Answer These Key Questions Before You Write Your Travel Packing List

Packing can be difficult to get right – pitfalls include over packing, under packing, or not packing the right things – so every expert packer usually starts with a good packing list to make sure you have everything you need, and reduce last-minute packing stress. It helps to do the thinking in advance, so that you can simply gather your stuff, add it to your case and tick it off your list. Answer the following questions to help put a targeted travel packing list together…

1. International or domestic travel?

If your trip is international then the first thing you will want to put on your travel packing list is your passport, plus any visas (or visa waivers) required for your trip.

2. Long haul or short flight?

If your trip involves a flight then packing will vary depending on whether it’s a short or long-haul flight.

Luggage in the hold – you might want to put luggage in the hold for either short or long haul flights, depending on the nature of your trip. For example, if you go skiing in the Alps from the UK, a short-haul trip, you’re likely to put luggage in the hold as ski suits and accessories take up a lot of room. On the flip side, you could take a long-haul flight for work but not require much luggage, deciding simply to travel with hand luggage.

Hand luggage – you’ll have hand luggage regardless of whether you are flying short or long haul. Generally the shorter the flight, the less you will need in your hand luggage as it’s more like going out for the day. However, for a long haul flight the number of items that you might want access to during the flight is likely to be higher and so requires more thought on your travel packing list.

Travel clothes – if your flight is long-haul, then you will want to be comfortable and so lose clothes are preferable, with some layers in case the airplane cabin is hot or cold (actually, this is technically not packing as you will be wearing them and not putting them in your case!).

3. Luggage and bag allowance?

This will depend which airline you travel with and whether your flight is long-haul international, or short haul, or domestic. So, make sure you check your bag size and weight allowance on the airline’s website before you travel. 

Example – if you fly long-haul with British Airways in Economy, you will usually be entitled to up to 24kg per case, whereas if you travel Business, the allowance will be higher at 32kg per case.

Budget airlines, such as RyanAir, may be more restrictive and require you to pay for each bag you want to take on-board. Similarly, they tend to be very strict about hand luggage sizes and charge you for the bag if it doesn’t fit in the luggage size checkers.  Note – they tend to check whether hard cases fit in the luggage size checkers more often than soft bags.

4. Liquids and batteries?

Liquids

Are you checking a suitcase into the hold? If so, then you don’t really need to worry about liquids, as they can all go in your hold luggage. However, if you’re travelling hand luggage only on a flight, you need to limit your liquids to less than 100ml and to fit in a small clear plastic bag (if that is required). 

Note – some airports now have scanning equipment which works without you needing to separate liquids in a separate clear, plastic bag. That said, sometimes the scanners are not working, or the airport doesn’t have those kind of scanners so be prepared to separate out your liquids if required.

Batteries

Any devices containing lithium metal or lithium ion batteries should be kept in your carry-on luggage, for example, electric toothbrushes, and stand-alone battery packs.

5. Hiring a car?

If yes, remember to have your booking reference handy, and most importantly to pack your driving licence. You may also want to pack related items such a physical road map or GPS system.

6. What’s the weather going to be like?

The predicted, and seasonal, weather at your destination will dictate a large proportion of your luggage and whether you need to pack wet weather gear (cagoules, umbrellas or ponchos), sun protection (sunglasses, hat, sun cream) or warmer clothes for cold weather (woolly hat, gloves, base layers, coat).  Just reflect this in your packing list as you prepare.

Research the average temperatures that you are likely to encounter, and near your travel date check the 14 day forecasts to see if it looks typical of the time of year, then pack accordingly.

7. Visiting a malaria area?

If necessary for the place you are visiting, think about packing any advised precautions for malaria or other diseases like dengue fever such as tablets, DEET spray, long sleeved tops and trousers, or a net for hat or bed.

Similarly, if you are visiting an area with poor water quality, then think about packing water purification tablets or similar.

8. How long is your trip?

This is an obvious factor which will influence how much luggage you need to take on the trip.

• Short stay or a week – if your trip is only for a few days, then packing is not likely to be a challenge as generally you won’t need very much. The caveats to this are if you’re travelling for work and need any work equipment, or intending to undertake any activities which might need sports equipment. Then the luggage starts to pile up.
• More than a week – this is generally more of a challenge, particularly if the weather is likely to be varied, or if you are planning to take part in outdoor activities, then you can quickly reach your luggage allowance with all the required kit. Give careful thought to items which are versatile, light to pack, and travel well (don’t crease).

9. Opportunities to wash clothes whilst away?

Let’s face it, few people like doing domestic chores when you are supposed to be on holiday, however sometimes washing clothes is required at some point, especially if you are away for a long time. In short, if you can wash your clothes then you don’t need to pack as much:

• Staying in one place – if you’re in a villa or self-catering apartment then chances are you’ll have a washing machine or access one in the apartment complex.
• Moving around – on a road trip, you might want to schedule a laundrette stop along the way, maybe at the half way point, or after activities when your kit might smell – we spent 3 days wild camping in Algonquin National Park and afterwards our shoes smelt like swamp water which nothing apart from an emergency trip to the laundrette could shift! 
• Don’t forget to pack – some of your usual washing detergent, probably enough for one or two washes, as you don’t want to be buying it in your destination if you only need a bit. I always pack a Vanish Bar to deal with any stains when they happen, otherwise by the time you get home, it will be too late and the item will be written off.

10. What activities will I be doing?

Think about what activities you are likely to be doing whilst you are away, and what kit you need for each one – walking boots or running trainers, gym kit, cycling kit, swimming costumes and rash vests, dry bags for kayaking. Watch your travel packing list get a lot longer once you start to add in outdoor activities, than if your week just involves a sun lounger – either option is fine, but one requires a lot less packing!

11. Are there any special considerations for where I’m going?

A requirement to cover up?

If you’re visiting a conservative country, then you should take clothing items and scarves to help you cover up in public or religious places – cover shoulders, arms, legs and hair.

Additional security measures

It may be advisable in some countries to take extra security precautions, such as using a money belt or bra pocket, and using locks for baggage. If so, rather than packing jewellery, it might be more prudent to do the opposite and leave any valuable jewellery or watches at home rather than taking them with you.

12. Travelling with young children?

Things get quite a lot more complicated if you’re travelling with young children, as you will need to think about their feeding requirements, nappies, changes of clothes, entertainment to keep them occupied – chances are, you will have a small bag and they will have a very large one, plus pushchairs and car seats. This requires a separate list and another level of packing, which I’ll write about at a different time.

So, if you reflect the answers to the above questions in your travel packing list then you should be well on the way to calm and collected packing closer to your trip!

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Enjoy your travels!