warm weather clothing. But when we got there and realized they were having a weird cold snap and it was about 40° out with cold wind, we had go to buy warm clothes just to feel comfortable. And paying Disney World prices for a basic black beanie & gloves was NOT something we were happy about doing.
Packing for cold weather also takes up a bit more space usually, so if that’s something you need to do, then keep that in mind.
You might even be heading on a trip where you need to pack for all kinds of weather. Our suggestion there? Layers and the ability to mix and match outfits depending on the weather of the day.
3. Will you be able to do laundry on the trip?
One of our own travel hacks is (if possible) booking an Airbnb at least every few days on our trips that have a washer/dryer. This makes packing so much easier because we know we can rewear the same items more than once.
But we understand that that isn’t possible for every trip.
If you DO get lucky and have the option to do laundry along the way, then obviously you can pack a lot less. Planning out how often you’ll get to do laundry can help you figure out how many days’ worth of outfits you actually need.
Tips for packing like a pro
If you want to pack in a way that’s not only going to be easier for you now, but also when you get to your destination, these tips will go a long way.
Pack smart
You’ve probably heard that rolling clothes instead of folding them is supposed to save space in your suitcase. But that isn’t the only thing you can do to pack smart.
There are so many different packing methods designed to help you pack as efficiently as possible. You can check out a great article on different packing methods here.
But here are a few of our favorite tips we use for each trip:
- Use packing cubes. Not only do they save you space with some sort of magic, but they also make unpacking and staying organized SO MUCH EASIER. One of the best ways to use these is having a designated cube for ‘first night stuff’, especially for road trips. So if you have a night where you’re not quite at your destination, you don’t have to unpack everything to get what you need, it’s all there in one designated cube.
- Fold your clothes in outfits. If you have certain outfits picked out for your trip, lay them out and fold them all as one piece. This saves some space, but also lets you easily grab an outfit each morning instead of having to dig through your suitcase while trying to remember what pants were supposed to go with what shirt.
- Use every possible ounce of space. Stick your socks inside your shoes. Use that zipper pouch in your suitcase. Fill up your carry-on and personal bag. Use it all up and be creative.
Layers are your friend
The best tip for packing for cold weather or for a variety of weathers is to pack layers.
No matter what climate you’ll be in, layers can serve you well. They can keep your luggage from being full of really thick items like bulky sweaters, and they also keep you from getting too hot/cold on your trip.
Focusing on layers that you can keep on hand is a great idea for any trip.
Consider a capsule wardrobe (or semi-capsule)
If you haven’t heard of a capsule wardrobe, it’s essentially a wardrobe made up of fewer items that can all be worn interchangeably with each other. This typically looks like having a few basics like plain colored shirts, jeans, jackets or cardigans and other items that can be worn multiple different ways.
Capsule wardrobes are great when it comes to travel because you can keep your luggage light but still have a lot of outfit options.
Even if you don’t have a capsule wardrobe at home, picking out a handful of versatile items from your closet to pack can save you space in your suitcase.
Keep your bathroom/necessity items always packed
One of the best travel hacks for avoiding extra stress when packing & unpacking? Always keep your bathroom and necessity items packed and ready to go.
Trust me- this tip is golden.
Since starting to do this, we have saved soooo much time on packing. Plus unpacking (which I think we can all agree is the worst part of any trip) has been so much easier.
Basically, you’ll have a designated ‘toiletries’ bag that’s always packed with things like deoderant, toothpaste, toothbrush, etc. (bathroom items you need on a trip). Then, when you’re packing for a trip, you can just grab that bag and throw it in your suitcase.
Don’t overpack
This seems like a no-brainer, but hear me out. Overpacking can happen easily and can really negatively affect your travel.
Here’s a good rule of thumb for figuring out if you need to pack it: If it’s not something you use regularly AND you would be able to buy easily if needed, don’t pack it.
For example, if you rarely get heartburn and are going to be staying somewhere near stores or gas stations, don’t pack heartburn medication just because you ‘might need it’.
