We buy all the products we test — no freebies from companies. If you purchase through our links, we may earn a commission, which helps support our testing.
Planning your next getaway and wondering what you need to pack for your travels? Our expert travel gear editors have compiled the ultimate travel packing list, and we also have recommendations on some great products to get based on our rigorous testing. Our editors have carefully vetted this packing list from hundreds of trips and vacations, big and small. We've embarked on epic road trips, backpacked through Europe, and traveled on amazing vacations through breathtaking landscapes. We can help you pack just the right gear for all your travel, from relaxation trips to adventure travel with friends and family. We hope that by compiling this ultimate packing list, we can help you pack well every time, so you can relax and enjoy your adventures to their fullest.
This packing list is for travel vacations and getaways. If your focus is camping trips, then check out our roundup of camping gear on the market, which is full of the most essential items and favorites from our extensive testing. If you love the thrill of embarking on multi-day excursions, bringing only what you can carry on your back, head over to our lineup of backpacking backpacks to take with you into the backcountry.
Editor's Note: We updated this article on December 12, 2024, to incorporate our latest picks for Water Bottles.
When leaving home for any duration, packing should be the least memorable part of your trip.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Packing Checklist
Have you ever arrived at your destination, ready for a much-needed vacation, but realized you forgot something majorly essential? We have (hello underwear?). We know how much of a damper it can put on your trip. We put together a comprehensive checklist to help you keep your head on straight before heading out the door. We include a packing checklist below or you can download one of our PDF checklists:
Whether you are a meticulously organized packer or a stuff-everything-that-fits-and-go type of packer, this packing list can help you remember all the little bits and bobs that make traveling more enjoyable, not to mention the essentials.
Having everything you need for your journey can take a lot of the stress out of travel, whether you're going on a quick weekend trip or a month-long adventure.
Credit: Hale Milano
Beach/Summer Add-Ons to Your Packing List
Beach bag
Extra swimsuits
Coverup
Lightweight wrap Dry bag for tech Sun hat
Copy of passport + visa
Travel insurance
Booking confirmations
Itinerary
Vaccinations
Emergency contacts
Bank info/contacts
Travel guidebook & maps
A bag with great internal organization can help you keep trave of all your travel docs and comfort essentials.
No matter the length of your fight, it is important to board knowing you are equipped with your essentials.
Carry-On Bag List
Wallet (bank cards, cash, ID)
Passport + visa
Boarding pass
Under-clothing document holder
Cell phone + charger
Earbuds/headphones + charger
Laptop + charger
Camera + charger + extra memory cards
Portable charger
Power adapter
Book
Pen
Travel pillow + earplugs + eyemask
Scarf/travel blanket
Essential medication
Wet wipes/hand sanitizer
Lip balm
Change of clothes
Snacks
Empty water bottle
Other valuables
Wherever your travels take you, being prepared with the right gear will make your trip that much more enjoyable.
Credit: Jason Wanlass
Best Travel Gear
Did you look at this packing list and realize you are missing a few important things? Or maybe you simply feel like it's time to upgrade the decade-old suitcase that you inherited from who knows where. Our globetrotting experts have spent hours in cars, planes, trains, and buses and have nailed down our top picks for travel, from suitcases to sunhats.
Travel Bags
The most important piece of travel gear when it comes to carrying your belongings while traveling is your bag. From rolling luggage to top-rated duffel bags and our favorite messenger bags perfect for urban bike rides to sling bags, we have tested a lot of bags. Below, we have compiled a list of some of our favorites for all types of excursions.
You'll want to choose your luggage based on your travel plans. If you know you'll be walking a lot, or encountering a lot of stairs, you may want to opt for something small and light.
Credit: Jason Wanlass
Large Luggage
Our luggage lineup boasts a 95L - 125L capacity. This style of suitcase is best for longer-term travel and may feel a bit excessive for weekend trips. Depending on your travel style, you may want to look for different features in your suitcase. If you like to stay organized, opting for luggage with a modular compartment system might be your best bet. If organization isn't your priority, but security features are non-negotiable, checking out some of the hard-sided suitcases with TSA-approved locks might be more your style.
