My essential packing list for any trip
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Phone, keys, wallet. Done. Thanks for reading today’s post. That’s all for now.
Only joking, of course! If only packing for a trip were that simple. There’s always something you forget. You’ll be happily on your way to your destination when it suddenly hits you: “Damn, I didn’t pack that!”.
Don’t worry - I’m here to walk you through exactly what to pack for every type of trip. I’ll even share what you can safely leave behind if space is tight or if your luggage is creeping over the weight limit. Sorry, cats don’t make it onto the checklist. 👇🏽 😾
Whilst reading through, you might be thinking, “I’m only going to a city - why would I need that?” Or, “Why bother with that? I’m not heading somewhere exotic”. I’ll explain everything in detail, with real-life advice, mistakes, and lessons I’ve picked up from my own travels. (Warning: a slightly gross picture is coming up.)
Let’s get started!
Multi-travel plug adapter with USB ports (x2)
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve stayed somewhere with just one or two sockets in the room. With a standard adapter, I’d end up having to set alarms to swap our phones and devices over during the night - a true nightmare.
A multi-travel adapter with USB ports has honestly saved me more times than I can count. When both my husband and I need to charge our phones, he needs to charge his vape, and I’ve got a camera, earphones, or laptop waiting in line - this little device has truly been there for us (cue the Friends theme tune).
Our plug adapter comes with four USB ports plus a USB-C port, and it works in the USA, Europe, the UK, Asia, and Australia. Total game-changer! This is very similar to the one I have.
Pain and allergy relief
Medication can be surprisingly pricey abroad - especially if you don’t know where to look. In some countries, certain products are only available from pharmacies, and if the pharmacy is closed (or miles away), you’re out of luck.
There’s nothing worse than being on holiday and stuck in pain. Toothache, period pain, dodgy knees - whatever it is, it’ll always hit at the worst time. Pack some ibuprofen, paracetamol, and antihistamines in your bag - you won’t regret it.
Power banks
A long day of taking pictures and videos, using maps and searching for recommendations for places to visit can often take its toll on your mobile. A power bank is one of the things that top my list, purely for convenience. The last thing you want to do when you’re enjoying the fast-paced life of traveling is to have to find somewhere to charge your phone and lose an hour or more out of your day.
✈️ Travel Tip: You can bring a power bank on a plane, but only in your carry-on. The size matters:
Up to 100Wh (27,000mAh): All good, no approval needed.
100–160Wh: allowed with airline approval, max two per person.
Over 160Wh: not allowed on board.
Toiletries you’ll actually need
This one might sound obvious, but when you’re cutting down the weight of your luggage - or trying to keep things light with just a backpack - these are often the first things to get left behind. The classic lines: “I’ll just buy some toothpaste when I get there” or “I don’t want shampoo leaking all over my clothes” (yes, I’m guilty, I’ve said these exact words).
But here’s the thing: those “cheap” and “easy” to buy essentials like shampoo, conditioner, body wash, toothpaste, or face cream can quickly eat into your daily, weekly or monthly budget. A few euros here, a couple of dollars there - it adds up fast. Pack the basics (shampoo, conditioner, body wash, razor, toothpaste, toothbrush, face cream) and save yourself the hassle and the expense.
When it comes to travel essentials, a packet of wipes, some toilet roll, deodorant, and hand sanitiser are a must. Too many bathrooms around the world are either gross or completely missing toilet paper. Be prepared - and don’t get caught with your pants down (pun intended).
Change and bank notes!
I’ll admit it: I’m a bit of a phone-wallet diva. Half the time I don’t even carry my bank card, and cash? Darling, I don’t carry cash! But sometimes I catch myself thinking, “Sh*t, I actually need cash” (don’t ever say I’m not authentic).
It’s happened more than once. I’ve found a great little place to eat, wanted to explore a small town, or even just have a drink and play a game of pool, and I’ve seen the dreaded ‘cash only’ sign.
Over the years, I have learned not to depend entirely on my phone and to stash some cash. Past experiences of convincing a taxi driver to go on a last minute ATM detour whilst dealing with a language barrier and almost missing a tour will haunt me.
A little cash, a physical card, and yes, even some change will save you a lot of unnecessary drama.
