How many times have you forgotten to pack something? If you’re anything like me, you’ve lost count. Many times this is only a minor inconvenience, but sometimes it can be a real bummer and a costly mistake (ever had to buy sunscreen at an all-inclusive beach resort – $$$ yikes)! So, I’ve put together this vacation packing list. It’s sure to save you time now & headaches later.
I’m going to walk you through literally EVERYTHING you will need to pack for ANY trip you go on from this day forward! But not to worry…I don't expect you to remember ALL of this. I've created an awesome Travel Packing Checklist For Families. Everything is here in an easy-to-use pdf (you can use it over and over)! Grab it FREE by clicking the link below:
Okay, let’s dive in…the items in bold are the things I recommend putting in your carry-on.
Clothing & Shoes
- Panties/Underwear/Bras – Think through your outfits carefully. Need strapless or crisscross bras?
- Socks – Think through your activities & shoes. Need no-show socks, wool socks for cold weather, hiking socks?
- Camisoles/Undershirts
- Tights/Panty Hose – Be sure to check for snags before you pack them.
- Pants/Jeans/Leggings/Shorts/Skirts
- Shirts/Blouses/T-shirts
- Sweaters/Sweatshirts/Fleece
- Dresses/Suits
- Pajamas
- Active Wear/Workout Clothes/Sports Bras – Even if you don't usually workout while on vacation, throw in at least one set of workout clothes. You never know what kind of activities you may decide to do once you get there.
Let me send you printable Pro Packing Tips Every Family Needs for FREE (oh, how I LOVE a good packing tip – and these are AWESOME)! Just sign up here and I’ll email the tips to you! Click the image below:
- Layers For Changing Temperatures
- Compression Socks
- Hats/Caps
- Coat/Jacket/Cardigan
- Scarf
- Rain Jacket/Umbrella
- Belts & Ties
- Travel Day Outfit(s)
- Swimsuit/Swim Shirt
- Swimsuit Cover-Up/Sarong
- Ski/Snow Pants
- Neck Gaiter – This is a must have for cold weather!
- Base Layer/Thermal Underwear – You want them to be warm, but not bulky. The Underarmour Base Layer options are my favorites.
- Ear Warmers/Earmuffs – My ears get cold fast & then they hurt. I never go anywhere cold without this one!
- Gloves & Glove Liners
- Jewelry – Plan your clothes first & then select jewelry for each outfit.
- Flats
- Heels/Wedges
- Flip-Flops
- Sandals
- Tennis Shoes/Sneakers
- Comfortable Walking Shoes
- Hiking Boots – These are my ABSOLUTE favorite! I’ve had the same pair for several years and they are comfortable & durable. I’ll never buy another kind.
- Snow Boots
- Water Shoes
- House Shoes/Slippers
- Ski Boots – We typically go skiing every other year. I used to rent boots. The padding in rental boots is almost non-existent. By the end of four days of skiing, my feet were killing me and my shins were banged up and it was extremely painful. After a bunch of research, I decided to take the plunge and buy my own boots. WOW!!! What a difference! The padding in new boots is like nothing you have experienced before. If you ski often and have had similar issues, BUY YOUR OWN. Since I love my Salomon hiking boots so much, I decided to buy Salomon ski boots as well! Specifically, I have the Salomon Quest Access boots.
Check out my article Packing Hacks You Never Knew for some great packing tips! And, if you are looking for a great carry-on, check out The Best Carry-On Bag for a Woman.
Toiletries
- Body Wash/Soap
- Face Wash
- Razor & Shaving Cream
- Pumice
- Facial Loofah – These are my absolute favorite!
- Loofah/Towels/Washcloths – Some Airbnb/VRBO rentals do not provide towels (most do, but some don’t so make sure you read the fine print). Also, in many parts of the world, they do not provide washcloths.
- Make-Up
- Moisturizer
- Tweezers
- Night Cream
- Blemish Cream – This one is a family favorite of ours. You only need a tiny amount, so this little tube lasts FOREVER.
- Eye Cream
- Fake Eye Lashes – I’m not typically a “fake lash” kind of girl. But, while on a girls' trip to NYC, my friend wanted us all to wear them just for fun. I could not believe how much better we all looked in the pictures we took! You couldn’t really tell we had fake lashes on, but our eyes popped!
