My Packing List
I think that we can all agree: packing is the worst. And if you are anything like me, an until-the-last-minute procrastinator that likes to be prepared for anything, the entire panic-induced, mad-dash scramble from the moment you should have started packing days ago until you finally head out the door is beyond the worst. So for your sakes - and my own - here is my personal universal packing list.
Suitcase
☐ Cardigan/Sweater
☐ First Aid Kit
☐ Additional Footwear
☐ Weather-Appropriate Clothing
(whatever quantity suitable for you)
☐ Laundry Bag
☐ Lightweight Rain Coat
☐ Mini Luggage Scale
☐ Pajamas
☐ Reusable Grocery Bag(s)*
☐ Shower Shoes?
☐ Socks
☐ Swimsuit?
☐ Toiletry Bag
☐ Microfiber Towel?
☐ Underwear
Toiletry Bag
☐ Athletic Tape*
☐ Band Aids
☐ Body Wash
☐ Brush/Comb
☐ Conditioner
☐ Deodorant
☐ Floss
☐ Hair Products
☐ Lotion
☐ Medications/Medical
(Pepto, Imodium,
Allergies, Eye Drops,
Alcohol Swabs, etc.)
☐ Nail Clippers
☐ Perfume/Cologne
☐ Shampoo
☐ Shaving Supplies
☐ Sunscreen
☐ Toothbrush
☐ Tooth Paste
☐ Tweezers
Hiking Gear
☐ Hiking Boots
☐ Bug Spray
☐ Hydrocortisone
☐ Antihistamines
Travel Outfit*
☐ T-Shirt
☐ Sweater
☐ Comfortable Pants
☐ Compression Socks*
Carry On/Back Pack
☐ Adapter(s)
☐ Book
☐ Copy of License/Passport
☐ Electronics Case
Extra Charging Cable(s)
Camera Charger
USB Outlet
☐ Mini Flashlight
☐ Gloves?
☐ Hand Sanitizer
☐ Hat/Earmuffs?
☐ Keys (House/Car)*
☐ Tablet
☐ Notebook
☐ Pen
☐ Plastic Baggies*
☐ Scarf
☐ Several Pairs of Underwear
(in case your luggage is lost)
☐ Shoes (second pair)
☐ Snacks
☐ Sunglasses
☐ [Empty] Water Bottle
Camera Bag/Purse
☐ Camera
☐ Charger Cable
☐ Documents Organizer
☐ Travel Dramamine
☐ Ear Buds
☐ Earplugs
☐ Mini First Aid Kit
(Band Aids, Small Stock of
Medicine, Moleskin, etc.)
☐ Hand Sanitizer
☐ Lotion Stick*
☐ Mini Notebook
☐ Travel Pain Meds
(ie. Tylenol, Motrin)
☐ PASSPORT
☐ Pen
☐ Phone
☐ Power Bank
☐ SD Card Carrier
☐ Mini Pack Tissues
☐ Umbrella*
☐ Wallet
Comments:
I like to set aside the outfit that I will wear on the day that I leave and place it near my luggage. Because I tend to be so last minute, running around and scrambling to do all those last few things, it’s nice to not jump out of the shower and realize that I have nothing to wear.
My feet and ankles tend to swell on planes, and upon landing, my legs feel tired and not themselves. However, ever since I started wearing compression socks on flights, it has completely resolved this issue. Instead of those thick, ugly things at the drug store, I get thin nylon or cotton knee-highs online. They come in fun colors and don’t make you too warm.
House/Car Keys - The moment I no longer need these, either in transit or at the airport, I like to stick them always in the same pocket of my carry on. There, they won't take up space in or clutter my day-to-day bag unnecessarily while traveling. And after a longer trip, it's easy to forget where you put them and have to dig through everything while trying not to have a panic attack, but this saves you from that entire ordeal.
Reuseable grocery bag - This is such a handy item! As a solo traveler, I like that it makes shopping or gifts more inconspicuous, and as an environmentally-conscious person, I like that it creates less plastic and paper waste. Also, most shopping bags have short handles, which make them awkward and painful to carry for long periods of time, especially if you are walking a lot. A reuseable grocery bag can both carry a lot and do so more comfortably on your shoulder. Also
Umbrella - Long story short: I once bought an umbrella from a legit umbrella story in NYC. The model that I got was the cheapest option (though not actually cheap by any regular standards). But I love it. It's now lasted me 3 years, and it's incredibly portable and incredibly durable, and it only didn’t last longer because I forgot it in NZ. It was absolutely worth the cost. Brand: Knirps.
Lotion stick - I found this product at a pop up, but I love it especially for travel because it doesn’t count as a liquid on flights.
Plastic Baggies - These things can unexpectedly come in handy. Use them to store liquids that could break in flight, to organize small, like items, and whatever miscellaneous need that pops up.
When deciding what goes in what bag, my thought process is: heaviest things go in the suitcase, things I may need at the airport will go in my carry on (which I store overhead on flights), and anything that I will need during the flight goes in my personal item.
One of my friends turned me onto athletic tape during the New Zealand trip. It’s great whether you’re going to be doing a lot of physical activities or whether you get a blister and strain a muscle from walking funny to compensate. You can watch youtube videos to see how to apply it for your particular needs, but it basically helps your muscles do their work, which greatly reduces any discomfort you may be feeling.