Packing in a carry on sized bag gives you a shortcut through the airport, allowing you to skip baggage claim and get straight to your vacation.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Carry-On Luggage
If waiting by the baggage carousel is cramping your style, a top-rated piece of carry-on luggage will serve you well in your adventures. Carry on luggage is smaller than many super-hauler suitcases, and most are made to fit within airlines' size standards, and you have the security of keeping your bag within arms reach the entire time. If carrying slightly less but keeping it with you during air travel appeals to you, check out our list of some of the best carry-on luggage on the market.
Duffel bags are a great option if you are looking for a durable and versatile bag that can take you off the beaten path.
Credit: Hayley Thomas
Duffel Bags
Sometimes, a classic suitcase won't cut it, especially if you lean towards a more rugged or unpredictable travel style. Our travel gear experts took our lineup of top-ranked duffel bags to other continents, on bush planes, and on countless camping trips to see which ones provided the best durability, ease of transport, and weather resistance.
We like to use travel backpacks for weekend trips or as a personal item to compliment our larger luggage.
Credit: Hayley Thomas
Travel Backpacks
Travel backpacks provide an alternative to traditional luggage, typically combining the features of a laptop backpack with storage that can rival that of carry on luggage. In our travel backpack review, our testers considered how versatile each pack is, how many travel-related features each offers, and, naturally, how comfortable each backpack is. For the weekend warriors and minimalist packers out there, a travel backpack is the way to go.
Backpacks come in all shapes and sizes with many specified pockets for high levels of organization. The style of pack you use will be unique to you and your modes of travel - just know that we have compiled some of the very best on the market.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
Daypacks and Carry-alls
Once you arrive at your destination, it's likely that you will want some kind of bag or tote to bring daily necessities while you explore. Something larger than a purse, smaller than a duffel, you get the picture. This size tote can come in various shapes and sizes, and our testers have tested more versions than we can even count, so we know a thing or two about what allows some bags to outperform others. From laptop backpacks to tech-specific packs, we have rounded up some of our favorite backpacks for travel so you don't have to sift through the numerous options on the market.
Whether for work, school, or general use, having a safe place to store your tech can take a load off your mind.
Credit: Amber King
Laptop Backpacks
When traveling on planes, trains, or autos, many people like to take a laptop with them. If you find yourself traveling with a laptop and other tech regularly, it is worth seeking out a laptop backpack to protect your electronics. Our testers dove deep into the world of laptop backpacks to determine which are the most protective, weather-resistant, and easiest to use.
No matter how you travel, a messenger bag keeps your essentials close and easily accessible.
Credit: Jared Ross
Messenger Bags
Messenger bags can provide a more urban aesthetic than a traditional backpack; they also offer more accessibility while on the go. Regarding traveling or commuting, messenger bags are often up for the challenge with their laptop-specific pockets and other organizational features. If you need to access your items on the fly, opting for a messenger bag that you can seamlessly pull to your front and dip into will suit your fancy.
If your vacation plans involve hiking to elite views like this, a more rugged daypack can be the perfect partner.
Credit: Jacob Clark
Daypacks
If your vacation plans involve a lot of hiking, biking, or other outdoor activities, a more rugged daypack might be a good option for you. Some of our favorite daypacks have versatile designs that make them perfect for both urban and remote environments, while others have more structure and features that are geared toward outdoor use.
