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Summer Travel Packing List – Everything You Need
I am off to Greece soon and about to start packing. Whether you’re a seasoned globetrotter or getting ready for your first holiday, having a great summer travel packing list can make all the difference as you prepare for your trip.
It starts from booking the trip, getting your documents in order, the size of luggage you take, down to the items you put in it.
I travel at least twice a year at the very minimum so today I want to share with you my awesome summer travel packing list strategy. From packing light, to the essentials you should not leave behind.
When you breakdown your packing into categories, it gives you a better overview of everything.
Packing your bag in preparation for travel can seem like a daunting task. Especially in summer with so much choice and freedom, it is often hard to figure out what’s good to bring and what to leave at home. Let’s get started!
1. Getting Your Travel Documents In Order
I like to do this step first. Always. Your holiday won’t mean much if you cannot get on your flight or through Airport security.
Here are the essential documents you will need for your holidays, plus other important items you should carry with you at all times.
- Passport
- Visa(s) – Check on this well before your travel date
- Personal ID
- Cash and credit card(s)
- Frequent Flyer card or number
- Travel Insurance information
- Reservations, itineraries, and printed boarding pass (copies in email)
- Hotel contact information
- Transportation tickets (plane, train, bus, car, etc.)
- Emergency contacts and important addresses
Here are some of my favourite travel wallets, all for under $35!
2. Choosing The Right Travel Bag
I have a preference for luggage that is lightweight yet strong enough to handle been thrown around at the Airport.
Suitcases, carry-on bags, and other kinds of luggage have a lot in common. Wheels, a handle, and zippers.
Choosing the right luggage is important depending on the type of trip you are going on.
Wheel-ability – You have a choice between 2 wheel and 4 wheel luggage. My personal preference is 4 wheels because they spin 360 degrees, and you can easily wheel the luggage beside you,behind you, in front of you.
Durability – Whether you’re a globetrotter or not, you don’t want to spend money on luggage every time you travel so durability is important. Luggage with chain zippers are better and stronger than coil zippers.
If you are heading on a 3 to 4 day trip, a carry on or duffel bag will suffice.
3. Clothes To Pack (For You and the Family)
A lot of this section will be dependent on how long your trip is planned for and where you are going.
My list is mostly catered to women, still I have listed below some items for men. If you have kids, you can add items or swap them out in the list.
Underwear | Socks/stockings |
Undershirts/bras | Sleepwear |
T-shirts | Dress shirts |
Pants | Shorts |
Skirts | Dresses |
Swimsuit cover ups | Rain-wear |
Compact Umbrella | Scarves |
Leisure Shoes | Athletic Shoes |
Sandals | Flip Flops |
Belts & Ties | Jewelry (though safer in carry-on) |
Take pieces with you that are easy to mix and match. For Example, tops that go well with shorts,jeans and leggings. When you mix and match tops and bottoms of your outfits, you will find that you need to pack less items.
Take a little black dress with you that you can dress up, or dress down. Throw a stylish blazer over it and pair with heels or wear it on its own with flip flops when it’s sunny and hot.
Packing cubes are a lifesaver for travelling.
Don’t forget …at the end of this post you will get my free printable summer travel packing list.
4. Your Travel Toiletries Bag – What Goes In Here?
Your summer travel packing list would not be complete without a checklist for toiletries.
The best thing about this is that it is the same for each and every trip you take!
- Toothpaste
- Toothbrush
- Toothbrush
- Floss
- Moisturizer
- Sunscreen
- Deodorant
- Shampoo & Conditioner (if you don’t like the ones provided by your hotel)
- Baby Wipes
- Make Up
- Makeup Remover Wipes
- Face Wash
- Hair Bands/Hair Clips/Bobby Pins
- Feminine Hygiene Products
- Brush or Comb
- Hairstyling appliances
- Shaving supplies
- Contact lenses/solution
This one is as straightforward as you can get. Simple, yet so much to take along.
Here are soe great ones for under $20.