Comfortable shoes (warning, gross feet pic)
The trauma attached to this one is real. Picture this: interrailing in Italy, 20,000+ steps per day, 5 a.m. starts, and the wrong pair of shoes. That’s all I’ll say. To make a terrible shoe-related pun: DON’T DO IT. Sorry Nike. Buy some decent walking shoes and, for Christ’s sake, please test them out before you travel.
On the plus side, I did buy the most expensive pair of sandals I own in Italy, and that pair has now traveled the world with me. After seeing the price tag, my husband said, “You better wear those shoes EVERYWHERE; I want you to never take them off.” I think he’s been pleasantly surprised with how often I actually wear them.
Honestly, your foot health and comfort are essential to having a good time. Comfortable shoes aren’t just nice, they’re a MUST.
Comfort items - earphones, travel pillow, earplugs, eyemask
A long plane journey, a long bus ride, a long coach or train trip… are made a hell of a lot longer if you don’t have these few comfort items. Yes, some airlines will give you earphones and a pillow, maybe even earplugs and an eye-mask, but it’s always good to have your own in case a plane isn’t your chosen mode of transport.
As an example, if you land early in the morning and you need a little nap before you face the day, then the eye-mask and earplugs will come in handy! Whilst the world is wide awake, you need your beauty sleep. You’ll end up facing the day feeling a lot fresher with these travel staples.
Suncream and aftersun
I’m a woman who tans quite easily and rarely burns - probably because there’s some Asian heritage in my family. If I ever do burn, it’s only slightly on my shoulders. However, I got sunburnt in the UK! Never underestimate the sun.
Secondly, while in Perth, Australia, it was a cloudy, windy, and borderline chilly day. I was wearing a semi-see-through tropical print shirt, a vest, and trousers - my arms were fully covered. I had a great day. The next morning, I woke up, and my arms were like lobster claws, and my husband looked like fire itself. Stupid British people that we are, we saw some clouds, felt the wind, and thought, “Eh, let’s wrap up and hit the road.” Sun cream… not even a thought in our minds. Woopsie. Let’s just say we ran out of suncream by the end of the two-week trip and learned our lesson.
Aftersun is always an afterthought, you never think you’ll need it, until you do. Just put some in your bag, trust me!
Towels and swimming gear
I absolutely adore a plush, long, and cozy towel. However, it’s just not the best option for travel. It takes up way too much room and once it’s wet, it takes too long to dry.
Shoving a damp towel into your bag is a surefire way to put a dampener on your day - pun intended. So, what’s the solution? A large microfiber or “fast-drying” towel! Many beach towels come in this kind of material. Wash it, throw it over the back of a sun lounger, balcony, or chair, and it’ll be good to re-pack or re-use in a couple of hours. 10/10.
Now, even if you’re not going somewhere hot, TAKE YOUR SWIMMING costume/trunks! There may be a pool where you’re going, a spa experience, thermal baths or something else cool. I’ve been caught wishing I took my swimming gear more times than I care to admit, I always regret not taking it if I don’t.
Packing cubes
I promised myself, while starting this publication, that I would be authentic and honest - and I am. Truthfully, I hate spending money on unnecessary things and like to save where I can. When I first heard about packing cubes, I thought, “What a load of sh*t - just another way to get your money, another travel ‘hack’ for influencers to post on TikTok.”
Then I did some research, and genuinely, I’m a convert. For my trips to Australia and Asia, packing cubes really helped condense my mountain of clothes and keep them organised. Swimming gear in one, bottoms in another, tops in another, socks in another, underwear in another, and “going out” outfits in one more.
Some extra advice: I bought mine from Temu - they were very cheap, but as the saying goes ‘you pay for what you get’ and the zips broke after my first trip, so I had to order more for my next trip. Also, out of the six or seven cubes, only three were really usable sized - the others were pencil-case sized. So, I had to order even more. Just a tip for if you decide to order some!
I’d recommend maybe ordering two packs to give you a good variety of sizes. Perhaps consider ordering packing cubes from different retailers, so you have variety and can test our their usefulness. Everywhere including Matalan, John Lewis and even Primark sell them. So you’re spoiled for choice. Side note: Condé Nast Traveller tested out The Best Packing Cubes so that you don’t need to!
International No-Fee Bank Cards
When you’re abroad, the last thing you want is sneaky fees. I use Monzo, and I know of friends and family that use Revolut - both are good options.
