Packing for trips

Created

I am a super, super slow packer. The kind of packer who lays everything out on the bed, stares at it for twenty minutes, puts half of it back in the closet, then panics and throws most of it in anyway. A few years ago I started tracking what I actually brought on every trip, and slowly a pattern emerged: the same heroes every single time, the same dead weight riding along untouched. So I aggregated and deduped the whole mess. Here it is: the packing list.

Core list (every trip)

Must-haves

  • Passport / ID, wallet (debit + credit card), keys, phone
  • Cash, International Driving Permit (if abroad and driving)
  • Eye mask
  • Student ID (for discounts)

Clothes (scale to trip length)

  • Underwear, bras, socks, undershirts
  • Pants, tops, 1 sweater or hoodie
  • Pajamas (sweat shorts + t-shirt)
  • Airport outfit (leggings or sweatpants, t-shirt, hoodie), rewear on the return flight
  • Walking shoes, flip flops (double as shower shoes)
  • Trash bag for dirty clothes

Toiletries

  • Contacts, solution, eye drops, Q-tips
  • Glasses
  • Toothbrush (+ charger), toothpaste, floss
  • Invisalign
  • Face lotion, face sunscreen, body sunscreen, lip balm
  • Deodorant, hair ties, tissue pack, Tide pen, pads
  • Makeup bag: eyelash curler, mascara/primer, eyeliner, eyebrow pencil, makeup remover
  • Touch-up kit: compact mirror, tweezers, mini scissors, nail clipper

Meds

  • Melatonin, Tylenol/ibuprofen, antacid, Claritin, cough meds

Electronics

  • Laptop + charger
  • Charging brick + travel adapter
  • Charger cables: USB-C, micro, Lightning, Apple Watch
  • Big battery bank, small portable battery
  • AirPods and/or AirPods Max, Apple Watch
  • Camera / DJI Pocket

Bags & extras

  • Daypack, sling/hip bag, foldable tote, backup packing cube
  • Water bottle, padlock

Entertainment

  • Kindle, book, playing cards, knitting

Add-on modules

International

  • Cash
  • International Driving Permit
  • Student ID (for discounts)

Flying

  • Noise-canceling headphones
  • Earplugs
  • Eye drops
  • Tissues
  • Disposable plastic water bottle
  • Pen (for customs and arrival forms)

Cold (below about 50°F)

  • Puffer
  • Medium jacket (40-60°F)
  • Heavy jacket (20-40°F)
  • Gloves, scarf, hat or earmuffs
  • Thick sweaters
  • Long sleeves

Beach

  • Bathing suit
  • Hat, sunglasses
  • Extra sunscreen
  • Flip-flops
  • Quick-dry towel
  • Baby powder
  • Beach blanket
  • Picnic blanket
  • Speaker
  • Spikeball
  • Book

Hostel

  • Lock
  • Quick-dry towel
  • Shower shoes

Going out

  • Going-out tops/tanks
  • Going-out jacket
  • Necklaces
  • Extra makeup: eyeshadow, lipstick
  • Dry shampoo
  • JOYN pills
  • Earplugs

Rain

  • Umbrella
  • Rain shell (Arc'teryx)

Content / photos

  • Storage drive
  • Screen wipes

Work trip

  • Work laptop
  • Badge
  • Mouse

Road trip

  • Phone car mount

Airbnb

  • Brita filter
  • HDMI cable

Big group

  • Ping pong balls
  • Cups

Visiting someone

  • Gift (for example, chocolate)

Workouts

  • Workout sets
  • Sports bra

Snowboarding

  • Jacket, snow pants
  • Base layers, inner layers
  • Ski socks, neck gaiter
  • Mittens, helmet, goggles
  • Board, boots, screwdriver
  • Pass
  • Walkie talkies
  • Pocket snacks
  • Vaseline + moisturizer
  • Trash bag for wet gear

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