Now of course if you’re going to be out in the middle of nowhere for a week with no access to stores, packing some ‘just in case’ items makes sense.
Take advantage of your carry-on and personal item
If you’re flying, most airlines allow you to have a carry-on and some even allow an additional small bag like a backpack that can fit under the seat in front of you.
Don’t ignore this opportunity! You’d be surprised how much you can fit into a carry-on and a small bag. This is also a great way to keep your checked bag lighter to avoid additional fees, or avoid checking a bag at all.
Pack your carry-on the right way
One of the scariest things about flying is th possibility of losing your luggage. While it isn’t the norm, it’s definitely possible, which means what you have in your carry-on could be very important.
If you’re packing a carry-on, do it in a way that allows you to still function on your trip if your checked bag were to get lost for a few days.
This means packing some of the essentials you need on a daily basis.
Here are a few things to keep in your carry-on for flights:
- Two full outfits
- Must-have toiletries
- Any medications you take (very important!)
- Phone charger
- Any technology you’re taking (definitely don’t want this getting lost or damaged)
- Any tickets/documents you need for your trip
- Money/credit cards (your whole wallet should probably be kept in your carry-on tbh)
Expert tip: Snap a pic of the inside of your luggage right before your trip. Having a photo of what you packed could help you out big time if your luggage were to get lost and you needed reimbursed for the belongings you had.
Make a car kit
If any part of your trip will be spent road tripping, a car kit is an ingenious way to make things more convenient for yourself.
Having a small kit that you can keep handy and easily access while in the car can save you from having to get out and dig through your luggage just to find something small.
In the packing list below, there is a packing guide specifically for the car kit.
Recommended gear
Packing is a lot easier when you have the right gear. Here are our recommendations for travel gear if you’re looking.
Luggage Top Pick: Away Luggage
This brand makes beautiful luggage of all sizes. For full-sized luggage, we recommend this. For carry-on luggage, here’s our pick.
Personal Item/Backpack Pick: Brevite Backpacks
Brevite makes so many backpacks and we love them! We have The Runner which is technically a camera bag, but works for so much more.
We also love Osprey backpacks and have used ours for years. The one we have is no longer available, but here is a very similar one that we would for sure buy.
The ultimate packing list
Alright, let’s get to the actual packing list, shall we?
*** = pack these items in your personal bag if flying so you have them on-hand if needed
Clothing
Figuring out how many clothes to put on your packing list is probably the trickiest part of packing. You won’t want to overpack and have to deal with the extra luggage, but you also don’t want to under pack and be left without enough clothes to get you through your trip.
A great rule of thumb for packing is to pack enough clothes for each day plus one or two extras. If you are doing laundry throughout the trip, this can be reduced. For example, if you’re planning to do laundry every 5 days, you could pack enough outfits for 5 days, plus maybe an extra outfit just in case. I think it’s always a good idea to pack at least 2 extra pairs of socks and underwear, as those are things you can’t usually re-wear very comfortably once they get dirty.
The list below will include everything you could need for any trip in any weather, but you of course may not need it all. .
You can of course tweak this to your own liking, but here are my suggestions for packing clothing for your trip:
I’m going to use the shorthand “EE” to mean ‘Enough for Everyday’.
So if it says ‘EE + 2’, that means ‘enough for every day plus 2 extras’.
Basics
- Shirts/Sweaters/Blouses/Dresses: EE + 1
- Pants/Shorts/Skirts/Rompers: EE +1
- Socks: EE +2
- Underwear: EE +2
- Bras: EE
- Lightweight jacket
- 2-3 Sweatshirts/jackets/cardigan
- Bringing a neutral cardigan along with you can be a simple way to add a warmer layer to any outfit.
- Sneakers/Comfortable Walking Shoes
- Dressy shoes or sandals
- Hat(s)
- Belts
- Pajamas
- Jewelry
- Purse/bag
- A bag for dirty clothes.
- A trash bag works great for this. If you’re looking for something a little fancier, this one is a great option.