With Monzo, you can split your money into “pots” for daily spending, accommodation, transport, or excursions, which makes budgeting actually, dare I say it, quite fun. You can spend in foreign currencies or withdraw cash up to a certain limit without extra charges, and the exchange rates are fair. Basically, it’s one less thing to worry about while you’re having fun.
Click here or on the button below to sign up for Monzo, you’ll then get a mystery reward of £10, £20 or £50! Definitely worth doing.
A backpack with multiple pockets. (Hidden pockets are a bonus)
Often, handbags can’t fit all of your essentials and let’s be honest, they are annoying to hold. Wherever you are going, a backpack will be useful. Whether it’s a long all-inclusive holiday or a short city break.
A backpack with lots of compartments is a total travel lifesaver. You can tuck your passport into a secret pocket, keep your room key somewhere secure, and stow your wallet or purse in its own little nook. Everything has a spot, and you don’t have to worry about your essentials getting lost, jumbled together or stolen. Honestly, once you travel with one of these, you’ll wonder how you ever survived with just one big, all-in-one compartment.
Mini-detour for a moment, here’s my backpack essentials list:
Backpack Essentials List
Painkillers
Water, lots of it
Power bank or multiple power banks
Tissue/toilet roll
Make-up wipes / wipes
Hand sanitiser
Deodorant
Sun cream/mosquito spray (depending on where you’re going)
Wallet with essentials: ID, debit card, backup debit card (one VISA and one Mastercard from different banks), bank notes, and change
See my full travel essentials list below, along with a handy interactive online checklist, you can use this to tick items off in preparation for your next trip.
This checklist will work for both checked and carry-on luggage, however, obviously, with carry-on luggage your liquid requirements may be smaller (10 x 100ml is most common), so bear that in mind along with the fact that you are going to have significantly less room in a carry-on, so you may need to be a bit brutal with what you take.
The Travel Essentials List
Multi-travel plug adapter with USB ports x2
Ibuprofen / Paracetamol
Anti-histamines
Period supplies (for the ladies)
Suncream and aftersun (yes, even in the UK)
Swimming costume/trunks
Towel (microfibre/fast-drying is best)
Flip flops (thongs, if you’re American)
Change/bank notes
Packing cubes
International no-fee bank card
A backpack with multiple pockets
A beach bag (mesh is a good shout)
Toiletries: shampoo, conditioner, body wash, razor, toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant, face cream, toilet roll
Comfortable shoes
Power banks
Travel pillow
Earplugs
Eye mask
Earphones
What can I drop from the list, if I need to save a bit of extra space?
What can you possibly drop from a travel essentials list, everything is essential… right!? Unfortunately, suitcases have weight limits and backpacks can only hold so much. At some point, you’re going to have to make some sacrifices. The tricky part is deciding what is actually on the chopping block.
It really depends on your destination and the type of trip. For example, if it’s a short city break and you’re staying in a hotel, you can probably leave the towel, shampoo, and body wash at home since most hotels provide them. Take conditioner though, because apparently, hotels think we don’t like to condition our hair. Seriously - why do they never have conditioner?
I’d still recommend taking a swimming costume. You might want to take a break from being on your feet and book a last-minute spa session. And if you’re like me, a larger lady, it’s a hard task finding a swimming costume that fits and is comfortable whilst abroad, so I always have one handy to avoid disappointment. A towel, however, most places you stay or visit will have towels in your room or even towels to rent, so you can probably leave that off your list if you’re strapped for space. Other items that you could potentially leave out are: beach bag, eye mask, period supplies and painkillers. These can all be purchased en-route.
I did just read this aloud to my husband and he said “Noooo, I’m always traveling with painkillers, after what happened in Santorini with my tooth pain.” So, use your best judgement with what you leave out of your suitcase, you’ve been warned!
A power bank could be left out if you are remaining relatively close to your accommodation and you have short excursions and/or access to plug points.
Thanks for reading
I hope you found this piece useful. I know I’ll definitely come back to this piece before my next trip and make sure I pack everything above.
WanderWise with Kiera is a publication set up to ensure you wander wisely on your travels. Any knowledge I have from my travels that I can pass on to my readers, I do.
🙈most of these things I deliberately don’t take and the rest I usually forget. The amount of times I landed somewhere without an adapter is criminal.