The Ultimate Packing List

Amid virtually every voyager’s adventure, packing calamities inevitably emerge. For some, it’s sort of an unofficial, inexorable guarantee. At least every single one of us, myself included, has rocked up to a sweltering summer hot spot, only to discover you’ve ingeniously forgotten your bikinis back home.

Packing fiascos can range from marginal to catastrophic, but the majority can be adeptly averted. 

Whether you’re jetting off on your first flight or a seasoned sightseer, a painstakingly precise packing list will be your biggest ally. I’ve compiled a comprehensive, international checklist encompassing everything from meticulous must-haves to typical toiletries. 

To make things easier, I’ve divided this into three simple sections: 

• Packing & Travel Kits

• Clothes & Shoes 

• Health & Beauty

Packing & Travel Kits

Planning: 

• Guide books

• Diary

• Pens

• Journal 

To Do List:

Make yourself a to-do list before embarking on your trip. Jot down anything & everything!  

Packing: 

• Wallet

• Document organiser 

• Airline Ziplock bags 

• Laundry bag

• Toiletries bag

• Packing cubes

• Foldable backpack

• Dry sack 

• Make-up bag 

• Money belt 

Bags: 

• Main suitcase/backpack 

• Cross-body bag/purse or handbag

• Day pack

• Evening bag 

Documents:

• Passport/ID/Driving Licence 

• Visas 

• Credit and debit cards

• Local currency 

• Tickets/booking confirmations 

• Emergency contacts list i.e. insurance/bank/family 

• Passport photos 

• Travel insurance details

• Vaccination record

Electronics: 

• Phone and charger 

• Laptop/tablet and charger

• Camera and charger 

• Memory card

• External hard drive or USB 

• Portable battery and charger

• Universal adaptor 

• Headphones/earphones 

• SIM card holder  

Essentials: 

• Ear plugs 

• Eye mask

• Sunglasses 

• Filtered/reusable water bottle 

• Padlock

• Mini Sewing Kit 

• Umbrella 

• Swiss army knife

• Torch

• Travel towel (preferably one that’s made of microfiber)

• Pillowcase (extra points if it’s silk)

• Reading books

• Extra scarf (to use as a makeshift pillow, an extra eye mask, a blanket, etc.)

Clothes & Shoes 

Clothes:

• Jeans/trousers

• Leggings/tights

• Shorts

• Skirts

• Dresses

• Casual tops

• Smart tops

• T-shirts

• Long sleeve tops

• Cardigan/jumper/sweater/hoodie 

• Belt (or a shoelace works too!)

Shoes:

• A comfortable pair of walking shoes 

• Boots

• Sandals

• Flip-flops/thongs 

• Heels

Beachwear:

• Bikini/swimsuit

• Sarong (can double as a towel, bag, etc.)

• Beach dress

• Sun hat 

Cold wear: 

• Waterproof/impermeable jacket 

• Thermal top and bottoms

• Fleece

• Hat/beanie 

• Gloves

• Scarf 

Underwear: 

• Knickers/panties/undies

• Bras 

• Pijamas

• Socks 

Active wear: 

• Running shoes

• Hiking boots

• Running shorts

• T-shirt or singlet

• Sports bra

• Sports socks 

Health & Beauty 

First Aid:

• Prescription medication

• Headache pills

• Antihistamines 

• Imodium 

• Motion sickness pills 

• Antiseptic cream

• Flight ear plugs

• Antibacterial hand gel

• Band aids/plasters

Health: 

• Sunscreen

• Mosquito repellent

• Contact lens 

• Contact lens solution 

• Glasses

• Glasses case

• Tweezers

• Nail clippers/scissors

• Contraception 

• Tampons/sanitary pads/menstrual cup 

Toiletries: 

• Shampoo

• Conditioner

• Soap - shower gel & soap holder 

• Deodorant 

• Toothbrush

• Toothpaste

• Dental floss

• Razor

• Shaving cream/foam

• Hair ties/hair bands

• Hair styling products (gel, hairspray, detangler, oil, etc.) 

• Travel-sized hair dryer

• Straightener/curling wand 

• Body moisturiser

• Cotton buds/Q-tips

• Tissues 

Make-up: 

• Facial moisturiser

• Lip balm

• Foundation 

• Concealer

• Bronzer/blush 

• Mascara

• Eye shadow

• Eye liner

• Lip stick/lip liners 

• Make-up remover

• Cottons buds 

• Nail polish

• Nail polish remover

• Compact mirror

• Perfume

• Jewlerry (earrings, necklaces, rings, etc.)

Is baggage weight holding you back?

At times, the minimalist approach to packing can seem like you must sacrifice style and comfort and cut back on everything to achieve a previously perceived, unachievable task. But, the reality is that travelling light is the utter opposite. It’s simply about being mindful of the small increments that can add up fast. 

Just like making a burrito… You want to chuck in as many mouth-watering Mexican delicacies as humanly possible without the burrito exploding. 

This has been one of the biggest struggles I’ve had every single god damn time I prepare for a trip. 

During one of my vacations, I arrived at the airport with over 35 kilograms of luggage, which was excessive. However, I have discovered some effective organization techniques and minor adjustments I have been implementing over the years of travelling. You can gradually adopt these changes during your trips without feeling overwhelmed until you reach your desired level of organisation.

As you become more adept at packing smart and light, you'll enjoy the advantages of a more mobile, effortless life on the road. Think of it as transitioning from a mule to a bird - light as a feather.

Say adiós to those hefty extra luggage fees incurred at the airport; it’s time to learn how to become a pro packer. A pr-acker, to be exact… Check out more info on How to Pack Light in my post here. 

FAQS

What is the 5 4 3 2 1 packing list?

Also known as the clothing countdown, the 5 4 3 2 1 packing list limits you to five sets of socks and underwear, four tops, three pants, shorts or skirts, two pairs of shoes and one hat.

What needs to be on a packing list?

A packing list should itemise clothing, shoes, electronics, toiletries and anonymous products. Under each category, you’ll find every essential and non-essential item needed for travel. While you don’t have to pack every item, scanning over is helpful to ensure you don’t forget anything.

How do I pack for a 10-day trip?

As a general rule for travel, only pack half the clothes you plan to bring. If you have a large suitcase, pack at least 3 bottoms, 5 tops, 1 hat and 5 pairs of socks and underwear. Pack more of the essentials if you don’t have access to a washing machine.

What should I pack for a 4-week holiday?

Depending on the location, your packing list can vary greatly. Don’t miss these essentials – pants, dresses, shorts, skirts, tops, long-sleeve shirts, underwear, socks and hats. Additional wear can include sunglasses, exercise, summer, and ski gear.

If you want a free, downloadable PDF version of this packing list, let me know in the comments below!