It’s 2022, and we have not been on holidays for quite some time! While it’s always been important to try to plan your packing ahead of a vacation, now after some enforced time away from our favorite travel destinations, it’s never been more essential.
Our ultimate vacation packing list, below, should help you to make the most of your next trip — and ensure you don’t arrive short of something essential!
With the travel check lists below, you can be sure you’ve considered all eventualities before you set off on your next vacation.
Table of Contents
Our Vacation Packing List
Clothes to Pack
You’ll need to modify the exact clothing, to account for the weather and style of vacation you are taking, but the below list should ensure you account for all the different items you’ll need on most trip types.
- Underwear (minimum one for each day – plus a spare for flying / travel days)
- Socks (one pair per day, plus spares)
- Bras (consider occasions & washing facilities)
- Sleepwear / Pyjamas (consider communal vs private space & washing facilities)
- T-shirts
- Dress Shirts
- Casual Shirts
- Jeans
- Pants / Trousers
- Shorts
- Dresses
- Skirts
- Sweaters
- Sweatshirts
- Suits
- Swimsuits
- Cover-ups
- Coats
- Hats
- Gloves
- Scarves
- Laundry Kit
- Umbrella
- Leisure Shoes
- Hiking Boots
- Sneakers
- Snow Boots
- Dress Shoes
- Sandals
- Belts
- Ties
- Jewelry
- Purses / handbags
- Collapsible Tote (always useful to have a large all-purpose bag)
Many of the items above are dependant on holiday type and if there will be formal events taking place, but the list should help you to remember these items!
Toiletries to Pack for Bathroom
Grab your wash-bags ladies and gents, and check off from the following:
- Contact Lenses
- Contact Solution
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Hair Brush
- Pain Relievers
- Period Products
- Birth Control
- Dental Floss
- Soap
- Deodorant
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Styling Tools
- Facial Cleanser
- Face Lotion
- Sunscreen
- Moisturizer
- Shaving Supplies
- Makeup
- Makeup Remover
- Medication
- Nail File
- Nail Clippers
- Tweezers
- Hand Sanitizer
- Bandages
- First-Aid Ointment
- Insect Repellent
- Vitamins
Additional Important Travel Items
The next lot of items can be placed into a laptop bag, as it’s mostly documents and electrical items (chargers etc) its difficult to be without. Its possible to carry these onto the plane with you.
- Copy of Passport & Driving Licence
- Electronic Chargers
- Cellular Phone
- Laptop & Tablet computer
- Spare Film
- Memory Cards
- USB stick
- List of Medications
- Banking Contacts & Information
- Emergency Contacts
- Travel Plug Adapter
Carry On Bag(s) Packing List
Where possible, take two carry on bags – one is a small laptop bag with the above items in it, and the other is a backpack or wheeled suitcase containing the following list:
- Passport / Visa/ ID (driving licence)
- In-Flight Medications
- Cash
- Credit / ATM / Debit cards
- Insurance Cards
- Itinerary
- Maps / Directions (for arrival destination)
- House Keys
- Face Masks
- Books or E-Books (I have these on tablet and phone)
- Headphones
- Travel Blanket
- Travel Pillow
- Eye Mask
- Earplugs
- Tissues
- Lip Balm
- Disinfecting Wipes
- Change of Clothes (including spare kids clothing)
- Snacks
- Empty Water Bottle
- Valuables
- Camera
- Hand Sanitizer
- Gum
- Glasses
- Sunglasses
Try to download maps onto your phone for your arrival destination, in case of connection issues on arrival – in particular consider getting directions from airport to hotel, and try to understand where you will be connecting from (bus, train, taxi or transfer – or car hire) so you don’t need to think about this too much on arrival.
Other things which may be a factor include your choice of venue – hotel stays are different from self catering, and you’ll want to consider slightly different things. If you’ll be responsible for shopping and meal times, you may like to research local stores near a self catering stay before you head off, and if you’re travelling in a car, be sure to arrive with some fresh milk, tea or coffee, or anything you feel you couldn’t be without on arrival at a self catering venue!
When it comes down to it, most things you don’t need every day can be purchased, so you need really to hold your passport and your payment cards close, and put a quick change of clothes into a bag which is always with you, and you’ll be able to handle almost anything travel can throw at you (like lost hold luggage) with relative ease.
Remember to have a great vacation!
Please leave a comment, below, if there’s something you consider essential which is not in this list above!