You’ve booked your dream getaway, your flights are secured, and you’re feeling excited for the adventure ahead. But then –you realise you need to pack! Yikes! What do you need in your suitcase, and what can you leave behind? Should you plan everything meticulously with a list in advance, or just vibe it out and throw all your clothes in a huge bag the night before (or morning of!). Whatever your packing style, there’s always room for improvement. It’s why we’ve created this ultimate travel checklist – to help you pack for your next Trafalgar vacation with packing success.
Below we’ll cover everything from essential clothes and travel-sized toiletries to keeping your electronics charged and your credit cards safe. No more scrambling for passports at the last minute, or wondering if you packed enough pairs of shoes. This guide and checklist will ensure you have everything you need for a smooth, stress-free adventure. Then you can focus on what matters – enjoying every moment of that dream vacay!
First, consider the destination and trip duration
Every vacation is different, so before diving into crafting your ultimate travel checklist, it pays to step back and tailor your packing list to the specifics of your trip.
Start with the destination specifics
Picture yourself on vacation: are you asking on a sun-drenched beach or exploring a busy city? Are you visiting Italy in summer or Switzerland in spring? Both call for very different clothing choices. Climate and weather are key – pack for the average temperatures and expected rainfall at your destination. If it includes some adventure or hiking, make sure you have sturdy walking shoes. If you’re in a city, pack versatile layers. Of course, a beach vacation means you’ll need swimwear! Will you be attending a fancy dinner? You might need something chic to slip into.
Then consider the trip duration
A weekend getaway requires a much lighter packing list compared to a multi-week adventure. Think about how long you’ll be away, and when you’ll have time to wash clothes. Going away for one week or three weeks can have the exact same list, granted you can wash your clothes. Think about how many outfits you’ll need, and make sure you can mix and match tops and bottoms to avoid overpacking and maximise your suitcase space. You need to save space for souvenirs!
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Next, plan your Ultimate Travel Checklist
Use our checklists below as a starting point for your own travel packing checklist. Depending on the climate and duration of your trip, you might need one T-shirt, or you might need to pack seven!
Consider these a starting point, and add or delete items based on what you need.
Clothing checklist
- Tops or T-shirts
- Long-sleeve shirts and layers
- Sweater or jumper
- Jeans
- Shorts
- Skirts
- Long trousers or pants
- Dresses
- Sleepwear
- Comfy plane outfit
- Underwear
- Socks
- Bras
- Walking shoes – likesneakers
- Sandals
- Dressy shoes
- Swimwear
- Scarf
- Hat
- Belt
- Sunglasses
- Jewelry
- Day bag
- Foldable tote
- Umbrella or rainjacket
Toiletries
One great tip for packing when you are light on space is if (beyond the daily essentials) you can access the item within 20 minutes, then you don’t need to pack it.
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Floss
- Sampoo
- Conditioner
- Face wash
- Deoderant
- Moisturiser
- Sunscreen
- Hair brush
- Makeup (if applicable)
- Medications and first-aid kit
- Insect repellent
- Bandages
- Pain relievers
- Prescription medication
- Medicine
- Menstrual items
- Shaver
Travel documents, electronics & misc.
- Passport
- Visa (if required)
- Digital or printed tickets and reservations
- Phone
- Phone charger
- Camera (with charger)
- Adapters, if needed
- Copy of passport
- Emergency contacts list
Extras for comfort & entertainment – Your carry-on bag
Here are some travel checklist extras that you might like to squeeze in your carry-on bag for comfort on the journey to your destination, and to help you feel more comfortable as you wake up in different beds each night!
- Travel pillow
- Eye mask
- Ear plugs
- Books, magazines, or downloaded entertainment
- Reusable water bottle
- Snack
- Tissues
- Lip Balm
- Hand sanitizer (and wipes)
- Space clothes (for plane)
- Everything in the “Travel documents, electronics & misc.” list
- Anything valuable (jewelry, cash, credit cards, passport)
- Glasses
- Keys
- Chewing gum
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Packing tips and tricks
Think of packing a suitcase like a real-life game of Tetris. You have to get everything to fit into the space, but then your bag has to be light enough to avoid any airline baggage fees. Yes, it’s complex – but follow the rules and use these space-saving tricks.
- Roll ‘em up! Ditch folding! Rolling clothes is a space-saving superpower. Rolled clothes take up less space and wrinkle less than folded ones.
- Packing cubes: Make packing cubes your new besties. Order a set of these lightweight organizers to help compress your clothes, keep your belongings categorized, and maximize your suitcase. If you are moving around a lot, they help keep yoru suitcase organized and make re-packing a breeze.
- Pack a versatile capsule wardrobe: Choose clothing items that can be mixed and matched to create multiple outfits. The easiest way to do this is come up with a color palette – neutral colors plus an accent or two that can be mixed and matched. It might mean bringing 2x fun patterned skirts and only plain white or black T-shirts, and a sweater than goes with everything.
- Stuff your shoes: Shoes take up a lot of space. Try to bring three or four pairs at most –sneakers, dress shoes, and sandals or flip flips are a great trio. If you must bring lots of shoes, stuff them with socks or clothing.
Carry-on vs. checked luggage
Every airline is different, and every country is different – so it pays to read up on the rules for each airline before you fly. Did you know that in Australia the airlines are strict on carry-on weight and only allow 7kg? While in Europe it’s rare to have your carry-on weighed, but they might pull you up on the size of your bag.
If you love the convenience of avoiding baggage claim (and potential lost luggage woes) then traveling with carry-on only is ideal. This is best for shorter trips or minimalist packers who can manage with just a small wheelie. Just remember to check airline size and weight restrictions for carry-on luggage.
For longer trips or holidays that require bulky gear (hello ski trips!), purchasing checked luggage is essential for space, flexibility and peace of mind. Of course, this slows you down at the airport when you need to collect bags.
RELATED BLOG: Folding vs Rolling: Which packing technique wins?
How big of a bag do I need for a 5 day trip?
For a five-day trip, you can easily get away with just a large backpack or small suitcase (like a cabin bag). Something in the 40-70 liter range is a good general recommendation. At the lower end, you may need to re-wear clothes or only have one outfit per day. If you struggle to pack lightly, you may need to book a medium sized suitcase to place under the plane.
Go on tour
Visiting somewhere in winter means you will need bulkier clothing – a pair of jeans takes more space than shorts, and you’ll need a jacket and potentially a scarf, gloves and beanie too. If you plan to hike, you might need specific gear too.
How big of a bag do I need for a 10 day trip?
A 10-day trip can be a tricky length. For a one-week trip you won’t do washing, for a two-week trip you probably will. For 10 days? Well, it depends. You’ll likely need a medium sized suitcase, around the 50-75 liter range is a good starting point.
This size allows you to pack more clothes, toiletries, and essentials. As with any trip, you’ll need to consider the climate, the activities, and your own packing style. If you plan to wear two outfits every day, that’s 20 outfits – you’ll need a big bag! If you’re happy to rewear items or do a wash partway, you can get away with much less.
Planning a trip to one of the following destinations? Check out more expert travel checklist and packing guides below:
- Tanzania packing guide
- Morocco packing guide
- Asia packing guide
- Africa packing guide
- Japan packing guide
- India packing guide
- Paris packing guide
That’s our ultimate travel checklist guide. Do you have any tips to add? Leave us a comment….
