Here's a packing list for the trip! During our last trip we forgot several important things in our packing, so we decided to make a packing list. Here's a list to go through before your next trip!
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Packing list for the trip
Having a packing list for your trip might not be a bad idea. We are certainly used to travelling, but we still tend to forget things.
Several times we have forgotten the charger for the electric toothbrush. When we went to Cyprus recently we forgot all of Peter's shirts (they were left on a hanger in the houseboat!), our powerbanks (which we need to charge our mobile phones) and our adapter (which would have been good to have as Cyprus has British sockets).
To help you prepare for your next trip, we made a packing list, which we are now sharing with you. Of course, you don't need everything on the list - use it to check off what you might need for your trip!
Are you travelling with a motorhome? Then you can add to this list: Motorhome packing list - checklist for departure.
Money and important documents
If you forget your toothbrush or bikini, you can buy a new one. However, some things are difficult to replace. So this first list may be the most important one to go through!
- Passport (and a visa if needed at the destination). Don't forget to check the validity period!
- Tickets (Digital tickets usually work, but sometimes it is convenient to print them as well.)
- Account card (preferably several, packed in different places)
- Cash in the correct currency (if you want to carry a small amount to start with - otherwise you can withdraw at local ATMs).
- Copy of passport and tickets (Can be useful if something gets lost - a tip is to email the documents to yourself).
- Driving licence if you plan to drive, and possibly an international driving licence if needed in the country you are visiting.
- Key telephone numbers, on your mobile phone or in a phone book
- Declaration of insurance
- The EU card for medical treatment, if you are travelling within the EU (You can order the card via the social security office)
Technology and entertainment
You may want to bring some technology with you on your trip. Entertainment can also be a good idea, for example for the flight or for lazy days in the sun. Here's a list to go through of things you might want to pack.
- Mobile phones and chargers
- Computer or tablet and charger
- Headphones
- Camera equipment (system camera, underwater camera, drone, etc.) and chargers
- Adapters (if you are travelling to a country with different electrical outlets)
- power bank
- USB memory stick
- Pad and pencil
- Books or tablets
- Other activities (e.g. newspapers, music, films, games, crosswords, handicrafts, work or studies).
- Toys, cuddly toys and crafts (if children are travelling with you).
Clothing and accessories
Clothes are of course needed when travelling. Exactly bet of course depends on where you are travelling, what you are doing and how long you will be away. Here is a packing list for the trip to go through.
- trousers/skirts
- Shorts/short skirts
- Dresses
- T-shirts/linen/tops
- Shirts/blouses
- Sweaters/cardigans
- Outerwear (jackets/coats and possibly hat, scarf/scarf, gloves)
- Rainwear/umbrella
- Shoes (preferably comfortable ones)
- Socks/tights
- Underwear
- Sleepwear
- Belts/shackles
- Jewellery
- Hair accessories (hair cords, hair bands or barrettes)
- Glasses or contact lenses and sunglasses
- Face masks (if required or desired)
- Sewing kit with needle and thread
- Handbag/shoulder strap bag/small backpack
- Workout clothes, outdoor clothes or swimwear (depending on the activities you plan to do on the trip).
Necessities
A toiletry bag needs to be packed, of course. Exactly what should be packed in the toiletry bag can vary, of course. Go through the list to make sure you don't miss anything.
- Toothbrush, toothpaste, toothpick and floss (Don't forget the charger if you use an electric toothbrush!).
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Soap and shower cream
- Skin cream and face cream
- Comb and brush
- Shaving equipment
- Deodorant
- Perfume
- Make-up and cleansing lotion
- Menswear
Travel pharmacy
In addition to a toiletry kit, you may want to pack a small travel pharmacy. Exactly what you need will of course depend on your health, where you are travelling, whether there are children on the trip and so on. Here is a list to check off:
- Plasters and possibly also blister plasters, compresses, wound tape and elastic bandages.
- Nail scissors and tweezers
- Fluid replacement
- Painkillers / antipyretics
- Fever thermometer
- Nasal spray
- Remedy for tourist diarrhoea and constipation
- Allergy tablets
- Medicine for motion sickness (if someone in the family is prone to sickness when travelling by car or train).
