How To Pack For 7 Travel Scenarios + Example Packing Lists
You’ve booked your next trip and it's time to plan your packing. So, what do you need? Knowing what to pack for your getaway can seem like a mission. How much luggage should be on your travel packing list? Are you going to need hand sanitiser? Should you take hand luggage? Don’t worry! We’re here to make your travel checklist effortless.
In this guide, we’ll reveal what your travel kit essentials should look like, including the top things to take travelling on every journey and your travel bag contents for various travel scenarios. Save now and thank us later.
Contents:
Essentials To Pack For Every Trip
Essentials to Pack for Every Trip
First, let’s look at your vacation packing list essentials. No matter where you are going in the world, near or far, there are some must-have travel packing essentials you’re going to need to take with you. From clean underwear to face masks, here are what your packing list essentials should look like:
- Money or bank cards
- Phone and charger
- Passport (if you’re travelling abroad)
- Clean underwear
- Face mask
- Hand sanitiser
- Bathing suit (if you’re planning on swimming)
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Hairbrush
- Sleepwear
- Soap
- Deodorant
- Shampoo
- First aid kit – bandages, plasters, pain relievers, medication
- House keys and/or car keys
- Change of clothes
What to Pack for Different Trip Types
With your essential travel needs out of the way, let’s take a look at some different travel scenarios to determine what should be on your packing list. Whether you want to contemplate packing light or are flying and need to keep your luggage small, here are our best travel packing tips.
City excursion abroad
A city excursion in a foreign country means you’re likely to be sight-seeing, visiting museums, restaurants, parks, hot spots and potentially travelling around on public transport. As these tend to be shorter breaks than far away destinations, you can save space by packing lighter as you don’t need to travel with as many belongings. You can also roll your clothes to save space and avoid bringing a checked bag. Our packing checklist for this type of holiday could include:
Essentials:
- Passport
- Change of clothes
- Clean underwear
- Sleepwear
- Money/bank cards
- Phone and charger
- Face masks
- Hand sanitiser
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Soap, deodorant, shampoo
- Hairbrush
- Small first aid kit
- House/car keys
- Travel guides
- Sunscreen (in hot weather)
Nice to have items:
- Carry-on luggage
- Toiletries bag with skincare, body products, body wash, additional toiletries
- Extra pair of shoes or sandals which are easy to walk in
- Extra socks
- Laptop/tablet
- Memory cards
- Eye mask for sleep anywhere...trains, planes
- Hair styling tools
- Jewelry
- T-shirts, sweaters
- Trousers, dresses, skirts
- Vest tops, shorts
- Jacket or coat
- Travel adapters
- Headphones
- Earplugs, eye mask
- Water bottle
- Camera
- Travel pillow and blanket
- Books or kindle
- Maps
- Itinerary
- Sunglasses
- Snacks
Water sports
If you’re heading away on an exciting water sports adventure, the chances are you’re going to need to pack some activewear. For this packing list, we show you exactly what should be on your travel checklist, as well as some nice additions to pack if you have space
Essential items:
- Passport (if you’re travelling abroad)
- Change of clothes
- Clean underwear
- Sleepwear
- Money/bank cards
- Phone and charger
- Face masks
- Hand sanitiser
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Soap, deodorant, shampoo
- Hairbrush
- First aid kit
- House/car keys
- Travel guides (if you’re heading abroad)
- Sunscreen (in hot weather)
- Bathing suit
- Wetsuit or outdoor activewear
- Towels - a Poncho Towel being especially versatile
Nice to have items:
- Toiletries bag with skincare, body products, body wash, additional toiletries
- Extra pair of shoes
- Extra socks
- Laptop/tablet
- Memory cards
- Hair styling tools
- T-shirts, sweaters
- Reusable drinking straws
- Trousers, dresses, skirts
- Vest tops, shorts
- Jacket or coat (for colder months)
- Travel adapters (if you’re heading abroad)
- Headphones
- Water bottle
- Camera
- Travel pillow and blanket
- Books or kindle
- Sunglasses
- Lip balm
Far away destination
If you’re heading away for an exotic holiday or long-haul family trip, you’re potentially going to need to take enough luggage for 2-3 weeks. Your travel checklist doesn’t need to be exhaustive, but you may want to consider some space-saving hacks, such as packing cubes or roll-up storage packs. Here are your travel kit essentials alongside some extras.