- Face Cleansing Towelettes – I use these because they don't leave behind that greasy feel. I carry some in my carry-on when on a long flight. It’s nice to be able to freshen up along the way.
- Brush/Comb
- Hair Ties/Clips/Bobby Pins
- Shampoo/Conditioner
- Dry Shampoo
- Hair Products
- Hair Dryer – Check out the places you’ll be staying. You might be able to leave this behind.
- Flat Iron/Curing Iron
- Toothbrush/Paste/Floss/Mouthwash
- Q-tips/Cotton Swabs
- Deodorant
- Chafing Stick – This is great for bra lines, shoes that might rub, etc.
- Body Lotion
- Nail File/Clippers
- Feminine Products
- Poo-pourri Spray – In case you aren’t familiar…it’s a spray that you spray into the toilet before you go. It really helps with…um…unpleasant odors. It can really come in handy on the plane or in a hotel room. This is the perfect size to carry with you.
- Travel Mirror
- Perfume/Cologne
- Nail Polish & Remover – If it’s a short weekend trip, you may not need this, but if it’s a long one, you might want to throw it in.
Traveling with little ones?
Not to worry! My friend Jen over at turningintomommy.com has you covered! Jen will help you navigate every part of your new journey as Mommy, including the additional planning and packing required.
Check out her post Tips for Traveling With Babies & Young Kids to see what else you need to pack and what you need to know about traveling with your littles!
Medications
- Motion Sickness Medicine – HERE is a list of 20 different remedies to try.
- Prescription Medications
- Allergy Medicine
- Pain/Headache Medicine
- Birth Control/Condoms
- Pain Relief Cream – I really like this one. It’s made with essential oils & these little packets are perfect for traveling.
- Antacid
- Eye Drops – Many people have trouble with their eyes drying out and getting red when flying.
- Diarrhea/Constipation Medicine – I know. We’d rather not think about it. But, you certainly don’t want to need it and not have it!
- Vitamins & Essential Oils
- Sleep Aid – A friend recommended this one to me. It works great, it’s all natural & it doesn’t leave me feeling sluggish the next morning. Plus, as long as you have three hours that you can sleep, you can take it. So it’s great for flights or if you wake up in the middle of the night & can’t sleep.
Documents
- Boarding Passes – I always have them on my phone AND printed out just in case you lose one or the other or can’t access the items on your phone. After all, you could easily drop your phone in the toilet (sadly yes, I’ve done that).
- Passport/Visa & Personal Identification
- Credit/Debit Cards
- Insurance Cards (Medical/Dental/Vision)
- Map of Destination & Guidebook
- Itinerary – I recommend typing up an itinerary including flight info, hotels, rental car info, activities/excursions, check-in times, check-out times, addresses, phone numbers, etc.
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- Flight/Hotel/Rental Car Information/Confirmations – You will probably be able to access most of this on your phone, but I always print it out as well. Refer to the toilet incident described in #81 above.
- Tickets/Passes to Events & Activities
- Train Tickets/Passes
- Travel Insurance Information
- Travel Journal – Each evening, I will make notes about where we went & what we did that day. I make a point to mention anything that really stood out as especially interesting, fun, funny and/or different from what we are used to. It’s especially fun if you can get the whole family involved and make note of specific things your kids say. It’s a great way to capture your memories.
- Emergency Contact Info
Technology
- Phone & Charger
- Tablet/Laptop/E-Reader & Chargers
- Headphones/Ear Pods & Splitter
- Portable Phone Charger – I’ve used this one several times. It holds enough charge to charge your phone up to four times!
- Noise-Cancelling Headphones
- Outlet Converter/All-In-One Adapter
- Camera/Go Pro/Charger/SD Cards/Etc.
- Camera Accessories (tripod, selfie stick, etc.)
Miscellaneous
- Duct Tape – This stuff can be used for so many things!
- Sunglasses
- First Aid Kit
- Sunscreen & Bug Spray – Make sure you choose “reef-safe” sunscreen if you are headed to the beach (Most sunscreen has stuff in it that will kill the coral). Here is the one we used on a recent trip to Hawaii. It quickly became a family favorite because it doesn’t feel heavy or greasy (unless you apply a ton of it at once) and it really works.
