Trip Planning Primer: Start with a Vacation Packing Checklist

Nothing puts a dent in your travel plans like bringing a suitcase full of unsuitable clothing, or a bag that’s way too light on the essentials. Whether you’re an over-packer or under-packer, a last-minute on-the-fly traveler, or a perfectionist who plans every detail months in advance, it may be time to reoptimize old packing habits. 

With a bit of preparation and a vacation packing checklist to keep you organized, plus the right luggage, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying that long-awaited holiday.

The most logical way to approach a vacation packing checklist? Think about your destination, the length of your trip, the weather conditions during your time away, and the types of activities you plan to participate in. If you’re heading to São Paulo around Christmas time, for example, pack breezy clothing rather than a down parka, since December is the start of Brazil’s summer season. 

A beach vacation checklist may bear some similarities to an inventory checklist for a vacation rental – say, BYO sheets and towels, depending on your accommodations. Meanwhile, a packing list for your European honeymoon (oui, romantic dinners for two) will probably be a departure from a family vacation checklist (who brought the kids’ water wings for the pool?). 

Other considerations include whether your destination offers access to toiletries, first aid necessities, outlets for phone and laptop chargers – and how necessary all those things are in the first place. If you’re seeing the sights in a cosmopolitan city, you might bring along all the bells and whistles. But if you’re setting off on a backpacking or hiking adventure in the remote wilderness, the bare necessities – and bear whistles – may be apt.

You may have heard stories about intrepid travelers throwing a bathing suit and a toothbrush in a bag before embarking on some great adventure. The reality is that off-the-cuff planning, or lack thereof, could leave you spending precious time scrambling for the essentials while your fellow adventurers are ziplining through the rainforest. 

Once you’ve buttoned up your destination and have a sense of your itinerary (and the weather), start planning your vacation packing checklist. Using a travel app or your own list, write down everything you need to bring along, separate the items into strategic categories, and don’t forget that different trips require different packing necessities. 

Here are some packing categories and key items to get you started: 

ID and travel documents: Wherever you’re going, you’ll need identification and documentation, such as your passport, driver’s license, hotel or vacation rental info, and boarding pass. It’s also important to have your emergency contacts, health insurance card, and any additional paperwork, either as hard copies or electronic form. Another tip: Make copies of your ID and important paperwork as a precautionary measure. Keep essential items close at hand – and don’t forget your wallet, cash, and credit cards! 

Clothing: When deciding which clothes to bring, think about the climate, possible dress codes at resorts or restaurants, and your comfort level (are you always hot or cold?). Less is often more. Simple pieces in complementary colors can often work overtime, allowing you to create multiple outfits from just a few bottoms, tops, and outer layers. If you’re traveling for a destination wedding or splashy event, consider bringing your formal attire onboard in a garment bag or carry-on (along with a change of clothing) to alleviate any worries about lost luggage. 

Shoes: Footwear can also double as vehicles for a raft of items, from rolled-up socks and stockings to coiled belts and hats. If you’re bringing fancy stilettos or Oxfords, pack them in their own bags so they don’t get smudged or squished. Dress-up shoes aside, think practically: a simple combination of sneakers, flipflops, comfortable flats, sandals, or boots (depending on the season) is usually more than adequate for day and night. 

Jewelry and accessories: The simple addition of a belt, hat, necklace, handbag, scarf, sunglasses, or sports watch can jazz up any ensemble, so be sure to bring tasteful costume jewelry and accessories along – unless you’re going for that week long camping trip. Regardless of your plans, it’s probably best to leave any heirloom jewels home in the vault for safekeeping. 

Toiletries, cosmetics, and medications: For long flights or freshening up before arrival, pack items like makeup, shaving cream, moisturizer, shampoo, sunscreen, toothpaste, mouthwash, contact lenses, personal care items, and any medications you need to take en route in your carry-on luggage, abiding by the TSA 3:1:1 liquids rule: Place gels, pastes, liquids, and creams in travel-sized 3.4 oz containers, all zipped up together in a single one-quart clear plastic bag per person. If you need backup, pack a Dopp kit or toiletries bag in your checked luggage. 

Electronics gear: Smartphone, camera, tablet, laptop? Check. Don’t forget a universal travel adapter and a multi-charger cable to go-with, plus a fully charged portable backup battery for long flights or if you plan on being out and about for any length of time. Noise-canceling earbuds, headphones, or even earplugs can be a sanity saver on noisy flights or at hostels. 

Miscellaneous stuff: Snacks, a sleep mask, water bottles, warm socks, a sweatshirt, a neck pillow, a book, a travel journal, glasses, home keys – consider the “miscellaneous” category your vacation checklist of personal must-haves, whatever your destination or mode of transportation. If you’re traveling with small children, don’t forget to bring that favorite teddy bear or toy.

Before filling your suitcase, lay out everything you want to bring and think logically about what you really need. Don’t bring along stuff for stuff’s sake; cross off anything ambiguous and remove it from sight. Civilization, if that’s where you're headed, might afford you the opportunity to fill in the occasional gap without hijacking the whole day – think: a commemorative sweatshirt for an unseasonably chilly night. 

Think about luggage size, too. Every airline has its own rules about luggage weight, dimensions, and fees so it’s best to check with your carrier before committing to which suitcases or duffle bags to use. Also consider the condition of your luggage. No one wants to be greeted at the airport carousel with a busted suitcase that didn’t make the last leg of the journey. Durable luggage, be it a weekender bag, an overnight case, or a full-size suitcase (hard- or soft shell) can be a worthy investment. 

Beyond excavating your suitcase from the closet – or purchasing a new one – consider utilizing packing cubes of varying sizes, which are basically containers made from soft mesh or nylon that allow you to compartmentalize each category. Just zip up your sweaters, footwear, battery packs and wires, and so on, and arrange them to fit in your suitcase. Goodbye, cluttered luggage. 

Another strategy for saving precious space: Roll up your clothing using a method called “Ranger Rolling,” inspired by an army packing technique. Your rolled garments are easy to see – no digging through folded items to find that shirt you want – or they can fit neatly into those handy packing cubes. 

It’s a cinch to execute the “Ranger Roll.” Starting with a T-shirt, Iay the garment flat and invert the bottom hem to create a two inch cuff. Vertically fold the left third of the shirt inward, and fold the sleeve back onto itself. Fold the right third over the same way. Starting from the neck, tightly roll the shirt all the way to the end, making sure the corners are smooth. Finally, invert the back side of the cuff around the rolled shirt. The result: a wrinkle-free shirt that’s held securely in place. Pants, socks, and undergarments can be ranger rolled as well, but bulkier garments like jeans and sweaters are often better suited to folding.