Optional depending on trip plans
- Coat
- Swimsuit
- Shower shoes
- Rain Jacket
- Hiking boots and hiking socks
- Sun hat
- Gloves, scarf, and beanie
- Snow shoes
Necessity/bathroom items
- Sunscreen
- Bug spray
- Shampoo & Conditioner
- Body Wash
- Wash Cloths
- Towel
- Extra glasses/contacts
- Contact solution & case
- Eye drops
- Razor
- Shaving cream
- Lotion
- Hairbrush
- Ponytails/hair clips/ bobby pins
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Floss
- Deodorant
- Anti-chafing cream
- Body Glide is by far the best one I’ve tried
- Band-aids or a first-aid kit
- Cotton swabs
- Makeup
- Skincare products
- Tweezers
- Chapstick
- Hairstyling tools/products
- Nail clippers
- Sanitary wipes
- Period products if needed
- Beard grooming products
Medications
If flying, you can check the TSA’s FAQ about bringing medication on flights here.
If you’re looking for an aesthetically pleasing medication holder, we use and love this one, and you can labels for it here.
- Dramamine / motion sickness ***
- Allergy
- Pain reliever (Advil, Tylenol, Ibuprofen) ***
- Prescription meds ***
- Vitamins
Car kit
All of these items are things that I personally have found useful to keep handy on long car rides, especially when you’re far from home.
- Hand Sanitizer ***
- Wet Wipes ***
- Tissues
- Chapstick
- Lotion
- Utensils/straw
- It’s not uncommon to stop for fast food on a road trip only to drive away from the restaurant and realize they didn’t give you utensils or straws. Having some on hand can keep you out of sticky (uh, pun intended) situations like this.
- Trash bag
- Aux cord
- Most newer cars have bluetooth options, but it never hurts to have an aux cord just in case.
- Gum (here’s a plastic-free kind) ***
- Umbrella
- Ink pen
- Extra cash
- Extra cash is a great thing to have in your wallet, for toll roads or any other cash-only situations you may run into.
Pssst… going on a road trip? Make sure your car is road trip ready!
Documents/important items
- Driver’s License ***
- Passport ***
- Want a nice passport cover and wallet to keep all of your documents together? Check out this small shop’s beautiful passport covers!
- Car insurance cards
- If you’ll be renting a car or driving for your trip, it’s a great idea to keep your insurance cards on hand.
- Health insurance cards
- While I hope you won’t have a need for health insurance cards on your vacation, it’s still a good idea to have them in your wallet in case something happens and you find yourself at the hospital.
- Tickets/passes you will need on your trip.
- Most of this stuff is digital now, but having physical copies can be a good safety measure!
Other
- Laundry detergent
- If you’re taking a longer trip where you’ll be doing laundry, it can be a good idea to take a small bottle of detergent with you. Not all Airbnbs/ VRBOs provide laundry detergent, so having some on hand (like these) can be great.
- Phone charger and power bank ***
- If you’re looking for a really great power bank, I highly recommend this one.
- Camera & charger/batteries
- Sunglasses
- Luggage tag
- Reusable water bottle
- This is especially important if you’ll be spending a lot of time outdoors and may not have frequent access to water. Here are my two favorite:
- Hydro Flask Bottle
- Owala FreeSip
- ** side note: in case you’re wondering, you CAN take reusable bottles on planes, they just need to be empty until after you get through screening. Once you’re through screening, you can fill it up and avoid paying $10 for a bottle of water at the airport!
- Laptop & Charger
- Smart watch & charger
- Fan or portable sound machine (here’s the one we use)
- Earbuds/headphones ***
- Pillow & blanket ***
- Book/Kindle & charger ***
- Snacks ***
And there you have it- the ultimate packing guide plus a giant packing list for your next trip.
We worked super hard to make sure this packing guide included everything you need to know for packing, but let us know in the comments if you notice anything we missed!
Just a reminder- you can get a free printable checklist version of the packing list below.
You can also find more packing lists on our site, like this one for traveling with dogs!
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