Essentials:
- Passport
- Clean underwear
- Sleepwear
- T-shirts and shirts
- Shorts and skirts
- Dresses
- Trousers or jeans
- Jacket
- Bathing suits
- Sun hats
- Sunglasses
- Laundry bag
- Towels
- Shoes/sandals
- Cover-ups
- Money/bank cards
- Phone and charger
- Face masks
- Hand sanitiser
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Soap, deodorant, shampoo
- Hairbrush
- First aid kit
- Medication, including any prescriptions
- Makeup and makeup remover
- Shaving tools and cream
- Insect repellent
- House/car keys
- Travel guides
- Sunscreen
- Earplugs
- Eye mask
- Carry-on bag
- Glasses or contacts (if required)
- Toiletries bag with skincare, body products, body wash, additional toiletries
- Travel adapters
- Travel pillow and blanket
- Headphones
- Money belt or purse
- Books for the plane journey or kindle
Nice to have items:
- Laptop/tablet
- Memory cards
- Hair styling tools
- Water bottle
- Poncho Towel
- Camera
- Lip balm
- Snacks
- Gum
- Itinerary
- Tissues
- Vitamins
- Nail clippers, tweezers, nail file
- Activities for the kids
- Beach ball
- Beach accessories
Skiing trip or snow adventure
A snow or skiing trip requires the correct clothing. In most cases, you’re going to be layering up to stay warm. However, the good news is that many items like helmets, goggles, skis and other accessories can be hired or purchased from the resort, meaning you can pack less for your departing journey. If you want to know the best items to pack, opt for wool sweaters to keep warm and t-shirts or vests which can be worn underneath. You can hire or buy snow boots when you arrive as this will save space in your luggage, and wear your bulkiest items of clothing while travelling rather than packing it.
Here are some essential items to put on your travel checklist:
- Passport
- Clean underwear
- Sleepwear
- Snow Jacket/coat
- Jumpers
- Trousers/leggings
- T-shirts
- Sunglasses
- Towels
- Eye mask for sleep
- Snow boots
- Skiing attire, including goggles and helmet (if you don’t wish to rent)
- Skis and poles (If you’re a seasoned skier and don’t want to rent them)
- Ski pants
- Gloves
- Scarf
- Glove and helmet liners for extra warmth
- Warm hat
- Money/bank cards
- Phone and charger
- Face masks
- Hand sanitiser
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Soap, deodorant, shampoo
- Hairbrush
- First aid kit
- Medication, including birth control
- House/car keys
- Sunscreen
- Glasses or contacts (if required)
- Travel adapters
- Travel pillow and blanket
- Headphones
- Money belt or purse
- Bathing suit and flip flops (if your accommodation has a tub or pool)
Nice to have items:
- Toiletries bag with skincare, body products, body wash, additional toiletries
- Extra pair of shoes
- Extra socks
- Laptop/tablet
- Memory cards
- Hair styling tools
- Headphones
- Water bottle
- Camera
- Books or kindle
- Lip balm
- Laundry bag
- Makeup/makeup remover
- Nail clippers, tweezers, files
- Vitamins
- Guidebook
- Itinerary
- Snacks
- Tissues
- Hand/foot warmers
Wedding abroad
Being a guest at a wedding abroad is an exciting prospect. The chances are that if you’re heading for a location outside of a city or are attending a beach location, your packing list will likely resemble one of the options above. However, there are a few more items we can add, especially as you’re going to require an outfit just for the special day.
Essentials:
- Passport
- Clean underwear
- Sleepwear
- T-shirts and shirts
- Shorts and skirts
- Dresses
- Trousers or jeans
- Jacket
- Wedding outfit
- Bathing suits
- Sun hats
- Sunglasses
- Laundry bag
- Towels
- Shoes/sandals
- Cover-ups
- Money/bank cards
- Phone and charger
- Face masks
- Hand sanitiser
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Soap, deodorant, shampoo
- Hairbrush
- Hair styling tools
- First aid kit
- Medication, including birth control
- Makeup and makeup remover
- Shaving tools and cream
- Insect repellent
- Travel adapters
- House/car keys
- Travel guides
- Itinerary
- Invitation
- Sunscreen
- Earplugs
- Eye mask
- Carry-on bag
- Glasses or contacts (if required)
- Toiletries bag with skincare, body products, body wash, additional toiletries
- Travel pillow and blanket
- Money belt or purse
- Sunglasses
- Snacks
- Gift (unless you are the one getting married)
Nice to have items:
- Carry-on luggage
- Extra socks
- Laptop/tablet
- Memory cards
- Extra T-shirts, sweaters
- Extra trousers, dresses, skirts
- Extra vest tops, shorts
- Extra jacket or coat
- Headphones
- Earplugs, eye mask
- Water bottle
- Camera
- Books or kindle
- Maps
Hiking holiday
A hiking excursion is the perfect place to get some exercise and sunshine, alongside a little rest and relaxation. You’re going to need to pack your walking boots, rucksack, thermals (depending on the weather) and extra accessories. Certain belongings, such as a passport, will only be required if you’re travelling abroad.
