Skip to Content

The Ultimate Vacation Packing List: 50+ Essentials You Need

Sharing is caring!

This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you book or buy something through one of these links, we may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. Learn more

Our vacation packing list gives you the ultimate checklist of everything you need to travel safely, smartly, and with style.

Download this entire checklist in PDF format at the end of this article, for you to print, check, and take with you on your travels. That way, you’ll have a record of everything you’re traveling with, and won’t forget any essentials.

Travel Documents

1 – Passport

An RFID-blocking passport holder is a great addition to keep your passport safe and accounted for. Some people also like to make photocopies of their passports, just in case.

2 – Documents Required at Destination

Some customs agents are not overly keen on digital documents shown on your phone. Try to print your key documents off before traveling, if possible, including:

  • pre-travel test,
  • vaccine certificate,
  • recovery certificate,
  • hotel confirmation or Airbnb receipt for your quarantine, if needed, of course.

3 – Travel Insurance

Don’t take the risk, even for short trips. Be sure to check the fine print of your insurance and the specifics of what you are covered for.

Aggregator websites often list by best price, rather than all essentials you selected. For travel medical insurance, consider SafetyWing for your next trip.

4 – Driver’s License

While not all driver’s licenses are valid abroad, this can double up as an important document to verify your identity. As always, check your destination to see if your driver’s license is valid for driving.

5 – Rental Car Confirmation

Have this document on hand, ready for when you get to the rental station. If you’re new to renting a car abroad, our rental car guide for Europe is packed with plenty of tips and things to be aware of.

6 – Trip Itinerary

Our travel binder gives you over 30 pages of printables to document and plan your trip. That way, you won’t waste time on trip last-minute planning and wasting time.

7 – Travel Documents Organizer

Why spend time combing through scrumped-up papers in your carry-on? Keep all your documents in one safe place with a travel documents organizer.

8 – Cash & Cards

Try to exchange cash before you fly, and use your cards for backup. Airports, in particular, will give you a very poor exchange rate once you land.

Related: How to Get the Best Exchange Rate When Traveling

A top-up card can not only give you a better exchange rate at ATMs, it can also act as an invaluable barrier between your cash and your home bank account.

9 – List of Emergency Contacts

Need a printable for this? Our travel binder, mentioned above, has you covered.

10 – Copies of Travel Docs

Particularly for documents such as passports and driver’s licenses that can’t be printed, it’s a great idea to scan them in and print off copies at home. Add them to your travel document organizer, for peace of mind.

2022 Must-Haves

11 – Face Mask

In the airport, and on flights, you will sometimes have to wear your mask for several hours at a time. The N95 mask is a good choice if you can get one. The important thing is to choose a mask you will be comfortable wearing. Before flying, try wearing one at home for long periods of time.

12 – Hand Sanitizer

It is easy to find hand sanitizer under 100ml that you can bring on the plane. This one has a clip too, that can be easily attached to a rucksack strap.

13 – Latex Gloves

Particularly when using the toilet, several packs of latex gloves are essential to travel with. Once used, you can simply discard them.

14 – Airplane Seat Cover

As most airplane seats are padded with fabric, spraying and wiping them down is often not an option. This is where an airplane seat cover can really come in handy.

15 – Antibacterial Wipes

Great to have on hand to wipe down taps, toilet seats, armrests, airplane trays, and any other hard services you’ll encounter, both in the airport and on the plane.

Tech & Electronics

16 – Laptop & Charger

You’ll quickly discover conventional laptops can be very heavy to carry. Ultraportable laptops are ideal if you have to do some work while traveling. Also consider a padded sleeve to protect your laptop when stowed in your carry-on, or if your rucksack doesn’t have a laptop pouch.

17 – Phone & Charger

Remember to turn off data roaming when you board the flight. Once you arrive and turn airplane mode off, you can rack up heavy charges in seconds in other countries.

A protective phone case is a worthy investment, as your phone is such an important device. And consider a second cable charger, particularly as iPhone cables often fray and break.

18 – Portable Battery

Portable batteries are a lifesaver on long flights. This device can give you hours of additional charge if you want to use your phone or device to listen to music or watch movies. Remember to fully charge it the night before.

19 – Multi-Charger

Rather than having to travel with multiple cables, use a multi-charger cable. Not only will you save space, but you can also charge and use all your devices from one solitary point, using one travel adapter.

20 – Travel Adapter

Universal adapters are a great choice over single-purpose adapters. Such a device allows you to charge from nearly any country in the world. But wherever you go, you absolutely need one.

And we recommend getting one that comes with a universal power strip like Mogics or Bestek.

21 – Noise-Cancelling Headphones

Great for remote working, sleeping on flights, and relaxing. If headphones are too bulky for your carry-on, you can also consider noise-canceling earbuds.

We own and love using the Bose QuietComfort 20 noise-canceling in-ear headphones. Bose have some newer models, including these Quiet Comfort earbuds, if you’d rather go wireless.

