Best Packing List For Travel
Print this packing list out for your next trip!
Hi! Welcome to Complete City Guides!
My name is Patrick, I'm originally from Sydney (Australia) but grew up in England (my second home) - and I love exploring cities (and writing about it!)
I work online in marketing, which gives me the opportunity to travel around the world full time.
So while I am away, I keep this blog updated with full travel info. I tend to stay in a city for a few months at a time, to really get to know it - then I write guides on it.
If you need a list of things to pack before you go away travelling on your next trip, this page is for you. Below the list includes everything that you will need for a normal trip abroad.
If you are going somewhere like South East Asia or Australia you will have to ignore the thick jacket. And likewise, if you are going to Europe in the winter then you don't need to pack sun lotion! But this list covers everything - so ignore the obvious ones that don't apply to your next trip or vacation.
Table of contents
Bus/train/plane tickets |
|
EHIC CardIf you are from EU, you should get an EHIC card for free medical cover in many countries |
|
House keys |
|
MoneyEither in a currency such as USD or Euro (and convert it when you arrive) or exchange some currency at home. Also bring credit cards or debit cards as a backup. |
|
PassportDon't forget this (or your ID). Check they expire at least 6 months after your return flight too, or you might not be allowed to board the plane. |
|
Passport holder/caseNot essential, but it'll keep your passport from getting damaged |
|
Student IDTo get discounts |
|
Travel Insurance |
|
VaccinationsGet your vaccinations sorted months before you travel |
|
Visa documentation |
BeltConsider a money belt with a hidden zip so you can store valuables. When have you ever lost a belt...? And if you get mugged they won't steal your belt too! |
|
Casual shirts |
|
CoatRain coat, or big warm one |
|
Dress/skirts |
|
Flip Flops/sandalsFor beaches, hot weather, and showers in hostels |
|
Gloves/Scarf |
|
Hat/bandana |
|
Jeans/pants |
|
Shoes/boots |
|
Shorts |
|
Smart shirts/outfitYou might be unable to get into nightclubs or restaurants unless you have smart clothes and footwear |
|
Sunglasses |
|
Swimming gear |
|
TowelConsider a microfibre travel towel. They are tiny, soak up lots and dry quickly |
|
Tshirts/tops |
|
Underwear (boxers/panties/bras/socks) |
Travel/wireless speakersGet the party going in your hotel room while getting ready, or when chilling outside |
|
CablesCables + USB plug sockets. |
|
Camera+ Cables, SD cards, tripod (recommend: Gorilla pod). See our full guide on what camera equipment to bring while travelling |
|
HeadphonesAnd consider a headphone splitter to share a movie with someone |
|
Laptop / Tablet+ Charger |
|
MP3 PlayerIf you are a bit old school! |
|
Mobile Phone(s)Unlock it, and buy a sim card when you arrive at the new destination. Bring a paperclip to release the sim card tray on iPhones. + Charger |
|
Plug socket adapter |
|
Spare batteries for any elecronicsE.g. Camera batteries |
|
USB Power bank(s)I prefer more than one, so I have a backup when the main one runs out of battery (or I forgot to charge it). It can be a lifesaver to arrive in a city when your phone has no battery and your hotel accomodation details are saved on your phone. |
Aftershave/perfume |
|
Anti Mosquito/bug itemsDon't get bitten! Includes DEET, mosquito nets, anti insect spray, coils |
|
Birth control, condoms |
|
Contact LensesAnd associated liquid(s), cases |
|
Cotton Buds |
|
Deodorant |
|
Face Cleanser/wipes |
|
Feminine hygiene items |
|
Hair brush, comb |
|
Make Upand Make up remover |
|
Lip balm |
|
Shampoo |
|
ShaverIf electronic: a plug converter |
|
Shower Gel |
|
Sun lotion / Sun Screen / after sunDon't get burnt! |
|
Tooth paste + tooth brushDental floss too |
|
Travel mirror |
Sewing Kit |
|
Travel Journal |
|
Flight / Accommodation detailsPrint it out! Email it to yourself! Save it on your phone! Make sure to have backups in different places, in case you lose a bag |
|
Nail clippers |
|
Ear plugs |
|
Eye maskFor full darkness |
|
First Aid Kit and tabletsDon't forget about diarrhea tablets, pain killers, travel sickness tablets |
|
Hand sanitiser |
|
Neck PillowReally comfortable! |
|
Duct TapeWrap it around a pen, it will stay sticky and not take up much space |
|
PaperPaper or a notebook - handy for making notes |
|
Paper clipsBring a few - they can be useful when something gets stuck, needs poking, and of course for organising papers |
|
Pen knifeOr scissors |
|
