In this Skyscanner’s essential packing list, we will reveal some exciting tips and hacks which will make your vacation even more pleasurable.
Packing for your next adventure is never easy. Imagine hours spent deciding which clothes to bring before you arrive at the airport and realize that you’ve left something vitally important behind—like your passport.
Skyscanner’s essential packing list will help you get organized whether you plan to ski, hike, or lie by the pool. Plus, we have some insider packing tips to maximize your space and make your trip as smooth as possible.
The absolute necessities:
Tick these packing essentials off the list as you go, and check out our handy tips to help you along the way:
- Passport/visa: Before traveling, ensure your passport has at least six months left on it. Print out your visa and make copies to keep your suitcase and carry-on luggage safe.
- Travel insurance documents—make sure your travel insurance is up to date and covers the country you’re visiting and the activities you plan on doing.
Is Bungee jumping on the agenda? You may want to check extreme sports coverage. - Boarding pass/tickets – whether you’re going by plane or train, it’s best to print it all out or load it as PDFs on your phone (we’d advise doing both if you run out of phone charge or can’t log on to the WiFi). Check with your airline whether you must check in online before arriving at the airport.
- Currency and credit/debit cards – even if you plan on using your card abroad, it’s always a good idea to keep some currency and change on you for cash-only situations, like your first taxi from the airport. Let the bank know if you’re traveling abroad, too, and for how long.
- Emergency contact details—No matter how many people you’re traveling with, ensure you have contact details for someone back home if disaster strikes. Keep a copy in your suitcase and your hand luggage if you get separated from either.
- Devices—You’ll undoubtedly always have your phone on you, but don’t forget your camera if you have one, a tablet or kindle for the journey, and headphones, too.
- Chargers – forgetting your phone or laptop charger can be a nightmare.
- Medication – make sure you get any prescribed medication before you travel and that it’s enough to last longer than your planned trip in case you are delayed or stuck abroad for longer than expected.
- It is worth packing a first aid kit with different-sized plasters, insect repellents, painkillers, wipes, and antibacterial hand gel.
- House keys – we feel you’ll want these at the end of your trip.
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Additional packing essentials
Now you’ve got the essentials. So, now we’re guessing you’ll want some clothing and a few luxuries to go with them. Let’s say you want to go on vacation for a week. We suggest packing the following: clothes, toiletries, and extras.
- 1 x jacket or coat (depending on the temperature – check the weather forecast before you pack)
- 6-7 tops (for daytime and evening)
- 2-3 pairs of shorts/trousers/skirts/dresses
- One pair of pajamas
- 7-8 pairs of underwear (plus 1-2 bras)
- 7-8 pairs of socks (if you’re not wearing sandals or flip flops all the time)
Toothbrush and toothpaste (plus floss and mouthwash if needed)
Deodorant
Moisturiser
Soap
Body wash
Shampoo and conditioner (go for a 2-in-1 to save on space)
- Brush or comb
- Contact lenses and solution, plus glasses
- Make up and make-up remover
- Small pair of scissors or nail clippers
- Suncream (plus lip balm with SPF)
- After sun
- Sunglasses
- Hat or visor
- Insect repellent
- Bag or rucksack to transport all your beach gear
- Small bag to keep valuables safe and separate from wet or sandy towels
- Flip flops or lightweight sandals
- Swimwear
- Travel towel – look out for a towel made from microfibre which is lightweight and dries quickly
- 3 x thermal tops
- 3 x thermal leggings
- 2 x fleeces/jumpers
- Waterproof ski jacket
- Waterproof trousers/salopettes
- 4 x pairs of ski socks
- Underwear
- Swimwear (if needed)
- Comfy clothes – think warm layers
- Shoes with a good grip – snow or hiking boots are a good investment. Save space in your case by wearing them on the plane.
- Ski gloves (plus thermal gloves if you get super cold)
- Neck warmer (ditch the chunky scarf)
- Ski goggles
- Sunglasses with UV lenses
- Helmet (if not available for hire)
- Hat/Cap
- Don’t be fooled by the snowy scenes. You’re spending all day, every day outside. So bring your Sun cream and SPF lip balm with you.
- Small rucksack for when you’re on the slopes – with a water bottle and emergency contact details inside
Essential packing tips
- Keep it safe – keep your valuables in your hand luggage so they’re always in sight.
- Hand luggage – make sure you’ve got a spare change of clothes in your hand luggage just in case your luggage goes missing. You don’t want to be stranded at an airport with only the clothes on your back.
- Mix up your money—if you’re taking a lot of currency with you, split it between your suitcase, handbag, backpack, or hand luggage so that if a bag goes missing, you don’t lose all your cash.
- Packing cubes—Make packing and unpacking easy with a set of these. They then fit neatly into your suitcase. In a standard set, you’ll get a variety of sizes and shapes so that you can pack tops in one bag, underwear in another, and dirty washing in a separate compartment.
- Roll, don’t fold—rolling your clothes is a tried-and-tested packing method that takes up less space and means you won’t spend the whole holiday ironing them.
- The rule of three – if you’re on the move for a while, it’s best to pack and rotate your clothes in threes: wear one, wash one, dry one.
- Last-minute dash – if you’re still using many items the day before you leave, write yourself a list of everything you need to add to your carry-on luggage before you go. Stick it on the front door, and if you’re worried, you’ll forget that, too.
If you want to discover more packing hacks, please visit our article about Ultimate packing tips.
Now that you are ready let the journey begin. Click here or here to find out where you want to go.
One more thing! If you know of any other packing tricks, please share them with us in the comments below.
Note: You can find more helpful articles like this on our Travel Resources page.
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Featured photo: @martin-dm
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