22 – GoPro

What is great about GoPro is that you can take it literally anywhere. It’s a worthy investment if you want to snap from pools, beaches, hikes, and any outdoor activities. That way you put your phone, or an expensive SRL/DSRL, at less risk. There are some great accessories for it too.

23 – Travel Speaker

Find a travel speaker that is waterproof, with wifi or BlueTooth connectivity. We own and travel with the Wonderboom speaker from Ultimate Ears.

Comfort

24 – Travel Pillow

If you invest in a quality travel pillow, not the cheap ones found at airport, they can really help you relax and sleep on flights, buses, and cars. Head over to our guide to the best travel pillows to find a pillow that’s right for you.

25 – Lounge Pass

The airport lounge can make travel are far more pleasurable experience. If you travel often, a lounge pass can be a sound investment. Our guide on how to get airport lounge access will give you more information.

26 – Sleeping Mask

If you are sensitive to light, sleeping on a flight can be really difficult. With a comfortable design, sleeping masks can really help you get some shut-eye on long flights.

27 – Earplugs

As with sleeping masks, cheap, conventional earplugs rarely work. Take some time to find a design that works for you, and earplugs will drastically reduce noise on flights.

28 – Water Bottle

You can fill up a collapsible water bottle using a free water fountain after security checks before you board. That way, you can stay hydrated throughout your flight.

Related: Best Water Filters and Water Purifiers for Travel

29 – Travel Blanket

Look for a travel blanket that packs up into a pouch. That way, you can attach it to your carry-on without taking up space. A/C in particular on long flights can make the plane very cold, so it’s always good to have a blanket that covers the length of your body.

30 – Anti-Nausea Bands

Ideal if motion or pressure changes on flights make you feel nauseous. Anti-nausea bands are so simple to use, you’ll barely notice them on your wrist.

Entertainment

31 – Fire TV Stick

Most hotels and AirBnBs today are equipped with TVs that have at the very least HDMI compatibility. A Fire TV Stick allows you to watch Netflix, Prime, Disney+, YouTube, and plenty of other services, all from one place. All this highly portable device needs is an internet connection, HDMI port, and electrical socket connection.

32 – Kindle Paperwhite

Reading is a great way to relax and pass free time. A Kindle Paperwhite is a super lightweight device that allows you to access all your downloaded titles offline. The device does not emit blue light, so you won’t feel eye strain after a short amount of time.

33 – Travel Journal

Travel journaling can be very therapeutic in your downtime, encouraging you to write down thoughts, feelings, and ideas. Our travel binder includes travel journal pages you can print out.

Packing

34 – Weekender Bag

It’s a great idea to pack a smaller weekender bag in your luggage. That way you don’t need to lug a carry-on around for a day trip or weekend away, while on vacation. Our guide to the best daypacks can give you plenty of advice.

35 – Carry On

Your carry-on needs to strike the perfect balance between comfort, space, and style. If you’re worried about your carry-on ending up in checked luggage, our guide to the best underseat carry-on luggage will help you. In addition, wheeled backpacks may also be a good choice for you.

36 – Checked Suitcase

Always choose function over style with suitcases. Suitcases get battered, so don’t get precious about how your suitcase looks. Choose one that is easy to push and designed to withstand heavy collisions. Our guide to luggage sets will give you more information.

37 – Packing Cubes

Some debate that packing cubes don’t save space, but purely for the organization alone, they are worth it. Our guide to the best packing cubes will give you lots of information about products, and how to use them.

38 – Clothes

Use our clothes checklist to help you pack for your vacation, and leave no stone unturned:

  • Tops
  • Shorts
  • Jeans and/or Pants
  • Leggings
  • Skirts
  • Dresses
  • Sweaters
  • Jackets
  • Rain Jacket
  • Swimsuit
  • Workout Clothes
  • Pajamas
  • Underwear
  • Socks

39 – Accessories

Likewise with our clothes list, our accessories list can help you pack appropriately for your vacation:

  • Hats
  • Sunglasses
  • Belts
  • Scarves
  • Purses

40 – Shoes

It is a good idea to pack a pair of casual shoes, a pair of going-out shoes, and if you workout, a pair of training shoes. That set of three should cover you for most activities and scenarios.

  • Flip Flops
  • Sandals
  • Flats
  • Heels
  • Wedges
  • Tennis Shoes

41 – Toiletries Bag & Toiletries

Get yourself a large toiletries bag, and be sure to pack your essentials. If you use specific shampoos, deodorants, or other toiletries, it can be so difficult to find certain items abroad. Don’t take the risk: the list below can help you:

  • Solid Shampoo
  • Solid Conditioner
  • Shower Gel and/or Soap
  • Deodorant
  • Toothpaste
  • Toothbrush
  • Floss
  • Face Wash
  • Moisturizer
  • Lip Balm
  • Perfume/Cologne
  • Sunscreen
  • Aftersun lotion
  • Razor
  • Feminine Hygiene Products
  • Nail Clippers & File
  • Tweezers

42 – Medication

Likewise to toiletries, medication should be taken seriously. Pharmacies in other countries may not be open on weekends or it may be difficult to explain your symptoms in another language.

