Packing checklist for your next holiday

Documents & essentials

travel/health insurance documents;
tickets: either printed or electronic;
itinerary;
a list of important contacts and numbers e.g. hotels, tours, and emergency contacts;
a list of medications and a prescription/letter from your doctor;
personal ID/Student ID card;
cash converted into the local currency;
credit/bank cards: let your bank know that you’ll be travelling and for how long so they don’t stop you from being able to make a payment; and
driver’s licence: if travelling overseas you may need an international drivers licence.

If you’re travelling overseas, you will also need to pack the following:

passport: usually you’ll need six months of validity for airlines to let you travel;
visas: some countries require you to apply for a visa before being able to enter their country. This could take a few weeks or months.

For some of your documents, you may also want to make sure you have photocopies available and leave a copy with someone who stays behind, just in case anything gets lost along the way or in case of an emergency.

Carry-on baggage

If you’re bringing carry-on baggage, then it’s always a good idea to make sure you have some spare items with you just in case your checked luggage is lost. You should also include anything else that you will want before getting to your destination.

a spare set of clothes;
mobile phone and chargers: you’ll need to arrange international roaming or an international SIM card before leaving to make sure you can use your device;
a light jacket: in case it gets cold while travelling or transiting
your laptop, iPad or E-reader and chargers;
headphones: you can grab noise-cancelling headphones if you’re sensitive to sound;
camera, memory card and chargers;
electrical converters and adapters;
a travel pillow, blanket, eye mask and earplugs;
books or magazines;
lip balm and hand lotion: travelling can dry out your skin;
water bottle: this can be filled up once you have gone through security; and
travel guides, maps, language guides: if you think you’ll need these as soon as you land, put them in your carry on to have them ready

Clothing

It can be tricky to know what to bring with you when it comes to clothing, but you’ll need the essentials to start. You’ll also need to dress for the season and any activities that you’ll be doing.

underwear e.g. socks, stockings, bras and undershirts;
bottoms e.g. pants, jeans, shorts or skirts;
sleepwear;
shirts i.e. casual or dress;
jumpers or sweatshirts;
formalwear
coats, jackets and rainwear;
hats, gloves, scarves;
swimwear;
shoes: depending on your plans, you may also need to include hiking shoes, walking shoes or dress shoes;
sandals or thongs/flip-flops; and
belts.

Toiletries

dental supplies e.g. toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, mouthwash
soap/body wash;
deodorant;
perfume;
shampoo and conditioner;
hairstyling tools e.g. hairbrush, comb, other tools;
makeup and makeup remover; and
skincare products e.g. moisturiser, cleanser or other supplies.

Health

medications: it may be better to keep these in your carry-on to make sure you have them on hand;
tweezers;
vitamins;
a first aid kit e.g. disinfectant, bandages and pain relievers;
feminine hygiene products;
tissues;
sunscreen;
insect repellent; and
sunglasses.

Other

spare batteries for any mobility aids: to check the exact requirements for air travel and batteries visit the Civil Aviation Safety website;
a travel journal and pen to record your trip;
food or snacks: this may be good if you only eat certain types of food or if you need to eat regularly.

What do you always have with you when travelling? Tell us in the comments below.

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Packing for a holiday can be stressful, even if the trip is exciting, so we’ve put together a helpful list of essentials to get you started.