Basic Vacation Packing Items

We’ve talked about taking time off and how to budget for your vacation, now let’s talk about some packing essentials. This could be added to your travel budget.

Sometimes there are certain things to pack for certain trips like for a cruise or an international trip. It’s important to do some research on where you’re traveling to know what to pack. Still, I wanted to provide some basics that could apply to every trip.

These are items I pack for majority of my trips. Some may not apply to everyone. Keep in mind I’m a black woman so there may be some extra things (or things missing) from this first list.

Bathroom/Toiletries

These are items to pack when you’re getting ready for the day or winding down from the day.

Tip: if not buying empty travel size containers, make sure all liquids are 3.4 oz or smaller if they’re going in your carry-on bag for flights. Follow TSA guidelines.

• Travel Toothbrush
• Toothpaste (3 oz.)
• Mouth Wash (3 oz.)
• Travel size containers for things like:
  • Face Wash
  • Toner
  • Moisturizer
  • Shampoo
  • Conditioner
  • Hair gel/moisturizer
• Lotion (3 oz.)
• Reef-Safe Sunscreen (3 oz.)
• Deodorant
• Feminine Hygiene Products (if needed)
• Bar Soap/Body Wash (3 oz.)
• Comb/Brush
• Hair Ties/Clips/Pins
• Bonnet
• Shower Cap
• Shower Shoes
• Makeup
• Makeup wipes

Medicine

Some people are like a walking pharmacy; I tend to be that person on vacation. I don’t want to be without my preferred brands of pain meds or anything else. It could be more expensive elsewhere or the destination may not even have what I need. This is especially true on cruises.

It’s hard to prepare for every possibility but here’s a list of some medicinal things to pack.

• Rapid COVID Test
• Motion Sickness Pills
• Pain Killers
• Mini First Aid Kit
• Lactaid Pills
• Antacid
• Neosporin or other ointments
• Band-Aids
• Constipation/Laxative Pills
• Any medications that you take on a regular basis

Important Docs

With the age of technology, it rare to see any printed documents. I still think it’s important to have something printed in case something goes wrong like the device dying.
Regardless of is you print out the documents or have a place to easily find them on your phone or tablet, these are documents to remember to pack.

• Printed Boarding Pass
• Cash
• Credit Card
• Passport (if applicable)
• Government ID
• COVID-19 Vaccination Card (if applicable)
• Any tickets or confirmations for activities
• Travel Insurance
• Health Insurance

Electronics

Electronics can vary from person to person, especially if you’re someone who likes to unplug on vacation. That being said, I still want to provide some items to think about taking with you on your trip.

• Camera
• Tripod/Selfie Stick (for solo photo taking)
• European plug adapter (for cruises or international trips)
• Phone
• Portable phone charger
• Phone Charger
• Headphones/earbuds and charger
• Monoxide Alarm
• Door Stop Alarm
• Tracked luggage tags (Airtag or Tile)
• eReader (or regular book)

Clothes

Clothing can vary based on how long your trip is and the type of trip. Here are some outfit ideas to keep in mind:

• Travel outfit
  • Usually something comfortable with long sleeves or jacket for cold planes or trains.
• Day outfit
  • Something casual to walk around in
• Workout/Adventure outfit
  • If your more active or like to do things like hike on your trips, it’s good to have an outfit or two dedicated to that.
• Evening outfit
  • This could either be nice dinner wear or a fun club outfit. I like dressing up for dinner on vacation so I’d have a couple outfits.
• Pajamas
  • You gotta have something to sleep in!
• Themed outfits
  • Certain resorts and cruises have theme nights that are optional to dress up for. Dressing up can be fun!
• Swimwear
  • For those beach days or lounging by the pool.

Misc.

These are items I couldn’t place in a category but are good to consider packing for your future trips.

• Reusable Filter Water Bottle
• Waterproof Bag
• Zip lock bag
• Laundry bag (optional)
• Laundry detergent strips
• Magnetic hooks (for cruises)
• Wrinkle release spray (3 oz.)
• Disinfectant Spray (3 oz.)
• Travel Wipes
• Travel Lock
• Masks
• Umbrella/Poncho
• Travel reusable straws
• Magnet decorations (for cruises)
• Bug repellent

There are items that are used to supposedly help you pack and be organized like toiletry bags, packing cubes, and even vacuum storage bags.

This may be another case of overthinking but I like to “practice” packing a few weeks before the trip to make sure everything fits in the suitcase. And remember to leave room for souvenirs!

I hope these lists of items will help you pack for your next trip! Like I said before, different trips call for different things. Be sure to research for any additional items to pack.

What are some of your packing essentials for a trip? Let us know in the comments!