Loading up a cooler can help turn long days on the road into an adventurous party.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Travel Accessories
Sometimes, all you need to take a trip from good to great is the right set of accessories. Whether you like to exercise in a hotel room, take to the local trails to find scenic vistas, or simply want to be prepared in the case of unpredictable weather, we have recommendations for you. Each item listed below has been painstakingly tested to prove its prowess. Here are some of our favorite extras that we like to pack:
Whether you use them for birding or other types of sightseeing, a great pair of binoculars can enhance your travel experience.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Binoculars
Whether you like birdwatching or not, a pair of binoculars can come in handy as you travel. They can be used to look more closely at a far-off landscape or to bring distant animals into view. No matter how you like to use them, having a pair of distance eyes in your arsenal is a great way to immerse yourself in your new surroundings.
You never know when the weather will turn, but it helps to be prepared with an umbrella.
Credit: Sara Aranda
Umbrellas
Umbrellas are useful in all types of weather, which is why they made it onto our list of best travel gear. If your adventures may lead you to rainy or too-hot climates, tossing one of umbrellas from our testing into your favorite travel bag is a great way to plan ahead. Some are more portable than others, so keep that in mind as you shop.
Having a lightweight water bottle can cut down on plastic and keep you hydrated on your journey.
Credit: Jon Oleson
Water Bottle
Hydration, hydration, hydration. Everyone knows how important it is to drink water, but it is all too easy to forget when you're on vacation. Having a reusable water bottle that you can keep on hand to refill again and again will help you stay hydrated while lounging on the beach or exploring the nooks and crannies of a new city.
When venturing into unknown territory, wearing the most equipped clothing available will help you enjoy your experiences in comfort.
Credit: Justin Simoni
Travel Apparel
We all have individual comfort preferences, but some clothing items can have a bigger part in your vacation than you'd think. Our gear testers sorted through many different categories of apparel to determine which items are best for travel. Read on to find out what GearLab testers won't be caught traveling without.
Warm and breathable, the R1 Air Hoody is a go-to fleece jacket for a range of activities.
Credit: James Lucas
Lightweight Jacket
You will never catch us without our layers, and even on our shortest and lightest of journeys, we always find room to toss in a versatile midweight layer. A light jacket such as a fleece or puffy is easy to pack, can be used as a mid-layer on ski trips, and can come in handy on cooler summer nights as well.
Supportive and comfortable footwear is a gamechanger if you are spending a lot of time on your feet.
Credit: Maggie Nichols
Footwear
For many of us, travel days involve long hours spent on our feet. A comfortable, supportive pair of walking shoes is essential, whether you are spending hours exploring a new city on foot, wandering the trail you found behind your B&B, or standing in long lines at the TSA checkpoint. If you want to slide into something more comfortable after arrival, flip-flops are a lightweight and easily packable option. They have come a long way in terms of traction, waterproofness, and durability and are easy to slip in and out of, so you don't have to waste precious vacation minutes configuring socks and shoes. We tested some of flip flops on the market to help you find the right travel kicks for your once-in-a-lifetime trip.
Not only does a pair of shades help protect your eyes, they also just look cool.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Sun Protection
If vacation means a hot weather beach getaway, sun protection is a non-negotiable. Our favorite sun hats are lightweight and packable. A pair of the best sunglasses can help protect your eyes and add a flair of style to your outfits.
When it comes to finding the right travel gear, our globe-trotting experts have a ton of recommendations up their sleeves.
Credit: Jason Wanlass
Why Trust GearLab
Generally speaking, our team of expert gear testers love to travel. Sometimes we like to travel in comfort and style, other times we like to get as dirty as we can while virtually removing ourselves from all that is familiar. Our travel gear testing team is made up of adventure-seeking nomads from across the country.
While our review team covering travel categories is broad, three of our Senior Review Editors stand out for their substantial contributions. Jason Wanlass and Myrha Colt collaborated on our extensive luggage testing including carry-on, packed luggage, and travel bags. They put all the top luggage through a grinding test of practical use tests, and rough handling to find the best. Jason is a passionate traveler who regularly heads out to beautiful places around the world, including Nepal, Patagonia, Iceland, and more. Myhra is an expert traveler with decades of experience in the adventure travel industry. Her wanderlust has taken her to Bali, Nepal, Zambia, New Zealand, Italy, Costa Rica and more. Maggie Nichols brings a combination of scientific acumen and a background of extensive world travel to our travel products testing team. Maggie's travels span from studying Chimpanzees in Zambia to years of guiding adventure travel expeditions, and indulging her our personal passion for world travel in between.
