What To Pack In Your Main Luggage – Packing Checklist

There are so many variables with packing that it’s difficult to write one definite packing checklist of everything you’ll need – it depends where you are going and what you’re going to be doing when you get there, how many people you’re packing for, what the weather’s going to be like, and so on. However, having mastered your Hand Buggage packing, I’ve pulled some key items into a Packing Checklist for your main luggage, on the assumption that it will be going into the hold of an airplane.

Printable PDF Checklists– printable packing checklists are available for those signed up to my monthly Newsletter!

Things to note before you get packing

Packing headlines!

Don’t take the kitchen sink – try not to overpack as it’s likely that you’ll never use half the stuff that you take. One guideline for packing your main case is that you should lay all your items for travel out on the bed, and then half it – it’s probably not a bad strategy!

Be aware – packing is most difficult when you’re going somewhere that is sunny in the day, cold in the evenings, and where you’ll be doing activities like cycling or kayaking where you need specific kit – it all mounts up.

Travelling light – if you’re going to a hot country, then you’ll probably spend a lot more time in lightweight clothes or swimwear which take up less space, so you can travel lighter (assuming you don’t want to get dressed up each evening in a different outfit!).

Travelling with older kids – if you’re going with the family and older kids, you can pass a lot of responsibility onto others to pack their own luggage, but best for you to retain an overview of the packing as nothing is more annoying that forgotten items at your destination.

Know what you’re packing – put your Packing Checklist together based on the questions covered in my previous blog Answer these key questions before writing your Travel Packing List.

What type of luggage should you use?

There are many different luggage options for your trip, but broadly speaking:

• Squishy duffle bags and soft suitcases.
• Large rucksacks.
• Hard suitcases.

Which you choose is a matter of preference and may depend on the type of trip you are taking – backpacking, skiing, villa holiday, road trip etc.

With the exception of rucksacks and some duffle bags, most luggage has wheels these days which makes moving your luggage around much easier. Long gone are the days of searching for luggage trolleys or struggling with your bag on airport transit.

Security measures

It sounds obvious, but before you travel, check that all the zips work on your suitcase, and that you can lock it with padlocks or locks built into the case (just remember the codes!). Your case is going to get thrown around a lot and so if the zips and fasteners aren’t secure that your case it at risk of opening – this has happened to us, but luckily we didn’t lose anything.

For some countries, you may want to take additional security measures like wrap your case in cellophane, if the airport has that option.

Also, think about putting some identifiers on your luggage, particularly if it’s navy blue or black, and from a common luggage supplier – they all look the same on the carousel.

What to pack?

So let’s not put it off any longer, what should you pack in your main luggage?

Toiletries

Start thinking about what toiletries to take in the run up to your trip, then you can save bottles to decant your favourite products into. Alternatively buy a set of smaller bottles to save on space.

Note – a hanging toiletry bag can be very useful when travelling. Key items to pack would be:

• Shower gel.
• Shampoo and conditioner.
• Hairbrush and styling product.
• Toothbrush and toothpaste.
• Razor and shaming foam/cream.
• Face routine – cleanser, toner, moisturiser, eye make-up remover.
• Feminine hygiene products, if required.

Make-up

Ideally travel light with make-up when on holiday, so just the basics:

• Tinted moisturiser.
• Waterproof mascara.
• Coloured lip balm/lip stain.
• Eye liner and eye shadow.
• Blusher or bronzer

First Aid kit.

For a comprehensive list of first aid items and why they are useful, read my blog The Perfect Travel First Aid Kit.

If going to a malaria area – pack Mosquito spray (DEET) or lotions without DEET (Picardin), long-sleeved trousers/tops, citronella.

If going to a country with poor water quality/hygiene – consider packing a water purifier (such asm a Steri Peri portable water purifier, or purification tablets.

Practical items

The following items might come in useful along the way:

• Laundry detergent – for when/if you need to do a wash on the go, otherwise you will need to pay to use the powders from the laundrette or buy a whole packet of detergent which you then won’t use on the rest of the trip.
• Vanish block – stain remover to attack any stains on clothes before it’s too late and you right off one of your favourite pieces of clothing.
• Travel washing line and clothes pegs – can be useful if needed.
• Sink stopper – many countries don’t have plugs in their sinks which I’ve always found confusing to take one with you.
• Zip lock bags – can be useful to keep opened items in and prevent spillage in the case.

Clothes – basics:

The following items will be needed whatever type of trip you are taking:

• Underwear.
• Sleepwear – PJs.
• Day wear – try to take items which can be used on more than one occasion, dressed up or down, and which coordinate with each other so you have lots of outfit options from a small number of clothes.
• Day shoes and socks – walking trainers or sandals.
• Change of shoes – for going out, or smarter activities.
• Flip flops – good for the beach but can double up as slippers.

Clothes – for sunshine:

• Sunglasses (although you might want these with you in your hand luggage).
• Sun hat / baseball hat.
• Sun cream and aftersun.

Clothes – for beach and water activities:

• Swimming costume/bikini/trunks/UV rash vests.
• Over costume cover up.
• Beach towel.
• Beach bag – large to hold everything.
• Wet bag – hold wet kit.
• Water shoes.

Clothes – for activities:

• Binoculars.
• Waterproof camera or Go Pro.
• Dry bag.
• Plastic phone case with string – useful for cycling.
• Travel tripod – if photographing the stars or night-time shots.
• Head torch.
• Maps and GPS.
• Running kit and sports Bra.
• Hiking boots – wear on plane?

Items – for rain:

• Raincoat, ponchos, umbrellas.

Clothes – for the cold:

• Puffa jacket – squashes up small.
• Base layers / thermals.
• Woolly hat, gloves, scarf.
• Super warm socks!

Extra bags:

• Beach bag – a large bag for holding beach items, or which can double as a laundry bag.
• Light fold flat bag – in case buy things when you’re there, if your luggage allowance enables you to bring back an additional bag.  Again, it can double up as a laundry bag if needed.

The one item you can’t leave home without…

For me that’s Yorkshire teabags. What’s yours?

Now all you’ve got to do is decide whether to ‘fold or roll’ your clothes and then let the packing commence….

Thank you so much for reading my blog, I hope you found it useful?

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Enjoy your travels!