The Brief and Only Vacation Packing List You’ll Ever Need

In 2019, prior to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, there were close to 2 billion domestic leisure travel trips in the United States. More than two-thirds of American adults have also traveled abroad at some point in their lives, highlighting our love of travel and exploration.

If you are planning a vacation getaway shortly—whether with family, friends, or solo—it’s important to pack according to the specific trip you are taking. As with everything else, there is a certain knack to properly packing for a vacation.

Read on as we share the only vacation packing list that you will ever need.

Choose the Right Bag

First thing’s first, it is essential that you choose the right travel bag for your trip. Consider how long you are traveling for, the destination, and the number of clothes and other accessories you will need. Depending on the kind of trip you are taking, you may choose from the below options:

• Rolling luggage
• Duffel bag
• Travel backpack
• Carry-on

The size (and weight) of the bag you can bring may also be determined by your airline and flight ticket.

Start With the Essentials

For a weeklong trip, we recommend that you pack the following quantities of clothing:

• 5 sets of socks and underwear
• 4 tops
• 3 bottoms (trousers or shorts)
• 2 pairs of shoes
• 1 hat

Of course, you can adjust these to suit your specific needs. For example, you may also wish to bring a swimsuit, suit jacket, formal dress, or exercise gear.

Lay out a ‘maybe pile’ of clothes and ask yourself just how likely are you to wear a particular item of clothing on your trip. If it isn’t deemed essential, don’t bring it.

Pack Your Toiletry Bag

The contents of your toiletry bag will be determined by where you are traveling and for how long. In every bag, however, you should include the following:

• Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, and mouthwash
• Deodorant
• Shampoo and conditioner
• Personal hygiene items
• Hairbrush, comb, and/or hair ties
• Shaving accessories

Other items will vary from person to person. You may also wish to bring sunscreen, face lotion, contact lenses, moisturizer, toilet paper, makeup, perfume, and lip balm. A mini first-aid-kit is also highly recommended, even you aren’t heading out into the wilderness.

Prepare Your Travel Documents

We recommend that you have a dedicated place for all of your travel documents, somewhere you can access them easily and keep everything together. Depending on your travel destination, you’ll need:

• Passport
• Travel visa
• Frequent flyer cards
• Cash and credit cards
• Health insurance documents
• Travel insurance information
• Reservations
• Transportation tickets
• Hotel reservation details
• Emergency contacts

With the above information, you’re all set for your next trip, whether that’s a relaxing stay in Aruba or visiting the capital with kids.

Your Essential Vacation Packing List

This vacation packing list covers all the bases for your next trip. Remember, the bigger the bag that you bring, the more you will put in it. If you are trying to travel light, start with a small bag and limit yourself to essential items only.

While the travel industry has suffered lately, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Like this blog post on what to include on your travel packing list? Be sure to check out our other informative articles on a wide range of interesting topics.