What to Pack for a Vacation

Packing for a vacation can be fun, but it can also be a challenge when packing space is limited.  

This comprehensive guide to packing for your vacation can make the process easier. Use it like a packing list with five main categories: clothing and accessories, electronics, toiletries and medication, entertainment and miscellaneous, and travel documents and identification. 

Keep reading to learn more about how to simplify your packing strategy, thoughtfully organize your items and generally make the process less hectic. 

How to decide what to pack

To start, consider your suitcase options. The size of your luggage is your main constraint, particularly if you’re hoping to fit everything in one carry-on. You’ll have more flexibility if you plan on bringing more than one suitcase or check a larger bag. Once you’ve settled on your luggage, use the following questions to help guide your approach to packing.

Length of stay

How long is your vacation? Are you packing for a few days, a few weeks or longer? Think about the overall amount of clothing, toiletries and other items you’ll need for each day of your vacation. 

Weather 

Knowing what the temperature looks like at your destination will help you pack appropriately.

Check the weather forecast for your trip. Do you need to bring rain gear or extra sunscreen? Will it be warm during the day and cool at night? 

Activities

What type of activities are you planning? Do you need to bring specific outdoor gear such as hiking boots, golf attire, snorkeling equipment or ski accessories? Can you buy or rent any of these items when you’re on vacation, or is it better to bring them with you? 

Laundry facilities

Will you have access to laundry facilities where you're staying? If not, is there a local laundromat? Or do you prefer not to do any laundry while on vacation? If the latter, you’ll need to bring enough essential items to get you through the trip. 

Clothing and accessories

Consider what you plan to do on your vacation. Will you be lounging on a beach, camping in a forest or attending fancy dinners in the evening? What type of clothes best suit the activities and the weather? It can also help to create and assign specific outfits (day, night and loungewear) to each day of your trip so you don’t overpack. 

Common clothing and accessories include: 

• Underclothing (such as underwear, socks and bras)
• T-shirts and long-sleeve shirts 
• Sweaters, sweatshirts and sweatpants
• Jackets and coats
• Pants, jeans and shorts
• Skirts and dresses
• Pajamas 
• Bathing suits
• Shoes 

Electronics

Think through which electronics you want on hand for your vacation. A tablet or e-reader can be great if you plan to read a lot of books but don’t want to lug physical copies around with you. You may choose to bring no electronics if you want to completely unplug. 

Common electronics include:

• Chargers for your electronics (such as phone, computer or tablet)
• E-reader, tablet or computer
• Adapters if you are traveling internationally 

Toiletries and medication

What toiletries do you use regularly? Do you take any supplements or medications? You’ll want to bring those on your trip. 

Depending on where you're going and what you're doing, you may also need to bring extra toiletries such as sunscreen, bug repellant and hand lotion. 

Common toiletries and medication include:

• Shampoo and conditioner 
• Soap
• Toothbrush, toothpaste and dental floss
• Body lotion 
• Prescription medication
• A small supply of any over-the-counter medications to have on hand in case of illness

Entertainment and miscellaneous

Ask yourself what you like to do while you’re on vacation. Is it a good time to catch up on all the books you’ve been meaning to read? Do you enjoy watching movies or TV? Perhaps you want to disconnect from technology, do crossword puzzles and take long naps on the beach. 

Common entertainment items include:

• Travel pillow
• Games (crossword or puzzle books are easy to slip in your bag)
• Movies or TV series (download to your devices ahead of time) 
• Books, magazines or newspapers
• Headphones 
• A notebook or journal and a pen 
• Gear and accessories you need for certain activities or climates (e.g., hiking gear, a tennis racket or golf balls)

Travel documentation and identification 

What travel documentation and identification do you need for your vacation? This will differ depending on where you’re going and how you’re getting there. Common travel documents include:

• Passport 
• Driver’s license or state ID card 
• Any necessary visa paperwork 
• A printed or electronic boarding pass (if you are flying, taking a train or using another form of transportation that requires a ticket to board)
• Hotel reservation details  
• Car rental confirmation 

Use an empty folder or a storage bag to store your travel documents, passport, boarding pass and any other essential items in your purse or backpack. This ensures that your most important documents stay organized in one place and are protected from damage along the way. 

If you still need to book a car rental, flight or hotel for your trip, and if you have an eligible Citi credit card consider making your reservation through the Citi Travel^®  site.

Disclosure: This article is for educational purposes. It is not intended to provide legal, investment, or financial advice and is not a substitute for professional advice. It does not indicate the availability of any Citi product or service. For advice about your specific circumstances, you should consult a qualified professional.

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