Essentials:
- Passport (if travelling abroad)
- Change of clothes
- Clean underwear
- Sleepwear
- Lightweight backpack that can hold your hiking essentials
- Trekking poles
- Hiking boots
- Hiking tights and pants
- Hiking shirt
- Shorts
- Jacket
- Hat
- Lightweight, waterproof gloves
- Gaiter
- Socks
- Money/bank cards
- Phone and charger
- Travel adapter (if heading abroad)
- Portable battery
- Face masks
- Hand sanitiser
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Soap, deodorant, shampoo
- Hairbrush
- First aid kit
- House/car keys
- Travel guides or maps
- Sunscreen (in hot weather)
- Water bottle
- Tissues
- Lip balm
- Snacks
- Insect repellent
Nice to have items:
- Carry-on luggage (if travelling abroad)
- Toiletries bag with skincare, body products, body wash, additional toiletries
- Extra pair of hiking shoes or boots
- Extra socks
- Extra hiking clothes
- Laptop/tablet
- Memory cards
- T-shirts, sweaters
- Trousers, shorts
- Extra jacket or coat
- Headphones
- Earplugs, eye mask
- Camera
- Travel pillow and blanket (if going overseas)
- Books or kindle
Camping trip
If you’re planning on a camping holiday, you’re going to need to pack quite a few extras, particularly if you’re staying in a tent rather than a static pod. Being outdoors will require a few more essentials than normal so here is a travel packing list of what you should include.
Essentials:
- Tent and hooks
- Sleeping bags
- Pillows
- Chairs
- Eye mask
- Tent repair kit
- Camping stove and fuel
- Cooking set
- Bowls/plates/cutlery
- Cups
- Water bottles
- Food for meals and snacks
- Tea towels
- Solar charger
- Phone
- Dry shampoo
- Hand sanitiser
- Face masks (if it's likely you’re going to be interacting with other people)
- Wet wipes
- Soap
- Quick dry towels
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Travel shampoo and conditioner
- Black bin bag for your rubbish
- Sunscreen
- First aid kit
- Change of clothes
- Map/travel guides
- Tissues
- Money/bank cards
- Money bag
- Insect repellent
- Clean underwear
- Hairbrush
- Deodorant
- Beverages
- Medication
- Torch and extra batteries
- Animal food (if camping with your dog)
Nice to have items:
- Toiletries bag with skincare, body products, body wash, additional toiletries
- Socks
- Extra clothes
- Extra shoes/boots
- Laptop/tablet
- Memory cards
- Extra jacket or coat
- Headphones
- Camera
- Books or kindle
- Vitamins
- Blanket for extra warmth
- Sunglasses
- Hats and gloves
- Portable personal care items
- Makeup and makeup remover
- Shaving tools and cream
- Portable toilet
- Table
- Chopping board
- Extra cool box or fridge
- Can/bottle opener
- Washing up bowl and liquid
- Windbreak
Be Prepared For Every Adventure With Vivida Lifestyle’s Sustainable Activewear
Naturally, what you need to take in your luggage will depend on your choice of destination, but our travel checklist ideas will help you to pack with confidence. If you’re looking for high-quality, sustainable activewear, swimwear and water accessories that fuse high performance with thoughtful style, check out Vivida's adventure gear.
Indie Bornhoft is a personal trainer and watersports coach, who encourages her clients to make movement their mantra. She has coached every ability in wakeboarding, paddleboarding, SUP fitness, and windsurfing for over ten years, and is highly qualified in all disciplines. Discover more about her drive to just keep moving and be inspired to connect to the raw power of body & spirit through fitness.
