LAST UPDATED: 4/19/23 – Travel Packing Check List
Packing is one of the most important things that you will do to prepare for your trip. How well you pack can often times be the difference between a stress-free trip and a nightmare.
Forget your passport, important medication, or an essential piece of clothing or gear and you could be left scrambling to find a replacement instead of relaxing or exploring.
Even if you don’t forget to pack something important, over-packing, not following airport security guidelines or customs regulations, or losing your luggage or gear can an equally stressful experience.
So, before you print off my travel packing check list and start packing, I have included a short video below that covers my Top 10 Packing Tips for travelers that you can review to make sure you are prepared.
Watch My Top Ten Travel Packing Tips
My Ultimate Packing Checklist
Forgetting something when traveling can end up being anything from an inconvenience to a showstopper. To help you avoid forgetting the big things that can quickly derail an international trip, I have created this guide with checklists to help you make sure you don’t leave anything behind. If you would like to print my travel packing check list off to use for your trip, I have created a printable version of this guide for you to print and use.
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Step 1: Picking the Right Bag |
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Step 2: Pack Your Suitcase |
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Step 3: Pack Your Toiletry Bag |
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Step 4: Pack Your Camera Gear and Electronics |
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Step 5: Organize Your Travel Docs |
Step 1 – Picking the Right Bag
The type of bag you bring will ultimately depend on what type of trip you are taking. If you are planning a quick weekend trip, a smaller carry-on bag will probably suffice. If you are planning to backpack across Europe, a travel or hiking backpack will probably be your best option. For those long trips involving multiple airport stops, a roller bag really comes in handy. Below are some of the bag options you have to choose from and what the pros and cons of using each are.
Rolling Bags
A rolling bag is great for those longer trips where you are going to be taking multiple flights during your trip or you are going to be rolling your bag between train transfers. They also come in multiple different sizes so you can find the right size for your needs.
Duffle Bags
Duffle bags aren’t as convenient for longer trips where you have to lug your bag around multiple airports or between train switches, but they can be great bags for shorter trips or to use as a carry-on bag.
Travel Backpack
If you are going to be spending a significant amount of time on the road and will be visiting multiple different destinations, then the best type of bag for you to use will undoubtedly be a travel backpack. These are the most convenient to transport around and give you the most amount of flexibility.
Step 2 – Pack Your Suitcase
When packing your suitcase, it is important to remember to pack lightweight clothes that can be worn in layers. This will give you a lot of flexibility on attire depending on the weather you encounter. For more tips on how to pack your suitcase, please refer to my article on the 10 Packing Tips That Every Traveler Should Follow.
Once you are ready to start packing your bag, you can use the travel packing check list below to make sure that you have everything you need.
 | Long-sleeved Shirts |
| Short-sleeved Shirts |
| Fleece or Heavier Shirt (if traveling to cooler location) |
| Pants and/or Shorts |
| Dresses or Skirts |
| Belt or Money Belt for Cool Money Protection Option |
| Socks (wool socks are best for hiking) |
| Underwear |
| Base Layer (if traveling to colder climate) |
| Warm Jacket/Gloves/Hat (if traveling to cooler location) |
| Rain Jacket or Rain Poncho (these are great travel options) |
| Swimsuit |
| Pajamas or Sleepwear |
| Walking or Hiking Shoes |
| Sandals |
| Baseball/Safari/Sun Hat if traveling to Hot Location |
| Sunglasses and Case |
| Jewelry (organized in travel jewelry organizer) |
Step 3 – Pack Your Toiletry Bag
The next step is to make sure your toiletry bag is organized. To help make sure you have everything you need packed, I have included a travel packing check list for you to use below.
| Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Mouthwash, and Dental Floss |
| Hair Brush |
| Deodorant |
| Shampoo, Conditioner, and Bodywash |
| Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Mouthwash, and Dental Floss |
| Makeup (packed in a travel makeup bag) |
| Sunscreen and Aloe vera |
| Lip Balm |
| Glasses cleaner and/or Contact Solution |
| Feminine Hygiene Products |
| Lotion or Moisturizer |
| Medications |
| Glasses Repair Kit |
Step 4 – Pack Your Camera Gear and Electronics
Now that you have your suitcase and toiletry bags packed, it is time to pack your electronics. To help make sure you have everything you need packed, I have included a travel packing check list for you to use below. If you would like some more in-depth advice on what photography gear to pack, check out my 18 Essential Pieces of Gear for Traveling Photographers.
| Cell Phone |
| Cell Phone Charger |
| Backup Cell Phone Charger |
| Tablet (loaded with your favorite movies and music) |
| Tablet Charger |
| Headphones (these Beats wireless headphones are amazing) |
| Camera |
| Backup Camera (if you are serious about photography) |
| Lenses (I recommend a wide-angle and zoom lens) |
| Camera Batteries (I recommend multiple backups) |
| Camera Battery Charger |
| Lens Hoods |
| Battery Grip |
| GPS Attachment (if your camera supports it isn’t built-in) |
| Lens Filters (I recommend a polarizing filter) |
| Camera Bag (I recommend a Lowepro Camera Backpack) |
| Travel Cable Organizer |
| Portable Charger |
| Necessary International Power Converters |
Step 5 – Organize Your Travel Documents
The last step in your travel process is to organize your travel documents. This includes things like your passport, your travel VISAs, immunization records, and so forth. This is stuff that you definitely don’t want to forget, or it could derail your trip really quick. To help make sure you have everything you need packed, I have included a travel packing check list for you to use below.
| Passports |
| Driver’s Licenses (and international driver’s license if necessary) |
| Necessary VISAs |
| Currency Exchanged |
| Notified Credit Card Companies of Travel |
| Itinerary and Reservation Details (including tour vouchers) |
| Photo Copy of Passports Left at Home |
| Overseas Phone Plan(s) (If Necessary) |
| Necessary Travel Vaccinations |
| Medications |
| Register with Smart Traveler Program |
| Travel Insurance and Medical and Dental Insurance Cards |
If there is something that you think should be added to this list, please leave us a suggestion in the comments section. We love getting your feedback!
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