Travel Essentials: Packing List + Travel Tips

Travel Essentials: Packing List + Travel Tips

1 May 2020

Posted by Mikaela

32 Comments

In this article, we’ll talk about the ultimate travel essentials list. Whether you’re a newbie or a veteran in the world of traveling, packing for a trip is what makes us equal. Here’s the ULTIMATE travel essentials guide from a low maintenance traveler.

For first-timers, you may feel a bit stressed and overwhelmed thinking about the things to pack– fearing to forget something essential behind. Worry no more! In this article, we will discuss everything you’ll need (travel essentials). AND there’s a downloadable travel checklist that you can use from now on when you sign up to our newsletter. Completely FREE!

What are travel essentials?

Travel essentials are necessary items that you need during your travels. These are the things that you MUST have and are classified as important for your trip. We all know that traveling can be stressful (at times) especially for those who hate packing. Don’t worry, I’m here to make your life easier.

What kind of travel are you going to prepare for?

Before we start ticking off every travel essentials from the list below, ask yourself these questions: what kind of travel am I going to attend? Is it local? International? Or, am I going to attend a business trip? How many days am I going to stay? Where am I going to stay?

Do you have your answers? Great! 

Knowing your travel style will help you filter the things you NEED for your trip. Hence, it will be easier for you to decide whether to bring a backpack, luggage, or just stick with your carry-on. 

Travel tip: Make sure that your passport and visa are not expired on or before your scheduled trip! For your convenience, you might opt to renew your passports ahead of time and apply for a visa just in time for your travel schedule. 

Choose the right travel bag for you

Now that you have an idea about your whole trip, it’s easier for you to choose your travel bag. There are plenty of bag options for you; luggage, backpacks, and duffel bags that you can choose from classic to convertible ones, with wheels and more.

In deciding which bag to bring, remember to choose what you NEED and consider the length of your travel. For example, it’s wise to bring a luggage bag for long trips (international) and a backpack/duffel bag for local travels (2-3 days). It depends on your preference, as long as it can fit your travel essentials and will make your trip comfortable. 

Another example, when I went for 6 days and 5 nights trip to Seoul, South Korea, I chose to go with a carry-on suitcase (since I’m a light packer) and a small backpack for day trips where I can store my wallet, power bank, and other essentials. But during my 4 days and 3 nights trip to Bangkok, Thailand, I used my small base camp duffel bag (convertible as a backpack) to store my belongings. 

Travel tip: If you can, try to maximize your free 7 kg carry-on space. This will enable you to pack light and save on checking fees. Also, it will save your time from lining up and going back and forth to check-in your luggage. 

Travel Essentials

To make sure that we cover everything, let’s sort your belongings into 5 categories:

  • Clothes
  • Gadgets
  • Toiletries
  • Documents
  • Additional Items

Clothes

The following are items under each sub-category. You may use it as a guide for customizing your travel clothes.

  • Tops – shirts, blouse, collared, with or without sleeves, dressy (don’t forget your pajamas/nightclothes)

Tip: Bring 2 to 3 extra clothes only! If you want to travel light, you need to be wise about your travel outfit. Meaning, you might want to wear clothes that you can use in different situations as well. To save space, I wear lightweight clothes and dresses! They’re convenient and perfect for subtle Instagram worthy snapshots. (You’re welcome)

  • Cover-ups – jacket, coat, hoodie, thermal, leather 

Tip: It is important to take note of the weather condition of your destination. It can help you pattern your outfit accordingly and lessen the chance for you to bring unnecessary clothes. Also, it wouldn’t hurt to bring 1 cover-up during your trip even if it’s in the summer season. You can still use it on the airplane and other situations. 

  • Bottoms – pants, shorts, skirts, leggings, tights

As a low maintenance traveler, I only bring 1 pair of pants (aside from what I’m wearing in the airport) to save space. Pants are heavy so I resort to wearing shorts, leggings, etc.

  • Footwear – travel shoes, sport, slippers, sandals, dressy, socks

Tip: If you can, try to bring 1 or 2 types of shoes and always prepare a slipper or sandals on hand. For socks, bring exact pairs only. You can just wash it in your hotel if you extend your stay. 

