One of the most important aspects of planning a trip, whether it be a short weekend getaway or a month-long trip abroad, is creating a holiday packing list.
More often than not, it can be a bit overwhelming to determine what to pack for a trip. Sometimes, an entire vacation can be ruined due to poor planning of packing for a trip. This is where a well-laid out travel packing list comes into play.
Say, for example, you are going on a three-day tour that includes trips to waterfalls and beaches. And, you forget to bring a waterproof sling bag to carry an extra pair of clothes, sunscreen lotion and towels while visiting the waterfall or beach. You will be at the destination but won’t be able to enjoy it to the fullest!
To help you avoid such scenarios, we have come up with the ultimate holiday packing list to make things easier for you.
Here’s your ultimate holiday packing list
Travel packing list – Choosing the right bag
- Carry-on bags – For short getaways
- Travel backpacks – For multiple shorts trips
- Rolling luggage – For comfort and no back pain
- Duffle bags – For medium trips
- Trolley bags – The solution for long vacations
What to put in your holiday packing list
- Clothing – Travel packing list basics
- Toiletries – The essentials in you packing list for travel
- Electronics, documents and more – The extras in your holiday packing checklist
Travel packing list – Choosing the right bag
To get started in the right direction, remember that deciding on your packing trip for travel will largely depend on the type of bag you’ll be using.
Each bag type has a particular purpose and can make travelling, staying organized, and getting around easier. It also helps visualize how your things will be arranged when creating your holiday packing checklist.
Hence, before we get into the things to brings on vacation, we’ll first cover which type of bag you should consider depending on the trip you’ll be taking.
Carry-on bags – Perfect luggage for short getaways
Luggage comes in all shapes and sizes, and we are sure you must have come across many travellers who could use an organized travel packing checklist.
You don’t need a mountain of bulky suitcases if you’re taking a short weekend trip. Consider just bringing a carry-on bag. You’ll save time and money at check-in, airlines can’t lose your luggage, and it feels liberating to have all you need in just one bag.
READ MORE: How to pack your carry on bag for a short trip
Travel backpacks – when taking multiple short trips in a single holiday
A travel backpack is larger than a carry-on and tends to have many useful compartments for storing more items from your travel packing list. It is easy to carry these bags around too, and they are durable.
So, if you are planning to cover multiple cities in a country or move around a lot during a holiday, keep a travel backpack in mind when preparing your holiday packing checklist.
READ MORE: How to roll clothes for packing
Rolling luggage – To avoid hurting your back
If you don’t feel like hauling all your gear on your back, you can get yourself some luggage with wheels. Just make sure you know where you’re going and if the roads are smooth enough. Otherwise, you might find yourself carrying your heavy luggage down a cobblestone road!
This is something you need to check at the planning stage when making a travel packing checklist. See, if the place you are going to is roller-bag-friendly or not, and then decide accordingly.
Duffle bags – Lightweight, simple solution for short to medium trips
Prepare your packing list for travel and if it seems feasible to fit everything in a duffle bag- go for it!
You can throw your belongings over your shoulder, and if you still prefer the wheels, you can always add some detachables on the bag.
Trolley bags – Ideal packing solution for long vacations
If you are planning a long vacation, you will need an extensive holiday packing list. To pack everything properly, one of the best options is going for big trolley bags that come with wheels and are easy to carry.
It can accommodate every item from your long travel packing list, and an added benefit with trolleys is that your clothes don’t get too wrinkled in transit.
READ MORE: 5 things to never pack in your checked baggage
What should your holiday packing list look like
The basics – Clothing
When it comes to packing for holidays, the popular motto is less is more. But when travelling to cold places, wearing shorts and a tee just won’t cut it. It is essential to be prepared for different temperatures and occasions when considering what to pack for vacation. Pack smart and mix and match your belongings.
Here are some travel essentials to get you started on your holiday packing list.
- Underwear (most important)
- Socks
- T-shirts
- Long-sleeve shirt / sweater
- Lightweight, easy to wash clothing that can be layered
- Pants / shorts
- Belt
- Comfortable walking shoes / flip-flops
- Dress / skirts
- Swimsuit
- Sunglasses / Hat
- Dirty clothes bag
READ MORE: How to pack a suit for travel
The essentials – Toiletries
Some things can be bought at the place you’re visiting, sometimes cheaper than what you’d normally pay. However, when it comes to personal hygiene, here are some essentials that you must include in your holiday packing list.
- Shampoo / soap
- Toothbrush / toothpaste / floss
- Nail-clippers
- Shaver / razor
- Lotion / sunscreen
- Deodorant
- Comb
- Prescription medication
- Face wash
- Q-tips
- Travel towel
READ MORE: Travel essentials for women, a packing list for the female traveller
The extras – Electronics, travel documents, and more
Having your phone with you can make all the difference, and it’s something you don’t want to miss out on when making your holiday packing checklist.
Travel documents, such as your passport and having the right currency to pay for things is crucial to getting around. Here are some additional things to consider adding to your travel packing list.
- Cell phone / charger
- Adaptor (if needed)
- Headphones
- Charging cables
- Laptop
- Battery bank
- Kindle
- Camera
- Passport
- Visa (if necessary)
- Local currency (cash)
- Credit cards
- Reservations and itineraries
- Emergency contacts
- Hotel info
- Travel / Health insurance info
- Water bottle
- Travel pillow
That’s a wrap!
We’re sure there might be many other items missing from these travel packing lists, but the focus shouldn’t be worrying about what you forgot to pack, instead on the journey ahead.
Many travellers over-pack and find themselves getting rid of stuff they shouldn’t have brought in the first place. This guide will hopefully help you remember how to pack a suitcase with the travel essentials to make your next trip enjoyable.
Keep in mind that finding items you may have forgotten has never been easier. So don’t worry if you feel like you haven’t packed enough. This year, think of some good family vacation ideas and plan a few memorable unusual family vacations.