Plastic bagsBring big ones (got muddy shoes? Can put them in there) and small clear ones that are normally used for food (useful for many things, but also at airports when you have to put liquids in their own small plastic bag) |
|
Deck of cardsOr other game(s) to entertain you. Cards are good for drinking games too |
|
Glasses caseFor your specs, or sunglasses |
|
Safety Pins |
|
ScalesBring portable travel scales to weigh your bags so you aren't over the luggage allowances |
|
Travel clothes washing detergentAnd/or stain remover |
|
Jewelery |
|
MedicinesIncluding the prescription details. Also check if they are legal in each country |
|
Tweezers |
|
PenA ballpoint pen can be very handy - especially if you have to fill out any visa forms. Also consider a permanent pen |
|
Sleeping PillsUseful on long plane journeys or in noisy hotels |
|
Guide booksAnd maps |
|
Sweets/candy/food |
|
Tissues + Toilet rollYou never know when this will save you! |
|
Wet WipesThey are super handy |
Copies of any documentation needed |
|
Drivers License/ID |
|
Passport sized photo(s) |
|
PenUseful when flight attendants hand out visa forms on the flight |
Book taxi to the airport |
|
Download entertainmentDownload iTunes videos, audible audiobooks, kindle ebooks, Netflix offline content to your phone so you can entertain yourself without the internet |
|
Download offline maps for each city |
|
Download phone appsDownload local guides, underground map, public transport, taxi, translation, currency exchange apps etc |
|
Ensure someone knows where you will beLet someone know your full travel plans (flights, accomodation details) in case of emergencies |
|
Pay billsPay any bills that have to be sorted before you go away, so you don't have to rely on wifi to do it while away |
|
Turn off water/unplug electronic itemsIf the house will be empty, make sure all windows are closed, things are unplugged that shouldn't be left on, turn off automatic heating settings or aircon etc |
Anything that you think I've missed? Write a comment below.
Use Pinterest? Share this post:
)
Although Europe has a population of over 700 million people, there are still many people who are not from there. When they visit Europe, sometimes they have some ideas about how it will be - however some of these are big false myths. Here are some of the most common myths when it comes to travelling in Europe.
Venice is an amazing and quite unique city that everyone should visit at least once. It is one of the best cities to wander and get lost in its many back streets! Every corner looks beautiful, and despite it being full of tourists you can really feel how quiet the island of Venice really is. There are good airport links, so after reading this post about Venice there should be nothing stopping you from booking some cheap plane tickets to Venice for next summer!
The time you spend abroad on trips can be some of the best days of your life. However it can also go very bad, very quickly. There are many aspects to staying safe when abroad, but by being aware of them and thinking about them when you are on your trips you can try and avoid most problems. Here is a guide that covers everything you need to be aware of, to stay safe when abroad!
Every big city has cool hostels with a good reputation - but here are hostels that are famous around the world for being very unusual or different. From sleeping in a boat, to converted prisons, these hostels will stay in your memory for a long time if you stay there!
Lots of interesting posts around the travel blog world in the last week or so. Here are some which have caught my attention.
Cat cafes are a somewhat new phenomenon. They are normal cafes, that have cats that wander around and can be played with. Every year more and more cat cafes are opening all over the world. Here are the best ones!
Cat cafes are a somewhat new phenomenon. They are normal cafes, that have cats that wander around and can be played with. Every year more and more cat cafes are...
There are several cat and dog cafes in Chiang Mai, Thailand. They let you enjoy tea, coffee or other drinks while surrounded by animals. But are these places as...
The island of Phuket is Thailand's second most popular tourist destination (after Bangkok), and nearby is another island known as Phi Phi. There are lots of con...
Sometimes you can fly to a destination and then have to spend an hour (or longer!) and buy expensive travel tickets to actually get to the city center. Here is...
I'm an Australian who has lived in Europe for most of my life. I work online, travelling with my laptop, working online and exploring cities for months at a time.
Read my blog