  • Headgear – caps, sun hats, bucket hat  
  • Undergarments 

Toiletries

  • Toothbrush
  • Toothpaste, floss and mouth wash (100 ml)
  • Deodorant
  • Comb, hair ties, hair products 
  • Petroleum jelly/ lip balm 
  • Travel towel (microfiber)
  • Contact lens kit and solution
  • Personal hygiene items (shampoo, soap, sanitary napkins, liners, feminine wash)
  • Sunscreen, moisturizers
  • Powder 
  • Alcohol/ sanitizer
  • Makeup (optional)
  • Shaving kit (optional)

Gadgets

  • Mobile phone
  • Earphones
  • Power bank
  • Charger
  • Universal adapters
  • Camera and lenses (optional)
  • Ipad/tablet (optional)
  • Laptop (optional)

Camera, laptops, and other gears are optional. Again, think about your travel carefully. If you’re a digital nomad, blogger, vlogger, and a person who will attend business trips, you may need to bring these items. For those who are going on a vacation, you have the choice to travel without it (if you want to travel light). 

Tip: Research about the required voltage and outlet types in your travel destination. You wouldn’t want the hassle of running out of battery once you’re there already (believe me, I did. Thank God there’s a nearby convenience store). Bring a universal adapter to have smooth travel experience.  

Documents

This section is very important so make sure to put everything in one place.

  • Passport
  • Visa
  • Cash and credit card
  • Travel and insurance documents
  • Flight itineraries
  • Hotel/ tour confirmations and contact information
  • Pen

Tip: Organize your travel documents in one bag or envelope and put it in your carry-on. With this, you are always prepared and on the go.

Additional Items

Now that you’re done organizing the essentials, here are other things that you may need:

  • Sunglasses
  • Swimming attire
  • Medicines (tip: always prepare a small medicine kit for your travel. Better prepared than sorry)
  • Face masks
  • Snacks/ food

I hope you’re all set after reading this article. Packing

Want the FREE travel checklist that I made? Just fill up the form with your e-mail! Or you can click here to sign up. Feel free to use it as a guide for your next trip!

Are your essentials on the list? Was this helpful? Let me know your thoughts in the comment section.

Share this with your friends if you find it helpful, or you can bookmark this site for future references.

Happy packing! And see you on my next post.

 

32 responses to “Travel Essentials: Packing List + Travel Tips”

  1. Jaymee says:

    I love the break down of essentials! People often tend to over pack because no one really tells them what essentials are, and they thing everything is important lol. Good job for post number 1! Will come back for more!

  2. Nora Uche says:

    Thanks for this post, I really enjoy reading it.

  3. Thanks for this great tip, it’s a great guide for people who forget to pack their travelling accessories well

  4. Surabhi says:

    This is ultimate checklist. Waiting for the time to travel.

  5. I also make copies of all my travel documents and put them in a safe place. Having a photocopy of your passport is so helpful if you were to lose it.

  6. This is a great list. We found when we were travelling that we had more gadgets than clothes.

  7. Melissa says:

    I always forget something! This is a very helpful list! I love the break down of everything.

  8. menty says:

    nice list 😀

  9. Madi Rowan says:

    Great tips! I’m an avid traveler & although I try to stick to only the essentials, I usually always still end up over packing!

    -Madi xo | http://www.everydaywithmadirae.com

  10. Nat says:

    Great post! Always good to have a packing list!

  11. kelly says:

    Great list and congrats on your 1st post! I cut wait to read more

  12. Audrey says:

    I am such a sucker for list, I have list for everything, but unlike you, I am quite high maintenance! 🙂

  13. Bumo Mgabe says:

    I love the section in important documents. I find it helpful to always have them in the same pocket, that why I never forget!

  14. Annick says:

    As a flight attendant I live in my suitcase all the time! This list is very good and detailed! 🙂 thank you

  15. […] in case you’re planning for a trip and/or you haven’t read my Ultimate Travel Essentials Guide, why don’t you click on the link and learn more about packing. It’s good to learn […]

  16. Trisha says:

    This is such a great, and complete, list! No matter how hard I try to remember everything while I’m packing, I always forget something!

  17. Jen says:

    This is such a great list! A packing checklist is always such a big help. I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve forgotten my phone charger all because I didn’t make a list haha. Great post!

  18. Farrah says:

    Great post + yay for low maintenance travel! I’ve been looking at that base camp duffel bag, but trying to refrain since I technically have a lot of bags already (sigh).

  19. Alexandra B says:

    I think choosing the right travel bag is half the battle! It has to be big enough to fit everything, but small enough to fit in overhead or under the seat in front of you!

  20. […] you haven’t read my post about the ULTIMATE TRAVEL ESSENTIALS GUIDE, just click on the link. It’s a comprehensive guide for packing with a free checklist you […]

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