Hello,
I created this list as an help for preparing the suitcase before a trip. The list should help you to remember to pack all the items that you need and not to forget the cable for your camera (for example). Of course that you may have specific items that are not in this list, but a general category should remind you that. For example a category named “medicine” should remind you a specific medicine that you are using.
I am personally using this list before my trips and it turns out to be very useful. You can read information about my trips on my sites about : Vietnam, Thailand, Barcelona, Tel-Aviv and Jerusalem.
Notes :
- You probably know that it is much better to travel light , so choose only the items that you need from the list.
- The list is adapted for a stay in hotels or hostels, not for camping.
- Also on this site : useful Products for the trip and how to find an Hotel.
On this page, the categories :
- Luggage
- Electronic Items
- Toiletries
- Clothes
- Swimming & Sports
- Sleeping equipment
- Laundry
- Health
- Storage
- Repairs
- Documents & Money
- Miscellaneous
- Food
- Just Before the Flight, the hand luggage
Luggage:
Product | Details |
---|---|
Main suitcase![]() | Read my recommendations about the main suitcase.. With most airlines, you are limited to 20 Kg in tourist class. (more weight allowed in hand luggage, usually up to 8 Kg) |
Bag Name Tag![]() | Attach several of them to your suitcase. It's just a matter of statistics : An airline can lose your bag and this tag will increase the chances that you will see it again. |
Airplane hand suitcase![]() | It is comfortable to have a small suitcase with wheels when you stroll between the duty free shops at the airport, but if you have already a big main suitcase maybe you should just take with you a backpack for the airplane. |
Backpack for every day![]() | It should be a multi purpose backpack: suitable to walk in the nice streets and also for the beach. It should be comfortable for the back and big enough to put your laptop inside. Read my recommendations about the Backpack. |
Lock![]() | You may need more than one, for all the zippers of your suitcases. It is more convenient to chose a padlock with a code system over one with a key. See my recommendations about this item. |
External waist pouch![]() | Use it only in safe places, like an airport. Don't give thieves an incentive to easily steal all your important documents and money. |
Money pouch (hidden)![]() | Very Important. It is attached to your belt and it is hidden under your clothes. See my recommendations about this item. |
Electronic Items:
Product | Details |
---|---|
Smartphone![]() | Read why you need a smartphone in your trip. |
Camera![]() | |
Camera case![]() | |
eReader![]() | I use my smartphone for reading books. |
Electric Razor![]() | Make sure it is suitable for 220 and 110 volts. See my recommendations for the one to buy. |
Hair Cutter (Trimmer)![]() | Don't worry, there are hairdressers all over the world. Take a haircutter only if you use it at home. |
Travel Alarm Clock![]() | A back-up for your alarm in your smartphone. You don't really want to miss your flight in a trip. See my recommendations about the travel alarm clock. |
Flashlight![]() | You can take a very small flashlight that doesn't use batteries (it charges with a hand crank). A flashlight is useful in a trip (hotel, train etc). Yes, you have this function also in your smartphone. |
Laptop or Tablet![]() | |
Laptop Case![]() | |
External memory drive for laptop![]() | To backup your photos and other data |
USB key![]() | A USB key is good for the backup of data and also to keep your sensitive data separate in case your laptop is being stolen. |
Universal plug adaptor![]() | Important in a trip. But keep in mind that it doesn't convert voltages so make sure your electronics devices are adapted to 220 volts and also to 110 volts. See my recommendations about the universal plug adaptor. |
Multi-socket![]() | Especially important if you use to go to coffee places with your laptop, there is always a shortage of sockets. |
Electric cables![]() | For all your electronic devices |
Battery chargers![]() | For all your electronic devices |
USB cables![]() | For all your electronic devices |
Batteries![]() | For all your electronic devices |
Memory cards![]() | For your camera and other devices |
Toiletries:
Product | Details |
---|---|
Toiletries bag![]() | Make sure it has a loop handle so that you can hang it in the shared bathroom of hostels. See my recommendation about this item. |