Along with our other GearLab travel product Review Editors, Jason, Myrha, and Maggie, all bring expert knowledge to our travel-testing team, as well, adding valuable insights about the best gear for extended travel, the best apparel for all weather, and how to fulfill your wanderlust without breaking the bank.
To roll or to fold... that is the question.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Packing Tips
While your packing list will vary depending on the type of trip you are taking, a good rule of thumb for a 1-week trip is 5-6 tops, 3-4 bottoms, 1-2 pairs of shoes, and at least one change of underclothes for every day of your trip. When packing, remember to check the weather at your destination and consider things such as planned activities and travel methods. Your list will look different if you are going on a beach vacation in the Caribbean versus a ski trip in the Sierra Nevada versus a business trip to the city. In addition to our listed essentials, your purpose for travel will determine which additional items you should bring. You may need to pack specialty gear, seasonal clothing, or event-appropriate dress wear.
Now that you know what you are packing, the next question is how are you going to pack it? While everyone has their own method that they swear by, we have a few tips and tricks that may make living out of a suitcase a bit easier. Packing shoes and other heavy items first can help distribute the weight of your bag more evenly and avoid crushing more delicate items placed on top. If you often travel for business, or you have a long list of destination weddings to attend over the summer (lucky you), then a garment bag can be key in keeping your formal attire fresh.
A built-in section of the Briggs & Riley suitcase can help keep your nicer items separated from the rest of your clothing.
If you are traveling for business or an event, a garment bag can help keep your formalwear crips and relatively wrinkle-free.
Some suitcases offer integrated garment bags, while others have completely removable ones.
Rolling, Folding… Cubing?
The roll vs fold debate can get heated, and defenders of each side have a plethora of reasons why their style is better. Folding requires little prep (most of your clothes are probably already folded at home) is a good option if you don't have much time to pack, and is better for delicate clothing. If you are packing formalwear, you can fold it according to the creases so you have less ironing to do later on. However, it doesn't always use luggage space as efficiently, and it can be more difficult to access items on the bottom if you have to live out of your suitcase.
To test packability across all our carry-on contenders, we stuffed each with the same 7-day wardrobe we might take with us if we were heading out on a summer vacation.
Credit: Genaveve Bradshaw
Rolling is great for casual clothes like t-shirts, jeans, activewear, and the like. It is a big space saver and can help to prevent wrinkles in most fabrics. We also find that it helps the contents of our suitcase stay put during travel, and it is easy to spot and pick out specific items when getting dressed. It is not great for bulky clothing like knits and sweatpants as it may actually increase the bulk of these items. It also takes more time to prep, so if unfolding and re-rolling every article of clothing sounds like a nightmare, it may not be the best method for you.
Rolling your clothes and using compression straps found in many suitcases can help keep your clothes in order throughout your journey.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Lastly, we have packing cubes. These are an organizational nerd's dream come true. They offer as much or as little compartmentalization as you need for your trip, and there are endlessly customizable options for using them: tops vs bottoms, daily outfits, or clean vs dirty. If you can remember what you put inside, packing cubes make it easy to access exactly what you need without disturbing the rest of your clothing and help everything stay put during transit. However, if you are a habitual over-packer, constantly playing chicken with the scale at the airport check-in counter, packing cubes add weight to your luggage. They are also an added cost on top of your suitcase or duffel.
Packing cubes are like little drawers for your suitcase for those who like a “mise en place” style of packing.
Credit: Miya Tsudome
The moral of the story is that each method has a best time and place, and best-practice packers use a combination of all three. It never hurts to experiment until you find the combination that best suits your travel style.
Running short on space? Stuff rolled-up socks, pajamas, or t-shirts into your shoes to cut down on bulk and help your shoes keep their shape in your luggage.
A clear zippered bag is one of the best ways to pack all your toiletries. Bags like this make things easier to find and are at least somewhat spill-resistant if anything goes wrong.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Toiletries and Electronics
You may not think these things have much in common, but when it comes to packing, items from both categories need some special attention to make sure everything arrives at your destination in one piece. If you are flying, you will want to double-check the latest TSA requirements for details on liquid allowances. The same goes for electronics. If you are flying with a laptop, camera, or other electronics, TSA requirements may have specific restrictions to be aware of. It is best to double-check their website to ensure you will make it through security without any issues. If you are using other methods of transport, you have a little more leeway, but a little organization goes a long way when traveling.
There are a few rules of thumb for packing your toiletries and medications. First off, if you are going carry-on only, use travel-sized liquid bottles and pack toiletries in a seethrough/clear plastic bag for TSA. It is also helpful to pack them last so they are easy to remove as you go through security checkpoints. Even if you're not flying to your destination, using small, refillable containers or buying travel-sized toiletries can help lighten your load, and using a watertight bag (like a gallon-sized plastic bag) acts as an extra failsafe to protect other items from leakage during rough transit or air pressure changes. Nothing is worse than arriving at your hotel room and finding all your clothing is covered in a fragrant medley of hair and body products. Lastly, use a vitamin organizer. If you have a routine of daily meds or supplements, it is wise to invest in a portable vitamin organizer so you're not lugging around full-size pill bottles.
Whether you prefer a tote, backpack, or messenger-style bag, dedicated tech pockets are a must if you often travel with a laptop.
Credit: Jared Ross
Electronics should also be one of the last things in your bag to allow for easy access while on the road or when going through airport security. But how do you tame the inevitable mess of charger cords and power adapters? For this, we recommend a tech pouch where you can zip away unruly cables. Alternatively, some of our favorite travel backpacks have a dedicated tech pocket to help protect and organize things like laptops, tablets, and their accessories, providing peace of mind during your travels.
For long hauls flights and road trips, a travel pillow can give you better chance at getting some shut eye.
Credit: Laura Casner
What to Put in Your Carry On?
Unfortunately, there is always a chance that your checked luggage will get lost in transit and may not make it to your destination at the same time as you, so it helps to be prepared. Anything you can't live without for more than a few days, or that you cannot replace at your destination should go in your carry-on bag. This may include items like essential medication, a change of clothes, entertainment, and travel documents. You should also keep any valuables and electronics close at hand, but remember, this bag will be glued to your side for the duration of your transit period. So unless you are lucky enough to have someone to do all your heavy lifting for you, make sure your carry-on bag is a size and weight that is easy to manage on your own.
Comfortable and functional are the two keywords when choosing what to wear on your travel days.
Credit: Laura Casner
If you're having trouble getting everything to fit in your bag, check the amenities at your hotel or vacation rental to see what you can borrow. Many hotels offer things like hairdryers or sunscreen, so you don't have to pack them yourself. And at the end of the day, don't sweat the small stuff. If you forget something like a toothbrush, you can easily find one at the front desk of your hotel or a nearby grocery store or pharmacy. Ensure you have your essentials and almost everything else is replaceable at your destination.
Finding the right gear is so valuable when it comes to embarking on epic adventures. Our testers sorted through what we could to provide you with current info about what gear is worth shelling out hard-earned money for.
Credit: Maggie Nichols
Our Intention
Nearly all gear can be categorized as useful for travel depending on your trip. Our goal is to outline some of the more basic items that can provide enjoyable travel experiences. This category is especially broad when it comes to apparel. Once you dial in what kind of adventure awaits, you can seek out the top down jackets, hiking pants, running shirts, and beyond. We hope that our outline of exceptional gear can act as a strong jumping-off point so you can travel with relative ease. Bon voyage!