- Purses/Handbags
- Swiss Army Knife – Only pack this in your checked bag.
- Eyeglasses/Case/Cleaner
- Contact Lenses/Case/Solution
- Laundry Bag
- Tissues
- Stain Remover – This is perfect the perfect stain remover for traveling!
- Travel Sewing Kit
- Plastic Grocery/Trash/Ziploc Bags – These can come in especially handy if you have wet or really dirty items you have to pack up at the end of your trip. You can also use them to wrap up breakable souvenirs.
- House/Car Keys
- Writing Pens – Take a few.
- Collapsible Water Bottle – Once you get past the security checkpoint, you can fill it up.
- Money Belt/Cross-Body Purse – I use a cross-body purse on travel days and then I’ll just pack a cute purse or handbag if needed.
- Laundry Soap
- Books/Magazines
- Chewing Gum & Snacks
- Hand Sanitizer & Wipes
- Travel Pillow & Blanket – This travel pillow was recommended to me by a flight attendant friend & it is AWESOME!
- Travel Foot Hammock – Another flight attendant recommendation that I love. If you are tall, you probably won’t need one, but if you're short like me, you will love it too!
- Lip Balm
- Backpack/Beach Bag – This is my preferred travel backpack. It’s so light weight! I use it on every trip as my carry on!!
- Cash – NEVER put cash in your checked bag. It will likely disappear.
- Sleep Mask
- Ear Plugs
- Games/Toys/Puzzles – Take a look at Travel Gifts for Kids of All Ages for a few things your young travelers would love (great ideas for little kids up to tweens/teens). Also, check out my top recommendations for ride-on luggage for kids – it make that time spent at airports so much more fun!
- Beach Towels
- Snorkel Equipment/Swimming Goggles
- Hiking Stick/Pole – Obviously you aren’t going to pack a long stick, but there are several fold-up options that are easy to pack.
- Flashlight/Headlamp
- Binoculars
- Skis, Helmet & Goggles
- Binder Clips/Clothes Pins – These can be used for several things including chip clips!
- Golf Clubs
- Portable Luggage Scale – Avoid having to open all your luggage and move things around at the last minute!
There you have it! Everything you will need to pack for your next trip! Now, don't forget to sign up to get your free Pro Packing Tips!
Until next time…
Until next time…
About The Author
My mission is to inspire and empower families to prioritize travel now, creating unforgettable memories and deeper connections with their loved ones.
I provide guidance and practical solutions to help busy parents integrate travel into their lives, fostering joy, fulfillment, and stress-free adventures. Don’t wait until it’s too late; the time to travel is now.
Learn more about me & My Travel Obsession here.
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- What To Pack – See all of my personal favorite travel items.
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🏡FOR FINDING GREAT PLACES TO STAY:
- VRBO – My #1 recommendation for family-friendly lodging options.
- Expedia – My favorite for hotel bookings.
🚗FOR CAR & RV RENTALS:
- Discover Cars & Sixt – My favorite sites for rental cars worldwide.
- Turo.com – Rent a car from an individual owner – It's like VRBO for cars!
- RVShare – Rent an RV for your next family road trip!
🚁FOR ACTIVITIES, EXCURSIONS, & TOURS:
- Viator & Get Your Guide – The best sites to find and book activities & excursions.
- Gypsy Guide – An AWESOME audio tour app. ALWAYS check to see if they have a tour available.
🩺FOR TRAVEL INSURANCE:
- SafetyWing – The lowest-cost travel insurance out there. Several options starting as low as $42 for 4 weeks of coverage.
✈FOR FINDING GREAT FLIGHT DEALS:
- Going (formerly Scott's Cheap Flights) – My #1 recommendation for saving big $$$ on flights. Sign up for a free 14-day trial.
🥾FOR HIKING:
- AllTrails – THE APP for hikers. I recommend paying for the pro version so you can use the navigation feature while hiking.
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I have looked at literally thousands of packing lists and always found something lacking but……. Yours is perfect, I can stop looking now. Trying to pack and not over pack or forget anything, by the time the trip is here I’m too tired to go. 😉 Thank you so much, veronica
C
Oh Veronica! This makes me so happy! I am so glad that you found my packing lists so helpful. I honestly use them too every time I need to pack for a trip. Thank you so much for your kind words.