- Your prescription medicine (if you are taking any)
- Contraceptives
- Mosquito repellent and possibly also mosquito nets (depending on where you are travelling and how you plan to stay during your trip).
- Cooling balm and hydrocortisone cream (can relieve minor sunburn and insect bites).
- Hand sanitiser
For the flight
Going on a flight? We've already listed many of the good things to pack in your hand luggage (such as books, headphones and any medication), but here are a few more things you might want to consider packing:
- Sleep mask
- Earplugs
- Naked cushion
- Bottle to fill with water (You cannot bring liquids over 100ml through security, but you can bring an empty bottle to fill at the airport).
- Snacks (e.g. fruit, dried fruit, a sandwich or sweets. Please note that nuts may not be suitable as there may be allergy sufferers on board).
- Support socks (if you tend to have problems with swollen legs or feet and are going on a long flight).
Extra packing list for travel - sun holidays
Are you planning a sun holiday? Then you might want to consider adding the following to your pack.
- Swimwear
- Flip-flops/sandals
- Swimming shoes (if you are travelling to a country with rocky beaches)
- towel
- Cap/sun hat
- Sunglasses
- Sarong
- Beach bag
- Sunscreen and After Sun
- Snorkel and cyclops
- Waterproof bag and/or waterproof case for your mobile phone
Extra packing list for travelling - Winter holidays
Travelling to a wintry landscape? Are you planning to spend time in the snow, perhaps skiing? Then it's a good idea to check off this list as well:
- Underwear
- Warm socks/skiing socks
- Thicker sweater (for example a fleece sweater)
- Mittens/gloves
- Scarf
- Cap
- Warm jacket/skiing jacket
- Ski trousers
- Winter boots
- Skiing equipment (skis, poles, snowboard, boots, helmet, goggles)
- Sun cream
- Small backpack
Extra packing list for the trip - Hiking trip
Travelling for hiking? Much of what you need to pack can be found in the lists above. Here are a few more things to consider:
- Hiking shoes or hiking boots
- Comfortable outdoor style trousers or shorts
- Wind and rainproof jacket
- Practical backpack for hiking
- Water bottle
- Thermos
- Map, compass and GPS
- First aid kit
- Seat pads
- Binoculars
- Pocket knife and matches (if you want to make a fire).
- Flashlight or headlamp (if you go out in the dark season)
- Kåsa (for drinking water directly from fresh mountain streams)
- Water filters/water purifiers (to purify and drink water from lakes and rivers).
- Rain cover for your rucksack
More items needed in a packing list for travelling?
Do you have any other suggestions for a packing list for travelling? Have you ever forgotten something that you missed?
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Evy Knoph says:
Good tips as usual :-). I usually pack with a spork... good if you buy something to eat for the room... also Espresso powder that I pack in small jars, own tea ..don't like English breakfast etc... small kettle, if I don't see that it's there... I like to bring 2 phone chargers... 1 left at the hotel and 1 with me if I'm out for a long time...
I now always sign up for the Sweden list when I go abroad....
I forgot... had prepared a bag with national team jerseys, flag, wig etc. before the Women's Handball World Cup in Japan... it was left at home....
I now pack in cubes. Forgot the cube with underwear on one of the New York trips... to go shopping...
11 December 2022 - 10:11
Helena says:
Wow so many good tips! 🙂 Spork! Tea and coffee can be good too! Boring to forget the national team stuff, but so easy to forget something, we know ... 😉.
17 December 2022 - 16:56
Maria says:
What a great to-do list! It's annoying when you are in another country and discover what you have forgotten...
11 December 2022 - 10:58
Helena says:
Glad you like it! And, isn't it? Last time we also forgot things that were hard to replace when we were travelling...
15 December 2022 - 22:08
BP says:
I also make a checklist before travelling. Yes, you learn the hard way. When we forgot the transfer device for pictures from camera to computer and had to travel around Gdansk-Sopot-Gdynia, we learnt that a checklist might not be so bad. But I must admit that it was maybe a third as long as yours.
PS. Maybe Peter will want to "trim" his hair when he sees pictures of himself today - hahaha:-) DS.
11 December 2022 - 18:02
Helena says:
Well, you have to learn the hard way I guess... This list is quite long, but you don't always need everything, it depends on where you are going and what you are doing 😉.
15 December 2022 - 22:09