When it comes to preparing for a trip, packing can be tedious and time-consuming. There are many factors to consider such as what will the weather be like, what activities will I be engaging in, will I be going out dancing, will I need formal attire, what if I forget something, and what If I don’t pack something and I’m unable to find it where I’m going. It’s difficult to anticipate what you may need if your going somewhere unfamiliar and don’t have a set itinerary and even if you do that could change as well.
In terms of the actual luggage and what to bring there are a different set of factors that must be considered: what luggage options you have, the type and length of your trip, your itinerary, the size of your luggage, and any weight limits imposed by your mode of transportation. With this in mind, it’s easy to overpack or underpack, especially if you’ve waited until the last minute.
Sample Packing Guide
This is a slimmed down list of essential items that can fit into a carry-on bag. I highly recommend a travel backpack due to its versatility, lightweight, collapsibility, expandability, and lots of useful pockets with side and top entry.
Absolute Essentials
- Passport
- Driver’s license
- Health insurance information (important phone numbers to call). Remember your health insurance at home rarely covers you abroad, so it is advisable to purchase travel health insurance.
- Plane tickets or printouts of boarding passes
- Bank cards (debit and credit) plus some cash in dollars or euros since they are accepted worldwide
- Details of accommodations, transportation, and itinerary
Clothing
- Hooded top – hood can be used to block out light and aid sleep
- Dressy jacket – normally worn on the plane
- 2-4 t-shirts
- 2-4 long-sleeve t-shirts
- 1 pair of jeans
- 1 pair lightweight pants with removable legs – double as shorts
- Swim shorts/swimsuit – for the beach or hot tub
- Lightweight rain jacket
- 3+ pairs of socks
- 3+ sets of underwear
- Sun hat – if visiting sunny climate or beany for cold climate
- 1 pair walking shoes/boots – normally worn on the plane
- Flip-flops or sandals – if visiting hot climate
- 1 pair dressy shoes – for going out to dressy events
- Belt – worn on the plane
Accessories
- reusable Water bottle
- A digital camera with accompanying charger
- Mobile phone with accompanying charger and headphones – (doubles as an alarm clock, personal MP3 player, and radio)
- Mini Maglite Torch
- Nail clippers
- Sunglasses and case
- Earplugs
- Small first aid kit – normally only taken on activity trips
- Pen and small notepad – details of flights and other vital information is recorded here
- Maps, guidebooks, phrase books
- Reading material – normally at least one small paperback book
- Universal travel adaptor – if traveling abroad
- Mailing labels save time when filling out forms
Know which items not to bring on the plane. This applies to safety, size, weight, and even food, as there are restrictions on all of these.
- Safety restrictions vary in different countries but include obvious safety hazards (knives in your carry-on, flammable liquids in any of your luggage), not-so-obvious hazards (nail clippers or files in your carry-on), and a few seemingly inexplicable items such as an unopened bottle of water on US flights – unless you purchased it after going through security.
- Weight and size restrictions depending on the airline, so check their website ahead of time for more information. Most medium-sized duffel bags and hand luggage marketed as carry-on will be accepted into the cabin.
- Avoid bringing nuts on planes. These can cause allergic reactions in other passengers.
- Don’t bring agricultural items (fruits, vegetables, seeds), meats, or dairy products. Although you may be able to get away with it in some countries, many regulate these items to reduce the spread of non-native species and disease.
Extra items
Bring one extra collapsible bag to be used as a day bag to carry food, water, or for shopping. This bag can also be used to carry souvenirs you may have bought during your trip back home.
Do you remember the movie Catch Me If You Can with Leonardo DiCaprio? In the film, Leonardo's character carries extra wallet stuff with labels from tin cans to pose as currency. He gives the wallet to people to hold or in case he is robbed, so he can quickly leave the scene. A wallet stuffed with plastic credit card offer cards that often come in the mail, product labels, and low-value currency from other countries with maybe a few US dollars in front. I keep this wallet in my back pocket. In case I am robbed, I hand them this wallet. Meanwhile, I wear a belt with a looped money pouch I can carry under my pants. I also leave a credit card, ID, and cash in my main bag wherever my bag is being stored in case I lose everything on my person.
If you are traveling with a partner, you can also give them access to all of your information. Store some cash and credit cards with them, and vice versa.
Two of our most significant inventions of modern times: Ziploc bags and zip ties. Use these to water/sweat proof essential papers, your camera, food, dirty clothes, etc. I used to think this was crazy until I had a strap break on my backpack. I used a zip tie to hold my bag together. Another time I was driving a rental car in South Africa and the bumper fell off. I needed to finish my trip and return the car with the bumper, or the rental car company would have charged a lot of money to replace it. Instead, I picked up some zip ties to hold the bumper to the frame until I was ready to return the car a few weeks later.
Backpack locks and/or a wire mesh to put over your backpack to prevent people from getting into your bag if you are traveling through an area with pickpockets or high crime rates.
For female travelers, if you use tampons, pack some in a Ziploc as some countries do not carry them.
Mailing labels and a pen
Due to the frequency of having to fill out forms, it's a good idea to bring mailing labels that you can stick onto forms and a pen that can be used to fill out forms while waiting in lines at customs, border crossings, bus stations, or airports.
Car and wall charger
There are different plug and outlet types throughout the world, so bring a universal adapter for your electronic devices. I also recommend bringing a car charger and backup chargers in case one gets lost or broken. It can be difficult to find electronic accessories, especially when you are traveling in developing countries. Not having an adapter to charge your electric shaver, laptop, or other cell phones can cause unnecessary problems.
I talk more in-depth of travel issues in my Amazon Book. Check it out here.