5. What To Add To Your Medication/Health Bag?
- Any prescription medications – with the pertinent information from the box
- Paracetamol (or any pain relief you are used to taking)
- Cold and Flu Tablets/Lozenges
- Antihistamines/Allergy medication
- Imodium
- Anti-inflammatory Medication
- Bug Spray
- Antibacterial Ointment
- Region specific medication
- Travel First Aid Kit that includes band aids, antiseptic wipes, bandages, gauze, small scissors and tape/pins.
Each country has its own guidelines about which medicines are legal. While rules vary from country to country, there can be serious consequences if you violate the laws of the country you’re visiting.
Check with the foreign embassy of the country you will be visiting to make sure your medicines are permitted in that country.
Make an appointment with your health care provider to get needed vaccines and medicines at least 4 to 6 weeks before you leave.
Always put your medicines in your carry-on luggage. You don’t want to be stuck without them if your suitcase gets lost!
Here are some mistakes you should avoid when traveling.
6. Tech Stuff You Need For Travel
This one is easy and also a matter of preference. Some want to shut off commpletely when on vacation, while others love posting their day to day experiences on Instagram.
Either way, you likely want to have a camera if nothing else visiting a new country.
Here are a few basic tech items/gadget I love to take with me.
- Smart Phone
- A Good Camera + Spare Memory Card
- Laptop or Tablet
- Adapter Plug/Multi-Adapter
- Power Bank
- Travel Speakers
- Tech Tacos are perfect for travel or everyday use to carry cords in your bag or to keep your cord drawer tidy. It’s small, compact, and super effective at keeping cords tangle free.
Don’t forget …at the end of this post you will get my free printable summer travel packing list.
7. Being Comfortable When Traveling
A Travel Pillow: All I will say is be sure to get the TRTL Travel Pillow! It is half the size of U-shaped travel pillow and weighs 226 grams (half a pound). Made of machine washable super soft fleece, it is also scientifically proven to provide neck support, and folds easily into any travel bag.
Fold-able Water Bottle: A fold-able water bottles is perfect for extra hydration after going through airport security. Save space in your bag, and save money by filling up your water bottle at a water fountain before you get to the gate.
Travel Moisturizer & Lip Balm: My lips and skin get dry very quickly on flights. Help your body adapt to climates and altitudes with help of a good moisturizer and some lip balm.
RFID Blocking Travel Wallet: Keep your credit cards safe inside this RFID Blocking Travel wallet at all times. You don’t want to find out your money has been swiped while on vacation.
The Ultimate Summer Packing List
As you get ready for your next trip, I hope these packing tips will e helpful in getting you packed up and ready in no time!
Click below to get my FREE Printable Summer Travel Packing List. Save it or print it out.
Ready to get packing? Download or print it, then check off for your specific needs.
How do you go about packing? All last minute or well in advance? Do you pack according to categories like me? What do you do differently?
Share with me in the comments section below.
Get Your Free Summer Travel Checklist NOW!
13 comments
Swimsuits are also part and parcel of my suitcase, whether it’s summer or not. Even if it’s an official trip, there’s always a lull time and it’s nice to get away and take a dip in the hotel pool 🙂
Packing can be so stressful, but this list will make it impossible to forget any key items! Thanks for the post.
This is such a great and informative list! I love how organized it is. So exciting!!!
Oh this will def come in handy for my next trip! Thanks so much.
i always have to make lists before i go on holiday, otherwise i forget so much!
This is such a useful list! I hate all this preparing for summer travels and now I hope it will be much easier! Great tips! Just love them! 🙂
I need to make a list of things that I pack for every trip. That would make packing so much easier.
Oh absolutely, it would cut your packing time down by half if not more! Download my free checklist for help and inspiration Tara.
xoxo, Sheri
Thank you for this list. I am pretty terrible at packing, so I need all the help I can get.
Oh this is super helpful! I don’t typically travel in the summer because my folks are here, but I will be taking a trip in September for my birthday!
All great tips! And can I tell you…that North Face suitcase??!! I am in love with it! Best tip on here in my opinion is the camera. Always bring a good camera with you!
This is perfect I have 3 weeks before I travel and I am so behind plus it’s with 2 kids, love the suitcases, I am yet to buy mine. I will be using this list.
What a list of great ideas! I’ve heard a lot of people rave about TRTL. Would definitely check that out as I’d be in a very long flight for my Europe trip! 🙂 ~ Ola