Travel Packing List

Packing Problems: The Reality for Travelers

I’ve never met anyone who enjoys packing for a trip. To be honest, packing for a holiday is one of the most stressful and daunting parts of travel. Balancing the need for comfort, style, and essentials—while resisting the urge to bring everything you own—can feel overwhelming.

I used to overpack, with a never-ending checklist and two large suitcases for a week-long trip, only to end up using a fraction of what I brought. But those days of arriving at a hotel surrounded by luggage are long gone for me.

The more I traveled, the smarter I got. I focused on mix-and-match outfits, only the toiletries I really needed, and comfortable shoes. I developed a streamlined system that solved my old packing dilemmas. I could pack for a week abroad in about an hour—and for a weekend getaway, I’d be out the door in just 20 minutes.

Packing List for a Year-Long Adventure

When we decided to spend a year traveling around the world, I had to rethink everything—and all my packing anxiety returned. I spent weeks dissecting packing checklists, agonizing over what to bring and what to leave behind.

I read countless travel blogs insisting I needed expensive specialty products; some I bought into, others I dismissed (sometimes wrongly). But I was honest with myself: there are travel items that will simply never make it into my global packing list.

The day we boarded our long-haul flight to start our round-the-world journey, my greatest stress was worrying about what I had in my backpack.

Our full-time travel year became two, and then three. Over that time, my stress over packing melted away. Now, packing no longer worries me; I’m content with what I bring. Since we started our nomadic life in April 2014, my packing list has barely changed—just a few tweaks here and there.

Holiday Packing Checklist

Surprisingly, creating a holiday packing list isn’t much different from building one for long-term trips. Whether you’re heading out of state or across the globe, this sample travel packing list offers a solid guideline for what to pack.

If you’re packing for a long trip—anything more than a week, and definitely for two weeks or more—consider if laundry facilities will be available. This will help keep your luggage load minimal.

Every traveler should tailor their packing checklist to the specific destination. Consider the weather and activities you’ll be doing. Also, decide if you need to bring electronics (like a laptop) and what type of camera to use during your trip.

Ultimate Packing List for Global Travel & Holidays

My packing list rarely changes, but if I add (or drop!) anything, I always update this packing list.

I’ve linked to each item so you can see if it’s right for your own travel packing checklist. I’ve tried to link to the exact products (brand, model, color) I use, but some items are no longer available—where that’s the case, I’ve linked to something similar.

I share my travel list in hopes of helping others build their own holiday packing lists, but remember—packing is highly personal. Above all, my best advice: pack what you feel comfortable in!

TRAVEL CLOTHING

The best starting point for any packing list is clothing.

I pack clothes that are ready for all types of weather; what I brought to Iceland in winter is nearly the same as what I use in Vietnam. My go-to packing list works for most travelers planning a spring trip to California (warm days, cool nights) or autumn in Croatia. But if you’re traveling specifically in summer or winter, customize your list for hot or cold conditions.

If you’re heading for a beach break or an Arctic cruise, you’ll need to adapt the checklist with the right gear for those settings.

Expert Tip: To create a capsule travel wardrobe, choose clothes in the same color palette. This lets you travel light, as you’ll need fewer pieces. Learn more about building a capsule wardrobe and other useful tips in our article Packing Tricks!

Pants, Skirts, Dresses: Packing Tips

My packing checklist includes a variety of pants—jeans, yoga pants, leggings, capris—a skirt, and a skort, but I only bring one or two of each. Minimalist travelers often recommend not packing heavy jeans, but honestly, I love wearing them, so they stay on my holiday list.

One thing I don’t travel with: zip-off convertible pants—they just don’t suit me. While they are great for extreme minimalists or adventure travel, comfort comes first: pack clothing you’ll actually wear.

I brought zip-off pants for my first European trip and hated them because they weren’t stylish (though I’ll admit, styles have improved!).

For mild destinations, I love wearing dresses for long sightseeing days—and they work for cooler weather with leggings and a lightweight hoodie. (That’s why matching everything matters!) My dresses are loose, comfortable, and modest enough for visiting sites like churches and temples.

Long-Sleeve, Short-Sleeve, and Tank Tops: What to Pack

For our first world trip, I underpacked shirts: just one tank, two tees, three long-sleeve tops. Too few! I had to do laundry all the time in every climate. Now I pack more shirts—still keeping things light but saving loads of laundry time.

Pack washable, fast-drying, wrinkle-resistant tops. Pay attention to fabrics: if you need to wash a shirt on the road, you want it to dry quickly and look decent out of your bag.

Underwear, Pajamas, Swimsuits: Packing Tips

Most people either overpack or underpack underwear. Some recommend a pair (or two!) for each day of your trip; minimalists say five pairs can cover any length of trip, since they’re easy to wash and dry. I take eight pairs of underwear and socks, and that’s what I recommend for trips a week or longer.

ExOfficio underwear is popular with travelers, but I found them uncomfortable with poor fit, fading, and snapped elastic. I still bring mine (they were pricey!), but much prefer Fruit of the Loom breathable bikini briefs—better comfort and much cheaper.

Travel Outerwear: Coats, Gloves, Hats, Scarves, Wraps

We travel in all seasons, so I pack a range of hats and gloves. For shorter trips, pick thin or wool—but never both. And, of course, winter clothes are pointless for a beach packing list.