Pack any medication you need, which may include medication for:

  • Prescriptions
  • Pain Relief
  • Birth Control
  • Allergy Medication
  • Antacids
  • First-Aid Kit
  • Insect Repellent
  • Vitamins

43 – Beauty

Particularly for getaways and evenings at bars and restaurants, you will want to look your best and feel great. Our list can help you remember essential beauty accessories:

  • Makeup
  • Makeup Remover
  • Hair Dryer
  • Hair Straightener
  • Curling Iron
  • Hairbrush
  • Hairstyling Products

44 – Glasses/Contacts

Always carry a spare pair of glasses. Make sure both pairs are packed into their provided glasses cases. If you wear contacts, bring more than you need for the duration of the vacation.

45 – Jewelry Travel Case & Jewelry

Many leave expensive jewelry at home out of fear of loss or damage. A jewelry travel case is an excellent way to carry jewelry in a safe way. Our guide on how to pack necklaces while traveling, along with other jewelry, has plenty of smart tips to follow.

Miscellaneous

46 – Money Belt

Money belts have come a long way from the stereotypical bulky belt of the nineties. Nowadays, there are plenty of clever designs out there. Check out our guide to the best money belts for more information.

47 – Snacks

Aim for high-protein foods, and try to avoid foods with lots of added sugar. A bag of almonds, cashews, or trail mix are good choices.

48 – Sewing Repair Kit

A sewing repair kit is simple to pack and stops you from having to go out and buy new clothes. Rips and tears are common when you’re constantly out and about and moving.

49 – Stain Remover Stick

This stain remover from Tide is a great little accessory to remove coffee, wine, and other stains from clothes, hotel sheets, and carpet floors. We’ve used it countless times when traveling. If you act fast, you can not only save your favorite clothes, you can also avoid disagreements and fines at hotels and AirBnBs.

50 – Eyeglass Repair Kit

Essential to pack if you don’t use contacts. The screws used to connect the temples to the frames are so tiny, conventional screwdrivers are too big to fix them.

51 – VPN Account

VPNs like ExpressVPN allow you to anonymously browse the internet via a masked IP address. Hotel and coffee shop wifi, in particular, are incredibly vulnerable to hackers due to poor security. VPNs give you peace of mind that no one can stalk your activities online.

Packing List by Activity

Certain types of trip required particular, or specialized, equipment. If you plan to hike on vacation, you’ll need hiking boots. Whereas if you’re heading on a beach holiday, you’ll swap those hiking boots for beach towels and sun parasols.

These essential lists of gadgets and gear could be of use to you for certain types of vacation:

Vacation Packing List Summary

Don’t undertake your vacation without proper planning and preparation. Use our ultimate checklist, complete with over 50 essentials, to pack everything you need for a fun and memorable trip.

You Might Also Like to Read

Save and Pin for Later

Keep this ultimate vacation packing list for safekeeping, ready for your next getaway, by saving this article to one of your travel planning Pinterest boards.

50+ Item Summer Vacation Packing List

Author: Dale Johnson is a content writer and strategist who has traveled to 30 countries and counting to date.

Travel Tools and Resources

Need a little help and guidance planning your trip? Don’t worry. We’ve got you covered!

  • Travel Binder: Our 30+ page travel binder has everything you need to plan your trip from start to finish. You can download it, print as many pages as you need, and get everything booked, organized, and accounted for using our colorful guides, documents, and printables.
  • Packing Lists: If you’re overwhelmed thinking about what you need to pack, use our free packing lists to help you out. We have a vacation packing list, a weekend packing list for shorter city break getaways, and a beach packing list for beach day trips, among many others.
  • Booking Flights: We have used Skyscanner to book flights for many years and like their easy-to-use interface and the number of flight routes they are able to aggregate. 
  • Priority Pass is also a real game changer, as being able to relax and have food in any airport lounge before a flight makes flying a far more enjoyable experience.
  • Booking Accommodations: We generally use Booking.com because of how many options they can find you and their generally flexible cancellation policies. We also use Hotels.com because you can build up reward points to use toward free stays. We also recommend Trusted Housesitters if you’re flexible with your dates, looking to budget, and traveling at a slower pace. In exchange for housekeeping and looking after someone’s pet, you can arrange house sits with homeowners on the platform. We were able to stay in  London in a beautiful borough one summer this way, during peak tourist season when prices are at their highest.
  • Travel Insurance: As we work remotely when traveling, we use SafetyWing when booking travel medical insurance. They offer policies suited to both short-term and long-term travel as well as policies for companies with remote workers.
  • Tours: We love to look through options on Viator and GetYourGuide to see what fun activities we can book in the place we’re visiting. Not only does their list of tours and experiences give us inspiration, but it’s also very straightforward to book through their websites.
  • VPN: We never connect to a public wife like a hotel, cafe, or airport wifi without a VPN. We’ve been using Express VPN since 2016.