A vacation packing checklist works best when it's organized by category: documents and money, clothes, toiletries, health items, electronics, and a small carry-on kit for the travel day. Use the master list below, then add the extras for your type of trip (beach, cold weather, city or adventure). It also covers the airport rules that most often catch travelers out: carry-on liquids, ID requirements, medicines and power banks.
How to use this checklist
- Start three to five days before you leave. Check the weather forecast and your itinerary, then strike out anything you won't need.
- Lay everything out before it goes in the bag. Seeing it all at once makes overpacking obvious.
- Pack by outfit, not by item. Count days, plan what you'll wear, then add one spare.
- Keep the essentials on you. Documents, medicines, electronics and a change of clothes go in your carry-on, not checked luggage.
- Check your airline's bag rules. Size and weight limits differ by airline and fare type.
1. Travel documents and money
- Passport (check the expiration date against your destination's entry rules)
- REAL ID-compliant driver's license or another accepted ID for domestic flights
- Visas or entry authorizations, if your destination requires them
- Boarding passes, hotel and car rental confirmations (saved offline)
- Photos or copies of your passport and ID, stored separately from the originals
- Health insurance card and travel insurance details
- Credit and debit cards, plus a backup card kept in a different bag
- Some local currency for arrival
- Emergency contacts written down, not only in your phone
Since May 7, 2025, travelers in the U.S. need a REAL ID-compliant license (marked with a star or flag, or the word "Enhanced") or another acceptable ID such as a passport to board domestic flights. The TSA says travelers without acceptable ID must pay a $45 fee.
2. Clothing
A simple formula for a one-week trip with no laundry:
| Item | How many | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tops | 5 to 7 | Choose colors that work with every bottom you pack |
| Bottoms | 2 to 4 | Wear the bulkiest pair on the plane |
| Underwear | 7 to 8 | One per day plus a spare |
| Socks | 7 to 8 pairs | Add hiking socks if you'll walk a lot |
| Sleepwear | 1 to 2 | |
| Outer layer | 1 to 2 | A light jacket or sweater, plus a rain shell |
| Dressier outfit | 1 | For nicer restaurants or events |
| Shoes | 2 to 3 pairs | Comfortable walking shoes, sandals or dress shoes |
| Swimwear | 1 to 2 | If there's a pool or beach |
If you'll have access to laundry, pack for four or five days and wash mid-trip. Quick-drying fabrics make that easier.
Accessories
- Belt, hat and sunglasses
- Day bag or small backpack
- Scarf or wrap (useful on cold planes and for dress codes at religious sites)
- Reusable shopping bag and a laundry bag for dirty clothes
3. Toiletries
- Toothbrush, toothpaste and floss
- Deodorant
- Shampoo, conditioner and body wash (skip if your lodging provides them)
- Face wash and moisturizer
- Sunscreen and lip balm with SPF
- Razor and shaving cream
- Hairbrush or comb, hair ties, styling products
- Contact lenses, solution and glasses
- Menstrual products
- Makeup and remover
- Nail clippers and tweezers
Carry-on liquids rule
For carry-on bags in the U.S., liquids, gels, creams, pastes and aerosols must be in travel-size containers of 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less, all fitting in one quart-sized bag. Anything larger goes in checked luggage. Take the bag out at screening to speed things up.
4. Health and medicines
- Prescription medicines, with enough for a few extra days in case of delays
- Pain reliever and fever reducer
- Antihistamine
- Stomach remedies (antacid, anti-diarrheal)
- Motion sickness tablets if you need them
- Bandages, blister plasters and antiseptic wipes
- Hand sanitizer and a few face masks
- Insect repellent
- Copies of prescriptions and your doctor's contact details
According to the TSA, medication in pill or solid form can be carried in unlimited amounts once screened, and the agency strongly recommends keeping it in your carry-on so you can reach it. TSA doesn't require prescription bottles, but some state laws on prescription labeling still apply, and other countries can have their own rules. Liquid medication over 3.4 ounces is allowed in carry-on bags in reasonable quantities for a flight; tell the officer at the start of screening. If you travel abroad with prescription medicines, check the destination country's rules before you go.
5. Electronics
- Phone and charger
- Power bank
- Travel adapter (and a voltage converter if a device isn't dual-voltage)
- Headphones
- E-reader or tablet
- Laptop and charger, if needed
- Camera, memory cards and spare batteries
- Short multi-port charging cable or small power strip
Spare lithium batteries, power banks and battery charging cases must go in your carry-on, not checked bags. The TSA limits lithium-ion batteries to 100 watt-hours each, which covers most phone power banks. Airlines can set stricter rules, so check yours.
6. Carry-on essentials for travel day
- Documents, wallet and phone
- Medicines
- Change of clothes and underwear
- Toothbrush and travel-size toothpaste
- Empty water bottle to fill after security
- Snacks
- Neck pillow, eye mask and earplugs
- Light layer for the cabin
- Pen for arrival forms
- Valuables and anything you couldn't replace
7. Add-ons by trip type
Beach or resort
- Two swimsuits, cover-up, flip-flops
- Wide-brim hat, sunglasses, after-sun lotion
- Waterproof phone pouch and a packable beach bag
- Snorkel mask if you prefer your own
Cold weather
- Insulated jacket, thermal base layers and wool socks
- Hat, gloves and scarf
- Waterproof boots with good grip
- Rich moisturizer and lip balm
City break
- Broken-in walking shoes
- Crossbody bag or anti-theft day pack
- Compact umbrella
- One smarter outfit for dinner or a show
Outdoor or adventure
- Hiking shoes and moisture-wicking layers
- Daypack, refillable water bottle and headlamp
- Rain jacket
- Small first aid kit and blister care
8. Before you leave home
- Check in online and confirm your flight time
- Tell your bank you're traveling
- Set up an international phone plan or eSIM if needed
- Download maps, tickets and entertainment for offline use
- Hold mail and packages, or ask a neighbor to collect them
- Arrange pet and plant care
- Empty the fridge of anything that will spoil and take out the trash
- Unplug small appliances, set the thermostat and lock windows and doors
Packing tips that save space
- Roll soft items like T-shirts and pajamas; fold structured items like blazers.
- Use packing cubes to compress clothes and keep categories separate.
- Fill shoes with socks, chargers or small items.
- Wear your heaviest items (boots, jacket) on travel day.
- Leave a little room for anything you buy on the trip.
- Keep a permanent toiletry kit packed with travel sizes so you're not rebuilding it every time.
Security and ID rules can change, so check the TSA and your airline's current guidance shortly before you fly.
Sources: TSA: REAL ID; TSA liquids rule; TSA: lithium batteries.