The most versatile thing I pack is my wrap: it doubles as a beach towel, bath towel, picnic blanket, airport throw, and bus pillow. Mine is black, thin, cost about $10—and I use it all the time.

Sadly, I’ve gone through several sunglasses since we started traveling. My original Maui Jim favorites (pricey!) were lost in Ireland. Then, I bought cheap pairs, but they broke quickly. Now, I use affordable polarized sunglasses—good enough, but not a heartbreak if lost. (Though I plan to upgrade to Maui Jim again one day!)

Travel Shoes: Footwear Packing Advice

When it comes to shoes, most travelers can get by with three pairs. Shoes take up space, so don’t bring more than you need. Choose pairs that work with all your outfits, and—most importantly—are comfortable for exploring.

TRAVEL ESSENTIALS LIST

For your toiletries, strike a balance between space-savers and what you’ll actually need. We recommend considering the length of your trip: for less than two weeks, travel-size toiletries are ideal.

That said, you can restock most toiletries anywhere in the world, so replacing them is rarely an issue. For long trips, bring full-size items if needed, but it depends on your destination and replacement costs.

Expert Tip: In many top destinations, sunscreen and shaving cream have shockingly high prices, so it’s smart to stock up beforehand.

Essential Tips for Travel Toiletries

Refillable travel bottles are best for bringing lotions and shampoo—GoToob is a favorite among travelers. If you don’t have travel bottles, many travel toiletries come in handy kits.

I used to bring disposable facial wipes (cut in half or quarters to last longer), but now I just use simple soap to wash my face. I also use soap or hair conditioner for shaving.

Makeup & Accessories for Women: What to Pack

While I list makeup here, I suggest keeping it minimal—pack just the essentials.

Also, ladies, don’t forget feminine products! In some countries—especially in South America and parts of Europe—choices can be limited. If you prefer tampons, pack enough for your trip as they may not be available at your destination.

Travel First-Aid Kit: Packing List Tips

My travel first-aid kit is a must-have. I carry a range of medications (prescription and over-the-counter) for emergencies.

Medication bottles can take up space and it’s tempting to mix pills, but that’s not ideal. I use small, screw-top containers and label each one with a marker. A weekly pill organizer can work well in your travel kit too.

TRAVEL ELECTRONICS

As digital nomads, electronics are essential, but they make travel days a bit more complex. Pack only what you’ll genuinely use!

What We Pack for Travel

What you bring matters as much as how you plan your list. For flights, consider whether to check luggage or go carry-on only—this can greatly affect your packing strategy.

Luggage

We use backpacks instead of suitcases—they’re simply more efficient. Whatever you choose, luggage size and weight are crucial for any packing list, especially to avoid extra fees if you’re flying.

If you want to avoid these fees, stick to travel essentials and skip just-in-case items you can buy at your destination if needed.

Packing Cubes

Packing cubes top our list of must-have travel accessories. Before we went full-time, we splurged on packing cubes and compression bags—one of our best pre-trip purchases ever.

Day Pack

I travel with a crossbody bag that also serves as my carry-on and day pack. On flights, always bring a personal item that fits under the seat.

Travel Documents

Packing the essentials is important—but don’t forget your travel documents!

Tickets and boarding passes, hotel confirmations, and proof of travel insurance should all go in your bag. Don’t forget your driver’s license, credit cards, and cash.

For international travel lists, be sure to have a passport and an International Driving Permit (if required). I strongly suggest including a no-foreign-fee credit card to avoid extra charges. Also, keep copies of important documents separate from the originals—just in case.

Bring your trip planner, accommodation confirmations, and other travel details too.

Specialized Packing List Tips

My Ultimate Travel List covers what I pack for full-time global travel. But if you need a packing list for a two-week trip or a beach vacation, don’t worry—use my core checklist and these tips to tailor your own.

What to Pack for a One-Week Trip: Checklist Tips

A one-week holiday packing checklist isn’t very different from my global packing list. That said, you might want to swap out some items for more destination- and season-appropriate choices.

Instead of packing clothes for all climates, pick seasonal clothing and accessories for your week-long adventure.

For example, if you’re heading somewhere cold, you’ll likely skip capris, shorts, or skirts (though you might still want a dress for an evening out). Instead of simply removing these items, swap them for cold-weather gear, like another pair of jeans or a cozy pair of sweatpants.

For a one-week trip, also determine which electronics and travel gadgets are actually needed. Items like a padlock, sleeping bag, or even a laptop may be unnecessary—leave them behind if you can.

What to Pack for a Two-Week Trip: Checklist Tips

Packing for two weeks isn’t that different from my full list—especially if you’ll have access to laundry mid-trip.

If you won’t have laundry access, you’ll need to pack more clothes or plan to do sink laundry.

That said, you don’t need 14 complete outfits. Pants and sweatshirts layered over different tops can often be worn multiple times without washing.

As you build your two-week travel list, resist the urge to overpack—heavy bags will slow you down!

Beach Vacation Packing List Essentials

Beach holidays require a specialized packing list that’s a little different from the main checklist above.

For dedicated beach getaways, I highly recommend bringing at least two (even three) bathing suits so one can dry between pool or beach sessions.

Your Essential Beach Packing List should include plenty of sunscreen. Bring lots of it (one large bottle to check or two TSA-approved containers ), plus a sun hat for shade. Water shoes, a beach towel, a waterproof phone case, and snorkel gear are also smart additions.

Source: jetsettingfools.com