Toothbrush![]() | |
Toothpaste![]() | |
Tooth sticks or floss![]() | |
Mouthwash![]() | |
Shampoo![]() | |
Deodorant![]() | You won't always find your favourite deodorant in all countries, so take enough with you. |
Soap![]() | In hotels, you usually receive little soaps everyday. |
Soap case![]() | |
Razor blades![]() | |
Shaving cream![]() | |
After shave/ perfume![]() | |
Travel Towel ![]() | You better choose one of these modern lightweight, fast dry towels made of microfiber. Make sure it has also a small loop so that you could hang it in the bathroom. See my recommendation about this item. |
Travel Mirror![]() | |
Comb![]() | |
Nail scissors![]() | It should be a multi purpose scissor (or take 2) |
Tweezers![]() | |
Nail polisher![]() | |
Make-up (lipsticks...)![]() | |
Jewellery![]() | |
Hair dryer![]() | If you take one, make sure it is adapted to 220 and 110 volts. |
Clothes:
Swimming & Sports:
Sleeping equipment:
Product | Details |
---|---|
Travel sheet / Sleeping bag![]() | You don't really need a sleeping bag for a stay in hotels or hostels but taking with you a bed sheet made of silk in form of a sleeping bag could be a good idea for use in trains and for other circumstances. See my recommendation about this item. |
Earplugs![]() | If you are going to visit many hotels, there is a high probability that some of your rooms will be noisy. See my recommendation about this item. |
Sleep mask![]() | |
Travel pillow![]() | See my recommendation about this item. |
Laundry:
Health:
Product | Details |
---|---|
Wet wipes![]() | It is a miracle that this product was invented. During a trip, you can use wet towels to wash your hands, refresh your face and clean surfaces. |
Toilet paper![]() | |
Analgesic pills![]() | |
Diarrhea pills![]() | |
Infection treatment![]() | |
Throat pills![]() | |
Antibiotics![]() | |
Bandages ![]() | |
Menstrual ![]() | |
Contraceptive![]() | |
Sunscreen![]() | |
Lips balm![]() | |
Vitamins![]() | |
Your special medicines![]() | |
Glasses/lenses/ cleaning material ![]() | |
Mosquito repellent![]() | There are sprays that you can put on your skin, there are electric repellents and also mosquito nets that are quite difficult to hang in a hotel room. See my recommendation about this item. |
Storage:
Repairs:
Product | Details |
---|---|
Sewing Kit![]() | |
Safety pins![]() | |
Super glue![]() | Can be found all over the planet, don't really need to take with you. |
Documents & Money:
Product | Details |
---|---|
Passport![]() | Check that your passport has a validity of at least 6 months. |
Passport Visas![]() | Check if your need a visa in advance to enter your destination country. |
Flight tickets (Train, boats...)![]() | In most cases the airline will send you by email an electronic ticket, make a print. Read my recommendations here regarding choosing the flight. |
Hotel Reservations![]() | |
Health Insurance / Travel Insurance![]() | You can never know so make one. Some credit card companies give you a free health insurance for a limited time but you have to call them before your trip to activate it. |
Vaccinations![]() | For some countries and zones. |
Passport photos![]() | You may need passport photos for passing borders and extending stays. Save time and bring some photos with you. |
Driver license![]() | |
Your Special Cards ![]() | Student card, Airline frequent traveller etc |
Credit cards![]() | Try to bring more than one for backup. Your credit card should be your main way to get money from ATM and to pay in stores but remember that any ATM withdrawal will entail commissions from both banks. The total commissions are in the order of 7% ! |
Cash![]() | You want to use cash abroad instead of the ATM withdrawals because of the commissions, but you don't want your cash to be stolen. So on a long trip you must use ATM and keep some cash for any case. |
Photocopy of passport and other documents![]() | Do it on papers and if not at least make a photo with your smartphone. |
Miscellaneous:
Product | Details |
---|---|
Travel guide book![]() | The only paper book I take with me on trips. See my recommendation about this item. |
Pen![]() | |
Maps![]() | |
Small Notebook![]() | |
A4 Papers![]() | |
Envelopes![]() | You know the Internet was invented, right ? |
Teddy bear![]() | Don't leave him alone at home. |
Reading Material![]() | Put it in your smartphone ! Or an electronic reader |
Information papers (restaurants, recommendations etc)![]() | Take a photo of them with your smartphone. |
Food: